Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands.
Impact
If enacted, the bill will amend existing statutes related to land use and preservation, particularly focusing on privately-owned woodlands. It allows local government units and qualifying tax-exempt nonprofit organizations to acquire development easements that restrict land development in perpetuity. This could have significant implications for landowners, as it provides a formal mechanism for protecting woodlands while ensuring compliance with broader state objectives related to agricultural and environmental stewardship.
Summary
Assembly Bill A682 establishes a program within the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) focused on the acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands. The intent of the bill is to promote the preservation of these areas by creating a legal framework that allows for the permanent restriction of development on woodlands, thereby encouraging their use for agricultural, silvicultural, and horticultural purposes. The program aims to protect New Jersey's forested lands, which are critical for environmental health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
Sentiment
The general sentiment around A682 has been positive, particularly among environmental groups and land preservation advocates who see the bill as a vital step toward conserving New Jersey's natural resources. However, some concerns have been raised by landowners regarding the restrictions this could impose on their property rights. The debate highlights the importance of balancing development interests with the need to protect valuable ecological landscapes.
Contention
Notable points of contention revolve around the perceived limits on property rights. Opponents of the bill worry that restrictions placed on development may devalue their land or limit their ability to utilize it for economic purposes. Proponents, on the other hand, emphasize the long-term benefits of preservation, including enhanced property values due to protected ecosystems and the environmental advantages of maintaining woodland areas.
Authorizes State, local, and nonprofit acquisition of fee simple titles to, and development easements on, farmland, in certain cases, for negotiated purchase prices exceeding appraised value thereof.
Appropriates $52,798,268 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and other farmland preservation funds to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes.
Establishes restrictions and conditions for certain owners of preserved farmland to reacquire development rights for limited area of preserved farmland.
Directs Garden State Preservation Trust to perform audit of State's land preservation programs, authorizes local governments and nonprofit organizations to utilize certain constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for administrative expenses; appropriates $150,000.
Requires SADC and any local board acquiring farmland for preservation purposes to provide partial payment to landowner, in advance of settlement, to demonstrate good faith intent to proceed with settlement and acquisition.
Authorizes State Agriculture Development Committee to maintain and use its own list of property appraisers, or to employ dedicated pool of property appraisers, or both, to facilitate valuation of land for farmland preservation purposes.
Authorizes State, local, and nonprofit acquisition of fee simple titles to, and development easements on, farmland, in certain cases, for negotiated purchase prices exceeding appraised value thereof.