Governor authorizes $47.1 million in Green Acres grants and loans to local governments and non-profit groups for open space and parks

(LYNDHURST)—Continuing his commitment to fight sprawl and preserve open space, Governor James E. McGreevey signed four bills appropriating more than $47 million to local governments and non-profit groups for open space and park projects in 20 counties statewide, including Bergen County.

“A vital part of our effort to manage sprawl is to make sure that we have open space where all of New Jersey’s families can enjoy it,” said McGreevey. “And with the four bills we’re signing today, we will be able to achieve this goal.  Combined, we’re investing over $47 million from the Green Acres trust fund save open space and improve parks all over the State.  This investment will ensure that these undeveloped tracts of land remain that way—forever.”

In total, the bills signed today appropriate $47,158,385 in matching grants and loans to local governments and non-profit groups to buy open space and improve local parks.  One hundred projects are funded with this money.

Among the appropriations signed at the Richard DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst were $1.3 million for the Trust of Public Land and $1 million for the American Littoral Society to acquire and restore vital wetlands in this highly developed part of the state.

“Governor McGreevey has recognized that we must set better priorities to make sure that limited open space funds are used wisely,” said Bradley M. Campbell, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

“I am pleased to work with Governor McGreevey to foster smart growth throughout the Meadowlands district—and in every community in New Jersey,” said Susan Bass Levin, Chair of the NJ Meadowlands Commission and Community Affairs Commissioner. “With today’s bill signing, we will be able to move forward in our efforts to prevent sprawl and preserve our natural resources, open space and quality of life.”

Of the $47 million, about $14 million will help upgrade and expand parks in New Jersey’s cities and older suburbs, including Jersey City, Newark, Montclair and North Bergen.  Another $22 million will help local governments buy open space, while $11 million will help nonprofit organizations buy land and improve urban parks.

All the projects authorized today are funded through the DEP’s Green Acres Program from the constitutionally dedicated open-space funds approved by New Jersey voters in November 1998 and from $4 million federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants awarded to New Jersey.

The Green Acres Program was created in 1961 to meet New Jersey’s growing recreational and conservation needs. To date, Green Acres has protected 517,571 acres of open space and developed hundreds of public parks, bringing the state-wide system of preserved open space to more than 1.2 million acres of open space and farmland.

 

ABOUT THE BILLS:

·        S-1860/A-1200  Appropriates $13,708,385 for 28 urban park projects in nine counties: Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Salem and Union. Sponsored by Senators Joseph Suliga and Joseph Charles Jr., and Assemblypersons Albio Sires, Joseph J. Roberts Jr., John F. McKeon, Mims Hackett Jr., Samuel D. Thompson and Joseph Azzolina.

“The signing of S-1860 provides the residents of the city of Plainfield with $500,000 for multiple park improvements," said Suliga, (D-Middlesex, Somerset and Union) Co-Chair of the Senate Environment Committee.  "With thousands of people anticipating using Plainfield's park system this summer, the money for these needed improvements couldn't have come at a better time."

"These investments in recreational facilities and parks will provide dividends for generations of urban residents," said Assembly Speaker Sires (D-Hudson). "Families in Union City, Hoboken and every city should have clean, safe recreational areas for families to enjoy."

"Developing recreational areas is a step in the right direction for cities on the verge of an economic resurgence, such as Gloucester and Woodbury," said Assembly Majority Leader Roberts Jr. (D-Camden). "The availability of recreational activities is a major factor in attracting people and businesses, as well as maintaining the quality of life for current residents."

 

"With this funding, districts have the opportunity to improve existing parks and develop new ones throughout the community," said McKeon (D-Essex).

 

"Parks are vital in energizing communities and encouraging residents to take pride in where they live," said Hackett (D-Essex).

·        S-1861/A-1201  Appropriates $11,050,000 for 27 land-acquisition and park-improvement projects in six counties: Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union, Warren and Bergen. Sponsored by Senators Joseph Coniglio, Paul Sarlo and Anthony R. Bucco, and Assemblypersons Jerry Green, Joseph Cryan, Nellie Pou, Rose Marie Heck and Rick Merkt.

"This Green Acres Preservation Grant gives the Boro of Edgewater $400,000," said Coniglio, (D-Bergen).  "The Boro will use the money to finance the purchase and preservation of the Grand Cove Marina, a marine area vital to the people of Edgewater."

"With $400,000 appropriated to East Rutherford through the signing of S-1861, the Boro will be able to acquire some of the land surrounding Veterans Park," said Sarlo, (D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic).  "This land acquisition will make the proposed expansion of Veterans Park a reality."

"As undeveloped land becomes harder to come by, the appropriation for acquisition in Linden will help the city meet its needs for open space and recreation," said Green (D-Union).

"In a county that has struggled to maintain what is left of its open space, it is critical that we support the county's efforts to maintain and expand its recreational facilities," said Cryan (D-Union).

"Urban areas deserve financial support to advance their preservation efforts," said Pou (D-Passaic). "This will ensure that Passaic County has the resources it needs to improve its recreational infrastructure."

·        S-1862/A-1202 Appropriates $11,295,000 for 27 land-acquisition and park-improvement projects in four counties: Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset. Sponsored by Senators Peter Inverso and John O. Bennett, and Assemblypersons Linda R. Greenstein, Gary L. Guear Sr., Peter J. Barnes Jr., Patrick Diegnan Jr., Christopher “Kip” Bateman and Connie Myers.

"Funding from the Green Acres program not only will further our open space preservation efforts, but it will supplement smart growth initiatives that will mitigate the threat of over-development," said Greenstein (D-Middlesex).

"Central New Jersey has struggled during the past decade to maintain its rich diversity of farmland and suburban town centers," said Guear (D-Mercer). "Through preservation projects in Mercer and Middlesex Counties, the state will assist local efforts to maintain land for the public's enjoyment."

"The Green Acres program is a perfect example of how state and local projects can improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents," said Barnes (D-Middlesex).

"The key to the Green Acres program is the direct financial assistance provided to municipalities, counties, and non-profit organizations for various projects," said Diegnan (D-Middlesex).

·        S-1864/A-1204 Appropriates $11,105,000 to non-profit groups for 20 projects in 18 counties: Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Union, Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset, Warren, Morris, Cumberland, Salem, Atlantic, Passaic, Burlington, Cape May, Sussex, Hudson and Gloucester. Sponsored by Senator Stephen M. Sweeney and Joseph Suliga, and Assemblypersons Bonnie Watson Coleman, Reed Gusciora, Upendra J. Chivukula, Jeff Van Drew and Nicholas Asselta.

"The signing of S-1864 provides two non-profit organizations, Natural Lands Trust and The Nature Conservancy, with $1.8 million in State aid," said Sweeney, (D-Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester).  "The money will be used to revitalize certain environmentally sensitive areas in my district, as well as to help preserve our beautiful tracts of open space.”

"The signing of this bill, S-1684, provides the American Littoral Society, through the Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund, money to purchase land in Linden that is part of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary system," said Suliga. 

"The 15^th Legislative District has some of the most environmentally important lands in need of protection in New Jersey," said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). "The funding provided to nonprofit organizations through the Green Acres program enables the groups to advance their preservation missions and preserve vital open space."

"It is imperative that we preserve as much as possible of the open space surrounding our rivers, canals and tributaries," said Gusciora (D-Mercer). "The safe drinking water of generations to come depends on our ability to ensure that these waters are significantly protected today."

"As the state renews its fight against sprawl, we must be ever more vigilant in protecting New Jersey's environmentally sensitive areas," said Chivukula (D-Somerset).

"The projects included in this measure are some of the most important waterways in South Jersey," said Van Drew (D-Cape May). "Not only are the Maurice River and Delaware Bay, as well as the other areas, important environmentally, they also serve as major tourist destinations."

GOVERNOR’S COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING OPEN SPACE:

In his State of the State Address, the Governor set a goal of creating or upgrading 200 local parks and adding at least two state parks in the next three years. The bills signed today fund 34 local park projects, some of which involve multiple parks in a municipality. The Green Acres Program is actively assessing opportunities to create new state parks.

The Governor’s proposal to provide capital gains tax waivers to landowners who sell their property to the state has already passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee. His proposed constitutional amendment to invest an additional $150 million for creating and enhancing community parks and for preserving open space and farms in the Highlands is moving through the Legislature.