Grant will help to produce environmental inventory

The Association of New Jersey Envi-ronmental Commissions (ANJEC) has selected Howell to receive a 2007 Smart Growth Planning Grant to develop an environmental resource inventory.

According to a press release, 24 New Jersey municipalities and one county will receive matching grants for planning projects that facilitate sustainable, resource-based land use.

This is the sixth year ANJEC has administered the grant program, funded by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation of Morristown. This year's round of funding totals $180,000 and brings the program over the million dollar mark in total grants to municipalities.

Since inception, fully one third (128) of the towns in New Jersey with environmental commissions have received planning money through the program to carry out studies and inventories of natural resources and open space, and develop plans for more livable and environmentally sustainable communities. Grants range from $3,000 to $20,000.

By underwriting Smart Growth grants since 2002, the Dodge Foundation has leveraged more than a million additional dollars in municipal budget funds, other grants and in-kind services for developing environmental resource inventories, open space plans, conservation elements, ground water studies, build-out analyses, ordinances and bike/pedestrian plans, according to the press release.

In addition, towns have obtained millions of dollars in Green Acres and state farmland preservation grants after submitting open space and farmland preservation plans developed under the Smart Growth program.

To be eligible for a grant, a town or county must have a functioning environmental commission that will manage or participate in the project.

In addition to working with consultants and other boards on the projects, environmental commissions involve and inform residents about the work through surveys, press releases, newsletter and Web site articles and information booths at public events, as well as public meetings and hearings.

More than 350 of New Jersey's 500-plus municipalities have an environmental commission, an appointed board that advises local government and educates residents on environmental and land use issues facing the community.

ANJEC is a statewide nonprofit organization that supports local environmental commissions through workshops, publications, a resource center and a Web site, www.anjec.org.

Under expanded eligibility guidelines in 2007, Camden County will be the first county to receive a Smart Growth grant. The county will use the funds to develop a Central Camden County Bicycling and Multi-Use Trails Master Plan for 10 contiguous towns.

Camden County is one of five New Jersey counties that have an active environmental commission or board.

Mine Hill, Randolph and Chester townships in Morris County will receive funding for a joint project, the Lamington River Watershed Study and Restoration Plan.