ASSEMBLY, No. 2444

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 21, 1996

 

 

By Assemblymen BATEMAN and KAVANAUGH

 

 

An Act appropriating $250,000 from the "Green Acres, Clean Water, Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 1992," P.L.1992, c.88, for farmland preservation.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1.    There is appropriated from the "1992 Farmland Preservation Fund," established pursuant to section 24 of the "Green Acres, Clean Water, Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 1992," P.L. 1992, c.88, to the State Agriculture Development Committee the sum of $250,000 for the purpose of providing a grant to Hillsborough Township, Somerset county, for up to 80% of the cost of acquisition of development easements on farmland located in the township, provided that any funds received for the transfer of a development easement shall be dedicated to the future purchase of development easements. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, no monies made available pursuant to this act for the Hillsborough Township farmland preservation project shall be expended by the township for the acquisition of development easements on farmland located in the township unless the development easements selected by the township for acquisition have been approved by the State Agriculture Development Committee as eligible for such funding.

 

    2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill would appropriate $250,000 from the "Green Acres, Clean Water, Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 1992," P.L.1992, c.88, for farmland preservation. Specifically, the sum appropriated would be utilized to provide a grant to Hillsborough Township in Somerset County for up to 80% of the cost of acquisition of development easements on farmland in the township.

    This bill is necessary because the township is among the fastest growing municipalities in the State. Development pressure is high there and, thus, the rural character of the municipality is threatened. The citizens of the township have already indicated their strong support for farmland preservation efforts in the area by supporting creation of a municipal open space fund. However, the amount raised from that source is not enough. Seed money from State and county sources is also needed to ensure that the process in the municipality can proceed expeditiously and with maximum impact toward preserving farmland in that area of the State. This bill would provide a State share of the cost thereof and also thereby send a message of support and encouragement from the State with regard to the township's commendable effort to preserve its rural character.

 

 

                             

 

Appropriates $250,000 from 1992 bond act for farmland preservation in Hillsborough Township, Somerset County.