Funds for land preservation drying up!

New Jersey is one of the leaders nationwide in funding per capita for open space acquisition, but that funding is rapidly dwindling. In 1998, New Jersey voters approved a referendum to create a stable source of funding for open space, farmland and historic preservation and recreation development, and the Garden State Preservation Trust Act was signed into law the following year. The law established, for the first time in history, a stable source of funding to permanently preserve natural lands, farmland and historic sites.

Hikers explore the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Morris County.

The Garden State Preservation Trust Act dedicated $98 million each year for 10 years as a replacement for the Bond Acts that had funded the programs every few years in the past. Without these critical funds, we would not be able to preserve New Jersey's natural environment and its historic, scenic and recreational resources for public use and enjoyment.

But since 1999, most of the buying power of the Trust Act has been used up. The funds are expected to run out sometime in 2007. NJCF is working with a broad range of organizations—in cooperation with the Coalition for Conservation formed for this purpose—to advocate for the next round of funding. Governor Corzine has established a working group of legislators and state agency leaders chaired by N. J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Commissioner Lisa Jackson, to identify funding needs and sources. The recommendations from this group are expected to be released early this fall. Legislation to place a question on the ballot for November 2007 will then be needed. An enormous advocacy and education campaign by NJCF and our partners demonstrating the tremendous need and public support for the GSPT will be required to ensure passage of the legislation and the referendum, particularly given the State's current budget difficulties.

Vote “Yes!” for parks funding in November

New Jersey's city, county and state parks are chronically under-funded despite their critical importance to our state's economy, environment, public health and quality of life. Decades of inadequate funding have resulted in a steady decline in services and maintenance, including a $250 million backlog in repairs, fewer conservation officers, closure of park facilities and lost educational and tourism opportunities.

On Election Day this November, New Jersey voters will be asked a ballot question which would authorize the state to reallocate a surplus of existing environmental program funds from the Corporate Business Tax to fund parks capital and maintenance projects. NJCF is part of a coalition of over 35 organizations urging passage of the ballot question, which will bring $15 million per year through 2015 and $32 million a year thereafter to improving state and local parks.

Since the funding would come from the existing revenue of the Corporate Business Tax it would not increase taxes. The legislation placing the question on the ballot (ACR195/SCR105) was approved by the Legislature in July, with enthusiastic bi-partisan support.

Congressman Saxton honored by NJCF and other conservation groups

In late May, NJCF and 13 other environmental organizations held a luncheon at NJCF's Franklin Parker Preserve to honor U. S. Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ03) for his leadership on federal environmental issues. The Congressman has been at the forefront of many conservation issues including passage of the Highlands Conservation Act, protecting endangered species, increasing federal funding for land conservation, staunchly advocating coastal protections and opposing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The event included a van tour of the property for the Congressman and guests, during which the Congressman planted an Atlantic White Cedar tree at the site of NJCF's Atlantic White Cedar restoration project. New Jersey Audubon Society presented the Congressman with the Frank W. McLaughlin Award, which recognizes an outstanding legislative champion who has played a leadership role protecting New Jersey's wildlife and natural areas. Co-sponsors of the event included American Littoral Society, Appalachian Mountain Club, Conservation Resources, Inc., Highlands Coalition, Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, New Jersey Audubon Society, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Rancocas Conservancy, Sierra Club-New Jersey Chapter, The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land and The Wilderness Society.

2007 Farm Bill advocacy

NJCF is working in partnership with conservation organizations around the nation in a campaign to dramatically increase the level of funding for conservation programs in the 2007 Farm Bill. Efforts to protect land, wildlife habitat and water quality in New Jersey have benefited greatly from the 2002 Farm Bill. While New Jersey generally receives much less funding through the Farm Bill than many other states, we lead the country in the level of funding received from the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program to permanently preserve farmland.

As part of this campaign, NJCF is working to garner support for a "marker bill," a document that identifies issues of concern prior to formal legislation, which will be introduced in the House of Representatives this fall. Congressmen Saxton, LoBiondo and Holt have signed on to the marker bill as co-sponsors and NJCF hosted a meeting in August with New Jersey Congressional staff in Washington, D. C. to emphasize the potential benefit to New Jersey if we are able to secure a strong conservation element within the 2007 Farm Bill.

To learn more about NJCF's policy initiatives to protect New Jersey's natural areas and natural resources, please contact Policy Director Alison E. Mitchell at 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728) or alison@njconservation.org.