Summary
In 2007, CELDF and North Plainfield Citizens for Community Rights drafted the Borough of North Plainfield Corporate Land Development and Local Self-Government Ordinance for North Plainfield, New Jersey, which recognizes the inalienable rights of nature and considers natural communities and ecosystems as “persons” for the purpose of protecting those rights (3).
The ordinance emphasizes local self-government and prohibits people from using certain corporations or syndicates for land development. The ordinance also recognizes residents’ right to a healthy environment. The organizations and citizens petitioned the ordinance to the ballot and met all legal requirements, but the Borough refused to place the measure on the ballot for citizens’ consideration. Citizens subsequently filed a lawsuit attempting to get the ordinance on the ballot, but it failed.
Involved Organizations
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2025. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor.https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/borough-of-north-plainfield-corporate-land-development-and-local-self-government-ordinance/.
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