Christie Administration to Enhance Public Beach Access

[cowherder]

New rules limitaccess to beach

6:29 PM, Oct 5, 2012

State environmental commissioner Bob Martin can pat himself on the back in as many press releases as his office can churn out about how “common-sense rules to improve ... public access to New Jersey’s beaches ... have become a reality.”

But the facts say otherwise. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Beach Access Rule signed last week, which takes effect Nov. 5, essentially leaves it up to individual towns to develop their own plans. By doing so, New Jersey residents can practically be assured that they will have less access to some of the state’s beaches.
The new rules require towns to provide access points every half mile. Under the old rules, it was every quarter mile. Towns can close existing access points and concentrate them in one area — even an area where there is inadequate parking or lack of access to public restrooms.

Giving towns more authority to design beach access points is like giving the keys to the chicken coop to the fox. The public needs more opportunities to get to rivers, bays and beaches of New Jersey, not fewer.

A legitimate fear for many is that the rules by which towns decide how to provide beach access are still too vague. That will essentially allow towns to sidestep them in a way that enables them to justify their “let the beachgoing public be damned” attitude. Rules this unclear practically invite abuse.


“Our goal is to enhance public access for families, boaters, the fishing community, and everyone who enjoys the shore and the water,” Martin said.
He could have fooled us. Work should begin immediately to reverse the rules.

http://www.app.com/article/20121008/...yssey=nav|head

Looks like that guy Martin is hell-bent on keeping people away from the ritzy beaches. Is there anything we can do about that njdiver?

[bababooey]

Isn't is always about the rich? The golden rule, those who gots the gold make the rules.

[storminsteve]

Isn't is always about the rich? The golden rule, those who gots the gold make the rules.

Haha, New Jersey, welcome to the state where you learn to bend over before you even know, because sooner or later you will get ******!

[bababooey]

That about says it Steve. And for what? We pay some of the highest property taxes on the east coast. Everything folks want to do is taxed or further fees put on it. Will be glad one day when I can retire to another state.