The Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission today formally launched a project that will transform more than a thousand acres of former landfills and contaminated sites in southern Bergen and Hudson Counties into a world-class golf course complex.    

 The HMDC and EnCap Golf Holdings, LLC, of Tampa, Florida, signed an agreement for the remediation of six landfills within the Meadowlands District, the development of a recreational complex, habitat enhancements, and related amenities. 

 “I’m happy to witness the signing of a plan that will yield winners all around,” said Governor Christie Whitman. “Today, the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission formally reaches an agreement with the private developer EnCap Golf on a project that should have a positive and profound impact on this area of the Garden State.”

 In this plan, Gov. Whitman said that the State is solving problems by creating opportunity as this project will not only bring more jobs and a greener Garden State, but it will also give golfers another inviting option.  
 
 “Today’s agreement marks the beginning of the largest brownfield to ‘greenfield’ project in New Jersey,” said Jane M. Kenny, HMDC Chairman.  “It will permit us to remediate old “orphaned” landfills in an environmentally sound manner, reuse those properties for economic development, improve the water quality of the Hackensack River and wetlands by preventing contaminants from leaching into our waterways, and provide much-needed recreational and open space opportunities for our citizens.”  

“Whereas yesterday there was environmental contamination and the liability of unattractive landfills, tomorrow there will be the green beauty of open space and the opportunity for more and more of our citizens to enjoy healthy sports activity in the “urban wilderness” of the Meadowlands,” Kenny said.  This is truly a desirable transformation.”   

 EnCap Golf of Tampa, Florida, a development company specializing in the design and construction of golf courses and related amenities on landfills nationwide, will enter into a 99-year lease arrangement with the HMDC for the development of 36 holes of golf in Rutherford, Lyndhurst, and North Arlington, with an option to develop an additional 36 holes in the towns of North Arlington and Kearny.    

Phase One of the project calls for 27 to 36 holes of golf on the Rutherford Landfill, the Lyndhurst and Avon Landfills in Lyndhurst, and the Kingsland Landfill in Lyndhurst and North Arlington, along with clubhouse, support buildings, a 330- to 650-room hotel, and the possibility of timeshare units. 

 At least 18 holes in Phase One will be a public golf course.  All the golf courses will be of the “links” (Scottish) style, which incorporates natural topography and vegetation, including the high grasses that attract wildlife species.  As much as 60% of the total acreage will remain as natural or enhanced habitat.

A Phase two option would permit an additional 36 holes of golf and related amenities on the Erie Landfill in North Arlington, and the 1-E Landfill in North Arlington and Kearny.

 The Golf Course Project will be designed using the following principals:  environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, public involvement, integrated pest management, water conservation, and water quality management.  

“This project gives us a wonderful opportunity to close landfills and convert wastelands into verdant green open space,” said Alan J. Steinberg, Executive Director of the HMDC.  “This public/private partnership is a home run.    It is the ultimate example of where the needs of the environment do not need to be in conflict with economic development but rather blend together beautifully.  In this project both the environment and the economy will  benefit,” Steinberg said.

The landfills will be filled and capped with a combination of materials, including clay and/or sediments dredged from the New York/New Jersey Harbor, to provide for the necessary deepening and widening of harbor channels over the next four to six years.  

“Our golf course project provides for a beneficial reuse of materials and an upland placement site for sediments that otherwise might end up in the ocean,” Steinberg said.  A bulkhead and an unloading and processing facility for the dredged materials will be constructed at the junction of Berry’s Creek and the Hackensack River and will be part of Phase One activities.
   
 The project is expected to enhance approximately 30 acres of wetlands, while limiting wetland impacts to a maximum of 8.9 acres.  

“EnCap is pleased to be named the developer of this important brownfield redevelopment project,” said Bill Gauger, President, EnCap Golf Holdings, LLC.  “This project fits directly into our corporate mission of being a leading landfill redeveloper in the United States, and we believe that it will be one of the most renowned brownfield transformation projects in the nation.”  

“Governor Whitman’s proactive policies in brownfield redevelopment and open space initiatives have put New Jersey on the map nationally in this important public policy area – and this project is a direct result of Governor Whitman’s enlightened policies,” Gauger said.  “We hope this project will be an inspiration for others to redevelop landfills and further the great game of golf.”  

“Building golf courses on landfills is not a new concept, as there are over 60 landfill golf courses throughout the US.  These courses have an established track record of being commercial successes and being safe for the general public,” Gauger said.    

EnCap Golf was formed for the specific purpose of transforming closed landfills and other brownfield properties into golf courses using environmentally sensitive methods.  Noted British golf course designer Roy Case has been named the designer of the first 18 holes of the Meadowlands golf courses.  Mr. Case recently designed the nationally noted New Jersey National golf course, which is adjacent to the USGA’s headquarters in Far Hills, New Jersey.