New Jersey would require forest plans for some recreation and conservation land

New Jersey's environmental department would make and follow a forest care plan for each covered purchase. This covers department purchases for recreation and conservation that contain at least 25 forested acres. The purchase must use at least some of the specified public conservation funds or Green Acres bond money. The plan must follow state rules meant to keep forest land sustainable. The two-year deadline would start on the date of each covered purchase.

Local governments and eligible tax-exempt nonprofits would make and follow forest care plans and submit them for state approval. This covers their purchases for recreation and conservation that contain at least 25 forested acres. The purchase must use at least some of the specified public conservation funds or Green Acres bond money. If the state rejects a plan, the buyer must work with the state on an acceptable one. The plan must follow state rules meant to keep forest land sustainable. The two-year deadline would start on the date of each covered purchase.

New Jersey's environmental department would make and follow forest care plans for covered land the state already owns. This covers land the state owns outright for recreation and conservation if it has at least 25 forested acres when the bill becomes law. The plans must follow state rules meant to keep forest land sustainable. The five-year deadline would start when the bill becomes law.