This bill amends existing legislation to permit counties and municipalities in New Jersey to utilize their open space trust funds specifically for the remediation of collapsed mine shafts and sinkholes on properties they own. The current law allows for the establishment of County and Municipal Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Funds, but this bill expands the scope of these funds to include mine remediation efforts. The new legal language introduces the concept of a "Mine Remediation Trust Fund" within the existing framework of open space trust funds, thereby creating a dedicated source of funding for these specific remediation projects.

To implement this change, counties and municipalities must adopt an ordinance to access these funds, which requires conducting a public hearing and providing adequate notice to the public. The bill outlines detailed procedures for public engagement, including the necessity of informing relevant stakeholders and the community about the proposed remediation plans and associated costs. Importantly, while the bill allows for the use of these funds without direct voter approval, it maintains a requirement for transparency and public involvement in the decision-making process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40:12-15.1