Feasibility Study: Update Greenwood Lake Public Boat Launch

[muskynut]

Hey everyone, hope you are all fine. This past weekend, UFANJ presented a PowerPoint Presentation on "Access and Grassroots Initiative" at the NJ State Federation of Sportsman's Clubs Convention in Ocean City NJ.

Assistant Director of Fish and Wildlife, Lisa Barno was in the audience along with Frank Virgillio, Chair of the NJ Fish and Wildlife Council and former Director Larry Herrighty. We were told after the presentation that "we hit the ball out of the park" regarding our coverage of the Greenwood Lake Access issue, Access at Alloway Lake, and the steps we took towards the installation of a public boat launch on Greenwood. At present, a feasibility study is being done on Brown's Point which should be concluded by July.

As was stated in previous updates, Lisa made us aware that it is extremely important to continue to make the Greenwood Access Issue and building of a Public Boat Launch Ramp a "Hot Topic".....that should be kept at the forefront. She emphasized that it is very important not to hear from the same 2 or 3 people every time but to have many different cross sections calling in supporting the public launch. Based on previous experiences with bills, issues, etc. she stated it is critically important to keep calling in to administrators, legislators, etc. almost to the point of annoyance (without being annoying).....this is how things get done. "When we see the same issue popping up over and over or being spoken about relentlessly it forces those that have the ability to affect the outcomes of bills, issues, etc. to take a hard look at the situation, find money, come up with solutions".

So, we are asking again.....from the broad spectrum: fishermen, bass clubs, recreational boaters, etc. please pick your phones/email the legislators in the Senate and Assembly regarding your support of Bill S-987, A 1047 requiring DEP to provide public access for boats on certain State-Owned lakes....appropriating $1 million. Fish and Game has made it known that the ramp is probably going to be upwards of $1.5 - $2 million. Because of this, the verbiage of the bill, as written, will need to be changed. Also, the part of the bill as written: "or enter into long-term contracts pursuant to a public bidding process with the owners of private marinas to provide for, public boat access to any State-owned lake at which boats with or without onboard motors are allowed needs to be omitted from the bill. This is due to the fact that this will NOT change the problem of parking for marinas which will STILL have this problem of parking when they are operating at capacity. The only solution is a Public Boat Launch Ramp....period.

Senator Joseph Pennachio (co writer of bill) 26th Legislative District Office
170 Changebridge Rd. Unit A1 Montville, NJ 07045 973-227-4012

Senator Steven Oroho (co writer of bill) 24th Legislative District Office
1 Wilson Drive Suite 2B Sparta, NJ 07871 973-300-0200

Assemblyman Jay Webber 160 Littleton Road Suite 204 Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-917-3420

Assemblywoman Aura Dunn 25th Legislative District Office 191 Main Street
Suite D Chester, NJ 07930 908-955-7228

Assemblyman Harold Wirths (same contact info as Senator Oroho)

Assemblyman Parker Space (same contact info as Senator Oroho)

As was also formerly stated the bill is in Committee: on the Senate side, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee....on the Assembly side, the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.

Senate Environment and Energy

Bob Smith (Chair) 216 Stelton Rd. Suite E-5 Piscataway NJ 08854 732-752-0770
SENSMITH@NJLEG.ORG

Linda R. Greenstein (Vice-Chair) 1249 South River Rd. Suite 105 Cranbury, NJ 08512
609-395-9911 SENGREENSTEIN@NJLEG.ORG

Richard Codey 651 Old Mt. Pleasant Avenue Livingston, NJ 07039 973-535-5017
SENCODEY@NJLEG.ORG

Edward Durr (can be contacted online)

Jean Stanfield 668 Main St. Lumberton, NJ 08048 609-667-7360



Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee

James Kennedy asmkennedy@njleg.org

Sterley Stanley asmstanley@njleg.org

Don Guardian asmguardian@njleg.org

Shama Haider aswhaider@njleg.org

John McKeon asmmckeon@njleg.org

Bethanne Patrick aswpatrick@njleg.org

Gerry Scharfenberger asmscharfenberger@njleg.org

UFANJ has already rubbed elbows with Senators Smith and Oroho at a Game Dinner sponsored by the NJ OUTDOOR ALLIANCE honoring the work and contributions of Senator Smith. Both legislators confirmed their support of S987/A 1047.

Again PLEASE take a few moments and contact the above legislators......the SAME individuals cannot keep doing it.....WE NEED ALL YOUR HELP.....different slices of all that support a Public Boat Launch on Greenwood. If they keep seeing the issue come up time and time again, they will act and put their focus on it to solve it. The State has told us this on more than one occasion. This push will be more effective the more different people contact the legislators, State Fish and Game, administrators, etc.

Also....very important to attend online monthly Fish and Game Council Meetings if you can to express your support. The more different people they see....the more Access on Greenwood stays a HOT TOPIC.....continuously being placed as an item on their AGENDA. You can find times of meetings on the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife website or just google NJ Fish and Game Council Meetings.

We are moving in the correct direction....but WE NEED ALL OF YOUR HELP WITH KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON. Remember to be curteous and respectful in expressing your support. The STATE is on our side and wants to help us.....let us listen to them regarding how we handle this from our side. Make those calls.....write those emails.....

Greenwood Lake today......your lake tomorrow. We cannot let this happen!

Keep you posted

UFANJ