The geographic region affected by the legislation stretches from western Connecticut across the Lower Hudson River Valley and into northern New Jersey and east-central Pennsylvania. The area is home to more than 1.4 million people and it is adjacent to one of the most populous metropolitan regions in the country.
Under the legislation, a new Office of Highlands Stewardship would have the authority to approve and dispense land preservation grants for the region. The bill proposes an annual $25 million authorization for land acquisition.
Citing state planning figures showing that about one million of New Jersey's households live in sub-standard, overcrowded housing for which they pay too much, Shaw said that H.R. 1964 would increase land and housing costs.
“This would prohibit people from living in a home of their choice, in a setting of their choice and at a price they can afford,” he said.
Shaw added that there are already several federal programs that can help local communities and states preserve open land.
These include the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Legacy Program and Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the National Resources Conservation Service's Farmland Protection Program.
To read H.R. 1964, click here, and enter the bill number in the box at the upper left.
Photo by Herman Farrer
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