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Funding for the Green Acres, Farmland Preservation,
Historic Trust, and the Blue Acres program to purchase
flood prone properties will be temporarily renewed by
a one-year bond act totaling $200 million – if voters
approve the measure in November. In order to ensure
this temporary funding reaches these desperately
needed programs, we need your help encouraging your
community to Vote Yes for open space this November.
The Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT)
historically financed these programs, but with the
Trust’s funds dwindling quickly and over $500 million
in backlogged projects, legislators acted in June to
provide a much needed, yet short-term boost to these
programs. With the help of over 153 municipalities and
12 counties that passed resolutions in support of the
renewal of the GSPT, the Keep It Green Campaign, a
coalition of over 90 organizations throughout the
state, has been working with legislators to secure a
constitutionally-dedicated stable source of funding
for the GSPT.
The one-year stop gap funding represents a compromise,
allowing these vital programs to continue to operate
while legislators work to identify and secure a stable
funding source for the GSPT. The Trust has
historically been financed through a dedication of a
small percentage of the state sales tax, but now the
Trust is running out of funds and no action has been
taken to fully renew it.
In order to provide adequate and reliable funds for
the GSPT, it is vital that legislators discuss options
for dedicating a stable source of funding over the
summer. Once a source is determined, legislation
dedicating funds must be passed during the lame duck
legislative session in order to prevent a gap in
funding for the preservation programs.
While this one-year funding measure will help
reinvigorate open space acquisition, park
improvements, and begin the new Blue Acres program, it
is imperative that the GSPT is renewed with a
constitutionally-dedicated stable, long-term funding
source so that these programs can operate with greater
continuity and not have to rely on yearly stop gap
funding. The GSPT must also be strengthened to expand
its programs in historically under funded urban
neighborhoods and to provide funding for stewardship
and operations on acquired lands as well as for
capital improvements in state and local parks.
Ballot questions supporting open space initiatives
have historically passed overwhelmingly at the polls.
This November,
New Jersey
residents will be asked if they would like to dedicate
$200 million in bonds to fund the Green Acres,
Farmland Preservation, Historic Trust, and Blue Acres
programs. It is essential that this referendum passes
with overwhelming popular support demonstrating the
public’s desire to preserve New Jersey’s
natural and cultural heritage.
Investing in open space, farmland and historic
preservation is an investment in our communities,
protecting quality of life, recreational
opportunities, wildlife habitat, the economy and clean
water and air. Please show your support for the
full renewal of the GSPT and urge residents in your
community to Vote Yes in November. What you can
do to help:
1.) Join the other 153 municipalities around that
state and pass a resolution in support of the renewal
of the GSPT. You can find a sample resolution on the
Keep It Green Campaign website,
http://www.OutdoorRecreationAlliance.org/.
2.) Call your legislators, Governor Corzine, Senate
President Codey, and Assembly Speaker Roberts. Tell
them that preservation is a priority in your community
and that it is essential that the Garden State
Preservation Trust is renewed through a
constitutionally dedicated long-term funding source
during the lame duck legislative session.
3.) Encourage your community members to Vote Yes this
November to provide $200 million in funds to sustain
the GSPT’s programs while legislative leaders work to
identify and secure a long-term funding source.
Additional information and flyers are available at
http://www.OutdoorRecreationAlliance.org/.
4.) Invite a representative from the Campaign to
speak at your local public meeting.
To learn more about the campaign, please contact
Joanna Wolaver, Keep It Green Campaign Coordinator at
joanna.wolaver@njaudubon.org or 609-392-1181.
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