by Thomas G. Dallessio, the New Jersey Director of Regional Plan Association
On November 4th, New Jersey voters will have a unique opportunity to have our say on not one, not two, but three of the most important environmental issues affecting our quality of life Ð open space preservation, brownfields redevelopment, and water management. Garden State voters should support all three initiatives as an investment in New Jersey's future.
As increasing sprawl threatens the state's natural resources, drinking water supply, and quality of life, it is vitally important that we continue to support open space preservation efforts. Public question #1 is a constitutional amendment which would add an additional $150 million for parks, farmland and historic preservation programs, taking us one step closer to meeting our goal of preserving another million acres in the Garden State by the year 2010.
But New Jersey has another side. With over 12,000 brownfield sites, there is enormous potential for redevelopment projects if the financial resources exist to clean up those sites. Public question #2 seeks to expand opportunities for brownfield clean-up and create a permanent, stable source of funding for remediation by expanding the authorized uses of funds in the State's Underground Storage Tank (UST) program. Since 1996, 4% of the corporate business tax (CBT) revenue has been constitutionally dedicated to the UST program. If approved, this amendment would restructure the current allocation of funds from the UST program, making a larger portion available for the remediation of brownfield sites, and extend the life of the program indefinitely without requiring an increase in dedicated CBT revenue or seeking additional tax revenue sources.
Water management is also a primary concern, not only in the Highlands, but throughout the state. Public question #3 would authorize the State to issue bonds totaling $200 million to finance various water restoration, clean-up, flood control, and treatment projects. Up to $90 million will finance State run dam repair and restoration, flood control, water resource and wastewater treatment projects. The remaining $110 million would assist private owners of lakes, streams, private lake associations, and dams for projects to diminish severe flooding.
At the center of each question is how to fund vital programs without burdening N.J. taxpayers. Much like a mortgage, these three ballot questions do just that, providing essential funding that is affordable over an extended time. Few doubt these investments are necessary; all should support the opportunity presented to us to address these problems. On November 4th, I urge voters to say: Yes! Yes! Yes!
On November 4th, New Jersey voters will have a unique opportunity to have our say on not one, not two, but three of the most important environmental issues affecting our quality of life Ð open space preservation, brownfields redevelopment, and water management. Garden State voters should support all three initiatives as an investment in New Jersey's future.
As increasing sprawl threatens the state's natural resources, drinking water supply, and quality of life, it is vitally important that we continue to support open space preservation efforts. Public question #1 is a constitutional amendment which would add an additional $150 million for parks, farmland and historic preservation programs, taking us one step closer to meeting our goal of preserving another million acres in the Garden State by the year 2010.
But New Jersey has another side. With over 12,000 brownfield sites, there is enormous potential for redevelopment projects if the financial resources exist to clean up those sites. Public question #2 seeks to expand opportunities for brownfield clean-up and create a permanent, stable source of funding for remediation by expanding the authorized uses of funds in the State's Underground Storage Tank (UST) program. Since 1996, 4% of the corporate business tax (CBT) revenue has been constitutionally dedicated to the UST program. If approved, this amendment would restructure the current allocation of funds from the UST program, making a larger portion available for the remediation of brownfield sites, and extend the life of the program indefinitely without requiring an increase in dedicated CBT revenue or seeking additional tax revenue sources.
Water management is also a primary concern, not only in the Highlands, but throughout the state. Public question #3 would authorize the State to issue bonds totaling $200 million to finance various water restoration, clean-up, flood control, and treatment projects. Up to $90 million will finance State run dam repair and restoration, flood control, water resource and wastewater treatment projects. The remaining $110 million would assist private owners of lakes, streams, private lake associations, and dams for projects to diminish severe flooding.
At the center of each question is how to fund vital programs without burdening N.J. taxpayers. Much like a mortgage, these three ballot questions do just that, providing essential funding that is affordable over an extended time. Few doubt these investments are necessary; all should support the opportunity presented to us to address these problems. On November 4th, I urge voters to say: Yes! Yes! Yes!
@RegionalPlan