reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-20 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-20 - Legislative findings

13:8A-20. Legislative findings  The Legislature hereby finds that: a. The provision of lands for public recreation and conservation of natural resources promotes the public health, prosperity and general welfare and is a proper responsibility of government; b. Lands now provided for such purposes will not be adequate to meet the needs of an expanding population in years to come; c. The expansion of population, while increasing the need for such lands, will continually diminish the supply and tend to increase the cost of public acquisition of lands available and appropriate for such purposes; d. The State of New Jersey must act now to acquire and to assist local governments to acquire substantial quantities of such lands as are now available and appropriate so that they may be preserved and developed for such purposes; e. Since the most critical need for open lands now exists in the urban sectors of the State, special attention should be focused on the provision of lands for such purposes; f. Acquisition of lands actively devoted to agriculture shall be avoided whenever possible and in lieu thereof, whenever feasible, development rights, conservation easements and other interest less than a fee simple shall be acquired; g. Of the approved $80 million "New Jersey Green Acres Bond Act of 1971," the sum of $20 million is needed now to make such acquisition possible in order to effectively implement a continuing Open Land Conservation Program and to augment the lands acquired and set aside for the people of New Jersey under the combined State and Local Assistance Program completed under the 1961 State Recreation and Conservation Land Acquisition Fund; h. Such sum will be made available by the sale of bonds authorized by the New Jersey Green Acres Land Acquisition Bond Act of 1971 approved by the people of the State of New Jersey; i. It is desirable to appropriate said sum for prompt use and to specify the manner in which the Legislature now proposes that such sum, and such other funds as may be appropriated, shall be used for such purposes. L.1971, c. 419, s. 2, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-21 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-21 - Definitions

13:8A-21. Definitions  Except as the context may otherwise require: a. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Environmental Protection or his designated representative; b. "Local unit" means a municipality, county or other political subdivision of this State, or any agency thereof authorized to administer, protect and maintain lands for recreation and conservation purposes. c. "Recreation and conservation purposes" means use of lands for parks, natural, and historic areas, forests, camping, fishing, water reserve, wildlife, hunting, boating, recreation centers, winter sports and similar uses for public recreation and conservation of natural resources; d. "Land" or "lands" means real property, including improvements thereof or thereon, rights of way, water and other rights, easements, privileges and all other rights or interests of any kind or description in, relating to, connected with real property. L.1971, c. 419, s. 3, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-22 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-22 - Use of moneys

13:8A-22. Use of moneys  The commissioner shall use the sum appropriated by this act from the proceeds of the sale of bonds under the New Jersey Green Acres Land Acquisition Act of 1971, and such other sums as may be appropriated from time to time for like purposes, to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes and to make grants to assist local units to acquire lands for such purposes, subject to the conditions and limitations prescribed by this act. L.1971, c. 419, s. 4, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-23 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-23 - Guidelines in acquisition of lands and making grants

13:8A-23. Guidelines in acquisition of lands and making grants  In acquiring lands and making grants to assist local units to acquire lands the commissioner shall: a. Seek to achieve a reasonable balance among all areas of the State in consideration of the relative adequacy of area recreation and conservation facilities at the time and the relative anticipated future needs for additional recreation and conservation facilities; b. Insofar as practicable, limit acquisition to predominantly open and natural land and to minimize the cost of acquisition and the subsequent expense necessary to render land suitable for recreation and conservation purposes; c. Wherever possible, select land for acquisition which is suitable for multiple recreation and conservation purposes; d. Give due consideration to coordination with the plans of other departments of State Government with respect to land use or acquisition; e. Acquisition of lands actively devoted to agriculture shall be avoided whenever possible and in lieu thereof, whenever feasible, development rights, conservation easements and other interests less than a fee simple shall be acquired. L.1971, c. 419, s. 5, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-25 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-25 - Rules and regulations on administration, operation and use of acquired lands

13:8A-25. Rules and regulations on administration, operation and use of acquired lands  The commissioner shall prescribe rules and regulations governing the administration, operation and use of lands acquired by the State under this act to effect the purpose of this act. L.1971, c. 419, s. 7, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-26 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-26 - Acquisition of lands by local units

13:8A-26. Acquisition of lands by local units  Lands approved by the commissioner for acquisition by a local unit with State assistance shall be acquired by and in the name of the local unit and may be acquired in any manner authorized by law for the acquisition of lands for such purposes by the local unit. L.1971, c. 419, s. 8, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-27 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-27 - Grant to assist local unit to acquire lands for recreation and conservation use; conditions

13:8A-27. Grant to assist local unit to acquire lands for recreation and conservation use; conditions  A grant to assist a local unit to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes shall not be made under this act until: a. The local unit has applied to the commissioner on forms prescribed by him describing the land acquisition for which a grant is sought, stating the recreation and conservation purpose or purposes to which such lands will be devoted, stating the facts which give rise to the need for such lands for such purpose, enclosing a comprehensive plan for the development of the local unit or a comprehensive conservation or environment protection plan for the preservation of the local unit approved by its governing body, or both, and stating such other matters as the commissioner shall prescribe; b. The commissioner shall have prescribed the terms and conditions under which the grant applied for will be made; c. The local unit shall have filed with the commissioner its application for appropriate funding under the Federal Open Space Park and Recreation Program; d. The local unit shall have filed with the commissioner its acceptance of such terms and conditions, and has otherwise complied with the provisions of this act. L.1971, c. 419, s. 9, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-28 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-28 - Grant to local unit; prerequisite of adoption of regulations governing administration, use and development of lands; alteration of regulations; approval

13:8A-28. Grant to local unit; prerequisite of adoption of regulations governing administration, use and development of lands; alteration of regulations; approval  A grant may not be made under this act until the local unit has adopted regulations governing the administration, use and development of the lands in question, and until the commissioner shall have approved such regulations. No such regulations may be altered thereafter without the approval of the commissioner. L.1971, c. 419, s. 10, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-29 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-29 - Grants; payment upon certification of approval; limitation

13:8A-29. Grants; payment upon certification of approval; limitation  Grants under this act shall be made by the State Treasurer upon certification of approval by the commissioner. Each grant shall be in an amount equal to not more than 50% of the actual cost of the lands in question. L.1971, c. 419, s. 11, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-30 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-30 - Power to acquire lands subject to leases or conservation easements

13:8A-30. Power to acquire lands subject to leases or conservation easements  Without limitation of the definition of "lands" herein, the commissioner may acquire, or approve grants to assist a local unit to acquire: a. Lands subject to the right of another to occupy the same for a period measured in years or otherwise; or b. An interest or right consisting, in whole or in part, of a restriction on the use of land by others including owners of other interests therein; such interest or right sometimes known as a "conservation easement." L.1971, c. 419, s. 12, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-31 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-31 - Use of acquired lands

13:8A-31. Use of acquired lands  13. a. Lands acquired by a local unit with the aid of a grant under this act shall not be disposed of or diverted to a use for other than recreation and conservation purposes without the approval of the commissioner and the State House Commission and following a public hearing at least one month prior to any such approvals. Such approval of the State House Commission shall not be given unless the local unit shall agree to pay an amount equal to 50% of the current value of such land, as determined by the commission, into the State Recreation and Conservation Land Acquisition Fund, if the original grant shall have been made from that fund, or, if not, then into the State Treasury. Money so returned to said fund shall be deemed wholly a part of the portion of that fund available for grants to local units under this act.  b. Lands acquired by the State under this act with money from the State Recreation and Conservation Land Acquisition Fund shall not be disposed of or diverted to use for other than recreation and conservation purposes without the approval of the State House Commission and unless the disposal or diversion is executed in accordance with P.L.1993, c.38 (C.13:1D-51 et al.). Such approval shall not be given unless the commissioner shall agree to pay an amount equal to the value of such land, as determined by the commission, into that fund. Money so returned to said fund shall be deemed wholly a part of the portion of that fund available for land acquisition by the State under this act.  c. If land acquired by the State under this act with money from the State Recreation and Conservation Land Acquisition Fund is subsequently developed for any water supply projects, the commissioner shall pay an amount equal to the current value of the land so developed, as said value is determined by the State House Commission, into that fund. Money so returned to the fund shall be deemed wholly a part of the portion of that fund available for land acquisition by the State under this act. The commissioner shall make said payment from any funds available for such purpose in the State Water Development Fund or other water development moneys appropriated and available for such purpose.  L.1971,c.419,s.13; amended 1993,c.38,s.10.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-32 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-32 - Prohibition of discrimination in use of lands

13:8A-32. Prohibition of discrimination in use of lands  Use of lands acquired under this act by the State or with State assistance shall not be restricted by any conditions of race, creed, color or nationality, and shall not be restricted by any condition of residence except by direction of or with the approval of the commissioner. L.1971, c. 419, s. 14, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-33 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-33 - Sale of lands to state by local unit

13:8A-33. Sale of lands to state by local unit  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, lands to be acquired by the State under this act from any local unit may be sold to the State by the unit at private sale. L.1971, c. 419, s. 15, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-34 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-34 - Assistance rendered by commissioner to help in acquisition of lands

13:8A-34. Assistance rendered by commissioner to help in acquisition of lands  The commissioner, in executing this act, may do all things necessary or useful and convenient in connection with the acquisition of lands by the State or with the assistance of the State, including the following: a. Make arrangements for and direct (1) engineering, inspection, legal, financial, geological, hydrological and professional services, estimates and advice; (ii) and organizational, administrative and other work and services; b. Enter on any lands for the purpose of making surveys, borings, soundings or other inspections or examinations; c. Prescribe rules and regulations to implement any provisions of this act. L.1971, c. 419, s. 16, eff. Jan. 24, 1972.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-35 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-35 - Short title

13:8A-35. Short title  This act may be cited as the "New Jersey Green Acres Land Acquisition and Recreation Opportunities Act." L.1975, c. 155, s. 1, eff. July 15, 1975.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-36 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-36 - Legislative findings

13:8A-36. Legislative findings  The Legislature hereby finds that: a. The provision of lands for public recreation and the conservation of natural resources promotes the public health, prosperity and general welfare and is a proper responsibility of government; b. Lands now provided for such purposes will not be adequate to meet the needs of an expanding population in years to come; c. The expansion of population, while increasing the need for such lands, will continually diminish the supply and tend to increase the cost of public acquisition of lands available and appropriate for such purposes; d. It is necessary to provide funds to assure that lands which have been, or which may hereafter be, acquired for recreation and conservation purposes can be developed to provide public recreation and conservation opportunities and to implement the New Jersey Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan; e. The State of New Jersey must act now to acquire and develop as well as to assist local units to acquire and develop substantial quantities of such lands as are now available and appropriate for such purposes so that they may be used and preserved for use for such purposes; f. Of the approved $200 million "New Jersey Green Acres and Recreation Opportunities Bond Act of 1974," the sum of $30 million is needed at this time for the acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes to augment the lands acquired for the people of New Jersey; g. Of the approved $200 million "New Jersey Green Acres and Recreation Opportunities Bond Act of 1974," the sum of $30 million is needed at this time for the development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes and to provide recreation and conservation opportunities to the people of New Jersey; and h. Such sums will be made available by the sale of bonds authorized by the New Jersey Green Acres and Recreation Opportunities Bond Act of 1974 approved by the people of the State of New Jersey. L.1975, c. 155, s. 2, eff. July 15, 1975.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-37 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-37 - Definitions

13:8A-37. Definitions  Except as the context may otherwise require: a. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Environmental Protection or his designated representative; b. "Cost," as used with respect to cost of acquisition or cost of development, shall include, in addition to the usual connotations thereof, the cost of all things deemed necessary or useful and convenient in connection with the acquisition and development of lands by or with the assistance of the State, for recreation and conservation purposes, including expenditures by the State for the cost of issuance of bonds, the cost of engineering, inspection, relocation services, legal, financial, geological, hydrological and other professional services, the cost of organizational, administrative and other work and services of the State, including salaries, supplies, equipment and materials necessary to administer this act, and the cost of reimbursement of any fund or account from which moneys shall have been advanced to the State Recreation and Conservation Land Acquisition and Development Fund; c. "Development" means any improvement to land or water areas designed to expand and enhance their utilization for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes, including but not limited to engineering and architectural fees, site preparation, construction of recreation facilities, and equipment necessary to make a facility initially operable. Development may also include, but not be limited to, the following types of ancillary support facilities: roadways, parking, landscaping, fencing, lighting, utilities, and buildings in support of outdoor recreation; d. "Land" or "lands" means real property, including improvements thereof or thereon, rights-of-way, water, riparian and other rights, easements, privileges and all other rights or interest of any kind or description in, relating to or connected with real property; e. "Local unit" means a municipality, county or other political subdivision of this State, or any agency thereof authorized to administer, protect, develop and maintain lands for recreation and conservation purposes; f. "Recreation and conservation purposes" means use of lands for parks, natural areas, historic areas, forests, camping, fishing, water reserves, wildlife, reservoirs, hunting, boating, winter sports and similar uses for either public outdoor recreation or conservation of natural resources, or both. L.1975, c. 155, s. 3, eff. July 15, 1975.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-38 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-38 - Use of funds

13:8A-38. Use of funds  The commissioner shall use the sums appropriated by this act from the proceeds of the sale of bonds under the New Jersey Green Acres and Recreation Opportunities Bond Act of 1974 and such other sums as may be appropriated from time to time for like purposes, to acquire and develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes and to make grants to assist local units to acquire and develop lands for such purposes, subject to the conditions and limitations prescribed by this act. L.1975, c. 155, s. 4, eff. July 15, 1975.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-39 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-39 - Considerations in acquisition and development of lands and in grants to assist local units

13:8A-39. Considerations in acquisition and development of lands and in grants to assist local units  In acquiring and developing lands and making grants to assist local units to acquire and develop lands the commissioner shall: a. Seek to achieve a reasonable balance among all areas of the State in consideration of the relative adequacy of area recreation and conservation facilities at the time and the relative anticipated future needs for additional recreation and conservation facilities; b. Insofar as practicable, limit acquisition to predominantly open and natural land and minimize the cost of acquisition and the subsequent expense necessary to develop such land for recreation and conservation purposes; c. Wherever possible, select land for acquisition which is suitable for multiple recreation and conservation purposes; d. Give due consideration to coordination with the plans of other departments of State Government with respect to land use or acquisition; e. Avoid acquisition of lands actively devoted to agriculture whenever possible and in lieu thereof, whenever feasible, development rights, conservation easements and other interests less than a fee simple shall be acquired; L.1975, c. 155, s. 5, eff. July 15, 1975.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-40 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-40 - Acquisition of lands; purchase or condemnation

13:8A-40. Acquisition of lands; purchase or condemnation  a. Lands acquired by the State shall be acquired by the commissioner in the name of the State. They may be acquired by purchase or otherwise on such terms and conditions as the commissioner shall determine, or by condemnation in the manner provided in the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c. 361 (C. 20:3-1 et seq.). This power of acquisition shall extend to lands held by any local unit. b. At any time contemporaneous with or after the institution of an action and service of process, the condemnor may file in the action, a declaration of taking pursuant to section 17 of P.L.1971, c. 361 (C. 20:3-17) and simultaneously therewith shall, pursuant to section 18 of P.L.1971, c. 361 (C. 20:3-18) deposit the amount of the estimated compensation with the clerk of the Superior Court. c. The condemnor shall have the right to the immediate and exclusive possession of the property upon complying with section 19 of P.L.1971, c. 361 (C. 20:3-19). Thereafter, upon application of any condemnee, or any other party in interest, and on notice to all parties to the action, and pursuant to section 23 of P.L.1971, c. 361 (C. 20:3-23), the court may direct that the estimated compensation on deposit, or any part thereof, be withdrawn. L.1975, c. 155, s. 6, eff. July 15, 1975.
NJ Rev Stat § 13:8A-41 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 13 - Conservation and Development--Parks and Reservations|Section 13:8A-41 - Rules and regulations governing administration, operation and use

13:8A-41. Rules and regulations governing administration, operation and use  The commissioner may prescribe rules and regulations governing the administration, operation and use of lands acquired or developed by the State under this act to effect the purpose of this act. L.1975, c. 155, s. 7, eff. July 15, 1975.