Lands that are acquired or developed with Green Acres funds must be used solely for recreation and conservation purposes. In addition, all lands that a county or municipality holds for recreation and conservation purposes at the time that it accepts Green Acres funds are similarly restricted. No part of the property can be used or conveyed for a non-recreation, non-conservation use unless the use or conveyance would achieve a public purpose, no feasible alternative exists, the lands are replaced with lands of at least equal monetary value and recreation/conservation utility, and the conveyance is approved by the Commissioner of the DEP and the State House Commission.

The Bureau of Legal Services and Stewardship monitors municipal and county sites that were acquired and developed with Green Acres funds and sites that were acquired by nonprofit organizations with Green Acres matching grants. Bureau staff inspect these sites to ensure that they are well maintained and are open and accessible for public recreation and conservation purposes. They also respond to questions and complaints from the public about the operation and maintenance of Green Acres assisted parkland.

The bureau processes all requests to divert Green Acres restricted state, county, municipal and nonprofit parks from recreation and conservation uses. Click here to download the State House Commission Pre-Application and Final Application Requirement Packages for diversion or disposal of parkland. In addition, the bureau processes donations of land to the state for inclusion in the state's system of parks, forests, wildlife management and natural areas. If you are a property owner interested in donating land to the State of New Jersey, through the Green Acres Program, click here to access an "Offer to Donate" form.

For more information about the Bureau of Compliance & Stewardship, please call (609) 984-0631, or click here for email addresses of Project Staff

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updated May 30, 2002