Land appears headed for preservation rolls PLUMSTED - Two parcels of natural lands in Plumsted are expected to be preserved under Ocean County's Natural Lands Trust Fund Program with some financial partnering from the township. Plumsted is offering to partner with Ocean County in order to acquire two properties in the township totaling about 80 acres. "The township has $785,000 available from the New Jersey Green Acres program for the acquisition of properties," said Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director James F. Lacey. "If the Green Acres approves it, Plumsted would contribute about 48.5 percent of the purchase price of both properties." Once acquired, Ocean County would retain ownership of the two properties under its Natural Lands Program. "I would like to thank Plumsted Mayor Ronald Dancer and the Township Committee for its ongoing support to preserve both farmland and natural lands in the township," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly. "The township has closely worked with Ocean County in sharing the cost of these acquisitions. That partnership has resulted in many benefits for our residents and the environment." According to a press release, under the cost sharing proposal, Plumsted will share in the cost of buying 23 acres at Route 539 and Route 528 known as the Goldman property and 56.10 acres along Long Swamp Road known as the Nash property. The Nash property, which has high environmental sensitivity features and is adjacent to state property and close to the boundary of Fort Dix, has already been approved for acquisition by the Board of Freeholders for $450,000. The Natural Lands Advisory Com-mittee has recommended the acquisition of the Goldman property to the Board of Freeholders at a cost of $1,170,000. The property is near the established Lakewood Preservation Area and consists of uplands populated by oaks and holly trees. To date, 6,509 acres of natural lands have been preserved under the county's Natural Lands Program and another 421 acres have been approved for acquisition, according to the press release. "Working in partnership with our municipalities to preserve open space enhances the county's Natural Lands Program," Lacey said. "Plumsted has helped in preserving not only natural lands, but many acres of farmland. We appreciate these efforts."