South Branch Preserve Gets 18 More Acres, Mount Olive

Now, here is something to be thankful for!

This originally appeared in The Daily Record

MOUNT OLIVE — The Land Conservancy of New Jersey closed on two properties totaling 18 acres to be added to the South Branch Preserve.

“The Preserve is an important water management resource in Morris County, providing drinking water for 1.5 million New Jersey residents,” said Glenn Schweizer, executive director of the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority.

These are the first two of four projects the Morris County Utilities Authority and New Jersey Water Supply Authority are working on in conjunction with the Land Conservancy, according to a prepared statement from the Conservancy.

These are the fifth and sixth properties to be added to the Preserve since its establishment in 2010, according to the statement, which said that the long-term vision is to increase the South Branch Preserve to 1,000 acres to serve as a showcase for watershed

“We hope this project will inspire our state, county and local agencies to continue to fund these important preservation initiatives to ensure our water resources remain secure and plentiful,” said David Epstein, president of the Land Conservancy.

The South Branch Preserve contains rich forests, agricultural fields, and wetlands. It flows into the main stem of the Raritan River, the largest river basin located entirely within the state of New Jersey and one of its most critical water supply sources, the statement said.

The Land Conservancy and its partners have added five properties to the Preserve, which now totals 390 acres and includes three-quarters of a mile of the river flowing through the Preserve, the statement said.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is a member supported nonprofit land trust whose mission is to preserve land and water resources, conserve open space, and inspire and empower individuals and communities to protect our natural land and environment. They have worked with 89 municipalities in 13 counties to preserve a total of 19,500 acres in 330 projects, helping towns secure $224 million in county, state, and federal grants.

122 Acres Preserved in Frelinghuysen Twp., Warren County

(Originally posted in the Warren Reporter)

The Township of Frelinghuysen and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey are pleased to announce the recent preservation of the 122 acre Linz Farm in Frelinghuysen.

“The Township of Frelinghuysen is please to add another valuable piece of farmland to its preservation effort,” stated Charlie Schaffer, Chairman of the Frelinghuysen Township Farmland Preservation Committee.

Prior to the preservation of the Linz Farm there were 1,659 acres of permanently preserved farmland in Frelinghuysen Township and with the addition of the Linz Farm, there are now 1,780 acres, ensuring a permanent agricultural legacy in the Township.

“Frelinghuysen Township deserves credit for spearheading this project,” explained Corey Tierney, Director of the Warren County Department of Land Preservation. “Mayor Charles and the Township Committee, Chairman Schaffer and the Farmland Preservation Committee, and Gail McDonald from The Land Conservancy of New Jersey all deserve special thanks for their hard work and commitment to preserving farmland. This is an investment in the future. Farmland preservation helps keep agriculture viable for generations to come and ensures that we’ll always have access to locally grown produce and products. We’re happy to see Frelinghuysen Township taking advantage of this great program. By teaming up on this project, the county and municipality each paid less than 15% towards the total purchase price. Working together, we were able to leverage our combined investment in farmland preservation and secure state funding for the 70% balance. We are immensely grateful to the State Agriculture Development Committee for its substantial contributions to this and other preserved farms throughout Warren County.”

“The Land Conservancy of New Jersey appreciates the landowner’s commitment to preservation and the Township and County’s proactive approach to farmland preservation,” stated Gail McDonald, Land Preservation Specialist with The Land Conservancy. “Each partner plays a significant role in the preservation of each farm, and The Land Conservancy is pleased to have been able to assist in preserving this beautiful farm in perpetuity.”
The Linz Farm has been a family farm for three generations. This farm consists mostly of gently rolling open farmland with moderately sloped woodland areas in the easterly portion of the tract and small areas of steep slopes. There is a small stream that flows through the center of the property. The land is currently farmed for hay. In the past, the farm was one of the best working dairies in the area. Corn and other grain crops have also been grown on the farm.

“Since some of that region is already protected, this will provide a wider buffer of protection, while still maintaining viable farmland,” said Freeholder Richard D. Gardner, who is liaison to the Warren County Agriculture Development Board. “As properties become available, the county is pleased to participate in protecting them,” Gardner said. “The open space we have, we owe much to the diligence of the state working hand-in-hand with the county and municipalities,” he said.

Founded in 1981, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is a member supported non-profit land trust dedicated to preserving and protecting our vital natural lands and water resources. We are working to inspire and empower individuals and communities to take action to preserve land and protect the environment in New Jersey. The Conservancy has preserved more than 20,000 acres of land and helped towns secure $220 million in county, state, and federal grants for their land conservation projects. We have worked in 89 municipalities in 13 counties benefiting millions of people who live, work, or visit our state. Accredited by the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2009, The Conservancy joins 181 organizations nationwide recognized for meeting the highest quality standards for protecting open space, upholding the public trust, and ensuring that our conservation efforts are permanent.

For more information, to volunteer or make a donation, call (973) 541-1010, or visit our website at tlc-nj.org.

36 Acres Preserved in Montville, Morris County

Always good to hear my adopted home county acquiring more land for open space.

Press release from The Land Conservancy of New Jersey

On June 21, Montville Township purchased and preserved 36 acres along River Road. Known simply as "Market Place," the Township of Montville purchased this undeveloped property for open space and recreation, plans include utilizing the property for flood storage protection and hiking.

River Road has been identified in the 2011 Open Space and Recreation Plan as a proposed bicycle route in the southern part of the municipality, this property would provide a quiet respite for riders along this scenic road across from the Knoll West County Club in neighboring Parsippany-Troy Hills Township. Robert Lazar Middle School is diagonally across from the northeastern corner of the property.

Purchased with a $1,350,000 grant from the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund, this is the 17th property Montville Township has preserved with the assistance and technical expertise of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey.

With its headquarters located on a municipal park in the Township, The Land Conservancy has worked with Montville Township since 1998 assisting the township with its open space preservation program. Since the inception of the Montville Township open space program in 1990, 1,100 acres of land have been preserved by the township for recreation and watershed protection.

"The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is proud of its accomplishments in Montville Township," stated Linda Gloshinski, land preservation specialist with The Land Conservancy. " From protecting the Towaco Aquifer, to creating new parks for ball fields, to expanding the protected lands along the Rockaway River, the Market Place property will further enhance the open space and recreational opportunities available to Township residents."

"The acquisition of the former Market Place property is a valuable addition to the township's parks and open spaces," stated Victor Canning, township administrator.

The Market Place property had the potential to be developed with 14 single-family homes. The site has ample access available from River Road, as well as approximately 50 feet of frontage on Old Changebridge Road.

The Township of Montville has a long history of preserving open space within its borders and is focusing its energies on providing public access to preserved lands in the township. A parcel along the Rockaway River was donated to the township as part of this transaction, and may become part of a future river walk. Preserving Market Place protects an area that would be best left undeveloped for water quality and flood protection, including the riparian corridor of Crooked Brook, which traverses the eastern portion of the site.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey has its headquarters in Montville Township on the 44-acre WildAcres preserve. This park offers many opportunities for visitors to enjoy a beautiful part of Montville: The Fred Hierwarter WildAcres Trail consists of three walking trails, of varying difficulty, where hikers can enjoy the scenic vistas and experience the property's varied wildlife habitat (including deer, black bear, blue birds, wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers and more).

WildAcres Garden, established with the help of dedicated volunteers, features native plants and has been certified as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

For more information, to volunteer or make a donation, call 973-541-1010, or visit www.tlc-nj.org.

Greenwich Twp. Farm Preserved

Greenwich Township is becoming a star of preservation in not only Warren County, but New Jersey in general!

Article originally posted on NJ.com.

Fox River Farm in Greenwich Township has been preserved, adding 65 acres to the growing list of preserved farmland in the municipality. The farm was preserved via a partnership between the Township, Warren County and the State Agriculture Development Committee, with assistance from The Land Conservancy of New Jersey. This beautiful, busy horse farm is located along Route 519 bordering Lopatcong Township.

Working closely with The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, the Township is achieving remarkable results retaining and preserving its farmland base. Since 2005, this partnership between The Land Conservancy and Greenwich Township has resulted in the preservation of six properties for open space, recreation, and farmland totaling 580 acres. In total, there are 1,000 acres of preserved farmland in Greenwich Township.

“Without the hard work of our Open Space Committee led by Dawn Marie Kondas, willing landowners, Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the State of New Jersey, and The Land Conservancy, our preservation efforts of hundreds of acres in Greenwich Township may not have ever been possible. Thank you to all,” stated Elaine Emiliani, Deputy Mayor of Greenwich Township

Almost entirely prime farmland soils, the Fox River Farm is a scenic property of rolling topography and tilled agricultural fields. Over 40 acres of this farm is harvested cropland and another 10 acres are in permanent pasture, the balance of the property is woodlands. Used primarily for horses, the farm supports an arena for riding and numerous paddocks for the horses to exercise. This was the third farm preserved in the Township using funds provided by the state and county farmland programs. Greenwich Township and Warren County each provided 19% of the total project cost, with the State of New Jersey contributing 61% of the funds necessary to close this transaction.

Located three miles east of Phillipsburg, and within the Highlands Planning Area, the Fox River Farm is surrounded by preserved open space. Within one and one-half miles of this farm there are six additional preserved farms totaling 390 acres, Fox River Farm is now the northern most farm preserved in the Township’s significant farmland belt. With the preservation of this farm, there is now over 760 acres of contiguous preserved land.

“Greenwich Township has approached land preservation in a very thoughtful, intelligent and systematic way. They are creating a lasting legacy of protected farmland and open space that will serve the township very well in its future,” explained Sandy Urgo, Land Preservation Director for The Land Conservancy of New Jersey.

Sussex County Park Adds 47 Acres

From New Jersey Herald.


It's always good to see additional land being preserved in places noted in New Jersey for their natural beauty, such as Sussex County.

FREDON — The township has nearly doubled the size of Lodestar Park with the announced purchase of 47 acres of land.

Working with the Land Conservancy of New Jersey and using Open Space and Green Acres funds from the state, the newly purchased property includes much of the creek, which travels the southern side of Paulinskill Lake Road. But the land also stretches across the western boundary of the park to Stillwater Road.

The final purchase price was just over $200,000 with the township paying $5,000 for the final land survey.

“We have been lucky enough to find conservation-minded property owners to help us,” said Larry  Lawson, a co-chair of the township’s Open Space Committee. “We’ve been looking to get enough (land) to connect Lodestar to the Paulinskill Trail."

That trail runs parallel to the Paulinskill and follows the old railroad tracks.

Although there will be no direct link to the Paulinskill Trail, town officials said the parcel will allow the expansion of the existing trail network within the park.

“That would be a great Eagle Scout project,” said Township Mayor Carl Lazzaro, referring to community projects that Boy Scouts must complete to be eligible to earn their Eagle Scout badge.

One of the nature trails that now exists within Lodestar was an Eagle Scout project.

“This is a nice piece of property,” he said. “It will be a good addition to the park and make for nice walking trails and nice nature trails.”

Sandy Coltelli, Township Committee member and co-chair of the Open Space Committee, expressed happiness that the township was “able to add this valued land to our inventory.”

In a news release, the Land Conservancy called Lodestar “a wonderful and very different kind of park.”

Sandy Urgo, the land preservation manager at the Land Conservancy said, “The park is unique because it provides lessons in history, agriculture and nature. It has been developed with respect for its environs and its past.

Under its former name as the Morris Land Conservancy, the group also helped the town purchase the 16-acre former Freeborn property in 2008, which has remained mostly woods and has a walking trail on it that can be extended into the new purchase

The Land Conservancy contracts with towns to negotiate on their behalf in land purchase agreements. Over the past 30 years, the group has worked to preserve more than 18,000 acres of open space and helped towns receive more than $220 million for land conservation projects

Lawson said the new land will remain undeveloped since it has several “razorback” ledges with small valleys in between

“The nature of the terrain does not lend itself to development. It will remain a ‘passive’ park where people can enjoy nature,” he said.

88 Acres Preserved in Warren County

FRANKLIN TWP. — An 88-acre township farm is adding to the more than 20,000 acres of farmland preserved in Warren County.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey recently announced that the Santini Farm has been preserved. Owned by Santino and Clara Santini, this farm is “part of a rich agricultural farm-belt near Warren County’s southern border with Hunterdon County,” states a release from Land Conservancy of New Jersey. “The Santini Farm is located within the Pohatcong Ridge Project Area identified in the township’s Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan completed by Township and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey in 2008. By preserving this farm, the rural character of the area will be maintained and protected.”

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey and Warren County Freeholders purchased the development rights of the property. The Land Conservancy’s funding for this project came from the Garden State Preservation Trust via the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) non-profit grant program. These funds were matched by Warren County for a total purchase price of $564,768. Warren County’s contribution was approved by the County Agricultural Development Board.

This acquisition is the latest in a series of closings that The Land Conservancy has completed in Warren County. The Conservancy has spent over $1 million in helping to preserve six different farms in Warren County since 2005. “The Land Conservancy is delighted to continue our partnership with the Freeholder Board to preserve critical farms that preserve an important but threatened way of life in Warren County,” said conservancy President David Epstein. “We thank the Township of Franklin, the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the State Agriculture Development Committee for their contributions and interest in preserving this beautiful land.”

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a non profit member supported organization dedicated to preserving and protecting New Jersey’s vital natural lands and drinking water resources. To date, the conservancy has helped preserve over 17,600 acres of open space lands and helped towns receive more than $210 million for their land conservation projects.

Preserved land catch-up! Where have you been??

Please forgive me! Since Morristown Patch has started, my life has been consumed by everything Morristown. Now, finally, things are starting to settle down and I am going to try and catch myself up on some of the great preservation projects that have happened since mid-July. Wish me luck!

Medford, Shamong farmland to be preserved

By Carol Comegno, from Courier Post, Sept. 9, 2010

(There was no photo with the story, so I have included one of Lake Atsion, in Shamong)

MOUNT HOLLY — Burlington County and the state are preserving another 1,211 acres of farmland in the Pinelands in Medford and Shamong.

The Burlington County Board of Freeholders unanimously approved the expenditure of more than $1 million Wednesday night to secure property easements on two farms that will preserve them by banning any development but agriculture.

The county is purchasing those rights for 702 acres of the Brick Farm on Jackson Road in Medford for $666,198 at $949 per acre. The state is preserving the other 400 acres by purchasing the land outright through its Green Acres program.

The Pinelands Commission is giving the county a $115,000 grant to help buy the rights to the Brick Farm, which is in cranberry and blueberry production. The farm is also in a special agricultural production area within the preservation area of the Pinelands rather than in a Pinelands development area.

The county is also expecting a reimbursement from the state Green Acres program for up to 60 percent of its share of the cost.

"These are unique acquisitions in a unique area of Burlington County," Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said. "These are working farms that contribute not only to the county's agricultural industry but also to our Pinelands heritage."

The listed owner is Brick Enterprises. Bob Brick, owner of Medford Concrete Co. and a family member and a principal in Brick Enterprises, said his family has farmed the ground and wants to keep it in farming. "This seems to be a good way to do that. I think the county program has been pretty successful," he added.

Larry Hajna, spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said the state will not disclose the price it will pay for approximately 400 acres until the pending sale contract is signed. He said the department is hoping that will occur in the next two months.

"Pinelands regulations are zoning regulations that provide a good level of protection but not permanent protection," Hajna said.

"Moreover, the acquisition will be added to the Wharton State Forest, the largest state forest in New Jerseywith more than 100,000 acres."

To pay the easement cost, the county is using property taxes from its special trust account for open space, farmland and historic preservation that is financed by a four-cent property tax approved by county voters.

The other farm being preserved by the county, at a cost of $453,658 for 109 acres, is the Abrams Farm at Route 620 and Old Schoolhouse Road in Shamong at $4,162 per acre. Pearl Abrams, owner of the vegetable farm, was unavailable for comment.

These two farms boost the number of farmland acres preserved throughout the county to close to 30,000. The county goal is 40,000 acres.

Reach Carol Comegno at (856) 486-2473 or ccomegno@courierpostonline.com.

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Maple Lane Farm in Hillsborough Preserved

D&R Greenway Land Trust press release (drgreenway.org)

Maple Lane Farm on Township Line Rd., Hillsborough,was poised for development. With its 57 acres located just east of Route 206 in the desirable community of Hillsborough, the property could have become yet another suburban subdivision.

The family who had owned the land for many years wanted to see the property remain a farm.  They sought a solution that would meet their financial needs while providing for the permanent protection of the land.   The landowners were friends of D&R Greenway Trustee, Rosemary Blair.  When she found out the family wanted to preserve their farm, Mrs. Blair called D&R Greenway's Director of Land Preservation, Bill Rawlyk, to see if an answer could be found.

 

According to Mr. Rawlyk, "The majority of the property is agricultural land with hedgerows and forested buffer along Pikes Run.  The NJDEP Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) has documented bobolink nesting on the field and meadowlarks have been observed.  In the forested areas the ENSP had documented great blue heron.  The bobolink is classified as a threatened species and the meadowlark and great blue heron are classified as a species of concern in New Jersey.  Declining populations are due, in part, to lack of adequate breeding habitat.  "Having the ability to preserve New Jersey's farming heritage and creating synergy with habitat protection made this a great project."

 

"Having the ability to preserve New Jersey's farming heritage and creating synergy with habitat protection made this a great project."   Bill Rawlyk, Director of Land Preservation at D&R Greenway

The property provides for aquifer recharge and stream corridor and wetlands protection, as well as habitat for woodland species.  In addition, the property contributes to an assemblage of 600 acres of preserved farmland.

Working closely with the family, D&R Greenway developed a three-part strategy to finance the preservation of the land while, at the same time, serving the best interests of the public. 

 

Step one was for D&R Greenway to apply, on behalf of the family, to the Somerset County Farmland Preservation Program. Somerset County purchased an agricultural easement on the property for $1,096,699 with grants from three sources: the New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee; a federal grant from the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) - administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - that was  contributed by the New Jersey Conservation Foundation; and county preservation funds.  As preservedfarmland, Maple Lane Farm will continue to provide a hay crop, and continue to contribute to the local agricultural economy.
"The Somerset County Agriculture Development Board and Board of Freeholders have funded the preservation of over 8,000 acres since the inception of the Somerset County Farmland Preservation Program, with the largest portion in Hillsborough Township," said Somerset County Freeholder Peter S. Palmer, the program's liaison. "We are very happy that we were able to take advantage of federal funding through a partnership with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation for the preservation of the Maple Lane Farm. This farm will be a proud addition to our inventory of preserved farmland in Somerset County." 
Step two was for D&R Greenway to purchase the now deed-restricted Maple Lane Farm and farm the land in a manner that will also enhance and sustain grassland bird habitat.  A $199,500 Raritan Piedmont Wildlife Habitat Partnership (RPWHP) grant from Conservation Resources, Inc. allowed for the acquisition.   Conservation Resources Inc. (CRI) is a non-profit organization providing financial and technical services to the conservation community in New Jersey.  Funding for the grant was provided to CRI by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
"Maple Lane Farm is one of the priority tracts identified in the RPWHP Grassland Conservation Plan," said Anne Heasly, Vice President of CRI, who also serves as the RPWHP Coordinator. "Preservation of this critical habitat will help ensure that grassland birds will remain a part of the natural heritage of the Central Piedmont area of New Jersey," she explained. 

Step three will be for D&R Greenway to showcase Maple Lane Farm as a model for the agricultural and conservation communities. The property will serve as a demonstration site showing how farmland and wildlife management can complement each other.
D&R Greenway's Executive Director Linda Mead observed "Given limited funding resources and a tremendous need to preserve New Jersey's remaining undeveloped lands, projects like Maple Lane Farm are extremely valuable.  We see this dynamic in our work in Salem County - where preserving economically-significant farmland also provides protection for an internationally-significant waterfowl habitat known as Mannington Meadows - and on our
St. Michaels Farm Preserve in Hopewell - where productive farmland and adjacent natural land complement each other.  Projects like these are win-win; the preservation of both agricultural and conservation lands doubles the benefit to the community."
Madelyn Berger Belliveau, the family member who worked with D&R Greenway to save Maple Lane Farm attests, "The family of John Van Dyke and Blanche Mertz Berger are proud that Maple Lane Farm will remain undeveloped.  We would like to extend our thanks to Rosemary Blair and special thanks to Bill Rawlyk of D&R Greenway for making this preservation possible."

***

106-acre Farm in Franklin Township, Warren County, Preserved (The Land Conservancy of New Jersey)

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce that the Santini Trust Farm in Franklin Township, Warren County has been permanently preserved. This 106-acre farm is owned by the Clara S. Santini and the Santino J. Santini Testament Trust (“Santini Trust”) and has been protected through the purchase of an agricultural easement ensuring the land remains farmland in perpetuity.

Negotiated by The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, this property was preserved using funds provided by Franklin Township’s local Open Space Trust Fund, with matching grants from the Warren County Agricultural Development Board, State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program.

This farm was targeted as a priority under Franklin Township’s Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan, written by the Conservancy and the Township. The farm is located within one of the Plan’s main project areas, the Pohatcong Valley West Project Area. The Plan allowed the Township to qualify for grant funds provided by the State Agriculture Development Committee through the municipal farmland Planning Incentive grant program. This is an important funding source for municipalities throughout New Jersey for farmland preservation. Preserving this farm helps retain the rural, agrarian beauty and economy of the area, as well as protect the Santini family’s interest in farming.

Approximately seventy percent of the farm contains prime farmland soils needed to produce a high yield of crops. A tributary of the Pohatcong Creek bisects the property and preservation of the farm will help ensure protection of this stream and its watershed.

“The preservation of this farm insures permanent protection for prime farmland in a region with a long and productive history of agricultural activity," said Bob Canace, Land Preservation Specialist with The Land Conservancy of New Jersey. "Preservation of this fertile farmland greatly advances Franklin Township and Warren County’s commitment to protecting its best farmland for future generations. The acquisition is a prime example of how towns, counties, the state, and the federal government can pool resources to protect important farmland before it succumbs to development.”

The Conservancy would like to recognize the efforts of Stefanie Miller of the SADC, for helping Franklin Township obtain the federal funding and coordinating the property’s closing with Warren County. Katrina Campbell, the County’s attorney, also worked extremely hard to ensure the farm closed by the end of the State’s fiscal year. Thanks to them and the Township of Franklin, their commitment to farmland preservation ensured this project was a success.

***

Old Bridge will finally get its Cottrell Farm

County, state help town come up with $10.6 million for orchard, adjacent tract

BY LAUREN CIRAULO Staff Writer

A five-year mission to preserve 63 acres of land in the center of Old Bridge will soon be accomplished, thanks to financial assistance from several parties.
In a joint effort by Old Bridge, Middlesex County, the state of New Jersey and the NY/NJ Baykeeper, the township will purchase the 27 acres that were formerly home to the Cottrell Farm, and an adjacent 36 acres known as Whitney Estates. The two tracts, at Route 516 and Cottrell Road, will be acquired for $10.6 million and preserved as open space.

“This certainly needed to be a combined effort to acquire these properties,” Mayor Jim Phillips said. “But everyone stepped up to the plate and wholeheartedly agreed that this land needed to be preserved.”

Phillips said that while the acquisition has proved to be a long and difficult process, it was necessary in order to prevent extensive development on the two tracts.

In 2003, Old Bridge granted Gerald Cernero, owner of the Wall Townshipbased development firm Jerald Development Corp., a 10-year general development plan (GDP) approval for Carriage House Crossing, which called for the construction of a 120,725-square-foot retail and office space, 83 age-restricted townhouse units, and 129 second-floor apartments on the property.

The Planning Board rejected Cernero’s plan in December 2008 “without prejudice,” meaning that the developer could ask for an interpretation from the Zoning Board of Adjustment, an opportunity the builder chose to pursue. After several rounds of testimony, zoning board members voted Jan. 7 that certain aspects of the plan were not permitted under township ordinances, and therefore the applicant would need to seek a use variance.

However, the new application never materialized, and the township finally succeeded in purchasing both properties from Cernero five years after municipal officials began working on the acquisition.

“It was too many potatoes in too small of a bag,” Phillips said in reference to the developer’s plan. “It wasn’t going to happen. This economic climate does not lend itself to his project.”

The recent economic turmoil did not help the township’s position either, Phillips said, but Old Bridge was fortunate to have several supporters.

For the impending purchase, Old Bridge will contribute $2.4 million from its open space trust fund, which has been accumulated through the township’s open space tax over the past 10 years. NY/NJ Baykeeper will spend $200,000, and the state Green Acres program has pledged $1.6 million. But the largest portion will come from the Middlesex County Open Space Acquisitions Fund — a $6.36 million contribution.


“This could not have happened without the technical expertise and due diligence of the county, not to mention their generous contribution,” Phillips said. “They provided the financial resources that really made this work.”

Jerald Development will be required to fix some environmental issues on the property before the properties are officially handed over, the mayor said. He noted that minor asbestos and mold in some of the tracts’ buildings will be remediated, as well as arsenic residue in the orchard.


Maintaining the farm?

As for the future of the properties, Phillips said he would like the township to get back to its agricultural roots by restoring the orchards and opening them to the public as a “pickyour own operation.” He also mentioned the possibility of holding the Old Bridge Farmers Market on the land, as well as opening a pumpkin patch or petting zoo.

“The township purchased the Lambertson Farm, and we put the land to good use,” Phillips said. That land was slated for a municipal golf course but has remained a farm as the township leases it to a local farmer.

The mayor also noted that he would extend an offer to Herbert Cottrell, whose family has farmed the land for generations, to stay on the property and run the farm.

“He’s done a remarkable service for the people of Old Bridge,” Phillips said of Cottrell. “I hope he will continue to stay.”

Though the purchase has not been finalized, Phillips said he feels a sense of accomplishment in acquiring the land and preventing the development.

“I love pizza, but I think I’d rather look at apple trees and a historical carriage house, barn and farmhouse than look at a pizza parlor or a nail salon or another housing development,” Phillips said. “It’s personally gratifying for me — I never saw the wisdom in his plan. But I won’t be truly satisfied until those orchards are open to the public.”

***

40 acres preserved in Bethlehem Twp., next to Tower Hill, Jugtown reserves

The Hunterdon County Democrat

BETHLEHEM TWP. — Some 40 acres of forest and wetlands here have been preserved by the Hunterdon Land Trust, the New Jersey Audubon Society, the township and the New Jersey Water Supply Authority for a total cost of $285,000.

Nestled between land already preserved by the authority and Tower Hill and Jugtown reserves, owned by Hunterdon County, the newly preserved property fulfills many important environmental goals.

“One of our goals at the Hunterdon Land Trust is to preserve continuous expanses of land” said Margaret Waldock, the organization’s executive director. “This property was surrounded on three sides by protected land, which increases the positive impact its preservation will have on our county’s water quality, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and rural character and made it an ideal property for preservation.”

The land is on the south side of Mine Road near Mountain View Road. It’s home to a wealth of wildlife and wildflowers. A variety of birds live in the forest, and the seasonal pools and streams provide breeding habitat for wood frogs, salamanders and the eastern box turtle.

Mulhockaway Creek, part of the Upper Raritan Watershed, crosses the land and runs into Spruce Run Reservoir. “The preservation of this property is important to maintaining the water quality” of the reservoir, said Henry Patterson, executive director, NJWSA. The authority’s water customers fund its contributions through their payments.

New Jersey Audubon Society felt this was an important project given the property’s proximity to existing preserved land, the potential for recreation including the connection of existing trails to Hunterdon County parks, bird watching and nature study as well as its potential to provide habitat for birds and forested wildlife.

The Audubon Society put in $57,000 it received from the Hunterdon County Open Space Trust Fund. Bethlehem Township contributed $85,500, using $71,250 from the state Green Acres program and the balance from their County Open Space trust funds. NJWSA paid $142,500.00, or 50% of the purchase price.

The Hunterdon Land Trust brought together the coalition of partners that worked together to fund the preservation of the property is temporarily managing it.
According to Waldock, “we’ll continue to talk with the county to see if the management of this land can be integrated into work the Department of Parks and Recreation is already doing on the adjacent Jugtown and Tower Hill reserves.”

In the meantime, the Land Trust worked with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference to create a link to the Highlands Trail, a “rugged footpath” uniting the Highlands region of New York and New Jersey.

The property can be accessed through the Jugtown or Tower Hill Reserve along the Highland Trail, which is marked with teal, diamond-shaped blazes.

***

242 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Warren County

New Jersey Conservation Foundation

WARREN COUNTY – In a “triple play” of farmland preservation, three Warren County farms totaling 242 acres have been preserved by a partnership between the county, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, the State Agriculture Development Committee, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Warren County purchased the development rights on three farms, meaning they will remain in agriculture forever. They are:

• The 108-acre Prant farm in Allamuchy Township, which includes pastures, hay and crop fields, and woodlands along the Pequest River. It is surrounded by Allamuchy State Park and hundreds of acres of preserved farmland;

• The 56-acre Schuster farm in Greenwich Township, located near the Musconetcong River and consisting mostly of corn fields. It is located a short distance from the state’s Musconetcong Wildlife Management Area;

• The 78-acre Demeter farm on Scott’s Mountain in White Township, rolling farmland with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including nearby preserved farmland and open space.

Funded by Partnership

All three easements were purchased using a combination of Warren County farmland preservation funds, a portion of New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s federal Farm and Ranch Lands Preservation Program (FRPP) grant, and state farmland preservation funding through the Planning Incentive Grant program.

“We’re very pleased to help Warren County preserve these three farms, and help maintain the county’s rural and agricultural character,” said Michele S. Byers, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

“The preservation of these farms underscores the important role that partnerships play in reaching New Jersey’s farmland preservation goals,” said Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher, chair of the State Agriculture Development Committee that administers the state Farmland Preservation Program. “I want to particularly commend Warren County for maintaining its financial commitment to farmland and open space preservation, and ensuring that the County remains a strong funding partner during these challenging fiscal times.”

Robert Resker, head of Warren County’s land preservation program, said he is grateful to New Jersey Conservation Foundation for its readiness to commit part of its annual Farm and Ranch Lands Preservation Program grant to Warren County.

“The county saved about $300,000, a pretty significant amount” that otherwise would have been taken from its farmland preservation fund, Resker said. “It was very much appreciated and very helpful.”

The Prant farm easement cost $538,620, the Schuster farm easement cost $330,513, and the Demeter farm easement cost $668,388.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation is a private nonprofit whose mission is to preserve land and natural resources throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all. Since 1960, the Foundation has protected more than 120,000 acres, or 187 square miles. For more information on programs and preserves, visit www.njconservation.org or call 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728).

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48 Acres Preserved for Open Space in Montville

Daily Record

MONTVILLE — The township, with assistance from the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, has preserved 48 acres of land owned by Robin Starkey for a new park to be named Starkey Park, according to Barbara McCloskey of the conservancy.

The property, located on the corner of River Road and Millers Lane, is one of only a few undeveloped properties remaining in the township and will be part of the Montville Greenway, offering recreational opportunities to residents, said McCloskey, who is the conservancy's membership program manager.

It will be used for hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing and bird watching. The township also is considering adding fields in the future for sports.

This is the 16th property the township has preserved in partnership with The Land Conservancy, for a total of 567 acres since 1999.

The conservancy is an accredited land trust dedicated to preserving and protecting New Jersey's vital natural lands and water resources. The Conservancy has preserved more than 16,500 acres of land and helped towns receive $192 million in grants to purchase and protect land throughout New Jersey.

The Conservancy has worked with more than 76 municipalities in 13 counties, impacting over half of New Jersey's counties and benefiting millions of residents throughout the state.

West Milford to preserve Random Woods through grant (07/16/10)

West Milford is the northern-most township in Passaic County. At just over 80-square-miles, it's also the largest. Its population, as of 2007, was 27,839, not very large considering the township's size, but consider this: according to census data from 1930, its population was 1,901. West Milford is located in the Highlands Preservation Area, meaning there are additional restrictions to what can be developed and where.

Story originally appeared here.

West Milford to preserve Random Woods through grant

Friday, July 16, 2010

AIM WEST MILFORD

WEST MILFORD—With the assistance of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, a 98-acre parcel of land known as "Random Woods" was recently preserved by West Milford.

Situated in the hills of the New Jersey Highlands, Random Woods is located on Ridge Road and in close proximity to municipal complexes and the central downtown area.

It was previously the subject of a development application and prior to the implementation of the Highlands Act in 2004, it had preliminary approval for 103 single family homes.

The $2.1 million project was funded with Passaic County and Green Acres grants. The preservation of this land represents an addition to the municipality where there is a need for additional athletic fields and recreational facilities.

While more than 90-percent of the parcel will remain undisturbed and available to the public for recreation, a small portion will be used to establish new athletic fields.

The acquisition of Random Woods also furthers an existing and expanding greenway and supports conservation goals identified in the Highlands Water Protection & Planning Act of 2004, which seeks to preserve extensive and contiguous areas of land in its natural state (forests, wetlands, stream corridors, and critical wildlife habitat) and protect New Jersey’s drinking water resources.

"We are very excited about the recent acquisition of the Random Woods property, which will preserve an additional 100 acres within the township while also providing for a multi-purpose ball field at no cost to our residents," Mayor Bettina Bieri said. "This acquisition adheres to the township's philosophy, which prioritizes open space acquisitions not solely based on its environmental sensitivity but also based on its potential to directly benefit the community via active recreational opportunities."