Land
Acquisition Program
INTRODUCTION
Open space is land which has
remained undeveloped and largely in its natural state or has been altered
to specifically serve recreational
needs. The value and function of open space exists regardless of public
or private ownership. Ownership becomes a factor in issues of access
and availability for public use.
The value of open space is typically characterized in terms of its functions and can be considered in four broad categories as follows:
Recreational Opportunities
For both passive and active recreation, open land serves as parks
and recreation areas, preserves and conservation areas, historic
and
cultural sites, and critical linkages and corridors for wildlife
and public users.
Ecological Functions
Open space provides highly valued environmental protection functions.
Among the functions are clean air and water; aquifer recharge; flood
protection and storage; wildlife habitat including rare, threatened,
and endangered species; wilderness; and biodiversity.
Quality of Life
Open space provides direct health and safety benefits related to recreation,
environmental protection, aesthetic and visual relief, and preservation
of cultural features and cultural heritage.
Economic Values
Open lands provide economic benefit in terms of agriculture, grazing,
forestry, silviculture, and horticulture. Undisturbed natural systems
such as wetlands are valuable breeding grounds for commercially valuable
species. Property values of land adjacent to permanent open space
often enhances value. The National Park Service reported that open
space corridors and greenways increase jobs, enhance property values,
expand local businesses, increase local tax revenues, and decrease
local tax expenditures (NPS, 1990).
THE COUNTY PARK SYSTEM TODAY
The Somerset County park system consists of 23 park areas totaling 10,140 acres, and this acreage is constantly increasing. There are five General Use Area parks, offering both active and passive recreation facilities; five golf courses; three Special Use Area parks; one Developed Natural Area park which features an environmental education center; and ten Undeveloped Natural Areas.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
A major financial commitment to open space acquisition has been made by the public. In 1997, an overwhelming majority of the public voted to double the Somerset County Open Space Tax from $0.015 per $100 to $0.03 per $100 of assessed property valuation. The amount of money generated from this tax was boosted from $3 million in 1994 to over $8 million in 1999. With the anticipated growth in the County's real estate assessment base, this revenue source is estimated to increase about $160,000 each year.
In addition to funding through the open space tax, Somerset County
has secured funding through the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection Green Acres Program in the form of grants and loans. The
County has also partnered with municipalities and non-profit organizations
to cost share in the acquisition of land. The chart below identifies
the land acquired since the implementation of the Open Space Trust
Fund in 1993 and through the above mentioned programs.
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Totals
325.33
489.80
700.56
423.21
201.37
272.85
433.36
615.64
313.71
556.27
125.50
140.45
161.04
243.65
394.03
5,395.77
$ 5,551,000.00
5,835,000.00
7,935,553.20
1,907.974.20
227,863.00
5,782,085.64
10,524,480.00
10,323,923.51
6,064,200.00
7,464,289.14
1,346,016.00
4,596,960.00
13,487,648.10
1,060,247.00
6,685,212.20
$88,855,505.99
STRATEGIES FOR ACQUIRING AND PRESERVING OPEN SPACE
With the support of the public and a well-organized funding system in place, the County is able to aggressively pursue the acquisition of land for open space preservation. Land acquisition can be accomplished by a number of methods, all of which have been utilized by Somerset County.
Fee Simple
This is the outright purchase of full title and all rights by the County
from the land owner. It allows for the protection and public use
of the land.
Conservation Easements/Development Rights
A partial interest in the land is transferred to the County by donation
or purchase. The rights acquired are less costly than total acquisition.
The land owner retains ownership and the property remains on the
tax rolls. The owner may receive some income and estate tax benefits.
Public access could be negotiated and the easement remains in perpetuity.
Partnerships with Non-Profit Organizations
A non-profit organization can acquire and then sell property to the
County, or contribute funding for the purchase of the property and
transfer title to the County at no cost. A non-profit is often able
to negotiate a property sale at a reduced price and to sell to the
County at a lower than market value.
Donation
A private land owner or developer can convey all or a portion of a
property at no cost to the County. The owner can take advantage of
certain tax benefits associated with the donation.
BENEFITS TO LANDOWNERS FOR CONVEYANCE OF LAND FOR OPEN SPACE
Private citizens who choose to dedicate land to the County for parks and open space purposes could take advantage of a number of benefits.
Bargain Sale
Property is sold at less than fair market value by identifying the
acquisition as part donation and part sale. There may be tax benefits
to the seller for the donated value and a reduced cost to the County.
Conservation Easements/Development Rights
A partial interest in the land is transferred to the County by donation
or purchase. The property owner retains full ownership of the land,
but future development is restricted. The owner may receive some
income and estate tax benefits.
Life Estate
The land is sold to the County, and the owner may continue to occupy
the residence and a portion of the property for the duration of the
owner's lifetime.
Donation
There are certain tax benefits available to a landowner associated
with land donation.
If you are interested in selling or donating property to the County for open space purposes, please contact the Somerset County Park Commission by telephone at (908) 722-1200 for more information.
E-mail the
Land Acquisition and Planning with
any questions or comments