PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
October 2, 2007

Contacts:
Scott Olson, Councilman, Byram Township 201.232.2700 (mobile),
John Malay, Media Coordinator, Keep It Green Campaign 908.419.4264,
Sandy Urgo, Land Preservation Manager, Morris Land Conservancy 973.541.1010,
Laura Szwak, Director of Garden State Greenways, a program of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation 908.234.1225,

Byram Township Greenway Purchases Supported By NJ Preservation Funds

Partners Showcase Open Space and Advocate for Ballot Question #3 This November 6th

Byram Township, NJ – Partners in open space acquisition and land preservation held an event at C.O. Johnson Park in Byram today showcasing the town’s recent land acquisitions. They also called attention to the need for continued funding to help create greenways that will eventually connect local parks and open space parcels with regional trails in the township.

“Since the establishment of our Open Space Committee and a dedicated local tax in 2000, Byram has partnered with the Morris Land Conservancy, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Sussex County and the Garden State Preservation Trust Green Acres program to preserve 199 acres of land, utilizing over $1.96 million in combined funding,” stated Byram Councilman Scott Olson.

“Byram has successfully completed acquisition of key parcels in its Open Space Plan,” said Sandy Urgo, Land Preservation Manager for the Morris Land Conservancy. “These open spaces provide both active and passive recreational opportunities for the Township’s residents and visitors, and are critical for maintaining a high quality of life.”

“The next step for the Township is to acquire greenway connections that will link Byram’s Village Center, schools/municipal complex, lake communities and existing parks with regional recreation assets like the Highlands Trail, Sussex Branch Trail, and Allamuchy Mountain State Park,” stated Laura Szwak, Director of Garden State Greenways, a program of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

Byram is a participant in the New Jersey Keep It Green Campaign, a coalition of over 90 organizations working to pass Public Question #3 on the November 6th ballot, approval of which would allocate $200 million for continuing preservation efforts throughout New Jersey. On September 17, 2007, the mayor and council passed by unanimous vote a resolution endorsing the Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres, and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007.

“Passage of the Bond Act would allow vital preservation programs to continue operating while a long-term, stable funding source for the Garden State Preservation Trust, which is quickly running out of money, can be identified and secured,” stated John Malay, Media Coordinator for the Keep It Green Campaign.

These funds will help protect and maintain our clean drinking water; provide safe and attractive playgrounds and urban parks for our children; preserve critical habitat for wildlife and precious farmland to maintain our agricultural heritage; finance the Blue Acres program to purchase flood prone properties from willing sellers; and purchase and maintain the State’s numerous historic sites. Preserving open space, habitat, farmland, and historic sites supports our local economy by stabilizing local property taxes and protecting our quality of life.

If approved by voters in November, the bond act will allow the State Treasurer to issue general obligation bonds totaling $200 million with $109 million directed to the Green Acres program, $73 million for farmland preservation, $12 million for the Blue Acres program to purchase flood prone properties, and $6 million for historic preservation purposes.

The ‘Keep It Green Campaign’ continues to reach out to municipal governments, businesses and grassroots organization, through flyers, posters and resolutions of support, to help spread the preservation message to New Jersey residents.

“By voting yes on November 6, we can save our land and clean water now before they are gone forever and protect New Jersey’s quality of life for future generation,” concluded Malay.

For more information on this ballot question, please visit www.NJKeepItGreen.org.

The New Jersey Keep It Green Campaign is a coalition of over 90 organizations from across the state working to ensure the passage of the Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007 this November. For more information on how you can help, please visit www.NJKeepItGreen.org or contact Mark Zakutansky at 609-392-5830 or .

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