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Van Drew Measure Among Four Farmland Preservation Bills Signed By Governor

Jeff Van Drew News & Releases

Senator’s Bill Will Provide Critical Preservation Grants To 16 Counties, Including Cumberland and Cape May

TRENTON – Senator Jeff Van Drew today praised the signing of legislation he sponsored that will dedicate critical funding to farmland preservation efforts in 16 counties across the state, including the counties of Cumberland and Cape May.

The measure was included in a four-bill package signed today by Governor Chris Christie at Terhune Orchard in Princeton Township. The Senator’s bill (S-2896) appropriates a combined $39 million to 16 counties for the acquisition of development easements on farmland. The 16 counties will each receive a base grant of $1.5 million. They will also be eligible to compete to receive an additional grant of up to $3 million from a competitive grant fund of $15 million, for a maximum grant award of $4.5 million.

“Ensuring that we maintain a strong agricultural industry is critical to our state’s economy,” said Senator Van Drew (D-Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic). “The funding made available through this legislation will provide local officials with the means to move forward with their efforts to preserve farmland, which ultimately will help to preserve the state’s rich tradition of farming and the jobs that are supported by this very important industry.”

The three additional bills (S-2894, S-2895, and S-2897) will provide another $55 million for farmland preservation, planning and administration of the preservation program. Combined, the four bill package will provide more than $90 million to farmland preservation. This funding is part of the first round of farmland preservation monies to be allocated from the $400 million bond issue approved by voters in 2009.

“The signing of this legislation is a victory for the people of New Jersey, who have demonstrated year after year their commitment to our state’s farmland preservation program,” said Van Drew. “With this new round of funding, we will build on our extensive efforts to maintain a robust farming industry that will continue to serve as an economic engine for our state.”

The four bills were approved by the Legislature in June with unanimous support in both houses.

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Whelan Farmland Preservation Bills Signed Into Law

TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan, the chairman of the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee, which would appropriate more than $32 million in voter-approved farmland preservation funds to preserve open space and historic sites Statewide was signed into law today.

“New Jersey has been actively engaged in farmland preservation for nearly 30 years, supported by voter-backed bond referendums in order to protect a quality of life that New Jersey residents have come to expect,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “We’re taking a stand against overdevelopment and sprawl and connecting our State residents to our shared agricultural past. I’m proud to work in a bipartisan basis to fund farmland preservation projects statewide, because I know the value that these projects have for the communities in which they’re taking place.”

17 Aug 2011
Greenstein Praises Signing Of Farmland Preservation Bills

TRENTON – Senator Linda Greenstein today applauded the signing of legislation that will dedicate millions of dollars to farmland preservation efforts across the state, including in the counties of Middlesex and Mercer.

“New Jersey’s farmland preservation program is a model for the nation. With the support of our residents, we have been able to protect farmers from the pressures of development in the most densely populated state in the nation and to preserve an industry that contributes an enormous amount to our state economy,” said Senator Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “With the signing of these bills, we take another significant step forward in these efforts.”