STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND LEBANON TOWNSHIP PRESERVE HIGHLANDS
PROPERTY
(06/36) TRENTON -- Department of Environmental
Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson and Agriculture Secretary
Charles M. Kuperus today announced the preservation of a 163-acre
property in the Spruce Run Reservoir watershed in Lebanon Township,
Hunterdon County. The New Jersey Water Supply Authority purchased
the property in partnership with the DEP's Green Acres Program,
the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) and the Township
of Lebanon.
"Preservation of this farmland advances our commitment to
protecting open space and precious water resources in the Highlands
region," Commissioner Jackson said. "Future generations
of New Jerseyans will reap the benefits of this productive partnership."
The property, known as Special Farms, is located near Anthony Road
in Lebanon Township. The New Jersey Water Supply Authority purchased
Special Farms from the Riback family and immediately conveyed 94
acres to SADC and the remaining 69 acres to Green Acres. The SADC
portion of the property was farmed for field crops and includes
a farmhouse and some outbuildings. The SADC plans to return the
land to private ownership by selling it as a permanently preserved
farm at a private auction at a later date. The DEP's Division of
Fish and Wildlife will manage the Green Acres portion for passive
recreation.
"Funding partnerships such as the one to preserve Special
Farms are critical in helping to permanently protect our farmland
and all the important resources of the Highlands," Secretary
Kuperus said. "I commend the New Jersey Water Supply Authority
for taking the lead in the preservation of this property and look
forward to many more successful cooperative efforts to protect our
farms, our water quality and all the valuable resources of this
region."
This property expands the existing Highlands greenway. Special
Farms is contiguous to September Farms, which Green Acres and the
New Jersey Water Supply Authority preserved in 2004, and Hunterdon
County's recently acquired Wattles farm on Point Mountain Park.
Special Farms was purchased for $1,953,208. The New Jersey Water
Supply Authority contributed $49,500 from its Source Water Protection
Fund, the DEP Green Acres Program contributed $808,183 in state
acquisition funds, the SADC contributed $1,021,068 and Lebanon Township
contributed $74,457.
"This action results from the coordinated efforts of the State
and Lebanon Township," said Senator Leonard Lance. "All
of those who have been involved should be congratulated."
"Lebanon Township was delighted to assist in this very important
Highlands preservation project," Lebanon Township Mayor Patricia
Schriver said. "In keeping with our township planning goals,
and the mission of Green Acres, we continue to connect our preserved
lands. We commend NJWSA, SADC and Green Acres for their collaborative
efforts which have led to the best of preservation: water protection
for the good of the state; land for the public to enjoy; and maintaining
the working landscape for continued farming."
Spruce Run Reservoir, which is designated a Category One waterbody,
augments the resources of the Raritan River. The Raritan River provides
drinking water to residents of 48 municipalities in Hunterdon, Mercer,
Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union counties. Fifty-five percent
of the Raritan River's source water area is located in the Highlands
region.
The purchase of this property is part of New Jersey Water Supply
Authority's Spruce Run Initiative, which dedicates a portion of
its Raritan Basin System ratepayer funds to assisting local, county
and state governments in the preservation of critical watershed
properties in the Spruce Run Reservoir watershed. The initiative's
objective is to maximize the efficiency of existing watershed preservation
programs through a coordinated effort of government, non-profit
and private resources.
The DEP's Green Acres Program purchases land to protect environmentally
sensitive open space, water resources and other significant natural
and historical open space. Land acquired becomes part of the statewide
system of parks and forest, wildlife management areas and natural
areas.
To date, Green Acres has protected more than 595,000 acres of open
space and provided funding to develop hundreds of public parks,
bringing the statewide system of preserved open space and farmland
to more than 1.3 million acres.
The SADC administers the state Farmland Preservation Program. To
date, more than 1,300 farms covering approximately 145,000 acres
have been permanently preserved.
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