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Thursday, March 16, 2006
County Committee Recommends $4.56 Million for Municipal Open Space Acquisition and Preservation
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A committee appointed to review funding allocations for Atlantic County municipal open space acquisition and preservation is recommending an expenditure of more than $4.56 million this year as part of the Atlantic County Municipal Open Space Partnership Program's seventh round of funding.
According to County Executive Dennis Levinson, the open space review committee, comprised of county and municipal officials, reviewed requests that totaled more than $8 million.
"Due to the program's success, the committee received a large number of requests this year," said Levinson. "Members worked with county staff to prioritize funding. Projects in our growth areas received preference, in addition to those that demonstrated regional significance and coincided with county goals and objectives."
To date, over $11 million has been dedicated to open space acquisition, recreation development and historic preservation through the Atlantic County Municipal Open Space Partnership Program that is funded by a two-cent open space tax. Applications are currently restricted to acquisition projects.
"This program provides us with opportunities to help our municipalities reduce the strain imposed by state-mandated growth and development," added Levinson. "By securing land we are securing our quality of life."
Since 2000, the county has acquired approximately 5,000 acres through the Municipal Open Space Partnership Program and other open space efforts.
A public hearing will be held on April 12 at 3:00 PM at the Anthony "Tony" Canale Training Center in Egg Harbor Township to discuss all funding recommendations prior to being presented to the Atlantic County Board of Freeholders for final approval.
For more information, please contact Joe Maher, Department Head, Atlantic County Department of Regional Planning and Development, at (609) 645-5898.
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