This bill establishes a requirement for the creation and implementation of wildlife management plans for open space and farmland, particularly when state or local government units seek to acquire or develop lands for recreational and conservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated funds or Green Acres bond act moneys. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in collaboration with the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), is tasked with developing model wildlife management plans that must be adopted by local government units. Funding will be contingent upon these units committing to implement one of the model plans, although they may submit their own previously prepared plans for approval instead. The bill also amends existing laws to ensure that the expenditure of dedicated funds reflects the geographic diversity of the state and emphasizes the importance of protecting water resources and flood-prone areas.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for appraisals in farmland preservation, mandating that the higher value between two appraisals be used for negotiations with landowners. It clarifies that wildlife management activities conducted on preserved lands qualify as stewardship activities, allowing for the use of Corporation Business Tax revenues for these efforts. The legislation aims to enhance wildlife management and conservation while ensuring responsible use of public funds, and it streamlines existing laws by deleting several sections that are no longer necessary under the new framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:8C-26, 13:8C-38, 13:8C-45