Freeholders Support Stable Open Space Funding

CREST HAVEN – Even though Cape May County’s freeholders supported a resolution for sustainable state funding of open space, parks and farmland and historic site, it did not change their long-held view of maintaining the county’s own, self-funded treasury.
On May 28, the board passed the resolution that “encourages the state…to establish a long-term dedicated source of funding for open space, parks, farmland and historic site projects,” according to its statement.
In the past, some environmental advocates pressed the board to give up its own locally supported fund to Green Acres and participate in the statewide program.
Former freeholder director Daniel Beyel and present Director Gerald Thornton refused to let the county’s fund go, to be placed with other state funds for open space buys.
Still, the board’s support cited the 650,000 acres of land preserved by Green Acres programs.
It also noted that 1,100 park development projects took place over the past 50 years.
The state’s Agricultural Development Committee has preserved some 200,000 acres of farmland over the last 30 years, and the Historic Trust has spared 477 historic sites over the last 45 years.
However, with funding under Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009 scheduled to be fully reserved by the end of 2012, the board wanted to show its support of the programs.
Many of the county’s 16 municipalities have participated in a variety of those programs.
“It is imperative that a long-term, dedicated source of funding be established in order to address public open space needs in order to maintain the high quality of life in our area,” the document states. “The County of Cape May supports establishment of a long-term, dedicated source of state funding for these purposes.”
Copies of the resolution went to Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Jeff VanDrew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Bob Andrzejczak (all D-1st), the state League of Municipalities, NJ Keep It Green, and American Littoral Society.