Wetland Protections Worry Farmers In New Jersey

A master plan proposed to protect almost a million acres of wetlands in New Jersey is meeting opposition from area farmers who fear the plan's limitation on development and certain farming practices will render their land worthless.

1 minute read

January 15, 2007, 8:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"The work in progress Highlands Preservation acts 'Master Plan' is designed to protect nearly a million acres in New Jersey from development."

"2 years ago the New Jersey government passed the act in large part to curb urban sprawl and protect the 115 billion gallons of clean drinking water the highlands provide, used by more than 15 million people in the region."

"Aside from severely limiting development opportunities Farmer's are upset that the plan can limit what they're able to do on their land, such as timber and cut fire wood."

"The big fear for farmers is that their land is worthless, but the Council says there is a preservation fund that will pay them the assessed value of their land before the study was done."

Wednesday, January 10, 2007 in WFMZ-TV

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