Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam

TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam to help preserve farmland and open space throughout the 1st District has been approved by an Assembly panel.

“New Jersey is called the Garden State for a reason,” said Albano, chairman of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. “Our farmlands and open space provide the foundation for a strong agricultural and tourism economy. These investments were supported by voters and will pay dividends for generations to come.”

The preservation funding was approved by voters in 2007.

The bills would provide

• $49.65 million for farmland preservation (A-3892). It’s sponsored by Albano and includes farmland in Dennis, Lower, Middle, Upper and West Cape May;

• $11.29 million for farmland preservation (A-3894). It’s sponsored by Albano;

• $66 million to buy land for recreation and conservation (A-3896). It’s sponsored by Milam and includes projects in Cape May City, Cape May Point, Dennis, Lower, Middle, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Upper, West Cape May and Woodbine; Maurice River, Millville and Vineland; and Buena and Buena Vista.

• $19.9 million to help nonprofits buy land for recreation and conservation (A-3898). It’s sponsored by Albano and includes projects in all Cape May municipalities, Buena Vista, Maurice River and Millville.

“This will help our counties and municipalities stay green and our water stay clean,” Milam said. “Preserving open space limits urban sprawl, protects our soil and water supply and maintains our connection to the land and the longstanding agricultural traditions that earned our reputation as the Garden State. It also keeps our tourism industry strong.”

The measures passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee and now go the Speaker, who decides if and when to post them for a vote.

To view details of the bills please visit www.njleg.state.nj.us