§ 13:18A-56 — Findings, declarations relative to economic development in the Pinelands.

1. The Legislature finds and declares that the Pinelands comprehensive management plan and its accompanying land use regulations place a number of restrictions on opportunities for economic development in portions of the region in which growth is restricted and which are largely devoted to conservation and agriculture; that within these areas, there is potential for limited development that may be undertaken in a manner that does not detract from ecological protection goals; and that certain types of economic development can be identified that are compatible with the environmentally sensitive and rural character of the region. The Legislature further finds and declares that small villages exist in non-growth portions of the region that include areas zoned for commercial and other uses but are isolated in the rural municipalities and lack the staff and resources for planning and economic development; that economic development of a certain type, such as ecotourism, retail sales and services, recreation, and light manufacturing, may be viable alternatives for these areas; and that in order to promote opportunities for these areas, it is necessary to create a program to research and test viable economic development opportunities and to design implementation strategies to bring development to these areas compatible with the ecologically sensitive nature of the region. L.1997,c.233,s.1.