The statewide funding program used in New Jersey to preserve open space, farms and historic sites is about to end. The legislature must approve a ballot question by June 28th. The ballot question would ask the voters in November whether they would like the Garden State Preservation Trust to be renewed. Without action by June 28th from the legislature, counties, municipalities and non-profit land conservation organizations will have no financial support from the state in preserving and protecting land from development.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 10 (ACR 10) is bipartisan legislation and was passed by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 29th and would dedicate $175 million between 2009 and 2038 from the state's sales and use tax to fund the GSPT. The measure would also expand the program to include "Blue Acres", a voluntary program that would allow municipalities to protect areas frequently damaged by flooding; operation and maintenance funding for existing GSPT preserved lands; and improved administration to ensure that sustainable funding is available without interruption in the future. An estimated 65% of the financing for preserving open space, farms and historic sites comes from the GSPT.

ACR-10 has been sent to the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee for further consideration. The companion Bills in the Senate is SCR 136 and SCR131. The Senate has not had a single hearing on the issue. NJEL members should contact their legislators, especially their Senators, in support of renewing the GSPT by placing on the question on the ballot in November. You can find information about your legislators by going to: http://www.njenvironment.org/politiciansstate.htm or http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp.

Without immediate action, funding for open space will lapse this year leaving the State open to increased sprawl and lack of recreational opportunities. Open Space provides habitat, buffers for streams and other water ways, will help mitigate global warming by keeping New Jersey green, and reduces the potential for increased flooding by reducing increased impervious cover.

What would the state look like without GSPT?

Today we loose over 50 acres per day WITH GSPT in effect.

One can imagine???