This bill appropriates $34 million from constitutionally protected business tax revenues to fund farmland preservation grants. It provides counties with planning incentive grants covering up to 80% of the cost to acquire development easements on farmland, directly affecting eligible counties like Burlington, Gloucester, and Somerset. The funds are distributed through the State Agriculture Development Committee to support local efforts in preserving agricultural land. The grant amounts vary by county, with some receiving up to $8.5 million total. This policy change enables counties to protect farmland through permanent easements without requiring new tax revenue.
This bill establishes the New Jersey Native Seed Commission within the Department of Agriculture to develop a plan increasing native seed production and use. The commission, made up of state agency heads and stakeholders (including seed suppliers, land managers, and conservation groups), will focus on boosting native seed availability for public projects like roadside landscaping, habitat restoration, and state land management. It must submit a final report with specific recommendations within one year of forming, aiming to make native seeds commercially available at reasonable prices. The commission expires 30 days after submitting its report.
This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a two-year grant program using funds from the societal benefits charge. It provides grants to individuals, businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions to develop innovative technologies for pilot projects at publicly-owned drinking water and wastewater systems. These projects must implement new technology (not routine upgrades) to improve water quality, flow, purification, conservation, energy efficiency, or infrastructure - specifically prioritizing renewable energy solutions like in-pipe hydropower. The BPU must evaluate proposals, coordinate with systems, and report annually on funded projects and their statewide potential. The program expires 25 months after enactment.
This bill creates a state fund to provide financial aid to New Jersey municipalities located in the Highlands preservation area, specifically compensating them for declines in vacant land property values caused by the 2004 Highlands Water Protection Act. To qualify, a municipality must be entirely within the Highlands area or have at least 60% of its land in the area and have updated its local plans to align with Highlands protection rules. The aid amount is calculated by comparing vacant land values between 2023 (the base year) and the current year, then multiplying the difference by the municipality's tax rate. The state will distribute payments twice yearly from the established fund, directly offsetting municipalities' local tax revenue needs.
This bill creates a 21-member Watershed Council within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The council, appointed by the Governor with input from environmental groups, will represent each of the state's 21 watershed areas and analyze flooding, water quality, and environmental programs. It must assess the DEP's watershed management effectiveness - including flood protection, stormwater runoff, and ecosystem preservation - and make recommendations. Within 12 months of its first meeting, the council will submit annual reports to the DEP commissioner, Governor, and Legislature with these findings and suggestions for improving water quality and resident safety.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to remove conservation restrictions from property when the owner needs the land for expanding a special needs school, provided they also establish a new conservation restriction on a parcel at least twice as large within 20 miles. It applies specifically to properties with restrictions tied to Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permits. The new restriction must protect land similarly to the original. This creates a trade-off between development for education and expanded conservation coverage.
This bill allocates $7.5 million annually from existing constitutionally dedicated CBT revenue to create a new "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund." The funds will be used by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council to acquire land in the Highlands Region for recreation, conservation, farmland preservation, and as a state match for federal conservation grants. Specifically, $5 million comes from the Green Acres Fund and $2.5 million from the Farmland Preservation Fund. The bill establishes clear spending rules, requiring project-specific appropriations and annual reporting on land preserved and federal funds leveraged.
This bill establishes the "New Jersey Greenwood Lake Fund" to dedicate $500,000 annually from New Jersey vessel registration and renewal fees toward protecting and maintaining Greenwood Lake. The fund, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection, will support projects exclusively on the New Jersey side of the lake, including water quality, recreation, and conservation efforts. It ensures these funds can be used without requiring matching contributions from New York State, even when joint projects are needed. The lake provides drinking water for 3.5 million residents and is a major recreational area for boating and outdoor activities.
This bill appropriates $17 million from the General Fund to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for fiscal year 2023. It establishes a grant program to assist qualified entities - including lake commissions (like Greenwood Lake and Lake Hopatcong), local governments, and nonprofits - focusing on lake management for recreation and conservation. Grants prioritize projects improving water quality, preventing harmful algal blooms, increasing public access, and controlling pollution that affects lake use. The DEP must develop application criteria and administer the program, with funds limited to eligible lake management activities.
Bill A 2514 expands eligibility for state soil and water conservation grants to include potable water well construction projects on preserved farmland. It directly affects farmers enrolled in municipal farmland preservation programs or holding development easements on their land. The bill adds water well construction to the existing list of eligible projects (like irrigation systems and erosion control), allowing landowners to apply for grants through local soil conservation districts. To qualify, projects must be part of a farmland conservation plan and the land must be within a preservation program or subject to a development easement.
