2002 New York New Jersey Highlands Regional Study Update (Draft)

The update of the 1992 Highlands Regional Study was initiated to do the following: Assess the condition of forest resources in the region, analyze potential land use and land cover change, and develop conservation strategies to protect the long-term integrity of the region. This study was authorized because the area continues to experience significant land use and land cover changes that can affect the ability of the Highlands Region to provide the environmental and economic benefits that support a sustained quality of life.For more information on this study, please see the USDA Forest Service's Highlands Conservation and Stewardship page at http://www.fs.fed.us/na/highlands/.This is a draft copy only - please see the website for more information on contributing to the final release. The 2002 NY-NJ Highlands Regional Study Update was accomplished through the cooperation of federal, state and university natural resource specialists, including: U.S.D.A. Forest Service, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis (CRSSA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the Regional Plan Association (RPA)