SENATE, No. 3473 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 221st LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED JUNE 17, 2024
SENATE, No. 3473
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JUNE 17, 2024
Sponsored by: Senator JOHN F. MCKEON District 27 (Essex and Passaic) SYNOPSIS Appropriates $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced.
Sponsored by:
Senator JOHN F. MCKEON
District 27 (Essex and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Appropriates $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to DEP for local government open space acquisition and park development projects, and for certain administrative expenses.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act appropriating $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to help local government units acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and for certain administrative expenses. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. As used in this act: "Constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues" means corporation business tax revenues dedicated pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution in the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" for the acquisition or development of lands by local government units for recreation and conservation purposes in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.). "Densely or highly populated municipality" means a municipality with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile, or a population of at least 35,000 persons, according to the latest federal decennial census. "Densely populated county" means a county with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census. "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" means the fund established pursuant to section 19 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-19). "Green Acres bond act" means P.L.2009, c.117, P.L.2007, c.119, P.L.1995, c.204, P.L.1992, c.88, P.L.1989, c.183, P.L.1987, c.265, and P.L.1983, c.354. "Highly populated county" means a county with a population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census. "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" means the fund established pursuant to section 6 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-48). "Stewardship activity" means the same as the term is defined in section 3 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-45). 2. There is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection the following sums for the purpose of providing grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes pursuant to section 4 of this act and for the purpose of providing grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes pursuant to section 5 of this act: a. $50,090,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues. Of the amount appropriated pursuant to this subsection, the sum of $4,292,000 is available due to interest earnings on the constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues; b. $24,500,000 from the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and any Green Acres fund established pursuant to a Green Acres bond act, made available due to loan repayments and interest earnings; and c. $24,696,535 from the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and any Green Acres fund established pursuant to a Green Acres bond act, made available due to project cancellations and withdrawals. 3. a. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" the sum of $52,500,000 to implement the provisions of this act. b. Of the amount appropriated pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the sum of $2,410,000 is appropriated from the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purposes of paying administrative costs associated with administering the applicable provisions of P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.). 4. a. The following planning incentive acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act: LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT Oakland Boro Bergen Boro of Oakland Open Space & Recreation Plan $700,000 Burlington County Burlington Planning Incentive 1,400,000 Evesham Twp Burlington Planning Incentive 113,150 Medford Twp Burlington Open Space Incentive 550,000 Cherry Hill Twp Camden Planning Incentive Grant 1,050,000 Livingston Twp Essex Open Space Acquisition 700,000 Verona Twp Essex Verona Open Space Acquisition 700,000 West Orange Twp Essex Open Space Acquisition 1,050,000 Gloucester County Gloucester Open Space Plan 1,400,000 Readington Twp Hunterdon Greenway Incentive Plan 300,000 Union Twp Hunterdon Union Twp Open Space Plan 650,000 East Windsor Twp Mercer East Windsor Open Space Acquisition 330,000 Hamilton Twp Mercer Hamilton Township Open Space Acquisition 1,050,000 Princeton Boro Mercer Princeton Open Space Acquisition 700,000 Robbinsville Twp Mercer Green Links Program 473,285 West Windsor Twp Mercer West Windsor Planning Incentive 700,000 Monmouth County Monmouth Planning Incentive Acquisition 1,750,000 Howell Twp Monmouth Planning Incentive 2 1,050,000 Hanover Twp Morris Open Space Acquisition 700,000 Madison Boro Morris Madison Boro Open Space Acquisition 700,000 Brick Twp Ocean Open Space & Recreation Plan 1,400,000 Montgomery Twp Somerset Open Space Acquisition 5 700,000 Union County Union Open Space & Recreation Plan 2,100,000 Knowlton Twp Warren Open Space Acquisition 500,000 TOTAL $20,766,435 b. The following standard acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act: LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT Wood-Ridge Boro Monmouth Beach Boro Bergen Monmouth Wood-Ridge Recreation Complex Acquisition Robbins Street Project $1,050,000 $387,500 TOTAL $1,437,500 c. The following site-specific incentive acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act: LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT Park Ridge Boro Bergen North 5th Street Acquisition $459,950 TOTAL $459,950 d. The following urban aid acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act: LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT Neptune Township Phillipsburg Town Monmouth Warren Division Street Park Acquisition Rails to Trails Acquisition $258,000 $1,400,000 TOTAL $1,658,000 GRAND TOTAL $24,321,885 5. a. The following projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, located in municipalities eligible to receive State aid pursuant to P.L.1978, c.14 (C.52:27D-178 et seq.) either as of June 30, 2021 or the effective date of this act, or sponsored by densely populated counties, are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act: LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT Atlantic City Atlantic Gardner's Basin Improvements $1,400,000 Garfield City Bergen Columbus Park Improvements 1,400,000 Mount Holly Twp Burlington Iron Works Park Improvements 1,400,000 Willingboro Twp Burlington Millcreek Park Pickleball Courts 70,000 Camden County Camden Cooper River Park Playground Improvements 1,750,000 Gloucester Twp Camden Taylor Avenue Playground Redevelopment 948,630 Vineland City Cumberland Romano Complex Improvements 1,400,000 Essex County Essex Watsessing Park Playground 1,605,310 Belleville Twp Essex Municipal Stadium Grandstand Improvements 1,400,000 Newark City Essex Broadway Park 1,400,000 Orange City Twp Essex Colgate Park Improvements Phase II 380,830 Hudson County Hudson JJ Braddock Park Picnic Area Improvements 1,746,000 Bayonne City Hudson Newark Bay Waterfront Phase II 1,400,000 Hoboken City Hudson Southwest Park Development 1,400,000 Kearny Town Hudson Norman A. Doyle Pavilion Playground 528,380 Trenton City Mercer Amtico Square Skatepark Complex 1,400,000 Carteret Boro Middlesex Arthur Kill River Walk North 1,400,000 New Brunswick City Middlesex Alec E. Baker Park Renovation 1,400,000 Perth Amboy City Middlesex Veteran Memorial Park Improvements 1,400,000 Clifton City Passaic Main Memorial Park Improvements 1,400,000 Passaic City Passaic Colonel Johnson Park Revitalization 1,400,000 Paterson City Passaic Vista Park Development Project 1,400,000 Plainfield City Union Rushmore Ave. Rec. Complex - Phase II 1,400,000 TOTAL $29,429,150 b. The following projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, located in densely or highly populated municipalities or sponsored by highly populated counties, are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act: LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT Bergen County Bergen Carlton Hill Bergen County Greenway Park $1,750,000 Fort Lee Boro Bergen Inwood Terrace Park Pool Improvements 375,000 Teaneck Twp Bergen Sagamore Park Improvement Project 750,000 South Orange Village Twp Essex Cameron Recreation Area Renovation 1,025,000 Monroe Township Middlesex Monroe Community Gardens 469,000 Sayerville Boro Middlesex Kennedy Park Trail Improvements 325,000 Red Bank Boro Monmouth Count Basie Bleacher Replacement 577,875 Passaic County Passaic Peckman Preserve Improvements 482,500 Haledon Boro Passaic Roe Street Park Improvements 497,145 Prospect Park Boro Passaic Hofstra Park Courts Project 255,250 Union Twp Union Weber Park Renovation 1,050,000 TOTAL $7,556,770 c. The following standard park development projects are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act: LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT Burlington Twp Burlington Tennis Court Rehabilitation at Green Acres I $700,000 Hainesport Twp Burlington Creek Turn Park 700,000 Greenwich Twp Gloucester Memorial Park Improvements 700,000 Hightstown Boro Mercer Dawes Park Recreational and ADA Improvements 127,700 Little Falls Twp Passaic Amity Park Playground 145,000 Carneys Point Twp Salem Recreational Complex Infrastructure Improvements 700,000 TOTAL $3,072,700 d. The following projects for stewardship activities are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act: LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT Oradell Boro Bergen Memorial Field Trail Stewardship Project $71,115 Evesham Twp Burlington Passive Park Improvements 125,360 Union County Union Homestead Farmhouse at Oak Ridge Park 239,900 Union Township Union Joe Collins Park Renovation 57,000 Rocky Hill Boro Somerset Van Horne Park Raised Walkway 240,235 Passaic County Passaic Lambert Castle Landscape Restoration 1,025,000 TOTAL $1,758,610 e. The following projects for completely inclusive playgrounds, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2018, c.104 (C.13:8C-27.1), are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act: LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT Bergen County Bergen Saddle River County Park Inclusive Playground $1,000,000 Dumont Boro Bergen Charlie O'Connor Park Improvements 489,570 Englewood City Bergen Mackay Park Playground Improvements Project 540,920 Fort Lee Boro Bergen Coytesville Park Playground Improvements Project 562,500 Ridgefield Park Village Bergen Fellowship Park Playground Improvements 487,500 Burlington City Burlington JFK Park Improvements 750,000 Evesham Twp Burlington Evesboro Downs Park Inclusive Playground 731,845 Willingboro Twp Burlington Millcreek Park Inclusive Playground 750,000 Pennsauken Twp Camden Welcome Home Jake's Place 702,750 Cedar Grove Twp Essex Lower Playground Reconstruction 750,000 Maplewood Twp Essex Maplecrest Completely Inclusive Playground 750,000 Millburn Twp Essex Taylor Park Inclusive Playground 750,000 Montclair Twp Essex Nishuane Park Inclusive Playground 750,000 Verona Twp Essex Everett Field Inclusive Playground 750,000 Monroe Twp Gloucester Inclusive Playground at Peiffer Community Center 750,000 Washington Twp Gloucester Washington Lake Park Inclusive Playground 750,000 Hudson County Hudson Washington Park Inclusive Playground 1,000,000 Hoboken City Hudson Church Square Park Playground Upgrades 750,000 Secaucus Town Hudson Ivanoski Park Improvements 750,000 Hunterdon County Hunterdon South County Park Inclusive Playground 1,000,000 Clinton Town Hunterdon Halstead Street Inclusive Playground 562,500 Clinton Twp Hunterdon Runkle Drive Park Inclusive Playground 750,000 East Brunswick Twp Middlesex Inclusive Playground at Lenape Park 750,000 Monroe Twp Middlesex Inclusive Playground at Monroe Community Gardens 750,000 Old Bridge Twp Middlesex Geick Park Inclusive Playground 750,000 South River Boro Middlesex Grekoski Park Inclusive Playground 554,250 Belmar Boro Monmouth Maclearie Park Inclusive Playground 525,750 Eatontown Boro Monmouth Wolcott Park Jake's Law Playground 660,000 Freehold Boro Monmouth Lenoir Park Inclusive Playground 508,600 Holmdel Twp Monmouth Cross Farm Park All-Inclusive Playground 700,000 Howell Twp Monmouth Echo Lake Park Improvements 562,500 Little Silver Twp Monmouth Sickles Park Inclusive Playground 750,000 Oceanport Boro Monmouth Blackberry Bay Park All-Inclusive 337,500 West Long Branch Boro Monmouth Sorrentino Park Playground Improvements 350,250 Madison Boro Morris Dodge Field Playground 517,500 Seaside Heights Boro Ocean Beach Playground 750,000 Bloomindale Boro Passaic Bogue Pond Park Inclusive Playground 750,000 Little Falls Twp Passaic Duva Field Playground Updates 726,000 Wayne Twp Passaic Inclusive Playground at the Wayne Museum 330,000 Woodland Park Boro Passaic Dian Grimes Memorial Park Inclusivity Upgrade 750,000 Montgomery Twp Somerset Montgomery All-Inclusive Playground 750,000 Byram Twp Sussex CO Johnson Park Inclusive Playground 464,120 Sparta Twp Sussex Station Park Inclusive Playground 517,165 Union County Union Playground at Warinanco Park 915,000 New Providence Boro Union Oakwood Park Playground 750,000 Plainfield City Union Rushmore Park Inclusive Playground 665,200 Summit City Union Mabie Playground Improvements 750,000 Union Twp Union Irene Hoppe Park Renovation 486,000 Phillipsburg Town Warren Brainard Street Park Inclusive Playground 750,000 TOTAL $33,147,420 GRAND TOTAL $74,964,650 6. a. Any transfer of funds, or change in project sponsor, site, or type, listed in section 4 or 5 of this act shall require the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor. b. To the extent that moneys remain available after the projects listed in section 4 or 5 of this act are offered funding pursuant thereto, any project of a local government unit that previously received funding appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for recreation and conservation purposes, or that receives funding approved pursuant to this act, shall be eligible to receive additional funding, as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, subject to the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor. 7. a. There is reappropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection the unexpended balances, due to project withdrawals, cancellations, or cost savings, of the amounts appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund to assist local government units to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for the purposes of providing: (1) grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for projects approved as eligible for such funding pursuant to this act; and (2) additional funding, as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, to any project of a local government unit that previously received funding appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for recreation and conservation purposes or that receives funding approved pursuant to this act, subject to the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor. Any such additional funding provided from a Green Acres bond act may include administrative costs. b. There is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection such sums as may be, or may become, available on or before June 30, 2024, due to interest earnings or loan repayments in any "Green Trust Fund" established pursuant to a Green Acres bond act or in the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund," for the purpose of providing: (1) grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for projects approved as eligible for such funding pursuant to this act; and (2) additional funding, as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, to any project of a local government unit that previously received funding appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for recreation and conservation purposes or that receives funding approved pursuant to this act, subject to the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor. Any such additional funding provided from a Green Acres bond act may include administrative costs. 8. This act shall take effect immediately. STATEMENT This bill appropriates $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues, and various Green Acres funds to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Of the total amount appropriated by the bill, $99,286,535 would be used by the DEP to provide grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units in the State to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and $2,410,000 would be used for the DEP's associated administrative costs. Of the total amount appropriated by the bill, $24,321,885 is allocated for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes, as identified in section 4 of the bill, and $74,964,650 is allocated for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, as identified in section 5 of the bill. Of the $24,321,885 sum being appropriated for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $20,766,435 is allocated for planning incentive open space acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities and counties that have an open space tax and an approved open space plan); $1,437,500 is allocated for standard open space acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that do not have an open space tax); $459,950 is allocated for site-specific incentive acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that have an open space tax, but do not have an open space plan); and $1,658,000 is allocated for urban aid acquisition projects. Of the $74,964,650 sum being appropriated for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $29,429,150 is allocated for local park development projects in urban aid municipalities or sponsored by densely populated counties; $7,556,770 is allocated for local park development projects in densely or highly populated municipalities or sponsored by highly populated counties; $3,072,700 is allocated for standard local park development projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that do not meet the criteria of the prior two categories); $1,758,610 is allocated for stewardship activity projects; and $33,147,420 is allocated for completely inclusive playground projects, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2018, c.104 (C.13:8C-27.1), otherwise known as "Jake's Law." While Green Acres funding for Jake's Law purposes has, in prior funding rounds, been made available only to eligible counties, in the current funding round, both counties and municipalities are eligible for non-competitive grant awards for completely inclusive playground projects thereunder. The bill defines a "densely or highly populated municipality" as a municipality with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile or a population of at least 35,000 persons; a "densely populated county" as a county with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile; and a "highly populated county" as a county with a population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile. The projects listed in the bill have been approved by the DEP and the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT). To the extent that there are funds remaining after the local government unit projects listed in this bill are offered funding, the bill also authorizes the DEP, with the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee (JBOC), to use those funds to provide additional funding for local government unit projects listed in this bill, as well as for local government unit projects previously approved for funding pursuant to various other laws.
An Act appropriating $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to help local government units acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and for certain administrative expenses.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
"Constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues" means corporation business tax revenues dedicated pursuant to Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution in the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" for the acquisition or development of lands by local government units for recreation and conservation purposes in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.).
"Densely or highly populated municipality" means a municipality with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile, or a population of at least 35,000 persons, according to the latest federal decennial census.
"Densely populated county" means a county with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census.
"Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" means the fund established pursuant to section 19 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-19).
"Green Acres bond act" means P.L.2009, c.117, P.L.2007, c.119, P.L.1995, c.204, P.L.1992, c.88, P.L.1989, c.183, P.L.1987, c.265, and P.L.1983, c.354.
"Highly populated county" means a county with a population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census.
"Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" means the fund established pursuant to section 6 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-48).
"Stewardship activity" means the same as the term is defined in section 3 of the "Preserve New Jersey Act," P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-45).
2. There is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection the following sums for the purpose of providing grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes pursuant to section 4 of this act and for the purpose of providing grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes pursuant to section 5 of this act:
a. $50,090,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues. Of the amount appropriated pursuant to this subsection, the sum of $4,292,000 is available due to interest earnings on the constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues;
b. $24,500,000 from the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and any Green Acres fund established pursuant to a Green Acres bond act, made available due to loan repayments and interest earnings; and
c. $24,696,535 from the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund" and any Green Acres fund established pursuant to a Green Acres bond act, made available due to project cancellations and withdrawals.
3. a. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" the sum of $52,500,000 to implement the provisions of this act.
b. Of the amount appropriated pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the sum of $2,410,000 is appropriated from the "Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund" to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purposes of paying administrative costs associated with administering the applicable provisions of P.L.2016, c.12 (C.13:8C-43 et seq.).
4. a. The following planning incentive acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT
Oakland Boro Bergen Boro of Oakland Open Space & Recreation Plan $700,000
Burlington County Burlington Planning Incentive 1,400,000
Evesham Twp Burlington Planning Incentive 113,150
Medford Twp Burlington Open Space Incentive 550,000
Cherry Hill Twp Camden Planning Incentive Grant 1,050,000
Livingston Twp Essex Open Space Acquisition 700,000
Verona Twp Essex Verona Open Space Acquisition 700,000
West Orange Twp Essex Open Space Acquisition 1,050,000
Gloucester County Gloucester Open Space Plan 1,400,000
Readington Twp Hunterdon Greenway Incentive Plan 300,000
Union Twp Hunterdon Union Twp Open Space Plan 650,000
East Windsor Twp Mercer East Windsor Open Space Acquisition 330,000
Hamilton Twp Mercer Hamilton Township Open Space Acquisition 1,050,000
Princeton Boro Mercer Princeton Open Space Acquisition 700,000
Robbinsville Twp Mercer Green Links Program 473,285
West Windsor Twp Mercer West Windsor Planning Incentive 700,000
Monmouth County Monmouth Planning Incentive Acquisition 1,750,000
Howell Twp Monmouth Planning Incentive 2 1,050,000
Hanover Twp Morris Open Space Acquisition 700,000
Madison Boro Morris Madison Boro Open Space Acquisition 700,000
Brick Twp Ocean Open Space & Recreation Plan 1,400,000
Montgomery Twp Somerset Open Space Acquisition 5 700,000
Union County Union Open Space & Recreation Plan 2,100,000
Knowlton Twp Warren Open Space Acquisition 500,000
TOTAL $20,766,435
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
COUNTY
PROJECT
APPROVED AMOUNT
Oakland Boro
Bergen
Boro of Oakland Open Space & Recreation Plan
$700,000
Burlington County
Burlington
Planning Incentive
1,400,000
Evesham Twp
Burlington
Planning Incentive
113,150
Medford Twp
Burlington
Open Space Incentive
550,000
Cherry Hill Twp
Camden
Planning Incentive Grant
1,050,000
Livingston Twp
Essex
Open Space Acquisition
700,000
Verona Twp
Essex
Verona Open Space Acquisition
700,000
West Orange Twp
Essex
Open Space Acquisition
1,050,000
Gloucester County
Gloucester
Open Space Plan
1,400,000
Readington Twp
Hunterdon
Greenway Incentive Plan
300,000
Union Twp
Hunterdon
Union Twp Open Space Plan
650,000
East Windsor Twp
Mercer
East Windsor Open Space Acquisition
330,000
Hamilton Twp
Mercer
Hamilton Township Open Space Acquisition
1,050,000
Princeton Boro
Mercer
Princeton Open Space Acquisition
700,000
Robbinsville Twp
Mercer
Green Links Program
473,285
West Windsor Twp
Mercer
West Windsor Planning Incentive
700,000
Monmouth County
Monmouth
Planning Incentive Acquisition
1,750,000
Howell Twp
Monmouth
Planning Incentive 2
1,050,000
Hanover Twp
Morris
Open Space Acquisition
700,000
Madison Boro
Morris
Madison Boro Open Space Acquisition
700,000
Brick Twp
Ocean
Open Space & Recreation Plan
1,400,000
Montgomery Twp
Somerset
Open Space Acquisition 5
700,000
Union County
Union
Open Space & Recreation Plan
2,100,000
Knowlton Twp
Warren
Open Space Acquisition
500,000
TOTAL
$20,766,435
b. The following standard acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT
Wood-Ridge Boro Monmouth Beach Boro Bergen Monmouth Wood-Ridge Recreation Complex Acquisition Robbins Street Project $1,050,000 $387,500
TOTAL $1,437,500
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
COUNTY
PROJECT
APPROVED AMOUNT
Wood-Ridge Boro
Monmouth Beach Boro
Bergen
Monmouth
Wood-Ridge Recreation Complex Acquisition
Robbins Street Project
$1,050,000
$387,500
TOTAL
$1,437,500
c. The following site-specific incentive acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT
Park Ridge Boro Bergen North 5th Street Acquisition $459,950
TOTAL $459,950
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
COUNTY
PROJECT
APPROVED AMOUNT
Park Ridge Boro
Bergen
North 5th Street Acquisition
$459,950
TOTAL
$459,950
d. The following urban aid acquisition projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT
Neptune Township Phillipsburg Town Monmouth Warren Division Street Park Acquisition Rails to Trails Acquisition $258,000 $1,400,000
TOTAL $1,658,000
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
COUNTY
PROJECT
APPROVED AMOUNT
Neptune Township
Phillipsburg Town
Monmouth
Warren
Division Street Park Acquisition
Rails to Trails Acquisition
$258,000
$1,400,000
TOTAL
$1,658,000
GRAND TOTAL $24,321,885
GRAND TOTAL
$24,321,885
5. a. The following projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, located in municipalities eligible to receive State aid pursuant to P.L.1978, c.14 (C.52:27D-178 et seq.) either as of June 30, 2021 or the effective date of this act, or sponsored by densely populated counties, are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT
Atlantic City Atlantic Gardner's Basin Improvements $1,400,000
Garfield City Bergen Columbus Park Improvements 1,400,000
Mount Holly Twp Burlington Iron Works Park Improvements 1,400,000
Willingboro Twp Burlington Millcreek Park Pickleball Courts 70,000
Camden County Camden Cooper River Park Playground Improvements 1,750,000
Gloucester Twp Camden Taylor Avenue Playground Redevelopment 948,630
Vineland City Cumberland Romano Complex Improvements 1,400,000
Essex County Essex Watsessing Park Playground 1,605,310
Belleville Twp Essex Municipal Stadium Grandstand Improvements 1,400,000
Newark City Essex Broadway Park 1,400,000
Orange City Twp Essex Colgate Park Improvements Phase II 380,830
Hudson County Hudson JJ Braddock Park Picnic Area Improvements 1,746,000
Bayonne City Hudson Newark Bay Waterfront Phase II 1,400,000
Hoboken City Hudson Southwest Park Development 1,400,000
Kearny Town Hudson Norman A. Doyle Pavilion Playground 528,380
Trenton City Mercer Amtico Square Skatepark Complex 1,400,000
Carteret Boro Middlesex Arthur Kill River Walk North 1,400,000
New Brunswick City Middlesex Alec E. Baker Park Renovation 1,400,000
Perth Amboy City Middlesex Veteran Memorial Park Improvements 1,400,000
Clifton City Passaic Main Memorial Park Improvements 1,400,000
Passaic City Passaic Colonel Johnson Park Revitalization 1,400,000
Paterson City Passaic Vista Park Development Project 1,400,000
Plainfield City Union Rushmore Ave. Rec. Complex - Phase II 1,400,000
TOTAL $29,429,150
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
COUNTY
PROJECT
APPROVED AMOUNT
Atlantic City
Atlantic
Gardner's Basin Improvements
$1,400,000
Garfield City
Bergen
Columbus Park Improvements
1,400,000
Mount Holly Twp
Burlington
Iron Works Park Improvements
1,400,000
Willingboro Twp
Burlington
Millcreek Park Pickleball Courts
70,000
Camden County
Camden
Cooper River Park Playground Improvements
1,750,000
Gloucester Twp
Camden
Taylor Avenue Playground Redevelopment
948,630
Vineland City
Cumberland
Romano Complex Improvements
1,400,000
Essex County
Essex
Watsessing Park Playground
1,605,310
Belleville Twp
Essex
Municipal Stadium Grandstand Improvements
1,400,000
Newark City
Essex
Broadway Park
1,400,000
Orange City Twp
Essex
Colgate Park Improvements Phase II
380,830
Hudson County
Hudson
JJ Braddock Park Picnic Area Improvements
1,746,000
Bayonne City
Hudson
Newark Bay Waterfront Phase II
1,400,000
Hoboken City
Hudson
Southwest Park Development
1,400,000
Kearny Town
Hudson
Norman A. Doyle Pavilion Playground
528,380
Trenton City
Mercer
Amtico Square Skatepark Complex
1,400,000
Carteret Boro
Middlesex
Arthur Kill River Walk North
1,400,000
New Brunswick City
Middlesex
Alec E. Baker Park Renovation
1,400,000
Perth Amboy City
Middlesex
Veteran Memorial Park Improvements
1,400,000
Clifton City
Passaic
Main Memorial Park Improvements
1,400,000
Passaic City
Passaic
Colonel Johnson Park Revitalization
1,400,000
Paterson City
Passaic
Vista Park Development Project
1,400,000
Plainfield City
Union
Rushmore Ave. Rec. Complex - Phase II
1,400,000
TOTAL
$29,429,150
b. The following projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, located in densely or highly populated municipalities or sponsored by highly populated counties, are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT
Bergen County Bergen Carlton Hill Bergen County Greenway Park $1,750,000
Fort Lee Boro Bergen Inwood Terrace Park Pool Improvements 375,000
Teaneck Twp Bergen Sagamore Park Improvement Project 750,000
South Orange Village Twp Essex Cameron Recreation Area Renovation 1,025,000
Monroe Township Middlesex Monroe Community Gardens 469,000
Sayerville Boro Middlesex Kennedy Park Trail Improvements 325,000
Red Bank Boro Monmouth Count Basie Bleacher Replacement 577,875
Passaic County Passaic Peckman Preserve Improvements 482,500
Haledon Boro Passaic Roe Street Park Improvements 497,145
Prospect Park Boro Passaic Hofstra Park Courts Project 255,250
Union Twp Union Weber Park Renovation 1,050,000
TOTAL $7,556,770
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
COUNTY
PROJECT
APPROVED AMOUNT
Bergen County
Bergen
Carlton Hill Bergen County Greenway Park
$1,750,000
Fort Lee Boro
Bergen
Inwood Terrace Park Pool Improvements
375,000
Teaneck Twp
Bergen
Sagamore Park Improvement Project
750,000
South Orange Village Twp
Essex
Cameron Recreation Area Renovation
1,025,000
Monroe Township
Middlesex
Monroe Community Gardens
469,000
Sayerville Boro
Middlesex
Kennedy Park Trail Improvements
325,000
Red Bank Boro
Monmouth
Count Basie Bleacher Replacement
577,875
Passaic County
Passaic
Peckman Preserve Improvements
482,500
Haledon Boro
Passaic
Roe Street Park Improvements
497,145
Prospect Park Boro
Passaic
Hofstra Park Courts Project
255,250
Union Twp
Union
Weber Park Renovation
1,050,000
TOTAL
$7,556,770
c. The following standard park development projects are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT
Burlington Twp Burlington Tennis Court Rehabilitation at Green Acres I $700,000
Hainesport Twp Burlington Creek Turn Park 700,000
Greenwich Twp Gloucester Memorial Park Improvements 700,000
Hightstown Boro Mercer Dawes Park Recreational and ADA Improvements 127,700
Little Falls Twp Passaic Amity Park Playground 145,000
Carneys Point Twp Salem Recreational Complex Infrastructure Improvements 700,000
TOTAL $3,072,700
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
COUNTY
PROJECT
APPROVED AMOUNT
Burlington Twp
Burlington
Tennis Court Rehabilitation at Green Acres I
$700,000
Hainesport Twp
Burlington
Creek Turn Park
700,000
Greenwich Twp
Gloucester
Memorial Park Improvements
700,000
Hightstown Boro
Mercer
Dawes Park Recreational and ADA Improvements
127,700
Little Falls Twp
Passaic
Amity Park Playground
145,000
Carneys Point Twp
Salem
Recreational Complex Infrastructure Improvements
700,000
TOTAL
$3,072,700
d. The following projects for stewardship activities are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT
Oradell Boro Bergen Memorial Field Trail Stewardship Project $71,115
Evesham Twp Burlington Passive Park Improvements 125,360
Union County Union Homestead Farmhouse at Oak Ridge Park 239,900
Union Township Union Joe Collins Park Renovation 57,000
Rocky Hill Boro Somerset Van Horne Park Raised Walkway 240,235
Passaic County Passaic Lambert Castle Landscape Restoration 1,025,000
TOTAL $1,758,610
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
COUNTY
PROJECT
APPROVED AMOUNT
Oradell Boro
Bergen
Memorial Field Trail Stewardship Project
$71,115
Evesham Twp
Burlington
Passive Park Improvements
125,360
Union County
Union
Homestead Farmhouse at Oak Ridge Park
239,900
Union Township
Union
Joe Collins Park Renovation
57,000
Rocky Hill Boro
Somerset
Van Horne Park Raised Walkway
240,235
Passaic County
Passaic
Lambert Castle Landscape Restoration
1,025,000
TOTAL
$1,758,610
e. The following projects for completely inclusive playgrounds, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2018, c.104 (C.13:8C-27.1), are eligible for funding with the moneys appropriated pursuant to section 2 of this act:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT COUNTY PROJECT APPROVED AMOUNT
Bergen County Bergen Saddle River County Park Inclusive Playground $1,000,000
Dumont Boro Bergen Charlie O'Connor Park Improvements 489,570
Englewood City Bergen Mackay Park Playground Improvements Project 540,920
Fort Lee Boro Bergen Coytesville Park Playground Improvements Project 562,500
Ridgefield Park Village Bergen Fellowship Park Playground Improvements 487,500
Burlington City Burlington JFK Park Improvements 750,000
Evesham Twp Burlington Evesboro Downs Park Inclusive Playground 731,845
Willingboro Twp Burlington Millcreek Park Inclusive Playground 750,000
Pennsauken Twp Camden Welcome Home Jake's Place 702,750
Cedar Grove Twp Essex Lower Playground Reconstruction 750,000
Maplewood Twp Essex Maplecrest Completely Inclusive Playground 750,000
Millburn Twp Essex Taylor Park Inclusive Playground 750,000
Montclair Twp Essex Nishuane Park Inclusive Playground 750,000
Verona Twp Essex Everett Field Inclusive Playground 750,000
Monroe Twp Gloucester Inclusive Playground at Peiffer Community Center 750,000
Washington Twp Gloucester Washington Lake Park Inclusive Playground 750,000
Hudson County Hudson Washington Park Inclusive Playground 1,000,000
Hoboken City Hudson Church Square Park Playground Upgrades 750,000
Secaucus Town Hudson Ivanoski Park Improvements 750,000
Hunterdon County Hunterdon South County Park Inclusive Playground 1,000,000
Clinton Town Hunterdon Halstead Street Inclusive Playground 562,500
Clinton Twp Hunterdon Runkle Drive Park Inclusive Playground 750,000
East Brunswick Twp Middlesex Inclusive Playground at Lenape Park 750,000
Monroe Twp Middlesex Inclusive Playground at Monroe Community Gardens 750,000
Old Bridge Twp Middlesex Geick Park Inclusive Playground 750,000
South River Boro Middlesex Grekoski Park Inclusive Playground 554,250
Belmar Boro Monmouth Maclearie Park Inclusive Playground 525,750
Eatontown Boro Monmouth Wolcott Park Jake's Law Playground 660,000
Freehold Boro Monmouth Lenoir Park Inclusive Playground 508,600
Holmdel Twp Monmouth Cross Farm Park All-Inclusive Playground 700,000
Howell Twp Monmouth Echo Lake Park Improvements 562,500
Little Silver Twp Monmouth Sickles Park Inclusive Playground 750,000
Oceanport Boro Monmouth Blackberry Bay Park All-Inclusive 337,500
West Long Branch Boro Monmouth Sorrentino Park Playground Improvements 350,250
Madison Boro Morris Dodge Field Playground 517,500
Seaside Heights Boro Ocean Beach Playground 750,000
Bloomindale Boro Passaic Bogue Pond Park Inclusive Playground 750,000
Little Falls Twp Passaic Duva Field Playground Updates 726,000
Wayne Twp Passaic Inclusive Playground at the Wayne Museum 330,000
Woodland Park Boro Passaic Dian Grimes Memorial Park Inclusivity Upgrade 750,000
Montgomery Twp Somerset Montgomery All-Inclusive Playground 750,000
Byram Twp Sussex CO Johnson Park Inclusive Playground 464,120
Sparta Twp Sussex Station Park Inclusive Playground 517,165
Union County Union Playground at Warinanco Park 915,000
New Providence Boro Union Oakwood Park Playground 750,000
Plainfield City Union Rushmore Park Inclusive Playground 665,200
Summit City Union Mabie Playground Improvements 750,000
Union Twp Union Irene Hoppe Park Renovation 486,000
Phillipsburg Town Warren Brainard Street Park Inclusive Playground 750,000
TOTAL $33,147,420
GRAND TOTAL $74,964,650
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
COUNTY
PROJECT
APPROVED AMOUNT
Bergen County
Bergen
Saddle River County Park Inclusive Playground
$1,000,000
Dumont Boro
Bergen
Charlie O'Connor Park Improvements
489,570
Englewood City
Bergen
Mackay Park Playground Improvements Project
540,920
Fort Lee Boro
Bergen
Coytesville Park Playground Improvements Project
562,500
Ridgefield Park Village
Bergen
Fellowship Park Playground Improvements
487,500
Burlington City
Burlington
JFK Park Improvements
750,000
Evesham Twp
Burlington
Evesboro Downs Park Inclusive Playground
731,845
Willingboro Twp
Burlington
Millcreek Park Inclusive Playground
750,000
Pennsauken Twp
Camden
Welcome Home Jake's Place
702,750
Cedar Grove Twp
Essex
Lower Playground Reconstruction
750,000
Maplewood Twp
Essex
Maplecrest Completely Inclusive Playground
750,000
Millburn Twp
Essex
Taylor Park Inclusive Playground
750,000
Montclair Twp
Essex
Nishuane Park Inclusive Playground
750,000
Verona Twp
Essex
Everett Field Inclusive Playground
750,000
Monroe Twp
Gloucester
Inclusive Playground at Peiffer Community Center
750,000
Washington Twp
Gloucester
Washington Lake Park Inclusive Playground
750,000
Hudson County
Hudson
Washington Park Inclusive Playground
1,000,000
Hoboken City
Hudson
Church Square Park Playground Upgrades
750,000
Secaucus Town
Hudson
Ivanoski Park Improvements
750,000
Hunterdon County
Hunterdon
South County Park Inclusive Playground
1,000,000
Clinton Town
Hunterdon
Halstead Street Inclusive Playground
562,500
Clinton Twp
Hunterdon
Runkle Drive Park Inclusive Playground
750,000
East Brunswick Twp
Middlesex
Inclusive Playground at Lenape Park
750,000
Monroe Twp
Middlesex
Inclusive Playground at Monroe Community Gardens
750,000
Old Bridge Twp
Middlesex
Geick Park Inclusive Playground
750,000
South River Boro
Middlesex
Grekoski Park Inclusive Playground
554,250
Belmar Boro
Monmouth
Maclearie Park Inclusive Playground
525,750
Eatontown Boro
Monmouth
Wolcott Park Jake's Law Playground
660,000
Freehold Boro
Monmouth
Lenoir Park Inclusive Playground
508,600
Holmdel Twp
Monmouth
Cross Farm Park All-Inclusive Playground
700,000
Howell Twp
Monmouth
Echo Lake Park Improvements
562,500
Little Silver Twp
Monmouth
Sickles Park Inclusive Playground
750,000
Oceanport Boro
Monmouth
Blackberry Bay Park All-Inclusive
337,500
West Long Branch Boro
Monmouth
Sorrentino Park Playground Improvements
350,250
Madison Boro
Morris
Dodge Field Playground
517,500
Seaside Heights Boro
Ocean
Beach Playground
750,000
Bloomindale Boro
Passaic
Bogue Pond Park Inclusive Playground
750,000
Little Falls Twp
Passaic
Duva Field Playground Updates
726,000
Wayne Twp
Passaic
Inclusive Playground at the Wayne Museum
330,000
Woodland Park Boro
Passaic
Dian Grimes Memorial Park Inclusivity Upgrade
750,000
Montgomery Twp
Somerset
Montgomery All-Inclusive Playground
750,000
Byram Twp
Sussex
CO Johnson Park Inclusive Playground
464,120
Sparta Twp
Sussex
Station Park Inclusive Playground
517,165
Union County
Union
Playground at Warinanco Park
915,000
New Providence Boro
Union
Oakwood Park Playground
750,000
Plainfield City
Union
Rushmore Park Inclusive Playground
665,200
Summit City
Union
Mabie Playground Improvements
750,000
Union Twp
Union
Irene Hoppe Park Renovation
486,000
Phillipsburg Town
Warren
Brainard Street Park Inclusive Playground
750,000
TOTAL
$33,147,420
GRAND TOTAL
$74,964,650
6. a. Any transfer of funds, or change in project sponsor, site, or type, listed in section 4 or 5 of this act shall require the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor.
b. To the extent that moneys remain available after the projects listed in section 4 or 5 of this act are offered funding pursuant thereto, any project of a local government unit that previously received funding appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for recreation and conservation purposes, or that receives funding approved pursuant to this act, shall be eligible to receive additional funding, as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, subject to the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor.
7. a. There is reappropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection the unexpended balances, due to project withdrawals, cancellations, or cost savings, of the amounts appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund to assist local government units to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for the purposes of providing:
(1) grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for projects approved as eligible for such funding pursuant to this act; and
(2) additional funding, as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, to any project of a local government unit that previously received funding appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for recreation and conservation purposes or that receives funding approved pursuant to this act, subject to the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor. Any such additional funding provided from a Green Acres bond act may include administrative costs.
b. There is appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection such sums as may be, or may become, available on or before June 30, 2024, due to interest earnings or loan repayments in any "Green Trust Fund" established pursuant to a Green Acres bond act or in the "Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund," for the purpose of providing:
(1) grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, for projects approved as eligible for such funding pursuant to this act; and
(2) additional funding, as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection, to any project of a local government unit that previously received funding appropriated or reappropriated from any Green Acres bond act, any annual appropriations act, or the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund for recreation and conservation purposes or that receives funding approved pursuant to this act, subject to the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee or its successor. Any such additional funding provided from a Green Acres bond act may include administrative costs.
8. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill appropriates $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues, and various Green Acres funds to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Of the total amount appropriated by the bill, $99,286,535 would be used by the DEP to provide grants or loans, or both, to assist local government units in the State to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, and $2,410,000 would be used for the DEP's associated administrative costs. Of the total amount appropriated by the bill, $24,321,885 is allocated for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes, as identified in section 4 of the bill, and $74,964,650 is allocated for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, as identified in section 5 of the bill.
Of the $24,321,885 sum being appropriated for projects to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $20,766,435 is allocated for planning incentive open space acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities and counties that have an open space tax and an approved open space plan); $1,437,500 is allocated for standard open space acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that do not have an open space tax); $459,950 is allocated for site-specific incentive acquisition projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that have an open space tax, but do not have an open space plan); and $1,658,000 is allocated for urban aid acquisition projects.
Of the $74,964,650 sum being appropriated for projects to develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes: $29,429,150 is allocated for local park development projects in urban aid municipalities or sponsored by densely populated counties; $7,556,770 is allocated for local park development projects in densely or highly populated municipalities or sponsored by highly populated counties; $3,072,700 is allocated for standard local park development projects (i.e., projects located in municipalities that do not meet the criteria of the prior two categories); $1,758,610 is allocated for stewardship activity projects; and $33,147,420 is allocated for completely inclusive playground projects, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2018, c.104 (C.13:8C-27.1), otherwise known as "Jake's Law." While Green Acres funding for Jake's Law purposes has, in prior funding rounds, been made available only to eligible counties, in the current funding round, both counties and municipalities are eligible for non-competitive grant awards for completely inclusive playground projects thereunder.
The bill defines a "densely or highly populated municipality" as a municipality with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile or a population of at least 35,000 persons; a "densely populated county" as a county with a population density of at least 5,000 persons per square mile; and a "highly populated county" as a county with a population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile.
The projects listed in the bill have been approved by the DEP and the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT).
To the extent that there are funds remaining after the local government unit projects listed in this bill are offered funding, the bill also authorizes the DEP, with the approval of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee (JBOC), to use those funds to provide additional funding for local government unit projects listed in this bill, as well as for local government unit projects previously approved for funding pursuant to various other laws.