Thursday, April 23, 2009

New Jersey's New Gift

From Brianna Howell

CNN Reports, The US (New Jersey) will be receiving a new gift in upcoming years from an unlikely source: Hugo Chavez. Venezuela will be donating a 300-acre island, Petty's Island, in the Delaware River to New Jersey. This plan was announced on Wednesday as part of an Earth Day Celebration however the exchange is not expected to happen until 2020. The island is currently owned by the Venezuelan based oil-company, Citgo, and has been used as a sort-of pit-stop location between routes. Because of how this land has been used and disregarded, Citgo has agreed to donate $2 Million to New Jersey's Natural Lands Trust--an organization established to preserve and manage the island. This island is inhabited with many rare animals including two bald eagles, and various types of endangered herons and underwater creatures. Once the island exchange is complete, the Petty's Island will be mainly designated for natural activities like hiking and biking.

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