Establishes a program in the Department of Environmental Protection to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands.

The bill establishes a program within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for acquiring development easements on privately-owned woodlands. The program aims to permanently restrict development on these lands to preserve them. To be eligible, the woodlands must be at least five contiguous acres and managed according to a forest stewardship plan or a woodland management plan. The bill also establishes the Woodlands Protection Fund to finance these acquisitions, funded by federal grants, private donations, legislative appropriations, and investment returns.

Establishes a program in the Department of Environmental Protection to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands.

The bill establishes a program within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for acquiring development easements on privately-owned woodlands. The program aims to permanently restrict development on these lands to preserve them. To be eligible, the woodlands must be at least five contiguous acres and managed according to a forest stewardship plan or a woodland management plan. The bill also establishes the Woodlands Protection Fund to finance these acquisitions, funded by federal grants, private donations, legislative appropriations, and investment returns.