def # 231 12/14/11

COUNTY EXPECTS TO ACQUIRE 54-ACRE TRACT FOR OPEN SPACE

TOMS RIVER - The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to approve the purchase of 54-acres of environmentally sensitive lands by West Turkey Swamp Park in Jackson Township to preserve the tract for open space.

"The consolidated properties comprising West Turkey Swamp Park in Jackson Township currently encompass about 672 acres of County owned property within the Metedeconk River headwaters area," said Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund. "Being in the headwaters area of the Metedeconk River makes this property environmentally significant."

The property is owned by Hess Brothers, Parlin and the county is expected to purchase the land for $175,000. The original asking price was $325,000 and the land is zoned for light manufacturing.

A public hearing on the purchase has been scheduled for the Board’s meeting at 4 p.m., Dec. 21 in Room 119 of the Ocean County Administration Building, here.

The tract is located near Bismark and Kolendorski roads and I-195 in Jackson Township.

"These 54 acres meet the requirements to be included in our natural lands program," Bartlett said. "It is a nice addition to the large parcel of open space in the area."

The purchase was recommended to the freeholders by the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee.

The county, since establishing the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund in 1997, has helped save 12,642 acres of environmentally sensitive lands. And, almost 3,300 acres of farmland has been preserved in Ocean County, said Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Planning Department.

"Of the 408,000 acres of land in Ocean County, more than 60 percent, including lands preserved by municipalities, is protected as open space," Little said. "All tolled 222,691 acres have so far been preserved as open space in Ocean County."

---