A $10 million dollar question is on the ballot for Carbon County voters next week.

In January, the county commissioners adopted a resolution to put a ballot referendum on the November general election. The action seeks public input on issuing a $10 million, 20-year general obligation bond to support the preservation initiative by the Carbon County Agricultural Land Preservation Board.

Carbon County Commissioner Chris Lukasevich posted on his Facebook page this week that the increase for property owners would be about $22 extra a year for the average homeowner.

The reason for this bond would be to 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.

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, said at the time that this bond would be a “long-term investment” for Carbon County and will provide for future generations.

“The people in this county love its natural resources. They are some of the greatest aspects of this county, and we want to keep that,” said Dan Kunkle, chairman of Carbon County Citizens for Water, Farms and Land, in September.

While officials don’t oppose developing land, they are working to find a balance between development, agricultural and preservation.

Thirty percent of Carbon County - a total of 73,872 acres - is already protected through state parks and game lands.

Another 33,000 acres currently not protected - including wildlife habitat and prime agricultural land - has been given a high priority for preservation by land preservation groups.

Two years ago, The Carbon County Agricultural Land Preservation Board kicked off this process toward the bond 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, but the preservation board didn’t have the funds to be able to do it.

If the referendum passes, DeMara said last month that the money would enable Carbon to use it for matching grants in the future and keep the program growing.

The Carbon County Commissioners do not need the referendum to borrow the money, but they say they want to hear from voters, because it will ultimately be taxpayer funds that pay for it.

Kunkle said that if the county does not take steps to preserve its natural resources, the cost will be much greater than the cost of the referendum.