Originally appeared in The News of Cumberland County
HOPEWELL TWP. — There’s a sense of urgency in Matt Blake’s voice as he describes the future of New Jersey’s Green Acres Program.
On
one hand, 22.5 acres at Elk Lake, in Hopewell Township, was just added
to the Cohansey State Wildlife Management Area’s 800 acres.
On the other, the final round of Green Acres funding was just announced and Blake would hate to see Cumberland County miss out.
“There’s
a brief window of opportunity until mid-February where towns and
counties can apply for funding,” Blake said Wednesday of the program
overseen by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
He’s
working on raising awareness of this issue at the local level but at
the moment, the 22 acres tacked onto the Cohansey management area is
reason to celebrate.
“The site served as a cultural epicenter for
Springtown in Greenwich, which was founded by freed slaves and Quakers
who played a historically significant role in the area’s renown as a
major focal point of the Underground Railroad,” Blake said.
That
land, sold by the Mulhern family, was offered to Green Acres though
their standard application process, though the project was apparently
long in the works.
Typically, properties with willing sellers are
inspected and appraised before an offer is made. In this case, the Elk
Lake location was approved and now joins the Cohansey management area.
The
springs that feed Elk Lake start on the property that was just sold.
That’s something significant because Blake said it keeps the lake
pristine and transparent — even 7 feet down.
The other timely
matter worthy of mention: Green Acres sent out letters late last month
to all counties and local governments in New Jersey concerning the 2012
funding round.
Voters approved the three-year Green Acres Bond
Act in 2009 and 2012 brings the final round of the funding. A new source
of funding would need to be approved by voters, though Blake is unsure
when that may come around.
“This will be last opportunity for
Cumberland County, as well its towns, to take advantage of this funding
until a new funding source is approved at the ballot-box,” said Blake.
Local governments will have until mid-February to turn in their applications.
The
funding traditionally can be put toward land acquisition, development
and conservation projects or the other half of an initiative that
requires matching funds.
Counties with an Open Space plan, as
Cumberland does, typically receive between $900,000 and $1 million in
grants. Blake notes the accomplishments of Essex County over the past
nine years: an enhanced park system, athletic fields, playgrounds,
parking areas and more.
“Cumberland County is blessed with exciting downtowns,” he said.
“Any
community with a waterfront area in need of redevelopment ought to be
talking to the county about securing this money for possible projects —
be in downtown Fairton, Bridgeton, Millville, Greenwich, Fortescue,
Bivalve or Shellpile,” said Blake.
The grant application process
is apparently none too complicated. Blake said Matt Pisarski, from the
county Department of Planning and Development, told him Tuesday that the
“application isn’t heavy lifting.”
Open Space efforts tend to
fall on the back burner in light of budget crunches, Blake said. He
accepts that, but, noted the county created an open space plan to take
advantage of the funding floating around.
He noted that county
Planning Board Director Bob Brewer told him the pursuit of grants is a
freeholder decision. The county sees themselves as a conduit in this
process but “they need to be in a position to pounce when opportunities
present themselves,” Blake said.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
436-Acre Boy Scout Camp Preserved
Oddly, this post comes from a website based in Columbus, Indiana.
TRENTON, N.J. — The state will spend $1 million to buy a Boy Scout camp near Barnegat Bay to prevent development there and help protect one of the nation's most ecologically fragile waterways from the pollution that development would bring.
On the first anniversary of its 10-point plan to improve the health of the struggling bay, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced Thursday that its Green Acres program would buy the development rights to the 436-acre Joseph A. Citta camp from the scouts.
"Gov. (Chris) Christie and I have made an unprecedented commitment to the restoration of Barnegat Bay, an ecological treasure that is vital to New Jersey residents and the state's tourism economy," said DEP Commissioner Robert Martin. "The preservation of this camp is just one of the administration's many accomplishments over the past year in implementing this important plan."
The Barnegat Bay plan includes closing the Oyster Creek nuclear plant in 2019, implementing the nation's toughest limits on the amount of pollution-causing nitrogen that fertilizer can contain and providing low-interest loans to local governments for water quality improvement projects. The nuclear plant's hot-water discharges are suspected of increasing algae blooms and hurting water quality in the bay.
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said the state needs to do a lot more to truly help save the bay.
"One year after the governor announced his plan for Barnegat Bay, we have seen conditions in the bay get worse while the governor weakens protections for the bay," Tittel said. "He has done press conference after press conference and we have seen rollback after rollback. This is about green cover while implementing policies that undermine protections for the bay and create more sprawl."
A bill making its way through the state Legislature would make it easier for developers to build near Barnegat Bay and other waterways by keeping in place maps that show where sewer connections can be made. The bill would keep the current rules in place for up to two years and prohibit counties from preserving land by removing it from the approved sewer zones.
Tittel said Barnegat Bay continues to deteriorate because of nutrient pollution from too much nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. The bay continues to suffer invasions by jellyfish and algae blooms from nutrient pollution. Jellyfish closed several beaches and pollution closed clam beds, and the loss of eel grass and other ecological indicators show things are getting worse in the bay, Tittel said.
Part of the administration's Barnegat Bay plan includes studies with leading research organizations, including Rutgers University and the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, to fill in critical research gaps, provide baseline data and assist the department in making policy decisions about steps to restore the bay. These include studies of pollution-nutrient indicators, fish and crabs, algae blooms, the increase in the occurrence of jellyfish, shellfish declines and the benefits of wetlands in reducing the effect of nutrients.
More than 3,500 water sample bottles have been sent to laboratories for analyses, and more than 3,000 field measurements have been taken so far.
TRENTON, N.J. — The state will spend $1 million to buy a Boy Scout camp near Barnegat Bay to prevent development there and help protect one of the nation's most ecologically fragile waterways from the pollution that development would bring.
On the first anniversary of its 10-point plan to improve the health of the struggling bay, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced Thursday that its Green Acres program would buy the development rights to the 436-acre Joseph A. Citta camp from the scouts.
"Gov. (Chris) Christie and I have made an unprecedented commitment to the restoration of Barnegat Bay, an ecological treasure that is vital to New Jersey residents and the state's tourism economy," said DEP Commissioner Robert Martin. "The preservation of this camp is just one of the administration's many accomplishments over the past year in implementing this important plan."
The Barnegat Bay plan includes closing the Oyster Creek nuclear plant in 2019, implementing the nation's toughest limits on the amount of pollution-causing nitrogen that fertilizer can contain and providing low-interest loans to local governments for water quality improvement projects. The nuclear plant's hot-water discharges are suspected of increasing algae blooms and hurting water quality in the bay.
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said the state needs to do a lot more to truly help save the bay.
"One year after the governor announced his plan for Barnegat Bay, we have seen conditions in the bay get worse while the governor weakens protections for the bay," Tittel said. "He has done press conference after press conference and we have seen rollback after rollback. This is about green cover while implementing policies that undermine protections for the bay and create more sprawl."
A bill making its way through the state Legislature would make it easier for developers to build near Barnegat Bay and other waterways by keeping in place maps that show where sewer connections can be made. The bill would keep the current rules in place for up to two years and prohibit counties from preserving land by removing it from the approved sewer zones.
Tittel said Barnegat Bay continues to deteriorate because of nutrient pollution from too much nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. The bay continues to suffer invasions by jellyfish and algae blooms from nutrient pollution. Jellyfish closed several beaches and pollution closed clam beds, and the loss of eel grass and other ecological indicators show things are getting worse in the bay, Tittel said.
Part of the administration's Barnegat Bay plan includes studies with leading research organizations, including Rutgers University and the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, to fill in critical research gaps, provide baseline data and assist the department in making policy decisions about steps to restore the bay. These include studies of pollution-nutrient indicators, fish and crabs, algae blooms, the increase in the occurrence of jellyfish, shellfish declines and the benefits of wetlands in reducing the effect of nutrients.
More than 3,500 water sample bottles have been sent to laboratories for analyses, and more than 3,000 field measurements have been taken so far.
Friday, January 6, 2012
160 Acres Preserved in Frelinghuysen Twp, Warren County
Shots like this make me pine for mid-late spring. It'll be here soon enough!
Article originally appeared on NJ.com:
FRELINGHUYSEN TWP. — The township, the state Department of Environmental
Protection and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey announce the
preservation of over 160 acres of forested land in the heart of the
municipality.
A priority of the township’s Open Space Committee and governing body, the purchase and preservation of the properties straddling Route 94 and Lincoln Laurel Road will permanently protect the forest and create an opportunity for trails and hiking in the municipality.
A joint project of the township, county and state, this project was successfully negotiated and brought to a close through the work and effort of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, in partnership with the township.
“The preservation of this undisturbed habitat will allow us to enjoy the continued existence of native species at their best,” states Robin Randolph, chair of Frelinghuysen Township’s Open Space Committee. She continues, “Frelinghuysen Township is grateful to the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders and New Jersey Green Acres for their generous support of this project. Without them, this preservation effort would not have been possible.”
“Once slated for development, the Frelinghuysen Forest Preserve is a wonderful piece of property and Warren County is thrilled that we could help permanently protect it,” explains Corey J. Tierney on behalf of the Warren County Department of Land Preservation. “Not only is the 160 acre Preserve easily accessible, but it boasts a beautiful forest with small streams and an existing network of trails leading back to a picturesque pond. The property will be managed by the Township using local volunteers. This will be a tremendous open space resource for all Warren County’s residents. It is great to see municipalities, like Frelinghuysen Township, taking ownership of these critical natural areas.”
Corey continued, “It takes a lot of hard work by many different people to bring these projects together. We worked closely with the Frelinghuysen Township Open Space Committee and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey who coordinated this acquisition with grants obtained from Green Acres and Warren County’s Municipal and Charitable Conservancy Trust Fund. The County’s participation, of course, was made possible by our Chosen Board of Freeholders, who deserves special thanks for continuing to support local open space preservation.”
The Frelinghuysen Forest Preserve is comprised of two properties owned by relatives who sold the properties together for preservation. This Preserve will offer hiking trails, bird watching platforms, and will be a classroom in nature for recreational hikers, school children and scout groups. This Preserve is large enough to host a large trails network Habitat for sensitive species, springs, seeps and headwater streams make these properties valuable for natural resource protection. The Preserve can be easily accessed from existing driveways on Route 94 and Lincoln Laurel Road.
Article originally appeared on NJ.com:
A priority of the township’s Open Space Committee and governing body, the purchase and preservation of the properties straddling Route 94 and Lincoln Laurel Road will permanently protect the forest and create an opportunity for trails and hiking in the municipality.
A joint project of the township, county and state, this project was successfully negotiated and brought to a close through the work and effort of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, in partnership with the township.
“The preservation of this undisturbed habitat will allow us to enjoy the continued existence of native species at their best,” states Robin Randolph, chair of Frelinghuysen Township’s Open Space Committee. She continues, “Frelinghuysen Township is grateful to the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders and New Jersey Green Acres for their generous support of this project. Without them, this preservation effort would not have been possible.”
“Once slated for development, the Frelinghuysen Forest Preserve is a wonderful piece of property and Warren County is thrilled that we could help permanently protect it,” explains Corey J. Tierney on behalf of the Warren County Department of Land Preservation. “Not only is the 160 acre Preserve easily accessible, but it boasts a beautiful forest with small streams and an existing network of trails leading back to a picturesque pond. The property will be managed by the Township using local volunteers. This will be a tremendous open space resource for all Warren County’s residents. It is great to see municipalities, like Frelinghuysen Township, taking ownership of these critical natural areas.”
Corey continued, “It takes a lot of hard work by many different people to bring these projects together. We worked closely with the Frelinghuysen Township Open Space Committee and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey who coordinated this acquisition with grants obtained from Green Acres and Warren County’s Municipal and Charitable Conservancy Trust Fund. The County’s participation, of course, was made possible by our Chosen Board of Freeholders, who deserves special thanks for continuing to support local open space preservation.”
The Frelinghuysen Forest Preserve is comprised of two properties owned by relatives who sold the properties together for preservation. This Preserve will offer hiking trails, bird watching platforms, and will be a classroom in nature for recreational hikers, school children and scout groups. This Preserve is large enough to host a large trails network Habitat for sensitive species, springs, seeps and headwater streams make these properties valuable for natural resource protection. The Preserve can be easily accessed from existing driveways on Route 94 and Lincoln Laurel Road.
22 Acres Preserved in West Amwell, Hunterdon County
Information provided by D&R Greenway Land Trust newsletter (www.drgreenway.org):
- Preserved in a 50% bargain sale in honor of the owner's parents, who had owned the land.
- Located on Barry Road in West Amwell Township, just east of a major concentration of D&R Greenway-preserved land.
- Primarily wooded with young successional forest on the east side and older woodland on the west side.
- Protects forested headwaters of the Moores Creek.
- Provides opportunities for public trails near the existing Dry Run Creek and Rockhopper Trails.
- West Amwell will own and manage the land for recreation and conservation purposes.
Preservation of Weehawken Reservoir
You don't often hear about big preservation projects in urban areas, like this border town to Hoboken. So, it's especially great when they do pop up.
From Debra Hoover, public relations, NJ Department of Environmental Protection
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 28, 2011
Contact: Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Lawrence Ragonese (609) 292-2994
DEP, NEW JERSEY ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE TRUST SECURE PRESERVATION OF WEEHAWKEN RESERVOIR
Working in partnership with the Township of Weehawken, Union City, the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, and the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, the Department of Environmental Protection today secured the preservation of a unique 14.4-acre reservoir near the Lincoln Tunnel, Commissioner Bob Martin announced.
"This opportunity reflects Governor Christie's commitment to the preservation of land through the Green Acres Program and the protection of water supplies through the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust," Commissioner Martin said.
"The agreement was made possible by the cooperation and vision of all the parties, who recognized and under an accelerated time frame acted upon a rare opportunity to permanently protect open space in the heart of one of the nation's most densely populated areas," the Commissioner added. "The people of Weehawken, Union City, Hudson County and the state will benefit greatly from the preservation of the Weehawken Reservoir for generations to come."
The parties today executed agreements to preserve the reservoir and surrounding land. Through a Memorandum of Agreement, Weehawken and Union City will establish a trail around the reservoir for passive recreation. The property, located just blocks from the Lincoln Tunnel, provides spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.
United Water Co. had owned the reservoir but had not used it for many years. The reservoir, surrounded by a thin strip of land, is located in Weehawken, on the border with Union City. The municipalities are among the most densely populated in the nation.
Through its revolving loan program, the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust provided Weehawken with an $8.66 million low-interest loan. The loan was critical to making the agreement happen.
The DEP's Green Acres Program also provided a $2 million grant. Each of the municipalities provided $168,000. The Trust for Public Land played a major role in coordinating the purchase.
"Weehawken and Union City are densely populated, growing, and lacking options for new parks and open space, so this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a new recreational amenity for this community," said Anthony Cucchi, New Jersey state director of The Trust for Public Land. "This project was complex and fast moving, but thanks to a concerted effort on the part of Weehawken, Union City, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and United Water, this urban community now has dedicated park space for generations to come."
"Commissioner Martin and the DEP really need to be commended for bringing all the parties together to protect this reservoir and land in one of the most densely populated parts of New Jersey and the nation," said David Zimmer, Executive Director of the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust.
The Green Acres Program has had a hand in protecting some 650,000 acres since the passage of the state's first Green Acres bond act in 1961.
"This is a perfect way to cap our year-long celebration of the anniversary of that first bond act, which launched New Jersey on a half-century of land preservation and established the state as a national leader in protecting open space and developing parks," said Richard Boornazian, Administrator of the Green Acres Program. "It's even most fitting that this purchase occurred in the heart of Hudson County. A great deal of credit must go to both Weehawken and Union City for making this happen."
"I am excited by the immeasurable potential of the reservoir project, which will offer more greenery and nature to residents of an urban setting," said Union City Mayor Brian Stack.
"This cooperative effort among the State of New Jersey, the Trust for Public Land, Union City, the Township of Weehawken and United Water preserves that largest remaining piece of open land in the upper portion of North Hudson County," said Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner. "This keeps a major piece of open space in a densely populated portion of the state available to the public, preserves the character of the surrounding neighborhoods and enhances the quality of life for everyone."
For more information on the Green Acres Program, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/
For more information on the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, visit: www.njeit.org
From Debra Hoover, public relations, NJ Department of Environmental Protection
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 28, 2011
Contact: Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Lawrence Ragonese (609) 292-2994
DEP, NEW JERSEY ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE TRUST SECURE PRESERVATION OF WEEHAWKEN RESERVOIR
Working in partnership with the Township of Weehawken, Union City, the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, and the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, the Department of Environmental Protection today secured the preservation of a unique 14.4-acre reservoir near the Lincoln Tunnel, Commissioner Bob Martin announced.
"This opportunity reflects Governor Christie's commitment to the preservation of land through the Green Acres Program and the protection of water supplies through the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust," Commissioner Martin said.
"The agreement was made possible by the cooperation and vision of all the parties, who recognized and under an accelerated time frame acted upon a rare opportunity to permanently protect open space in the heart of one of the nation's most densely populated areas," the Commissioner added. "The people of Weehawken, Union City, Hudson County and the state will benefit greatly from the preservation of the Weehawken Reservoir for generations to come."
The parties today executed agreements to preserve the reservoir and surrounding land. Through a Memorandum of Agreement, Weehawken and Union City will establish a trail around the reservoir for passive recreation. The property, located just blocks from the Lincoln Tunnel, provides spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.
United Water Co. had owned the reservoir but had not used it for many years. The reservoir, surrounded by a thin strip of land, is located in Weehawken, on the border with Union City. The municipalities are among the most densely populated in the nation.
Through its revolving loan program, the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust provided Weehawken with an $8.66 million low-interest loan. The loan was critical to making the agreement happen.
The DEP's Green Acres Program also provided a $2 million grant. Each of the municipalities provided $168,000. The Trust for Public Land played a major role in coordinating the purchase.
"Weehawken and Union City are densely populated, growing, and lacking options for new parks and open space, so this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a new recreational amenity for this community," said Anthony Cucchi, New Jersey state director of The Trust for Public Land. "This project was complex and fast moving, but thanks to a concerted effort on the part of Weehawken, Union City, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and United Water, this urban community now has dedicated park space for generations to come."
"Commissioner Martin and the DEP really need to be commended for bringing all the parties together to protect this reservoir and land in one of the most densely populated parts of New Jersey and the nation," said David Zimmer, Executive Director of the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust.
The Green Acres Program has had a hand in protecting some 650,000 acres since the passage of the state's first Green Acres bond act in 1961.
"This is a perfect way to cap our year-long celebration of the anniversary of that first bond act, which launched New Jersey on a half-century of land preservation and established the state as a national leader in protecting open space and developing parks," said Richard Boornazian, Administrator of the Green Acres Program. "It's even most fitting that this purchase occurred in the heart of Hudson County. A great deal of credit must go to both Weehawken and Union City for making this happen."
"I am excited by the immeasurable potential of the reservoir project, which will offer more greenery and nature to residents of an urban setting," said Union City Mayor Brian Stack.
"This cooperative effort among the State of New Jersey, the Trust for Public Land, Union City, the Township of Weehawken and United Water preserves that largest remaining piece of open land in the upper portion of North Hudson County," said Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner. "This keeps a major piece of open space in a densely populated portion of the state available to the public, preserves the character of the surrounding neighborhoods and enhances the quality of life for everyone."
For more information on the Green Acres Program, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/
For more information on the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, visit: www.njeit.org
140 Acres Preserved in Middle Township
Originally on The Press of Atlantic City
By Sarah Watson
More than 140 acres of privately owned, undeveloped wetlands in Middle Township near the
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge will be purchased by the state for conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday.
The federal agency is contributing $1 million in grant money toward the $2.2 million purchase price; $1.2 million of existing Green Acres money also will be used to purchase the saltwater marsh and upland, a news release states.
The Middle Township tract abuts the Cape May Wetlands Wildlife Management Area, which is one of the most significant concentration areas for migratory birds in the world.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife announced the grant as part of nearly $6.8 million for preservation in six East Coast states.
By Sarah Watson
More than 140 acres of privately owned, undeveloped wetlands in Middle Township near the
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge will be purchased by the state for conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday.
The federal agency is contributing $1 million in grant money toward the $2.2 million purchase price; $1.2 million of existing Green Acres money also will be used to purchase the saltwater marsh and upland, a news release states.
The Middle Township tract abuts the Cape May Wetlands Wildlife Management Area, which is one of the most significant concentration areas for migratory birds in the world.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife announced the grant as part of nearly $6.8 million for preservation in six East Coast states.
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