Greenwood Lake Access Public Launch Update

[muskynut]

MOVING ALONG......

"PANEL ADVANCES PENNACHIO/DURR BILL TO PUBLIC ACCESS FOR RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN" 11/3/2022

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennachio and Sen. Ed Durr that would preserve access to any state-owned lake that is open to boats was approved in committee.

"There is growing concern about the lack of public boat launches," noted Pennachio (R-26). "New Jersey is home to public lakes that are open to bass boats and motorized vessels, but recreational boaters who don't live on the lake or have private docks find it impossible to get into the water." The fees recreational fishermen in the state pay for freshwater fishing licenses helps fund the stocking of fish in public lakes. "The absence public launches in effect creates private lakes," said Pennacchio. "The system isn't doing its job. These waters are supported by fees intended for the benefit and enjoyment of the public who are prevented from getting their boats and lines in the lakes".

Pennacchio and Durr's bill, S-987, would direct the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure public boat access to all state owned lakes where boats are allowed. The DEP would be required to construct boat ramps or enter long-term contracts for public launches at marinas or other private sites. "Recreational fishing and boating are very popular in New Jersey, but residents are being denied entry to water that should be public," said Durr (R-3). "We want to secure access to our freshwater resources and safeguard the important benefits to the State's economy". Greenwood Lake is one significant body of water with no public boat access. The 7.5 mile long lake, spanning the border of New York and New Jersey, is one of the state's premier freshwater fishing locations. Each year it is stocked with thousands of fish. In the past, recreational fishermen could pay to drop their boat in the water at private marinas, but the popularity of boating and fishing on the state's lakes spiked in recent years, partly because of the pandemic. As marinas filled to capacity, they could no longer handle daily traffic. "The public should be able to enjoy the same ease of access enjoyed by property owners of private marinas," Pennachio noted. "More than 1.2 million anglers fish the state's water's each year and two of every three boats registered in the state are used for fishing. Incredibly, Greenwood Lake, the state's second largest lake has no public access. This bill will fix that."

PLEASE....continue to support this issue/cause.....we will keep you updated with the latest developments......continue to make phone calls.....continue to express your support at Fish and Game Council Meetings, etc. Now....onto the Assembly Environment /Solid Waste Committee to do the same. Here are the contacts:

PLEASE USE THEM: CALL, WRITE, EMAIL.....TO PUSH A1047 OUT OF COMMITEE!

AsmWebber@njleg.org Jay Webber
asmkennedy@njleg.org James Kennedy
asmstanley@njleg.org Sterley Stanley
asmguardian@njleg.org Don Guardian
aswhaider@njleg.org Shama Haider
asmmckeon@njleg.org John McKeon
aswpatrick@njleg.org Bethanne Patrick
asmscharfenberger@njleg.org Gerry Scharfenberger

Again will keep you all posted of what needs to be done next and any new developments.

Thank you all for your continued help and support to make this become reality.

UFANJ

[Gerry Zagorski]

Great work here and an example of how a small group of determined people can make a big difference.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Great work here and an example of how a small group of determined people can make a big difference.