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South Jersey Gas Acquisitions
BACKGROUND: As part of a global groundwater NRD settlement with South Jersey Gas in 2007, four land parcels were preserved using money from the settlement to either purchase in whole or leverage with other funds. A description of each parcel is described below:
Darmstadt
LOCATION: Darmstadt Avenue, Mullica Township, Atlantic County Block 9701, Lot 5
ACREAGE: 71.6 Acres
DESCRIPTION: This parcel is owned by the NJ Conservation Foundation and a conservation easement is placed on it for future preservation in perpetuity. The majority of the land provides excellent ground water recharge. The parcel was totally funded with NRD monies.
Codario
LOCATION: Buena Vista Township, Atlantic County Block 2701, Lot 8
ACREAGE: 128 Acres
DESCRIPTION: This parcel was purchased by the Unexpected Wildlife Refuge (UWR), a non-profit land trust, in 2006 to add to their 700-acre wildlife refuge located in Atlantic and Gloucester Counties. To purchase the property which was under threat of development, UWR had to secure a bridge loan. Through the sale of Pineland’s Development Credits, a State Green Acres nonprofit grant, and private fundraising, UWR was still short $100,000 to pay off the bridge loan. This shortage of funds was part of the settlement with South Jersey Gas and a conservation easement is placed on the parcel to protect it in perpetuity.
Mackannan
LOCATION: Oldmans Township, Salem County Block 14 Lots 7,8 and 10
ACREAGE: 37.5 Acres
DESCRIPTION: This parcel is located within a large farming region of the Delaware Bay Watershed near preserved farmland as well as prime agricultural lands suited for development. The preservation of this parcel by the South Jersey Land and Water Trust serves to establish a preservation foothold in the Oldman’s Creek and Raccoon Oldman’s Farm Belt. Through the joint funds from private donors, Green Acres Grant Funds and the settlement monies, the parcel was successfully purchased and protected with a conservation easement by the South Jersey Land and Water Trust.
Wharton
LOCATION: Mullica Township, Atlantic County Block 2501 lots 25-38
ACREAGE: 63 Acres
DESCRIPTION: This parcel is in the Elwood Corridor area of Mullica Township and is dominated by mature pitch pine upland with two ephemeral streams supporting a small stand of Atlantic White Cedar. It also connects two units of the Hammonton Creek Watershed Management Area. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation purchased the parcel using funds from a non-profit Green Acres grant, a grant from the Pinelands Conservation Fund, and the settlement monies. There is a conservation easement placed on the parcel to preserve it in perpetuity.
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