Carbon County residents favored officials taking out a $10 million loan that would help preserve water quality, working farms and wildlife habitats for future generations.

During the General Election Tuesday, Carbon voters were asked whether or not they would accept the county issuing a 20-year general obligation bond to support the preservation initiative by the Carbon County Agricultural Land Preservation Board.

A total of 21,014 voters said yes, while 4,394 voters cast no votes for the referendum.

The bond will add about $22 a year in property taxes for the average homeowner.

The bond will allow the board to help preserve the agricultural land and drinking water sources; ensure Carbon County has safe, healthy and affordable local food; to protect wildlife habitat, natural area, scenic views and areas like Lehigh Gorge and Blue Mountain for future generations to enjoy; and to provide places for nature education for children.

“I am surprised by the amount of residents of this county who want to preserve our farmland and environment,” said Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein Wednesday morning. “There is a process we must now work on to acquire the funding and how the process we will in a fair and equitable way.”

Commissioner Rocky Ahner said he thinks this is a good thing and the votes showed the people support it.

He noted that the commissioners will be meeting with Dennis DeMara, a lifelong resident of Carbon County who has been instrumental in the conservation and preservation of various natural resources, including developing Mauch Chunk Lake, the Environmental Center and the D & L Trail, on Thursday during the commissioners’ meeting to go over their options and see what the process will be moving forward on a bond.

DeMara said, “Development is coming to Carbon County, and we want development, but we want it done in a way that benefits the residents of Carbon County without destroying our valuable natural resources.”

DeMara previously said that this bond would be a “long-term investment” for Carbon County and will provide for future generations.

The referendum question came about two years ago, when the Carbon County Agricultural Land Preservation Board began looking at funding sources because of the need for funding to help farmers who want to join the preservation list.

At the time, there were 930 acres of family-owned farms that wanted to be included in the land preservation, but the preservation board didn’t have the funds to be able to do it.

Once issued, the bond will allow the preservation board to be able to use it for matching grants to keep the program growing, while also finding the balance between preservation and development.

The Carbon County Commissioners did not need a voter referendum to borrow the money, but felt the taxpayers should have a say because it would be funded by the taxpayers.