This bill proposes a supplemental appropriation of $8,000,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Monmouth County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund for the purpose of purchasing the Stein property in Upper Freehold Township, New Jersey. The total cost to acquire the property is estimated at $25,000,000, and the funding is intended to help prevent the construction of a warehouse that would disrupt the historic site, which served as a campground for British soldiers during the Revolutionary War. The proposed development would split the farmland and introduce significant traffic and environmental concerns, including air pollution and potential contamination of local water sources.

The bill emphasizes the importance of preserving the Stein property not only for its historical significance but also to protect the surrounding community from the adverse effects of industrial development. Local residents have expressed their concerns regarding the impact of the proposed warehouse on open space, traffic congestion, and the existing stormwater flooding issues in the area. The New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution has also advocated for the preservation of this land, highlighting its cultural and environmental value. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.