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tvironment News Service: AmeriScan : May 17, 2000 wysiwyg: //3 /http ://ens . 1ycos . com/ens/may2000/2000L- OS - 17 - 09 . htm1 NEW JERSEY PROPOSES $ 55 M FOR FARMLAND PRESERVATION � i 7 TRENTON , New Jersey, May 17 , 2000 ( ENS ) - The Garden State Preservation Trust ( GSPT) voted Tuesday to approve a funding package totaling $ 55 . 45 million for permanent preservation of tfarmland across New Jersey . The package includes projects that the : State Agriculture Development Committee ( SADC ) recommended to the GSPT . The GSPT' s recommendations will now move on to the ; State Legislature for legislative action , and , once approved , to ; Governor Christie Whitman for her signature . " By ensuring the permanent preservation of productive and scenic agricultural landscapes , these funds support the efforts of local communities to implement smart growth plans that Sussextain the quality of life for fall of New Jersey ' s citizens , " said Whitman , a Republican . i " This funding package responds to the overwhelming demand by the state ' s municipalities and counties to preserve cherished farmlands from development in their communities , " said Maureen Ogden , chair of the GSPT . " In so doing , we preserve not only our agricultural industry , but also fresh produce for the table , as well as wildlife habitat and watershed lands . " The GSPT approved $ 36 . 1 million in funds for conservation easement purchases taking in 12 , 000 acres of farmland . Another $ 7 . 35 million in grants to municipalities will implement farmland preservation . The state will spend $ 12 million to purchase farms outright , then resell the properties with an easement restricting their future development and providing for permanent preservation . New Jersey established the Trust in 1999 to oversee the permanent preservation of an additional million acres of open space , as well as the state 's historic resources .