Investing in environment will pay huge dividends Gov. Jon Corzine says he wants to see more green in New Jersey, the kind that grows on trees and absorbs harmful carbon from the air. To do that, the state needs the other kind of green to pay off our state's massive $32 billion debt. Despite New Jersey's difficult financial state, I urge the governor to reconsider the projected cuts to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and state parks, and make a top priority of creating a stable source of funding for the Garden State Preservation Trust. New Jersey is a national leader in the effort to reduce greenhouse gases that are causing the warming of the Earth's temperature. Legislation signed by Corzine last summer calls for greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020 - a decrease of about 20 percent - and for emissions to be further reduced to 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050. Cutting energy consumption is one big piece of the puzzle, but so is preserving our green lands. Then there's the question of economics. Closing down parks, swimming areas and camping areas would result in some savings to the state by reducing personnel and maintenance. But accessible and well-maintained natural areas are a boon to New Jersey's growing eco-tourism economy. Each year, wildliferelated recreation, including fishing, hunting and nature observation, generates $3.9 billion, creates over 37,000 jobs and brings in nearly $170 million in sales tax revenue. Preserved open lands also help stabilize property taxes by requiring fewer services, reduce water treatment costs by protecting water sources, and control flooding by absorbing storm water. With the passage of ballot question 3 last November - allowing the borrowing of $200 million for parks, open space, farmland, historic sites and flood control - voters sent a clear message to our leaders that New Jersey's quality of life is of utmost importance to them. The governor is right to make a priority of getting New Jersey back on a healthy fiscal track. Protecting our air, water, lands and natural resources is a fundamental part of the solution. I hope you'll contact me at info@njconservation.org or visit New Jersey Conservation Foundation's Web site at www.njconservation.org for more information about conserving New Jersey's precious land and natural resources. Michele S. Byers Executive Director New Jersey Conservation Foundation