There is a pretty strong argument going on now, about whether non-residents of SouthHampton, LI should be allowed 4x4 beach access.
To many people who live in NJ, this may not seem important....what does access 100 miles away, in another state, have to do with me?.....you may ask.....
The important lessons learned from this, are how towns manage to not violate the Public Trust Doctrine, and still manage to make it difficult for fishermen to access their beaches. This is done by making parking restrictions in all areas that fishermen are likely to use to access these beaches.
NJ fishermen may not understand, or feel it can't happen here....this would be a mistake....as all the local towns in NJ have to do to keep most fishermen away is to copy the MO of these towns, and enact this restrictive parking......
My goal is to raise awareness, and allow others to see when I am fighting with passion, on the internet, at some stupid or careless act done by one of us such as:
1. Leaving a fish rack in a homeowners' garbage..
2. cleaning fish in front of private property, and possibly using their hose when you are done (yes this has happened)......
3. Tresspassing on homowners property when you clearly have other public access
4. Urinating on a homeowners property or in the street in front of it...
5. Sitting with binoculars, on a street with million dollar homes, and waiting for the fish blitzes, is not a great way to endear yourself with homeowners.
6. Loitering around your vehicle...and the resulting trash, cigarette butts, coffee cups, that are left behind by fishermen..also imperils our future access chances, and eventually could cost us that access...
**All of these homeowner problems, could be eliminated by the town calling a special meeting, and enacting seasonal parking access restrictions. In the blink of an eye we could lose our access.