13:13A-6. Selection of land sites for acquisition

a. The department shall, within 1 month after this act takes effect, proceed to locate, survey and select critical land sites, and within 1 year after this act takes effect, and from time to time thereafter, such other land sites appertaining to the park which may be advisable, proper or necessary for the purpose of establishing the park and to expand and preserve the uses, benefits, and enjoyments thereof to the people, and report its findings, including its recommended priorities, and a schedule of required funding for the acquisition of such lands, pursuant to the provisions of subsection 6 d. of this act, to the Legislature.

b. In locating, surveying, and selecting the land sites mentioned in subsection 6 a. of this act, the department shall: (1) assemble a detailed data base, including updated mapping and zoning information, to determine the ownership and use of lands appertaining to park properties; and (2) consult with the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission, county and municipal governmental officials of jurisdictions in which the State park or any of the land sites therefor are located; concerned environmental groups; water suppliers; historical associations and such State agencies as now or hereafter have jurisdiction over the park, or any part thereof.

c. In determining which land sites described in subsection 6 a. of this act should be recommended to the Legislature for acquisition, the department shall consider: (1) the existence of present historical structures; (2) the immediate danger of an occurrence of adverse impact to the park including, but not limited to, drainage, esthetic, and ecological factors; (3) proximity to high-density population concentrations; and (4) the availability of land at a cost advantageous to the State.

d. The department shall, pursuant to the provisions of subsection 6 a. of this act, determine and recommend to the Legislature a schedule of required funding for the acquisition of those land sites described in subsection 6 a. of this act. The schedule may provide for any combination of: (1) inclusion of necessary revenues in a future State bond issue for the acquisition of open space or other lands; (2) special authorization for purposes of completing the State Park; and (3) local-State matching fund proposals to implement or expand the agreed plan.

e. The department, in locating, surveying, and selecting the land sites described in subsection 6 a. of this act, and in assembling a detailed data base pursuant to subsection 6 b. of this act shall locate, survey, select, and recommend to the commission land sites to be included in the review zone, pursuant to the provisions of subsection 14 a. of this act; provided that such recommendations shall not be binding on the commission.

f. The department shall, within 3 months after this act takes effect, proceed to locate, survey, and select the abandoned section of the canal, in the township of Hamilton, county of Mercer, which, for purposes of this act, shall be considered part of the canal.

g. The department shall in locating, surveying, and selecting the land sites described in subsection 6 a. of this act, exclude those lands situated between the Landing Lane bridge and the juncture of the canal with the Raritan river.

L.1974, c. 118, s. 6, eff. Oct. 10, 1974.