| DEP Announces Acquisition
of Additional Open Space in Greenwich Township
(05/121) TRENTON - Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell and Greenwich Township
Deputy Mayor Greg Blaszka today announced the acquisition of
98 acres within the New Jersey Highlands in Warren County.
“This beautiful property serves as an example of the
State’s commitment to the New Jersey Highlands,” said
Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. “By protecting an additional
98 acres of open space we are helping to maintain the rural character
and quality of life in Greenwich Township for future generations.”
DEP Green Acres Program, Greenwich Township, Morris Land Conservancy
(MLC) and The Warren County Municipal & Charitable Conservancy
Trust Fund partnered to use matching funds to acquire the New
Village Associates property for $1.2 million. This property will
continue as actively farmed land, while also serving as open
space for passive recreation like bird watching and hiking.
“Together DEP, Greenwich Township and their partners have
preserved over 187 acres of watershed land to protect vital water
resources that serve 5.4 million New Jersey residents,” said
Commissioner Campbell. “This acquisition also preserves
valuable forest areas and provides additional open space for
passive recreation like walking, hiking, or enjoying a breathtaking
view of the New Jersey Highlands.”
The DEP Green Acres Program also partnered with Greenwich Township
in April to acquire more than 89 acres of farmland at the Hamlen
property. The area was actively farmed land that has been conserved
as municipal open space.
“On behalf of the residents of Greenwich I am thankful
to our state and county officials for their support in preserving
this environmentally sensitive land,” said Deputy Mayor
Greg Blaszka of Greenwich Township. “Without these important
relationships projects such as this could not be accomplished.”
The New Jersey Highlands is a 1,000 square mile area in the
Northwest region of the State, stretching from Phillipsburg in
the Southwest to Ringwood in the Northeast. The Highlands covers
portions of seven counties and 87 municipalities. Sixty-four
percent of New Jersey residents rely on water resources located
within the Highlands.
During 2005, the DEP Green Acres Program has preserved more
than 28,678 acres of open space. The program has protected a
total of over 586,687 acres of open space, in addition to providing
funding for the development for hundreds of parks throughout
New Jersey. To date the statewide system of preserved open space
and farmland totals over 1.3 million acres.
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