Gloucester County Freeholders Preserve Land
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
(Woodbury, NJ) - Six different farms located in three municipalities are slated to be permanently preserved announced Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger and Freeholder Frank J. DiMarco today. Two of the farms are located in Woolwich, one in South Harrison and three in Franklin Township.
"There were approvals for 89 single family homes to be developed on the Woolwich farms, and 53 more on the South Harrison Farm. When look at the enormous growth in Woolwich and find ways to permanently preserve land for farming instead of becoming housing developments you make a big impact on the quality of life for everyone," said Freeholder Director Damminger.
The farms to be preserved under the County's traditional Farmland Preservation Program that were approved at last night's Freeholder meeting include a 91.4 acre farm in Woolwich, a 129 acres parcel in Woolwich, and a 31.2 acre farm in South Harrison. These properties all had municipal approval for housing developments. Under the County Farmland Preservation Program the county is eligible for a 60% reimbursement from the State for the acquisition costs of the land.
Three farms in Franklin Township totaling 155 acres will be preserved using the Planning Incentive Grant (PIG) program and both the county and the municipality will be completely reimbursed for their portion of the funding through a federal grant administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Services - Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program.
"It is very exciting to help preserve these farms and maintain the agricultural and rural nature of our county. By utilizing the resources available through the federal government and the state, the county and municipality save a combined $373,596 to purchase these farms and save them from development. That is a win for the farmers and the taxpayers," said Freeholder DiMarco, liaison to the Department of Parks and Land Preservation.