ASSEMBLY, No. 1329
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION
By Assemblyman DeCROCE
An Act concerning the acquisition by the State of Troy Meadows Natural Area in Morris county for recreation and conservation purposes, supplementing Title 13 of the Revised Statutes, and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that Troy Meadows in Morris county is an approximately 2,000-acre natural area of supreme beauty and significance; that it is composed of wetlands and other habitat that support an abundant variety of wildlife and vegetation; that it is located in the northern area of the State where large intact parcels of open space are becoming increasingly rare; and that the area around Troy Meadows Natural Area is currently experiencing strong development pressure.
The Legislature therefore determines that it is appropriate and in the public interest for the State to acquire as soon as practicable, and to preserve and maintain, Troy Meadows Natural Area, for recreation and conservation purposes.
2. a. The Department of Environmental Protection shall, pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1983, c.324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.), acquire in fee simple or by conservation easement, at the department's discretion, and preserve and maintain in the name of the State, for recreation and conservation purposes, the real property located in Parsippany-Troy Hills and East Hanover townships, Morris county, that is known as Troy Meadows Natural Area, and any real property contiguous or adjacent thereto the acquisition of which is necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
The department may coordinate its acquisition plan pursuant to this section with any similar acquisition plan for any portion of Troy Meadows Natural Area proposed by the governing bodies of Morris county, Parsippany-Troy Hills township, or East Hanover township, provided that any such local acquisition plan comports with the purposes of this act to permanently preserve and maintain Troy Meadows as a natural area for recreation and conservation purposes.
b. The department shall utilize funds appropriated or made available to it from the "Open Space Preservation Bond Act of 1989," P.L.1989, c.183, or any other funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it from other sources for acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, to effectuate the purposes of this act.
c. Upon acquisition, the department shall designate the property as the "Troy Meadows Natural Area," and preserve, manage, and maintain it accordingly.
3. There is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection from the "1989 New Jersey Green Acres Fund" established pursuant to section 18 of the "Open Space Preservation Bond Act of 1989," P.L.1989, c.183, such sums as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection to acquire in fee simple or by conservation easement, at the department's discretion, and preserve and maintain in the name of the State, for recreation and conservation purposes, the real property located in Parsippany-Troy Hills and East Hanover townships, Morris county, that is known as Troy Meadows Natural Area, and any real property contiguous or adjacent thereto that may also be necessary to acquire to effectuate the purposes of the act.
The department would be authorized to coordinate its acquisition plan with any similar acquisition plan for any portion of Troy Meadows Natural Area proposed by the governing bodies of Morris county, Parsippany-Troy Hills township, or East Hanover township, provided that any such local acquisition plan comports with the purposes of this act to permanently preserve and maintain Troy Meadows as a natural area for recreation and conservation purposes.
Troy Meadows is an approximately 2,000-acre natural area composed of wetlands and other habitat that support an abundant variety of wildlife and vegetation. It is located in an area of the State where large intact parcels of open space are becoming increasingly rare because of strong development pressure.
It is anticipated that funds from the "Open Space Preservation Bond Act of 1989," P.L.1989, c.183, would be utilized by the department to acquire Troy Meadows Natural Area. The bill appropriates from that bond act such funds as are necessary to acquire the property.
It is the sponsor's intent that Troy Meadows be permanently preserved as a natural area, that it not be developed, and that only nonconsumptive activities, such as birdwatching, hiking, and photography, be permitted on the property.
Directs State acquisition of Troy Meadows Natural Area, Morris County, for recreation and conservation purposes.