A Senate-backed measure would direct more than $15.5 million to nonprofit organizations for land preservation, park improvements, and conservation projects across New Jersey.
A bill providing more than $15.5 million in Green Acres funding for nonprofit conservation and recreation projects has advanced in the New Jersey Legislature, with the Senate Environment and Energy Committee voting to release the measure for further consideration.
Senate Bill 4424 would appropriate $15,546,575 to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), including funding for land acquisition, park development, stewardship activities, and administrative expenses associated with the grants program.
The legislation is sponsored by Sens. Bob Smith and Linda R. Greenstein and is co-sponsored by several lawmakers from both parties.
Millions targeted for preservation and recreation
According to the committee statement, $15,115,075 of the funding would be distributed as grants to nonprofit organizations for recreation and conservation projects. An additional $431,500 would be used by the DEP for administrative costs related to managing the program.
Of the grant funding, $9,597,073 would support eight land acquisition projects, while $5,230,502 would be allocated to eight park development projects. Another $287,500 would fund a stewardship activity project aimed at improving the management and protection of preserved lands.
The projects included in the bill have already received approval from both the DEP and the Garden State Preservation Trust.
Funding comes from dedicated tax revenue
The money would be drawn from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenues that are earmarked for open space preservation, farmland protection, historic preservation, and recreation projects.
The funding mechanism was established through New Jersey’s Preserve New Jersey Act, which directs a portion of dedicated CBT revenue into preservation and conservation programs statewide.
Under the bill, $8.2 million would come directly from the Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund. Another $6.9 million would come from previously allocated Green Acres funding that became available because of project cancellations, withdrawals, or cost savings.
DEP could redistribute unused funds
The legislation would also authorize the DEP to redistribute certain returned funds from projects that were canceled, withdrawn, or completed under budget.
Any reallocation of those funds would require approval from the Joint Budget Oversight Committee and could be used to provide additional funding to previously approved nonprofit recreation and conservation projects.
Supporters of the measure say the funding will help preserve environmentally significant land, improve recreational opportunities, and support stewardship efforts that protect natural resources for future generations.
Key Points
• Senate Bill 4424 would appropriate $15.5 million for nonprofit conservation, recreation, and open space projects across New Jersey.
• Funding includes $9.6 million for land acquisitions, $5.2 million for park development projects, and $287,500 for stewardship activities.
• The money would come from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenues through the state’s Green Acres program.