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Ask Legislators to Support Resolution to Renew the Garden State Preservation Trust
The Garden State Preservation Trust, New Jersey's funding mechanism for open space, farmland and historic preservation, will run out of money early this year. To avoid a gap in funding, the Trust must be replenished by the end of the year through voter approval on the ballot this November. To achieve a place on the ballot, the Legislature must pass a plan early this year. Please send a letter to your Legislators asking them to support the recently introduced resolution to renew the Garden State Preservation Trust. At our Lobby Day in December 2006, we called on the State Legislature and the Governor to champion a public question for the 2007 ballot that will renew and strengthen the Trust in the amount of $225 million a year for acquisition, $100 million a year for capital projects and $56 million a year for operations with equity ensured for all communities. It was a success! Assemblyman McKeon and Senators Lance and Smith responded by introducing ACR 229/SCR 131, which would replenish the Trust by dedicating $150 million of existing sales tax revenue to acquiring and improving open spaces and historic sites across the state. With the addition of $56 million a year to operate, maintain and steward newly acquired and existing open spaces, parks and historic sites, this is the best vehicle available to fully replenish the fund. It is imperative this resolution is passed by the Legislature before March 2007 and placed on the ballot this November, so that protection of our critical natural areas, farmland and historic sites continues uninterrupted. At the most recent Lobby Day on January 29th, we asked Legislators to support this resolution to replenish the Trust with the recommended change. Join us in our effort to gather support for the renewal of this critical program by sending a letter to your Legislators.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I am writing to ask for your support and possible co-sponsorship of the recently introduced legislation (ACR229/SCR131) to renew and strengthen the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT). Through programs like Green Acres, New Jersey Historic Trust and Farmland Preservation, New Jersey has been a leader in open space, farmland and historic site preservation. However, our communities continue to loose open space at an alarming rate - 50 acres a day statewide - and many protected sites are inaccessible and poorly maintained. Unfortunately, GSPT, the mechanism that funds our acquisition programs, will officially run out of money early this year. ACR229/SCR131, sponsored by Assemblyman McKeon and Senators Lance and Smith, would replenish the Trust by dedicating $150 million of existing sales tax revenue to acquiring and improving open spaces and historic sites across the state. It is imperative this resolution is passed early this year and placed on the ballot this November, so that protection of our critical natural areas, farmland and historic sites continues uninterrupted. This is a critical investment in the quality of life in our communities and the health of our State economy. We need your support of this resolution to replenish the Trust. In addition to supporting the resolution, I also encourage you to support the creation of a stable funding source to operate and maintain existing and newly acquired areas in the amount of $56 million a year as either an addition to ACR229/SCR131 or as a separate piece of legislation. Our parks, open spaces and historic sites have suffered a steady decline in services and maintenance due to decades of inadequate funding. This additional funding to support the work of conservation officers, naturalists, and foresters as well as basic stewardship, such as trail creation and wildlife habitat restoration, is critical to ensuring safe, accessible and well-maintained beaches, neighborhood parks and historic sites in our community. Thank you for your time and your support. I hope that you will exercise your leadership to support our natural treasures.
Sincerely, |
Campaign Launched: |
| Background Information |
The Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT), New Jersey's funding mechanism for open space, farmland and historic preservation, will run out of money in early 2007.
Why do we need to replenish the GSPT?
· Already the most densely populated state, New Jersey will reach full build out in less than 25 years. We must protect our valuable open spaces, farmland and historic sites before it is too late.
· Protecting these areas is vital to the long-term health of our state's economy.
· Our cities rely on well-maintained green areas for livable neighborhoods and a high quality of life.
· Preserving open space safeguards our public water supply and water quality in our rivers and streams.
· Every New Jersey resident deserves high-quality, accessible neighborhood parks, natural areas and historic sites to enjoy with their families.
Why is an increase in funding from $98 million a year to $150 million a year necessary?
Since its creation in 1998, the GSPT has enabled the State of New Jersey, its local governments, and non-profits to acquire over 432,000 acres of parks, open space and farmland. While the GSPT has been a tremendous success, the need still vastly outstrips the available dollars, even if the GSPT is renewed at a higher level.
· Well over $450 million in municipal and non-profit Green Acres applications have gone unfunded.
· Acquisition costs in the Highlands alone could run to more than $1 billion.
· The New Jersey Historic Trust has received capital and planning grant requests totaling more than 3 times the $6 million in grant funds available each year.
· There is an estimated $250 million backlog in capital repairs and improvements at State parks alone. Many millions more are needed for improvements at county and local parks.
· Although the State increased its open space holdings by one-third over the past decade, the staffing to maintain and provide stewardship for that land has decreased by one-third over the same period.
· Only one-third of the farmland identified by the State Department of Agriculture as critical to the retention of farming as a viable industry in New Jersey has been preserved.
Why is additional funding for operations needed?
· New Jersey's parks, natural areas and historic sites have suffered a steady decline in services and maintenance due to decades of inadequate funding.
· Additional funding is critical to ensuring safe, accessible and well-maintained beaches, parks, natural areas and historic sites in communities across the state.
· The inability to maintain our parks has led to the closure of portions of these areas for long periods of time. For example, Bulls Island State Park campgrounds are closed indefinitely due to Delaware River flooding.
· The continuation of current funding trends could lead to the closure of various park facilities and the loss of urban fishing and derby programs that serve thousands of children throughout the state.
Why do we need to ensure funding parity for urban areas?
Numerous studies have determined that urban green areas increase property values, support neighborhood revitalization, and promote healthy lifestyles, particularly for children, who are especially susceptible to childhood asthma and obesity. However, New Jersey's cities lag woefully behind their counterparts elsewhere in the country in terms of available open space.
· Newark has the lowest ratio of open space to population of any major American city.
· Hudson County has identified hundreds of millions of dollars of acquisition needs.
For more information, please contact Joanna Wolaver at joanna.wolaver@njaudubon.org or (609) 392-1181.
Additional information is also available at www.OutdoorRecreationAlliance.org.
