Without swift action in Trenton, the state’s trust fund for buying threatened open space could go bankrupt within the year.

This winter, New Jersey legislators introduced two bills that would renew funding for the state’s open space preservation program, the Garden State Preservation Trust Fund.

The bills come not a moment too soon. Funding for New Jersey’s land preservation program will dry up this summer. Hanging in the balance are unprotected lands of ecological value all across the state, from the Delaware Bay Shore to the Sourland Mountains to the Highlands region.

The bills were introduced with support from Environment New Jersey and a coalition of over 90 environmental, outdoor recreation, historic preservation, affordable housing and urban parks advocacy groups. The Assembly has shown strong support for open space, with over 30 members signed on as co-sponsors. Both bills would let the voters decide whether to earmark substantial sales tax income to open space and to bond for additional dollars.

“Legislators are prioritizing open space, and all the environmental benefits that come with it. Action on these bills will help to ensure clean drinking water, protection for wildlife, and a high quality of life for all New Jerseyans,” commented Dena Mottola, executive director of Environment New Jersey.

To build support for these bills, Environment New Jersey and the Keep It Green Campaign have urged local officials to demand funding renewal this year. Towns and counties depend on matching state funds to gather enough funding to preserve local areas. Over 58 towns have passed resolutions calling on the Legislature to renew the funding this year.

Gov. Corzine has yet to reveal his plan to renew funding for open space preservation, and the budget he released in March did not include funding for open space.