GREEN ACRES PRESERVES 109 ACRES IN MONMOUTH COUNTY

Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Shinn today announced the preservation of the 109-acre Notterman Farm in Roosevelt Borough, Monmouth County. The land, once threatened by development, includes rolling, open fields with a border forest.

Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco said, "As New Jerseyans, we take great pride in preserving our historic legacy and protecting our environment through open space and farmland preservation. State land acquisitions like this one do not happen by chance; it takes planning and commitment. I was proud to sponsor legislation that asked voters whether we should dedicate monies for planning, acquisition and preservation of open space and farmland and followed through on my commitment in sponsoring the Garden State Preservation Trust Act, which set up the framework for these efforts."

The Governor stated that the acquisition puts those dollars to work, noting that as of April 30, the state is 190,742 acres closer to preserving another million acres of open space and farmland.

"Acquisition of this property is significant because it dovetails with two of the State's land preservation initiatives the 'Capitol to the Coast' project and the 'Crossroads of the American Revolution' project areas," said Shinn. "The parcel also is a significant conservation effort that will help maintain our quality of life and our agricultural heritages."

The "Capitol to the Coast" project is an initiative to create a continuous greenway from the State Capitol in Trenton across central New Jersey to the Atlantic coast while the "Crossroads to the American Revolution" project will link Revolutionary War sites across the state and help to interpret New Jersey's role in the American Revolution.

The newly acquired tract of land, which was purchased by DEP's Green Acres program for $1.7 million, is significant to the residents of Roosevelt Borough.

Mayor Michael B. Hamilton explains, "The fields that surround and embrace the Roosevelt Cemetery are sacred ground to many of our citizens. This land is a part of our heritage as an agricultural and industrial community that was carefully planned so that a greenbelt surrounds most of our homes. Through the State Green Acres Program, this land that is so important to us will be preserved for future generations."

The preserved land will be managed by the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife as part of the nearby Assunpink Wildlife Management Area.

Plans for the state's "Capitol to the Coast" initiative include purchasing land to connect an existing trail from Manasquan through Allaire State Park to the Manasquan River Reservoir, Turkey Swamp County Park, and Turkey Swamp Wildlife Management Area. The greenway will continue west through the state's Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, Mercer County Park, the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park and then into Trenton. The trail will offer hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, and nature enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy these activities in central New Jersey's gently rolling countryside.

The "Crossroads to the American Revolution" project will link Revolutionary War sites across the state and help to interpret New Jersey's role in the American Revolution. More Revolutionary War battles took place in New Jersey than in any other state. Many vestiges of the Revolutionary War era still remainmines, mills, soldier's footpaths, revolutionary leaders' homes, encampment sites, battlegrounds, and barracks. Many of these sites are already preserved in public ownership and much of the landscape over which Washington's army crossed en route from battle to battle is still open land. The DEP is working in partnership with the National Park Service, county and local governments, and private partners to preserve and link these historic sites and open spaces.

The Green Acres Program was created in 1961 to meet New Jersey's growing recreational and conservation needs. To date, Green Acres has protected more than 461,535 acres of open space and developed hundreds of public parks, bringing the state-wide system of preserved open space to nearly 1.1 million acres. Green Acres works with landowners, municipal and county governments, nonprofit agencies and other conservation partners to protect land through direct purchase, donation, and conservation easement. The program acquires land for state parks, forests, natural areas, and wildlife management areas. Green Acres also provides low interest loans and grants to municipal and county governments and to nonprofit agencies to acquire open space and develop outdoor recreation facilities.

For more information or to preserve your land visit the Green Acres web site at www.state.nj.us/dep/greenacres.

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