O'port supports state preservation bond act
Mayor says boro has sights on 100-acre tract
BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer
OCEANPORT - The Borough Council endorsed a measure last week urging borough voters to support a New Jersey land preservation initiative on the November ballot.
Voters across the state will be asked to approve the "Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres and Historical Preservation Bond Act of 2007" at the polls on Nov. 6 to preserve New Jersey open space and historic sites, Oceanport Mayor Lucille Chaump explained this week.
"This is very important for Oceanport," Chaump explained. "We have used green acres funds for the Maria Gatta Community Park and for several other parks in the borough," Chaump said. "And the historical preservation is especially important looking into the future with Fort Monmouth."
Chaump said there is a 100-acre historic tract located on Fort Monmouth, which lies in Oceanport territory.
"We might be able to use historic preservation funds for that site," Chaump said. "am looking into the future.
"It is very important to pass this," she said, adding that if approved, funds could be made available in the state to support numerous environmental issues in the borough and across New Jersey.
Those issues include protecting drinking water, keeping beaches and rivers clean, preventing overdevelopment, safeguarding wildlife habitat, protecting forest area and preserving farms and historical sites, according to Chaump.
The council voted unanimously 6-0 at the Sept. 20 municipal meeting to adopt a resolution to endorse the bond act and encourage residents to vote yes at the polls.
The bond initiative would authorize the state to issue $200 million in bonds to fund New Jersey's preservation programs for one year as well as the Blue Acres program to purchase flood prone properties, according to the borough's resolution.
The financing authority for the Green Acres, Farmland and Historic Preservation programs in the state is financed by the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT), according to the resolution.
The GSPT is "virtually depleted" despite the continued need for the programs it makes possible, according to the resolution.
"Continued investment in open space, farmland and historic preservation is vitally important to the state, as it enhances New Jersey's economy, safeguards its remaining natural, agricultural, recreational and cultural resources and preserves its character," the resolution states.
New Jersey continues to face "incredible pressure" from development and loses over 40 acres of open space daily to new development projects, according to the resolution.
"Protecting open spaces and improving community parks throughout the state, including urban areas, supports New Jersey state and local economies by stabilizing local property taxes and revitalizing communities," according to the resolution.
It continued, "The passage of the bond act is desperately needed to fund the continued protection of New Jersey's natural areas and cultural sites while a long-term funding solution for the [GSPT] is determined and secured."
Officials in neighboring Long Branch also supported the passage of the initiative at a press conference held in June.
In an effort to save the historic Lake Takanassee Beach Club property from being developed, environmentalists, activists and local officials held a press conference at the Ocean Avenue site to encourage voters to approve the bond act on Election Day.
Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger explained at the press conference that if the bond act is approved, funds would be made available in the state, which could be used to help acquire the estimated $10.7 million beach club property.
Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider also said at the conference that funding sources, such as the bond act, are "essential" to the future of the state.
The press conference was hosted by The New Jersey Sierra Club and Jeff Tittel, the environmental group's director, said that the forum was a chance for activists to press their case for public acquisition of the beach club.
"This bond act is critically needed to help keep the Green in Green Acres," Tittel said. "Without it, we would run out of funding and important sites like Takanassee would be lost to development."
And in a prepared statement read at the conference, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6) said, "By voting in favor of the November ballot initiative we will be sending a strong signal that the Takanassee Beach Club is exactly the type of area we should be using federal, state and local preservation funding to protect. And that New Jersey is serious about open space and historical preservation issues."
