|
 |
||||
|
Ask Legislators to Replenish the Garden State Preservation Trust in 2007!
The Garden State Preservation Trust, which has made New Jersey a leader in preserving open space, historic sites and farmland over the past decade, is running out of funds. Please consider sending a letter your State representatives and the Governor urging them to renew and strengthen the Trust as a wise investment in our communities. In order to ensure the acquisition of Thanks for your support!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I am writing to urge you to seek the renewal of the Garden State Preservation Trust in early 2007 at a level adequate to ensure New Jersey's ongoing commitment to the protection of open spaces, farmlands, and historic sites with equity for all communities. Along with the renewal of the Trust, it is crucial that New Jersey also creates a stable source of funding to operate, maintain and improve these sites. The Trust is approaching bankruptcy, and despite all its successes, it has not kept pace with the overwhelming demand from all around the state. Requests for Green Acres funding from local governments and nonprofit organizations over the past five years were five times higher than the available state funding with well over $450 million in applications unfunded. At the same time, New Jersey continues to face intense development pressure, losing approximately 50 acres of open space a day. And even the open spaces and historic sites that are protected suffer from insufficient funding. These areas are often understaffed, poorly maintained and inaccessible to the public. In order to adequately fund the preservation of our state's treasures, the improvement of local parks and recreation sites, and the maintenance of our protected areas, I urge you to renew and strengthen the Trust with $381 million a year, including $225 million a year for acquisition, $100 million a year for capital projects and $56 million a year for operations. The acquisition and capital funds could be provided by bonding an annual revenue stream of approximately $150 million. These figures are in addition to funds provided by ballot question #2 and existing operating funds. Please work to ensure the passage of this legislation within the year, so that the acquisition of open space and the preservation of New Jersey's family farms and historic sites continues uninterrupted and all residents can enjoy well-maintained, accessible natural areas in their communities. I hope that you will exercise your leadership to protect New Jersey's treasures and the quality of life in our community.
Sincerely, |
Campaign Launched: |
| Background Information |
On November 7,
A coalition of non-profit organizations, business and local officials is calling on the State Legislature and the Governor to pass legislation now that will place a referendum on the November 2007 ballot to renew and strengthen GSPT.
All New Jerseyans from urban, suburban and rural areas deserve high-quality, accessible neighborhood parks, natural areas and historic sites to enjoy with their families.
Approved by voters in 1998, the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) is a financing authority that receives funds through a constitutional dedication for the preservation of open spaces, farmland and historic sites. One of the nation’s largest publicly-funded land preservation efforts, the Trust has preserved hundreds of thousands of valuable acres and provided matching dollars for non-profit organizations and the estimated $277 million dedicated open space taxes collected annually by each of the 21 counties and 217 of our 566 municipalities.
However, GSPT has run out of money and has fallen short of meeting
In addition to continuing to preserve open spaces, farmland and historic sites across the state, the renewal of the Garden State Preservation Trust must include a mechanism to fund operations, maintenance, stewardship and capital projects at both state and locally-owned sites. For decades,
For example, despite increasing the state’s open space lands by 350,000 acres, or 1/3 the total in the last decade, Division of Parks and Forestry staffing has fallen by 1/3 from 550 to 418 over the same period. The renewal of GSPT must include funds to support the work of these conservation officers, naturalists, and foresters as well as basic stewardship, such as trail creation and wildlife habitat restoration.
Furthermore, the renewal and strengthening of the Garden State Preservation Trust in 2007 must ensure funding equity for urban, suburban and rural communities across the state. To date, GSPT has failed to address all aspects of open space needs or the major impediment to increasing conservation and recreation resources in urban areas – the inability of maintain the additional resources – despite the critical importance of these areas to ensuring healthy communities.
Creating and maintaining urban parks, natural areas and historic sites is a critical component of any urban revitalization strategy. These areas create a high quality of life that attracts taxpaying businesses and residents and redirects growth back into urban areas. They also support the growth of our state and local economies by enhancing property values; increasing revenue from property taxes and additional retail and tourism activity; and attracting new industries and skilled workers to communities across the state.
Our parks and natural areas provide opportunities for hiking, jogging and other physical activity, which increases fitness and reduces obesity. These areas also reduce air and water pollution impacts on public health and associated costs for health care and drinking water treatment. Parks and natural areas significantly improve air and water quality and provide important habitat for wildlife in urban, suburban and rural areas of the state.
