600 Acres to be Lost without Green Acres Bond Funding
Question #1 to decide fate of clean water resources on 600 New Jersey acres
CHESTER, NEW JERSEY — October 27, 2009 — The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey announced today the opportunity to protect 600 acres that serve as some of the state’s cleanest watersheds and habitat for bald eagles — if New Jersey’s voters approve Question #1 on the ballot November 3rd.
Question #1 addresses the Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009, which would provide $400 million towards the protection of the state’s clean water and outdoor recreation resources.
The Nature Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization that works to protect the diversity of life all over the world, has secured options to buy a 493-acre property in Camden, and a 108-acre property in Sussex County. Both properties would increase the protection of clean water resources in New Jersey, and link into existing state-owned and Nature Conservancy protected lands.
“These properties are signature natural landscapes here in New Jersey,” said Barbara Brummer, Director of The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey. “If we don’t vote now in favor of Question #1, we will lose the funding necessary to set aside this land, and most likely the opportunity to protect the clean water resources these sites provide.”
Tom Wells, The Nature Conservancy’s Director of Government Relations, echoed the importance of the vote.
“Voter approval of Question #1 is so important to The Nature Conservancy that we have joined with 135 other organizations, under the banner of Keep it Green, to spread the word about this ballot measure,” he added.
Other organizations, towns, and counties have initiated numerous projects under Keep it Green around New Jersey that will preserve the State’s open spaces, working farms, and historic treasures. The efforts cross the state and political boundaries.
“Voters need to vote ‘yes’ to Question #1 on Election Day to ensure a bright future for their children and grandchildren,” remarked Maureen Ogden, Honorary Co-chair of Keep it Green, and former long-term N.J. General Assembly Environment Committee Chair.
The two properties The Nature Conservancy seeks to preserve are at opposite ends of the state. In Cumberland County sits 493 forested acres (“Bear’s Head Branch”) that serve as the headwaters for the Maurice River, a federally-designated Wild and Scenic River. This area hosts one of the East Coast’s greatest concentrations of wintering bald eagles and is an essential stopover for migrating ducks and geese.
“More than 30 species of rare plants occur here, including a globally-rare species,” said Jay Laubengeyer, Assistant Director of The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey. “The Bear’s Head Branch property sits close to 34,000-acre Peaslee State Wildlife Management Area, and upstream from The Nature Conservancy’s existing Manumuskin River Preserve.”
The Bear’s Head Branch property would be purchased over three year increments at a total cost of $2,141,000, which is a $100,000 discount off its appraised value. If Question #1 fails, however, this pristine property and the ecosystem services it provides, like clean water and outstanding wildlife habitat, may be lost to development.
“Developer’s have expressed interest in turning the property into a condominium development with close to 1,000 units,” said Bob Allen, the The Nature Conservancy’s Science Director.
“The residents of New Jersey deserve protected sources of clean water for their own needs and to support the State’s many industries now and in the future,” said Bob Smith, Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “We need to say ‘yes’ to Question #1 so places like Bear’s Head Branch and dozens of other unspoiled natural areas around New Jersey can be conserved.”
"As the nation's most densely populated state, we are in a race against time to preserve valuable tracts of land especially our pristine watersheds. New Jersey's nine million population need water to drink," said John F. McKeon, Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee chairman and prime sponsor of the open space ballot measure. "The loss of land is permanent and irreversible and we have a finite amount available. Citizens of New Jersey should vote Yes for Public Question # 1 so we can preserve properties that have some of our state's cleanest watersheds including the six hundred acres at stake in Camden and Sussex County."
The second property The Nature Conservancy has an option to buy is in Sussex County, called Clove Brook, named for the pristine stream that runs through it. At 108 acres, it would more than double the size of The Nature Conservancy’s existing adjacent Minisink Valley Preserve, and connect it with the State’s16,000-acre High Point State Park, which includes Dryden Kusar Natural Area.
“Clove Brook is a lynchpin property that links two important natural sites in New Jersey, which are habitat for brook trout, black bear, rare long-tailed salamanders and wood turtles,” noted Laubengeyer.
Neighboring Minisink Valley Preserve is home to two “Category One” streams, the highest ranking for water quality awarded by the state, and several artesian springs. The properties sit within Flatbrook Valley along the westward path of development for New York City. The Clove Brook property would also cost less than one million dollars, at $900,000.
Tom Kean Jr., Republican Leader in the State Senate, voiced his support for the Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009.
“Since the original Green Acres Bond Act of 1961, preserving the best of New Jersey for future generations has always been supported by voters of all persuasions, and Question # 1 gives current voters an opportunity to continue this proud tradition,” Kean offered.
The Green Acres efforts cross the state and political boundaries. Recent polls have suggested that it will be a close vote on Question #1, with voters leaning slightly towards approving the Green Acres bond.
In considering the possibility Green Acres will be passed, Barbara Brummer smiled.
“I would love nothing more than to report back to New Jersey voters in February that these two properties have been secured— because they will have played a major role by voting for Green Acres on November 3rd!”
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.
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