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Natural Lands Inventory Grows To Over 7,300 Acres
By Bill McLaughlin
TOMS RIVER - Ocean County made one of its largest open space acquisitions since voters first approved the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund program over 10 years ago.
"This piece of property, approximately 877 acres in Waretown, will be our single, largest land preservation effort," said Ocean County Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund program. "This will result in almost 3,000 acres being preserved by the county along Route 532 in Ocean Township."
The property has long been considered a prime candidate for an open space acquisition by environmental agencies, the county and state.
"This is a great acquisition and I am glad we are able to do this," Bartlett said.
The 877-acre Horner parcel is also adjacent to Ocean County's Wells Mills Park, which boasts more than 900 acres of Pinelands, and is the largest park in the county's extensive park system.
"This completes the puzzle, if you will, in the area," Bartlett said.
The Horner property adjoins the Boy Scout summer camp and Wells Mills County Park on Route 532.
"Mr. Horner was in talks with the Hovnanians about developing the site," Bartlett said, adding that the development might have been worth $18 million. "But times change with the slow down in housing and it turns out in our favor."
When the housing market turned chilly in the past year, Bartlett said, the development seemed far less likely to go forward.
The final cost will be about $5.8 million in county funds, with $1 million in Pinelands Conservation funds, an $800,000 state grant and a possible second state grant for $500,000 in the future.
The county owns "well over 3,000 acres in this region," Bartlett said, adding, "This completes the county's work in this area."
Bartlett also said, "Some day this will provide potable (drinkable) water for residents in this county."
Vicari said the purchases made sense because they were keys to the county's strategy of saving ecologically-fragile land from development.
"We're getting land while it's on sale," Vicari said.
Freeholder Gerry Little said it makes sense because the purchase "preserves unspoiled land and reduces the development of the county."
In addition, the property is located across from 935 acres, preserved by Ocean County during two separate acquisitions in recent years.
"This portion of Ocean County will remain parkland and open space into perpetuity," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. "Truly, this program makes a difference in the quality of life for all Ocean County residents."
The 877 acres includes miles of stream tributaries of the Oyster Creek and Waretown Creek.
The county purchased the site for $8.1 million, and also secured a commitment of $1 million from the Pinelands Conservation Resource Fund toward the acquisition, and will use $800,000 in state planning incentive grants. In addition, the county expects to receive another grant from the state Green Acres fund, however, the exact amount of the actual grant award will not be known until the spring.
"Ocean County truly benefits from the purchase of open space and from the partnerships we have developed that assist in these acquisitions," Bartlett said.
In addition, the county plans to purchase seven acres in Barnegat Township, adjacent to previously acquired natural lands property and the 40-acre park site off of Barnegat Boulevard. The property is owned by James Talamas of Florida, with a purchase price is $70,000.
Bartlett said the seven-acre Talamas tract was an "in-fill" property that is the final piece of land not publicly owned in the area, which sits near the Barnegat-Waretown border. The area is also adjacent to the new Barnegat High School and county rail trail recreation area.
"This property contains a segment of the Lochiel Creek and a walking trail which links to the county and municipal properties," Bartlett said. "These seven acres are in a key location and it makes sense to purchase them for open space."
To date, Ocean County has preserved more than 7,300 acres of open space throughout the county under its Natural Lands Program.
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