Municipal Assistance Program

KEEPING OUR TOWNSHIPS GREEN

Many South Jersey towns are working actively to protect open space and farmland and to manage their growth. A number have adopted open space and farmland preservation taxes (11 of 24 in Gloucester County; 4 of 15 in Salem County, for example). Some townships have developed open space plans and farmland preservation plans, which qualify them for additional state money to use in their preservation programs.

But the pace of development and loss of forests and fields is very rapid in our area. Some communities, such as Woolwich in Gloucester County, are undergoing tremendous growth. Prices for land are on the rise as well, although the ability of municipalities to preserve their land is limited not just by the dollars available, but by the need for experienced municipal staff to carry out projects.

To help towns with these efforts, SJLWT is now offering its 15-years of experience in land preservation as part of a Municipal Consulting program. Funding from a Conservation Fund grant supported the “start-up” of this offering, through which SJLWT can address specific municipal needs and provide expert staff, on a contractual basis.

SJLWT is working with...
Woolwich Township is the first municipality to take advantage of these services.
Residents in Woolwich Township love the rural character of their community. Township officials, the Environmental Commission, and the Open Space and Agricultural Advisory Committees have all been working together to preserve it. Areas in need of protection have been identified with an Environmental Resource Inventory. There is an Open Space Plan and a Farmland Preservation Plan, along with an up-to-date Master Plan. Woolwich has obtained funding from the New Jersey Green Acres Program to acquire and preserve several parcels of land for open space and recreation. The New Jersey Office of Smart Growth has given the township a grant to fund planning for Transfer of Development Rights, which will preserve farmland. Woolwich has adopted a Conservation Design zoning ordinance that clusters development and protects open space and farmland. Its Farmland Preservation Plan provided the basis to obtain additional funding to preserve farms under a State Farmland Planning Incentive Grant. These bold initiatives clearly indicate a commitment to manage Woolwich’s growth and preserve its special quality.

Woolwich Township has now partnered with the South Jersey Land and Water Trust to help it move forward with its Farmland Preservation Plan and Planning Incentive Grant. The collaboration with Woolwich will make the Trust’s expertise available to farmers to answer their questions and concerns. Farmers who are interested in preserving their land will now have someone in their corner to help them decide on options available to them, and to assist them through the entire application process.

For additional information on the Municipal Consulting Program or land preservation generally, call SJLWT at 856-881-2269 or email to Christine Nolan at sjwatersheds@verizon.net.