Environmentalists condemn action on open-space bond act
Funding idea: Triple registration fees for some SUVs.
by Kara Seymour, New Jersey Sierra Club
Four of the state’s largest environmental groups today criticized a legislative committee for ramming through, without any public discussion or hearing, a bill that ties the state’s hands financially for the next 20 years.
Environment New Jersey, the New Jersey Environmental Federation, New Jersey Environmental Lobby and the New Jersey Sierra Club spoke out in opposition to a bill (s1858-Smith) that will ask voters in November to authorize the state to float $600 million in bonds for open space, farmland and historic preservation without identifying a source of funds to cover the debt. The bills is designed to provide three years of stop-gap funding for the effectively bankrupt Garden State Preservation Trust, but after administrative costs and delays, could mean less than $125 million per year — a 50 percent cut from a few years ago.
“This was done deliberately to silence opposition from people who want to ensure we have a long-term, stable source of open space funding, not an election-year gimmick that will cost taxpayers almost three times what they get in open space funds,” said Jeff Tittel of the Sierra Club. “How are we going to pay for it given massive budget shortfalls and 30 percent cuts to the DEP the past two years? This question would lead to another 15 percent ($30 million) cut in core environmental programs. So we’re going to have money for open space but close state parks, handicap programs and after-school care for troubled youth?”
The environmentalists said they were concerned the bill could result in cuts to other environmental programs as well as undermine efforts to renew and strengthen the state’s open space preservation program. “Our groups have worked as hard as anyone to renew and strengthen the states open space program,” said David Pringle of the N.J. Environmental Federation. “That’s why we can’t support this bill. We’re not convinced it will work environmentally or financially and it may make matters worse. We need a money source, not borrowed money — it’s not right to kick the can down the road and make the next generation pay.”
Mike Pisauro of the N.J. Environmental Lobby said that with the current economic climate, it is far from guaranteed that the state’s residents will support the measure. “Given the economic climate and state’s reckless borrow and spend history, we’re not confident a majority will support this question despite the popularity of open space and a failed question would do more damage to the state’s open space program than no question,” said Pisauro, noting that affordable housing advocates haven’t been able secure appropriate funding since a failed ballot question 20 years ago.
The organizations said that while they’d prefer a long-term, stable source of funding totaling at least $200 million a year, if a stop-gap is to be proposed it should at least be backed by a revenue source. A tripling of annual registration fees for the heaviest, least fuel-efficient SUVs would cover the estimated annual $45 million in debt service for $600 million in bonds.
Kara Seymour is a program assistant with the Sierra Club’s New Jersey chapter.
May 8th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
All environmentalists — and even capitalists — should want NJ to continue to fund Open Space, which cleans our water, makes our kids healthier, supports our property values, lets us eat more locally grown foods, and so many other benefits. Sure we’d all like to tax SUVs and water, but will any politician support that this year? They SHOULD, but will they? Most importantly, we’ve got to make sure we renew Garden State Preservation Trust by passing a November ballot issue, otherwise DEVELOPERS WILL KEEP PAVING UP OUR STATE AT A RATE OF 50 ACRES A DAY! We can’t let the Preservation Trust lapse!
May 10th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Nothing to maintain what the state already owns? Irresponsible and unqualified DEP mismanagement continues to threaten our historical heritage with destruction. Languishing under myopic oversight, without maintenance and public access through interpretation, irreversible damage is being done to the essential tourist infrastructure at these undervalued but potentially economically stimulating heritage destinations Their inherent cultural value needs no explanation or defense.
The public should visit the former Waterloo Village where the DEP has actually spent money to rehabilitate concrete wigwams on top of what is likely a prehistoric and historic burial ground, desecrating what may be the graves of Revolutionary War veterans and others, while the actual historic fabric of the village deteriorates. There is little or no living interpretation at Monmouth Battlefield or most other major sites. And check out High Breeze Farm in Wawayanda State Park—practically beyond salvation at this point due to neglect. Or the flood-damaged Steuben House in River Edge, where nothing other than harsh drying and some cosmetic painting has been done to stabilize and protect this great landmark. The list is long and depressing: Kean’s Mill at the outlet of Swartswood Lake; the Stillwater Gristmill, the 1861 Krill Loghouse in Stokes State Forest, Wawayanda Furnace, Lusscroft Farms, all state-owned historic sites and all victims of neglect and poor DEP management. Most have been in state hands for many years, suffering indifference even in the best of times. And this is just a fraction of what desperately requires attention in the northern portion of NJ.
We see and hear the state parks being cut back, maintenance declining or, for most historic properties, non-existent. Little or no funding to provide qualified historical interpreters to open these sites to the public and they want to add more. In my opinion, this is tantamount to signing a death warrant for our natural and cultural heritage. Remember Kuser Manor at High Point? A forsaken gift to the State of NJ and an enduring reminder of what happens when you turn over anything of cultural value to bureaucrats who don’t understand or appreciate their responsibilities as stewards.
We should demand an end to nepotism, conflicts of interest, and political quackery. A good beginning—which would not add a nickel to the state budget—would be to create a qualified, volunteer Historic Sites Commission to administer the state-owned and operated Historic Sites.