Open Space lose the Environment Looses

For Immediate Release

October 6, 2014

Contact Jeff Tittel 609-558-9100

Open Space lose the Environment Looses

"Investing in open space is investing in our future. By buying open space we also protect water supply which helps protect New Jersey's largest industries like food processing and pharmaceuticals. We are hurting ourselves both environmentally and economically by not investing in parks and open space.Concerns have been raised over the November ballot question dedicating part of the Corporate Business Tax to fund open space preservation. To be clear this dedication is not going to zero out funding for parks and park maintenance because park capital repairs is still included in the question and the money will be set aside during the implementation legislation. None of this money is going to go too maintenance, it goes for capital repairs. The Site Remediation funding was supposed to go towards cleanup sites especially orphaned sites and not for staff. The money that used to go to staff from the Spill Act now goes to balance the budget. Also $100 million from the Passaic River cleanup settlement is being diverted to the general fund. Money for Watershed programs were supposed to go to water projects, restoration programs, and to towns for water shed planning not for staff. People are criticizing this dedication, but where were these people for the last 2 years when Sierra Club was fighting money being taken from other programs to fund open space or supporting us on a water fee for open space? We are committed to getting additional funds for these programs from other sources."

"We are also concerned if the referendum fails it will kill any attempts to fund open space in the future or even prevent other environmental questions to be put on the ballot. This is critical for New Jersey's future. Without this funding there will be no money left to buy open space, save farmland, or build parks in our communities. This will help our economy through tourism and redevelopment in urban areas. It helps public health and recreation. This is the most successful program in state history and without funding the bulldozers win. The Sierra Club, the oldest and largest grassroots organization is urging everyone to vote yes come November. It is up to all of us to work together and pass this important ballot question. Whether you like this ballot question or not loosing will cause bigger harm to the environment," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

 --  Nicole Dallara, Outreach Coordinator New Jersey Sierra Club 145 W. Hanover Street Trenton, NJ 08618 609-656-7612 https://www.facebook.com/NJSierraClub https://twitter.com/nicdalla3