Open Space News

Monroeville - Gov. Jon Corzine signed four Garden State Preservation Trust bills today which appropriated over $97 million dollars to the preservation of farmland throughout New Jersey. After today’s bill signing, the Farmland Preservation Program’s balance is now zero; no additional funds remain for farmland preservation in our state. In addition, the remaining balance for Green Acres projects is only $45 million.

"South Jersey is the new hotspot for development in the state. The bulldozers aren't going to take a break, and neither should we," said Doug O'Malley, field director for Environment New Jersey. "Voting yes on Ballot Question #3 is a clear no-brainer for open space and farmland."

The Governor’s signature on these appropriation bills highlights the urgent need to pass public question #3, the Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres, and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007.  This referendum would provide one year in funding to continue these valued programs while a long-term dedicated funding source for the Garden State Preservation Trust can be determined and secured.  Without the passage of public question #3, conservation and preservation efforts throughout that state will come to a grinding halt as existing funds for Green Acres projects are rapidly drying up and Farmland Preservation funding is completely exhausted.

“Passage of question #3 will benefit all of South Jersey residents without imposing any new taxes. We have more to lose in terms of viable farms, open space, and significant wildlife habitat. All of which is under tremendous development pressure everyday,” said Christine Nolan, Director of South Jersey Land & Water Trust.

Passage of Question #3 would allow the State Treasurer to issue general obligation bonds totaling $200 million with $109 million directed to the Green Acres program, $73 million for farmland preservation, $12 million for the Blue Acres program to purchase flood prone properties, and $6 million for historic preservation purposes.

"Saving South Jersey farms is critical to our quality of life, The farmland preservation bill just signed and Tuesday's ballot question provide critical funding with the added benefit of offsetting local property taxes", stated Jane Nogaki, a Marlton resident and South Jersey Program Director of the NJ Environmental Federation. "Without additional funding to preserve more farmland, South Jersey will lose its cultural heritage which is why we urge a yes vote on question 3."

All of these funds will help protect and maintain our clean drinking water; provide safe and attractive playgrounds and urban parks for our children; preserve precious farmland to maintain our agricultural heritage; finance the Blue Acres program to purchase flood prone properties from willing sellers; and purchase and maintain the State’s numerous historic sites. Preserving open space, farmland, and historic sites supports our local economy by stabilizing local property taxes and protecting our quality of life.

Joanna Wolaver, Conservation Project Coordinator for New Jersey Audubon Society explained, “New Jersey’s environmental resources depend on your ‘Yes’ vote on November 6th.  Without the approval of public question #3 our clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, open spaces, community parks, and cherished farmland and historic sites may be lost forever.”

The successful passage of public question #3 will not only provide $200 million in desperately needed funds to the Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres, and Historic Preservation programs, but will send a clear message that New Jersey voters overwhelmingly value the continued protection of our state’s natural and cultural heritage.

"With this last bit of state funding already committed to identified projects, it is critical voters approve question 3, so that we can continue to work together to protect land that preserves the quality of our drinking water," said Terrence Nolan, New Jersey Director of The Trust for Public Land.

The following bills were signed today: A4259/S2756, A4260/S2755, A4261/S2741, and A4262/S2760.These bills appropriate more than $97 million from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund for acquisitions of development easements on, or fee simple titles to, farmland, to provide grants to counties and municipalities for up to 80% of the cost of acquisition of fee simple titles to farmland, planning grants to counties and municipalities, and to provide grants to qualifying tax-exempt nonprofit organizations for up to 50% of the cost of acquisition of fee simple titles to farmland, for farmland preservation purposes.

The New Jersey Keep It Green Campaign is a coalition of over 90 organizations from across the state working to ensure the passage of the Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007 this November. For more information on how you can help, please visit www.NJKeepItGreen.org or contact Mark Zakutansky at 609-392-5830 or mark.zakutansky@njaudubon.org.