CONAWAY/MAYER/FISHER/PANTER MEASURE PROVIDES $45.15M STATEWIDE FOR PRESERVATION OF FARMLAND

CONAWAY/MAYER/FISHER/PANTER MEASURE PROVIDES $45.15M STATEWIDE FOR PRESERVATION OF FARMLAND

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Herb Conaway Jr., David R. Mayer, Douglas H. Fisher and Michael J. Panter sponsored to provide $45 million for farmland preservation efforts around the state was ceremoniously signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.

"New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country and we are losing farmland at a rate of 50 acres a day," said Conaway (D-Burlington/Camden).  "The money that is being provided under this new law will help New Jersey hold the line on runaway development while safeguarding dwindling open space for future generations."

Under the measure (A-4260), $45 million will be allocated to the State Agriculture Department Committee (SADC) from the Garden State Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to provide counties and municipalities with grants that can be used to pay for up to 80 percent of farmland acquisition costs. 

The law also provides an additional $150,000 for reviewing appraisals for all farmland preservation programs administered by the SADC.

"Our commitment to New Jersey families is reflected in our efforts to protect open space and safeguard this state's agrarian past," said Mayer (D-Camden/Gloucester).

"Preserved farmland limits urban sprawl, protects our water and soils, provides us with an abundance of locally grown farm products," said Fisher (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem).

"The preservation of critical farmland parcels is important to our state's environment and the quality of life in dozens of communities," said Panter (D-Monmouth/Middlesex).  "The money we are spending today will provide dividends for generations of state residents."

The allocations and projects listed in the farmland measure were approved earlier this year by the SADC and the Garden State Preservation Trust.

- 30 -