County, Long Beach Twp. Buy 24 Acres Of Open Space

LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, NJ — Ocean County will preserve 24 acres of marsh property in Long Beach Township as open space. The property fronts on Long Beach Boulevard in the Holgate section in the town's south end.

The County's Natural Lands Trust Fund and Long Beach Township will split the negotiated $3 million price. Under the partnership, Ocean County would receive an easement and the township would own and maintain the property.

"By keeping it open space we will be providing a host of natural and environmental benefits to the area,"said Ocean County Freeholder Virginia E. Haines.

Mainly consisting of a coastal marsh, a portion of the property became buildable as a result of sand deposited there during Superstorm Sandy. The sand created an upland and buildable area for about six home sites. It also created a critical nesting habitat for the northern diamondback terrapin.

The wetlands on the property also supports several species, including the state-endangered black skimmer and least tern, the state-threatened black-crowned nigh-heroin, yellow-crowned night-heron, cattle egret and osprey, as well as a variety of other New Jersey species of concern.

“Increasing and enhancing public access to Barnegat Bay is a priority for the Township,” said Long Beach Township Mayor Joseph H. Mancini. “This parcel is the largest acreage in an ongoing series of open space and land acquisitions the Township has made through the municipal open space program.

The county's open-space program now has more than 32,000 acres of natural lands preserved.

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