Orange County Announces Availability for Open Space Projects

Goshen, N.Y. - Orange County is now accepting applications for open space preservation projects; $1 million is available in 2024.

"Orange County has been at the forefront of preserving open space. Our collaboration with the Orange County Land Trust has led to many successes, and this fund allows us to do more," said County Executive Steve Neuhaus. "I encourage all municipalities and nonprofits to take advantage of this fund. It's the beginning of a new wave of conservation in Orange County!"

What is the Open Space Fund?
Orange County has developed a program to fund open space protection within its jurisdiction. The Fund provides matching support for fee simple, development rights, or conservation easement purchase price as well as closing or stewardship costs up to 50 percent of the purchase price, not to exceed 50 percent of the appraised value.

The program is designed to fulfill the recommendations adopted in several documents, including the Orange County Open Space Plan, the Orange County Comprehensive Plan, and the Orange County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan. The program has established application and approval procedures, including specific criteria to evaluate the proposed projects, as well as required guidelines for the maintenance and monitoring of open space land acquired with financing through the program.

"The Open Space Fund will enable the County to work with local governments, farmers, and not-for-profits to preserve valuable open space," said Commissioner of Orange County Department of Planning Alan J. Sorensen. "If utilized, it will be beneficial for future generations."

Eligibility
Applicants may be municipal applicants, not-for-profits, and individual property owners. Municipal applicants are towns, villages, and cities. Properties already purchased for open space or agriculture protection will not be eligible for funding.

Application:

• All applications submitted to the Orange County Department of Planning will be reviewed in accordance with the Program Guidelines and Project Evaluation Criteria.
• Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on September 13, 2024.
• Applications must include complete copies of all materials described in program guidelines, (to be released prior to each application cycle).
• Submissions must include one original and a digital copy of applications to: Orange County Open Space Fund Program,
  Orange County Department of Planning
  124 Main Street
  Goshen, New York 10924

For more program details, to download an application, a guide with links to complete the application is all available on the Planning Department website: https://www.orangecountygov.com/253/Planning.

For questions, contact the Orange County Department of Planning via email: [email protected] or phone at 1-845-615-3840.

For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to the County Executive, Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845.291.2700 or [email protected].

To learn more about what County Executive Neuhaus is doing for Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on Facebook, @Orange County NY Govt and @steve.neuhaus on Instagram, and @OCGovNY and @SNeuhausOC on X. You can also watch or listen to Neuhaus' NeuCast podcasts and Leadership Speaker Series on YouTube or Spotify.

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