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Land Resources / News / Madison voters to weigh in on $400M state question for open space
Madison voters to weigh in on $400M state question for open space (complete article from source)
Source: Madison Eagle
October 10, 2009

Ballot measure would fund open space, farmland, historical preservation

MADISON

   There’s also a statewide public question on the ballot, seeking voters’ approval of a $400 million open space preservation bond that would be used to fund open space purchases, farmland and historic preservation projects, and floodplain protection programs.

   If approved, the Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009, the only statewide public question on the ballot this year, would allow for the protection of more than 70,000 acres at a cost of around $10 a year per household for the next 20 years, according to New Jersey Keep It Green, a coalition of 135 statewide, local and regional organizations ranging from sportsmen’s groups and environmental organizations to affordable housing and urban park advocates.

Four Goals

--  It’s not only who is going to be governor, state assembly person, county freeholder, county surrogate and local governing body members that voters must decide Tuesday, Nov. 3.


   The $400 million in bonds to fund state open-space programs would be split among four purposes:

   • $218 million would be appropriated to the Green Acres program for open space purchases as well as park improvements and facilities;

   • $146 million would be dedicated for farmland preservation;

   • $24 million would be used for the Blue Acres floodplain program, under which the state may purchase, from willing sellers, properties that are prone to or have incurred flood or storm damage, for open space preservation purposes;

   • And $12 million would go toward historic preservation.

   The Green Acres program is a key source of funding for both municipalities and nonprofit groups for purchases to preserve open space.

Pro And Con

   Supporters say open space and historic preservation provide numerous benefits, such as attractions for tourism, safeguarding the water supply, and protection of wildlife diversity, while farmland preservation supports an economically viable agricultural industry, according to a synopsis of the issue by the New Jersey League of Women Voters.

   Land costs are also relatively low right now because of the recession, supporters say, adding that the use of a bond issue allows the state to purchase additional open space without increasing taxes.

   The primary reasons not to support the measure are that the state already has too much debt and the state’s finances are in terrible shape, according to the League of Women Voters’ synopsis.

   What’s more, opponent say, if certain purchases are considered critical, alternative funding mechanisms could be chosen for them that do not involve additional borrowing, the League said.

   New Jersey voters, however, have been well disposed toward open space funding on previous statewide bond issues, having approved all 12 of the open space questions placed on statewide ballots since 1961.

    The Madison Borough Council and its neighbor, the Chatham Borough Council, have approved resultions supporting the open space ballot question, urging voters to pass it.



Click here for complete article from Madison Eagle

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