Gov. James E. McGreevey's proposal to save the northern Highlands finally came out of the closet yesterday. And there was at least one big surprise.

A map of core preservation areas, where development will be sharply curtailed, increased slightly to 395,000 acres. But the amount of privately owned, undeveloped land in the core jumped dramatically from earlier estimates, to 145,000 acres.

Roughly 45 percent of the core preservation area - the most important watershed lands in a seven-county region that supplies drinking water to half the state - is already preserved. Another 20 percent is developed.

McGreevey and his environmental scientists have, from the beginning, stressed that the map was a work in progress. Their earliest estimates, however, talked about restrictions on as many as 110,000 acres of private land or as little as 60,000 acres.

The absence of a map had become a lightning rod for criticism, with builders, farmers and others railing about a government land grab being conducted in secrecy. Environmentalists praised the map and said the logic of saving the core had now become obvious.

"The map gives the average person an understanding of where these lands are and why they are important," said Jeff Tittel of the state Sierra Club chapter. "They see the reservoirs, the streams that feed them, the forests."

The increase in privately owned land is likely to fuel even more opposition, however, by builders and some landowners. The New Jersey Builders Association was still analyzing a 25-page description of the core's boundaries released yesterday and declined to comment. An actual map wasn't released until nearly 6 p.m.

Tittel said one key reason for the increase is that elected officials had asked that important environmental lands in their towns be added. He specifically cited Lebanon and Tewksbury townships as two places where that happened.

In a joint press release, sponsors of the bill that would enact McGreevey's proposal said it was important to unveil the core publicly. They stressed that changes could be suggested for 30 days beginning Thursday, when the Assembly and Senate environment committees are scheduled to vote. The bill would still require approval by the full Legislature.

"Now, residents can see more clearly that we're not trying to prevent development in the entire Highlands region, just steer unhealthy development away from the most sensitive areas," said Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D-Essex), a key sponsor. "I defy anyone to disagree that the core areas we have targeted for preservation are critical to the future of New Jersey's drinking water supply."

Much of the 145,000 acres of privately owned land in the core is on steep slopes, wetlands or crossed by pristine streams, making it much harder to develop even under current environmental rules.

If the pending bill (S1/A2635) passes, a regional council dominated by locally elected officials would have veto power over all residential development on more than one acre and all commercial development on more than two acres. Tough environmental regulation - banning, for example, development on steep slopes, along streams and in forests - would begin immediately.

Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), the other key sponsor, said numerous amendments are being drafted in response to criticisms that have surfaced during a series of public hearings.

One important change, he said, would exempt towns trying to do road work or build ballfields. There also are ongoing negotiations with farmers, who are concerned that agriculture is not specifically named as a "preferred use" in the region. About 35,000 acres of farmland are in the core, only about 3,800 acres of which are already preserved.

The amendments won't likely sway the most angry builders and landowners, however. And even legislators who raised questions said the release of the map is just the beginning.

"Even mayors who thought this was a good idea are starting to say, 'Let's slow down and get this right,'" said Assemblyman Guy Gregg (R- Sussex). "Can this bill be fixed so everyone agrees? I don't know."

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Staff Writer Lawrence Ragonese contributed to this story. Copyright 2004 The Star-Ledger.