Garden State Preservation Trust renewal needs immediate attention

RELEASE: March 21, 2007 – Volume XXXVII, No. 12

New Jersey’s main mechanism for preserving open space, farmland, parks, natural areas and historic sites is running dry, and funding for local governments and nonprofits for new parks and other open space projects has been depleted. Efforts to renew and improve preservation funding are gaining momentum. The question is whether – in this time of tight state budgets – the job will get done in time to save the many parcels of land critical to protecting water resources, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and local food production.

Over 432,000 acres of parks, open space, farmland and historic sites have been preserved in New Jersey with the support of the Garden State Preservation Trust, which has distributed money approved by the voters in 1998. The Trust enables all 21 of New Jersey’s counties and over 225 municipalities to leverage their local open space taxes into effective tools for controlling sprawl and saving treasured local places.

Renewing state open space funding can be a long process and there is no time to waste. So far, four bills to renew the Garden State Preservation Trust have been introduced in the N.J. State Legislature, led by Senators Bob Smith, Leonard Lance and Stephen Sweeney, and Assemblymen John McKeon and Douglas Fisher.

ACR229/SCR131 would amend New Jersey’s Constitution to dedicate up to $150 million each year for open space, farmland and historic preservation. The money would come from existing sales tax revenue and would last from fiscal year 2009 to 2038.

The other bills, ACR10/SCR136, proposes a similar solution, though at a level of $175 million each year, with certain portions of the funds raised eligible to be used for maintenance and stewardship activity as well. The legislation also includes ‘Blue Acres’ (the buy out and conversion of flood prone properties into open space) as an eligible program.

Either of these bills would put New Jersey’s conservation efforts on a strong footing for another decade. This is especially true if the funding levels are increased to $206 million annually. This higher level would more adequately address the real and growing needs around the state given the demand for funding, current land values and a backlog of capital projects.

Governor Jon Corzine also supports renewing the Garden State Preservation Trust and has indicated his support for renewing the Trust in 2007. But the Governor has yet to support a specific plan, which raises concerns that the funding gap may extend well into next year or beyond. This is an unfortunate setback for New Jersey’s nationally recognized, model land preservation program.

A coalition of over 85 environmental organizations, land trusts, sportsmen’s groups, faith-based groups, watershed associations and historic preservation, affordable housing and urban park supporters from across the state have united to form the “New Jersey – Keep It Green Campaign.” The coalition is advocating for the renewal and strengthening of the Garden State Preservation Trust in 2007. The campaign supports the four bills, which may eventually be merged, as often happens with legislation on the same topic.

The good news is the conservation community isn’t alone in advocating for Garden State Preservation Trust renewal. At least 60 municipalities and two counties have passed resolutions supporting renewal. Combined with the well-known track record of New Jersey voters supporting open space, there should be enough motivation to get the Trust renewed sooner rather than later. But time is of the essence, so please contact the Governor and your legislators and register your support for renewing the Garden State Preservation Trust this year.

To learn more, please visit the Keep It Green website at www.OutdoorRecreationAlliance.org. I hope you’ll contact me at info@njconservation.org, or visit NJCF’s website at www.njconservation.org, for more information about conserving New Jersey’s precious land and natural resources.

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