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DEP AWARDS GRANTS TO 45 COMMUNITIES FOR TREE MANAGEMENT
The New Jersey Community Forestry Program has announced the recipients of the 2002 Green Communities Challenge Grants. The grants enable municipalities and counties to create Community Forestry Management Plans, a first step in compliance with the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act.
A total of 45 towns and counties will receive grants under this matching grant program sponsored by the state Department of Environmental Protection's Forest Service. (A list of recipients by county is attached.)
"Compliance with the act ultimately improves tree health, gives the community access to special grant funding and allows for protection from tree related liability," explained State Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Shinn.
Each grant of $2,000 will be matched by the community with an amount equal to or greater than one-half of the grant with either cash or in-kind services. Most of this will be budgeted to hire a forestry consultant who will work closely with community representatives to assess their trees and prioritize the required work throughout the next five years.
Once the work plan is approved by the state and two people in the community receive appropriate training, the community is afforded indemnification from tree related liabilities. This protection is available because the trees are being cared for in a safe and sustainable fashion in compliance with the act.
Communities that are in compliance also are eligible to apply for up to $9,000 per year in Community Stewardship Incentive Program Grants designed to fund the implementation of their management plans. In 2002, there is $650,000 available for these stewardship grants statewide.
Since 1998, 177 communities have received these grant funds. Due to the record number of applicants this year, the USDA Forest Service is funding this year's grant program through the National Urban and Community Forestry Program in conjunction with specially allocated state funds.
For more information on community forestry initiatives contact: NJ DEP – Division of Parks and Forestry, Community Forestry Program, PO Box 404, Trenton, NJ 08625-0404 or call (609) 292-2532. Further details are also available on the Community Forestry web site at www.state.nj.us/dep/forestry/community.
DEP Awards Grants to 45 Communities for Tree Management
[Alphabetical by county]
Atlantic County
Atlantic City
Hammonton
Linwood
Bergen County
Closter
New Milford Borough
Ramsey Borough
Tenafly
Burlington County
Delanco
Medford Lakes
Palmyra
Cape May County
Wildwood Crest
Gloucester County
Washington Township
Woodbury City
Woodbury Heights
Hudson County
Hoboken
Hunterdon County
County of Hunterdon
Tewksbury Township
Mercer County
Hopewell Borough
Middlesex County
County of Middlesex
Sayerville
South Plainfield Borough
Monmouth County
Asbury Park
Avon By The Sea
West Long Branch Borough
Morris County
Chatham Township
Chester Township
Hanover Township
Long Hill Township
Madison Borough
Washington Township
Ocean County
Brick Township
Seaside park Borough
Passaic County
Prospect Park Borough
Wayne Township
Salem County
Pittsgrove Township
Somerset County
Bernards Township
Bound Brook
Sussex County
Andover Township
Branchville Borough
County of Sussex
Stanhope Borough
Union County
Berkeley Heights
Warren County
Hardwick Township
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OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY