Opportunities for Public Comment

[Gerry Zagorski]

I wanted to make some comments on this issue...

NJDEP is putting forward a proposal that would grant them more power concerning public access to our shore. This would give DEP the authority to restrict/prohibit access to areas considered as critical habitat not only to endangered species, but also to threatened or possibly threatened species. Several of the areas included not just shoreline access, but up to 300yds into the water. The Non Game and Endangered Species Council worked wit DEP on this, but refused to include the Marine Fisheries Council in a stakeholder meeting
Below find the document and the instructions on how to comment
Deadline 2/13/25
https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/wildlife/reg...otection-rule/

A few things here I think are important to mention and expand on.

- I know a lot of people are tired of submitting comments on this sort of stuff because they are ignored. I understand how you feel but you can bet your last dollar that this commission in the NJDEP is doing everything in their power to get the Enviro Extremists to submit comments to stack the deck in their favor. Sit back on this one they definitely get their way.

- More proof of them stacking the deck is that the NJ Marine Fisheries Council was not included as a stake holder in these discussions. Why? Well because they didn't want to include any stake holders, even the ones within the state offices, that might have opposing view to theirs.

Please submit your comments here https://dep.nj.gov/rules/rule-comment-form/

They might go something along these lines:

As someone who fishes regularly and enjoys other recreational activities in our states waters, I'm concerned about expanding the NJDEPs ability to unilaterally close areas to public access. While I'm sensitive to protecting the habitat of endangered and threatened wildlife, I don't feel it's in the public's best interest to give card blanch authority to do so without checks and balances to include public input on each site you may consider closing before hand.

Thank you for considering my comments.