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Whelan Farmland Preservation Bills Signed Into Law

Jim Whelan News & Releases

Measures Would Fund Open Space Preservation, Farmland Development Easements

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.”

The bills, S-2894 and S-2897, would appropriate approximately $32.4 million in State funds for farmland preservation projects Statewide. The funds, part of a $400 million bond issue approved by the voters in 2009, would be used to maintain open space and preserve historic farms throughout the State of New Jersey. Senator Whelan noted that New Jersey, being one of the most densely populated states in the nation, faces more pressure than most other states to develop on undeveloped parcels of land, and a robust open space preservation program is necessary to preserve New Jersey’s agrarian heritage.

“New Jersey’s rich agricultural heritage would be jeopardized without voter-sanctioned initiatives like the farmland preservation program,” said Senator Whelan. “As we edge closer to build-out in the Garden State, there’s more pressure than ever before to build on every parcel of undeveloped land. We cannot abandon our State’s agrarian history to build another strip mall, and through this legislation we will be able to continue to keep the garden in the Garden State.”

The bills were both approved in the Legislature in June.

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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.”

17 Aug 2011
Van Drew Measure Among Four Farmland Preservation Bills Signed By Governor

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.”