What's happening

Plans for a 400,000 square foot warehouse — roughly the size of seven football fields — are moving forward to build on 40 acres of protected farmland in Lopatcong, NJ. No tenant has been identified for the building, meaning it could become anything from an Amazon fulfillment center to a data center to a heavy distribution hub. This land sits within a designated Highlands Conservation Zone, a region specifically protected by New Jersey state law to preserve clean water, open space, and natural resources for millions of residents.

On May 21, 2026, the NJ Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council voted to approve Lopatcong Township's application to declare this conservation land "in need of redevelopment" — a legal maneuver that allows a sewer line to be extended onto the property, paving the way for warehouse construction.

The clock is ticking. New Jersey's Governor holds veto power over Highlands Council decisions, but that window closes June 28. We need as many signatures as possible before then.

Why this matters

The Highlands Conservation Zone exists for a reason. Development on this land would affect people, wildlife, and the environment across the region — including residents of Phillipsburg, Lopatcong, Pohatcong, Greenwich, Alpha, and Easton, PA:

• Flooding — this region is already experiencing serious flooding impacts from recent warehouse and large-scale development nearby. Replacing an additional 40 acres of natural farmland with impervious warehouse surfaces will very likely exacerbate this issue for residents across the area, including neighborhoods along the Lopatcong Creek that are already at risk. The limestone bedrock beneath this land may also increase the risk of sinkholes as natural farmland is paved over and stormwater has nowhere to go.
• Wildlife and natural habitat — this land borders the Lopatcong Creek, one of the most environmentally sensitive (Category 1) waterways in New Jersey and home to state and federally threatened and endangered species. Trout and many other vulnerable species depend on its clean, cold, undisturbed waters. Stormwater runoff from a warehouse of this scale would undoubtedly degrade their habitat and the ecosystem that supports them.
• Clean drinking water — the Highlands region supplies water to nearly 5 million New Jersey residents. Paving over farmland and extending sewer infrastructure puts that supply at risk.
• Loss of working farmland — the land is currently active, with crops being grown — approval would end that agricultural use permanently, displacing a local farming operation and eliminating the economic activity it supports.
• Loss of irreplaceable open space — this is classified as some of the highest-quality farmland in the area. Once developed, it cannot be restored.
• Traffic — a 400,000 sq ft warehouse generates significant truck and vehicle traffic on local roads.
• Noise and light pollution — 24/7 warehouse operations would affect the quality of life for residents across the region.

Why this approval is being challenged

New Jersey law requires that a property's "impermeable surface", or previously paved-over area, exceed 70% before protected Highlands land can be classified for redevelopment. To meet that threshold, Lopatcong's application combines the farmland acreage with the paved surfaces of the entire old Phillipsburg Mall — an unrelated property with a different owner that straddles both Lopatcong and neighboring Pohatcong — even though the proposed warehouse would be built only on the farmland in Lopatcong.

Pohatcong's mayor has stated the township has no part in the application. However, without Pohatcong's portion of the old mall, the application would not meet the legal threshold required for approval. Residents of Pohatcong's Huntington and Parkside neighborhoods may want to ask their local officials about the township's role in this process.

This same application was voted down 18 months ago, falling short of the 8 votes required under Highlands Council rules. It has now been resubmitted with the support of Highlands Council staff.

What we're asking

We are calling on Governor Sherrill to exercise her veto authority and overturn the May 21, 2026 Highlands Council vote approving Lopatcong's Highlands Redevelopment Area application. The veto window closes June 28th, and your signature and your share could make the difference.

Don't let them pave paradise. Every signature on this petition sends a message to the Governor's office that residents across New Jersey, and our neighbors in Pennsylvania, want protected land to stay protected. We invite you to sign, comment, and share this petition widely. 

For more information or to get involved, contact the Phillipsburg Riverview Organization at proriverview@gmail.com

The Future We're Fighting Against (Photos taken  of existing flooding incidents in the Pohat/Lopat area):

And the beauty we want to preserve: