If you are a Fisherman, beach goer or just love walking on the sand then you should care about this.
NJ Governor Christie’s DEP has proposed new rules that take a giant step backwards for beach access.
These proposed beach access rules won’t increase oceanfront beach access, but they make it easier for inaccessible beaches to get state beach replenishment money. They will also make it harder to access the waters of inland bays and rivers.
If NJ taxpayers are paying for beach replenishment, they should be able to get to that sand. These rules don’t do that.
These proposed rules would also let towns create their own beach access plans, allowing inaccessible beaches to stay that way.
The current beach access rules are good. The changes proposed are too drastic and they are unnecessary.
No money for Private Beaches
*Here is a pre-written letter you can cut/paste and send out to the govenor*
Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625.
Sir,
I have just learned of your proposal to change New Jersey's beach access rules. Your proposal would allow towns with inaccessible beaches to receive public beach replenishment funds. I am wholeheartedly against this.
The current system is fair since towns with inaccessible beaches have to improve public access before they get replenishment money. We elected you because we thought you would be a good steward of our tax dollars. This is far from it.
Furthermore your proposed rules would allow towns to make their own waterfront and beach access plans. This will do nothing to open up the beaches that are essentially private right now.
Please consider changing your rule proposal to protect taxpayers from this injustice and to make more of our waterfronts and beaches accessible to all.
Sincerely,
