New Jersey To Preserve Over 5,000 Acres In South Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey is spending $9.7 million to preserve more than 5,000 acres of woodlands and wetlands in Atlantic County's Great Egg Harbor River watershed.

The deal helps link more than 56,000 acres of previously existing state wildlife management areas, plus thousands of additional acres of county parkland.

The state's Green Acres program is purchasing the land from Lenape Farms and HBH Associates. The property flanks Route 50 in Estell Manor.

The Environmental Protection Department says the purchase protects the headwaters of Steven's Creek, Gibson's Creek and Mill Creek, which are tributaries to Great Egg Harbor River.

The property provides habitat for the barred owl, northern pine snake, Pine Barrens tree frog, Cooper's hawk, timber rattlesnake, Cope's gray tree frog, bald eagle, red-headed woodpecker and diamondback terrapin.

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