This bill establishes a requirement for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create model wildlife management plans that must be adopted by state and local government units when acquiring or developing land for recreational and conservation purposes using constitutionally dedicated funds or Green Acres bond act moneys. Local government units are required to implement one of these model plans to receive funding, although they may submit their own pre-existing plans for approval. The bill also amends existing laws to ensure that expenditures from the Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust Fund reflect the state's geographic diversity and emphasizes the protection of water resources and flood-prone areas.

Additionally, the bill introduces new appraisal requirements for acquiring development easements or fee simple titles for farmland preservation, ensuring that the higher of two appraised values is used for negotiations. It streamlines previous legal language related to farmland and environmental preservation, clarifying definitions and emphasizing consultation with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. The bill also clarifies that wildlife management activities on preserved lands qualify as stewardship activities, allowing for the use of Corporation Business Tax revenues for these purposes. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance wildlife management and conservation efforts while ensuring responsible use of dedicated funds.

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