NEW JERSEY – A package of legislation supporting open space and contributing to the quality of life in New Jersey was signed by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho and Senator Kristin Corrado appropriates money from constitutionally dedicated corporate business tax (CBT) revenues.
“Farmland preservation is an important program that helps keep farmers on the farm while protecting valuable farming acreage,” Oroho (R-24) said. “Protecting undeveloped land is not only in the interest of the farmer, but it’s an important quality of life issue for residents in our densely populated state.”
Oroho’s bill, A-6209/S-4154, appropriates $18 million to the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) to provide planning incentive grants to counties for up to 80 percent of the cost of acquiring easements for farmland preservation.
Ten counties will receive “base grants” of up to $2 million under the bill for projects that have been approved by the SADC and the Garden State Preservation Trust.
Corrado sponsors A-6212/S-4148, which appropriates $54.5 million to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for capital projects and park development on lands administered by the department’s Division of Parks and Forestry and Division of Fish and Wildlife.
“This investment supports boating and fishing access, camping development and infrastructure improvements on bridges, dams, historic sites and Blue Acres projects on frequently flooded land,” Corrado (R-40) said. “We’re delivering on the public’s expressed intention to save land from development.”
