Assembly members John F. McKeon, Douglas H. Fisher, and Bonnie Watson Coleman Garden State Preservation Trust Clears Committee

GARDEN STATE PRESERVATION TRUST BILL CLEARS ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE

Measure Would Ensure Sustainability of New Jersey's Land Preservation Efforts

(PRINCETON) - The Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee today released bipartisan legislation to replenish the state's fund to preserve critical open space, historic sites, farmlands and the voluntary acquisition of flood-prone properties, the Garden State Preservation Trust.

"The Garden State Preservation Trust Fund has been lauded as one of the nation's most successful programs for protecting essential areas of open space," said Assemblyman Fisher (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem).  "Renewal of this program will support the protection of our state's most precious natural areas. Our open spaces support recreation for residents at neighborhood parks and local historic sites and critical habitat for wildlife in the highlands, pinelands and wetlands across New Jersey."

The legislation (ACR-10/229) would restore and strengthen the state's GSPT - the largest state land preservation fund in the country.  The measure would require voter approval to amend the state constitution to provide guaranteed funding to support the state's land conservation efforts.  The measure would dedicate $175 million annually between 2009 through 2038 from the state's sales and use tax for the preservation of open space, farmland, historic sites, and even flood-prone areas.

"The value of our state's resources like state parks, historical monuments, and precious farmlands are priceless," said McKeon (D-Essex).  "We must continue to provide funding to support the protection and preservation of our state's dwindling open spaces that add to the richness and character of our state and vastly improve the quality of everyday life for New Jerseyans."

"There is a critical need for New Jersey to take immediate action to protect our state's valuable open space areas from the pressures of development," said Albano (D-Cumberland).  "Our state is facing the threat of reaching complete build-out within the next twenty-five years -- we must act now to permanently protect our state's natural areas from being lost forever."
The measure would expand the state's existing GSPT program to support critical environmental needs:

• Blue Acres:  A voluntary program that would allow municipalities to protect areas frequently damaged because of flooding; 
• Operation & maintenance:  Direct local governments to implement operation and maintenance program that would improve public access to state and local parks and other open space areas preserved under the GSPT program;
• Administration:  Provide funding to ensure that programs have sustainable funding that would not be hampered by the potential of future budget shortfalls.

"Our open spaces provide recreation for all New Jerseyans whether they are hiking along a path in a state park, learning about our state at a historic site, or experiencing nature firsthand at a farm," said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer).  "Preserving our state's open space areas is one of the most important legacies we can leave for our children and generations to come."
The GSPT measure is a committee substitute that boasts 42 bipartisan sponsors. 

The GSPT was established to provide the state, local governments, and non-profits with the funding support to acquire and protect parks, open space, farmland, and historic sites.  The GSPT program has preserved over 292,650 acres of land across New Jersey since the program began in 1998.
If the GSPT is left unfunded, counties, municipalities and non-profits would loose an estimated 65 percent of their state funding. Without the GSPT, nearly $440 million of projects that have already been approved for preservation would be left unfunded.

The measure was released 7 to 0.  The legislation now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
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