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Support Open Space in New Jersey
A Pivotal Moment in Funding for Our Open Spaces, Wildlife Habitat, Parks, Farmland and Historic Preservation Please help give New Jersey voters a choice to support open space preservation on this November's ballot. By sending the attached letter in support of bills A3901/S1858, you'll be urging legislators and the Governor to put a measure on the ballot enabling voters to renew the Garden State Preservation Trust. Legislators' deadline to act is effectively June 30. Without renewed funding, the Trust won't be able to help the state, local, municipal and non-profit groups to acquire and protect open space, wildlife habitat, parks, farmland and historic treasures. New Jersey's open spaces add significantly to all our residents' quality of life. Our natural areas provide habitat for our rich diversity of wildlife, they enable us to connect with nature, and they help purify our water and clean our air. They can help prevent soil erosion, stormwater runoff and flooding. Parks -- urban, suburban and rural -- provide access to recreation of so many kinds, and are important to the health and well-being of adults and children alike. Preserving farmland helps us secure locally-grown food, while historic preservation improves the character of our neighborhoods and our access to exciting and interesting places. Studies have shown that many of these initiatives contribute directly to skilled job creation, and acquiring land from willing sellers at today's reduced prices affords a mutual opportunity. Legislators have until June 30th to approve an open space funding measure for the November '09 ballot. Bills A3901/S1858 -- which are headed to the Senate and Assembly Budget and Appropriations committess and will require full Assembly and Senate approval -- would let voters support a ballot measure, permitting the State to issue up to $600 million in bonds for three more years of vital open space investment. Giving New Jersey voters a choice makes sense, and they have approved 12 of the 12 statewide open space-related funding proposals since 1961. The last measure, in November 2007, provided $200 million in funds for open space acquisition to last for one year, and those dollars have nearly all been allocated. If we don't maintain the Garden State Preservation Trust, the State will lack funds to match and encourage local and private investment in many projects that make New Jersey more beautiful, healthy and prosperous. Sincerely, Kelly Mooij, Director of Government Relations New Jersey Audubon Society
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , New Jersey's voters deserve a choice in November to continue supporting open space funding! The Garden State Preservation Trust is effectively empty, and without renewed funds, the State's efforts to support the acquisition of open space, natural areas, parks, farmland and historic areas will grind to a halt. The many municipal and private projects that count on state matching would slow to a trickle. Before the legislature recesses in June, I urge you to approve A3901/S1858, which would let voters decide whether to give the state the ability to issue up to $600 million in bonds for three years of open space investment. Continued funding for the acquisition of open space is extremely important to our residents' health, quality of life and our economy. Our natural areas help purify our water and clean our air. They provide diverse recreation opportunities, and habitat for our rich web of wildlife. They help protect against soil erosion, stormwater runoff and flooding. Urban parks are vital to the well-being of adults and children alike, and can be counted among the ways to help address the high incidence of childhood obesity and asthma. Preserving farmland helps us secure local sources of healthy food and keeps us connected with our land, while historic preservation improves the character of our neighborhoods and our access to exciting and interesting places. Investing in open space also stimulates job creation. For instance, the Rutgers Center for Urban Policy Research found that $1 million spent in rehabilitating an older building creates nearly 30 jobs, which is more than new construction and employs a greater diversity of professionals because rehabilitation requires more specialized skills. New Jersey's tourism industry, at $38 billion per year, gets a significant boost from our open space investments. And wildlife-related recreation alone generates approximately $3.9 billion in economic activity each year in NJ. What's more, acquiring land from willing sellers at today's reduced prices affords opportunities for the buyers and sellers alike. Failure to renew the Garden State Preservation Trust would be a terrible missed opportunity. Once lost, these lands and historic treasures are lost forever. Allowing New Jersey voters to make their own choice to support renewal of the GSPT in November is the right thing to do.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
New Jersey has a proud tradition in investing in open space, and this helps give our densely populated state a character and diversity that would not be possible otherwise. This year, the Senate Environment Committee and Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee have released bills A3901 and S1858 that would give voters the chance to sustain the Garden State Preservation Trust. However, these bills still need to be approved by the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees and the full Senate and Assembly, and then signed by the Governor. If voters aren't given the chance to renew the Trust, then the State's ability to acquire land for natural areas, parks, farmland and historic preservation will wane significantly.
We need strong outreach from our members and all the citizens to help convince our leaders to approve an open space ballot measure. Please allow your voice to be heard today!
