The Barnegat Light Open Space Committee is an advisory board to Borough Council. The borough is the only municipality on Long Beach Island to have set aside a voter-approved tax of one penny per $100 of assessed valuation to be used for open space. The Open Space Fund will have $220,000 at the end of two years but more is available in matching funds from the federal/state/county level.
Barnegat Light has over 215 acres of open space. The Open Space Committee hopes to preserve the unique charm as a fishing community. The committee is looking more at development rights, for example, “keeping a marina a marina.” Marina preservation was high on the initial discussion list because many marinas today are being replaced by condominium development.
The committee will study the existence of open space within the borough and make a recommendation to Borough Council of those properties that meet the criteria for possible acquisition, whether by fee, easement, or developer rights. Acquired area could be designated as protected, conserved, or special use. The fund can also be used for historical preservation.
The next meeting is June 5 at 9 am and committee members will have a map in front of them to visualize the oceanfront and bayfront lots the borough already owns that might point to conservation of adjacent lots.
