The program has protected eight waterfront area properties in New York City and nine properties in New Jersey.

“The Port Authority has delivered on its commitment to the environment by investing in communities throughout the region to create much-needed public spaces, while also protecting critical coastal habitat and wetlands for migratory birds and other wildlife,” said PA board chairman David Samson in a statement after the authorization vote Thursday.

“Vital wetlands are protected from development and families and community members throughout Newark and Essex County get a wonderful place to relax, have a picnic and enjoy the outdoors,” said the authority’s executive director, Pat Foye.

Since PA program was launched in 2001, it has contributed to projects that purchased property in four Meadowlands areas:

• 90 acres of waterfront property in Meadowlark, Bergen County, providing public access and preserving marshes, open water and uplands.

• 10.6 acres of open space waterfront access areas in the Murray Hill section of East Rutherford, preserving wetlands and maintaining a habitat for shorebirds.

• 1.6 acres at Boulevard Tire in Secaucus providing access and parkland along the Hackensack River.

• 3 acres in River Barge Park in Carlstadt at the site of the original Barge Club, making the Hackensack River waterfront accessible.

The River Barge Park opened last year with a public boat ramp, promenade, fishing piers, restored salt marsh, outdoor environmental classroom, paddle center, and boat storage building.

In Hudson County, the PA has contributed $4 million toward the $12.5 million cost of acquiring 32.5 acres of property along the Hackensack in Jersey City to provide waterfront access for “underserved communities.” A river walk and pedestrian bridge are planned.