The Edwin B. Forsythe National Refuge can be expanded only if Congress appropriates monies each fiscal year. You can help by writing Congress.
You can help expand the Forysthe Refuge by writing any of the members of Congress listed below. Urge them to appropriate maximum funding for the Forsythe Refuge in the coming year.
Your letter may contain thoughts from Save Barnegat Bay’s letter below, as well as your own concerns.
[The five properties under contract for acquisition are listed below the letter.]
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906-B Grand Central Ave.
Lavallette, NJ 08735
March 9, 2005
Hon. Frank Lautenberg
U.S. Senate
825 A Senate Hart Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Hon. Jon Corzine
U.S. Senate
502 Senate Hart Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Hon. Jim Saxton
U.S. House of Representatives
339 Cannon Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Hon. Chris Smith
U.S. House of Representatives
2373 Rayburn Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Hon. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen
U.S. House of Representatives
2442 Rayburn Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senators and Congressmen,
On behalf of Save Barnegat Bay and over 1,500 of our supporters, we are requesting maximum funding for the acquisition of land and expansion of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge has been a major benefit to the water quality, native flora and fauna, and the tourist economy of New Jersey. Over the last two decades Congress has generously appropriated millions of dollars from the Land and Water Conversation Fund for the expansion of the Forsythe Refuge by purchase from willing sellers. The conservation of open space is a major goal of the people of New Jersey. Purchasing land for permanent protection achieves tangible environmental benefits in a consensus manner benefiting nature, the public, and land owners.
Currently there are at least four properties totaling 225 acres that are under contract and awaiting federal funding addition to the Forsythe Refuge for 2005. [See attached spreadsheet.] The cost of the 225 acres under contract is $3,275,000. In the past two fiscal years Congressional funding for Forsythe acquisition from the Land and Water Conservation fund has been sparse. We hope that progress can be made during the coming fiscal year.
Save Barnegat Bay thanks the members of Congress involved in the appropriation process involving the acquisition of land for the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. We ask for your continued generous support in effectuating the maximum practicable appropriation of funds for the Forsythe Refuge for fiscal year 2006.
Sincerely,
William deCamp Jr.
President
Save Barnegat Bay
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2005 Forsythe NWR acquisition priorities:
All these projects are UNDER CONTRACT and await federal funding:
1 – Mystic Island
Little Egg Harbor Township
Ocean County
80 acres
$970,000
(completes project)
2 – Forked River Game Farm
Lacey Township
State of NJ
25 acres
$625,000
(completes project)
3 – Great Creek Road piece
Galloway Township
J&M Land
114 acres
$1,500,000
4 – Jennings Road piece
Stafford Township
Riggs
6 acres
$180,000
TOTAL ACREAGE: 225
TOTAL COST: $3,275,000
