New Jersey § 13:8c-2

§ 13:8c-2.

The Legislature finds and declares that enhancing the quality of life of the citizens

of New Jersey is a paramount policy of the State; that the acquisition and preservation

of open space, farmland, and historic properties in New Jersey protects and enhances

the character and beauty of the State and provides its citizens with greater opportunities

for recreation, relaxation, and education; that the lands and resources now dedicated

to these purposes will not be adequate to meet the needs of an expanding population

in years to come; that the open space and farmland that is available and appropriate

for these purposes will gradually disappear as the costs of preserving them correspondingly

increase; and that it is necessary and desirable to provide funding for the development

of parks and other open space for recreation and conservation purposes. The Legislature further finds and declares that agriculture plays an integral role

in the prosperity and well-being of the State as well as providing a fresh and abundant

supply of food for its citizens; that much of the farmland in the State faces an

imminent threat of permanent conversion to non-farm uses; and that the retention

and development of an economically viable agricultural industry is of high public

priority. The Legislature further finds and declares that there is an urgent need to preserve

the State's historic heritage to enable present and future generations to experience,

understand, and enjoy the landmarks of New Jersey's role in the birth and development

of this nation; that the restoration and preservation of properties of historic character

and importance in the State is central to meeting this need; and that a significant

number of these historic properties are located in urban centers, where their restoration

and preservation will advance urban revitalization efforts of the State and local

governments. The Legislature further finds and declares that there is growing public recognition

that the quality of life, economic prosperity, and environmental quality in New Jersey

are served by the protection and timely preservation of open space and farmland and

better management of the lands, resources, historic properties, and recreational facilities

that are already under public ownership or protection; that the protection and preservation of New Jersey's water resources, including the

quality and quantity of the State's limited water supply, is essential to the quality

of life and the economic health of the citizens of the State; that the acquisition

of flood- prone areas is in the best interests of the State to prevent the loss of

life and property; that the preservation of the existing diversity of animal and plant species is essential

to sustaining both the environment and the economy of the Garden State, and the conservation

of adequate habitat for endangered, threatened, and other rare species is necessary

to preserve this biodiversity; that there is a need to establish a program to serve

as the successor to the programs established by the “Green Acres, Farmland and Historic

Preservation, and Blue Acres Bond Act of 1995,” P.L.1995, c. 204, nine previous similar bond acts enacted in 1961, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1987,

1989, and 1992, and various implementing laws; and that any such successor program

should support implementation of Statewide policies, goals, and strategies concerned

with and emphasizing the importance of preserving open space, sensitive environmental

areas, critical wildlife habitat, farmland, and historic resources. The Legislature further finds and declares that the citizens of the State have indicated

their very strong support for open space, farmland, and historic preservation efforts

not only in the past approval of State Green Acres bond acts and numerous county and

municipal dedicated funding sources for those purposes, but most recently in 1998

with the approval of an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution that provides for

a stable and dedicated source of funding for those purposes for the next decade and

beyond. The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the public interest to preserve

as much open space and farmland, and as many historic properties, as possible within

the means provided by the 1998 constitutional amendment; that of the open space preserved, as much of those lands as possible shall protect

water resources and preserve adequate habitat and other environmentally sensitive

areas; that, in recognition of the recommendations of the Governor's Council on New Jersey

Outdoors, it is a worthy goal to preserve one million more acres of open space and

farmland in the Garden State in the next decade to protect the quality of life for

New Jersey residents; and that, to accomplish that goal, it is also in the public

interest to create the Garden State Preservation Trust and to enable it to raise revenue

for those purposes, and to delegate to it such other duties and responsibilities as

shall be necessary to further the purposes of the constitutional amendment and to

advance the policies and achieve the goals set forth in this preamble.