The fund, which pays 60 percent of the cost of farmland, Green Acres and historic preservation by counties and municipalities, is nearly out of money.
"It's important that the Legislature come up with a funding mechanism now," said Freeholder William Haines Jr., leader of the county's preservation efforts. "It has been a team effort that needs the state partnership to continue. We can't afford to do it alone."
Burlington County is a national and state leader in farmland preservation with nearly 25,000 acres preserved.
The county raises $18 million a year toward preservation with property tax money dedicated by its voters.
The state has provided $54 million in grants to help preserve county farmland and an additional $12 million in Green Acres grants and low-interest loans toward preservation of an additional 3,000 acres of open space.
To put the question on the November ballot, the Legislature must act on the matter by June 30.
The referendum proposed in a pending legislative bill is supported by environmental groups. If approved, the $175 million trust fund would be financed through 2038 with 2 cents of the state sales tax.
On Tuesday, Republican legislative leaders criticized Gov. Jon S. Corzine for his refusal to support the trust fund renewal unless lawmakers allow him to lease state assets like toll roads to raise revenue.
Haines said preservation saves taxpayers money because development brings higher education costs and requires more infrastructure, such as roads, drainage and water systems.
Reach Carol Comegno at (609) 267-9486 or ccomegno@courierpostonline.com
Published: May 17. 2007 3:10AM