NJ A1616

Establishes a State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) program to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands, permanently restricting their development for agricultural, silvicultural, and horticultural use.

Eligible woodlands must be at least 20 acres, have at least 10 percent canopy cover, and be devoted to agricultural production or tree/forest product sales, with non-agricultural areas managed under approved forest stewardship plans.

Authorizes grants covering up to 80 percent of acquisition costs for local government units and qualifying tax-exempt nonprofits purchasing woodland development easements.

Permits funding through constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues in the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund, as well as federal programs including the Forest Legacy Program and Healthy Forests Reserve Program.

Requires SADC to adopt rules and regulations within one year, including application procedures and priority ranking criteria for projects.