New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill SR93

Introduced
4/15/24  

Caption

Opposes all proposals to change designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve, including proposal from Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve Alliance.

Impact

The Delaware Water Gap is a vital recreational hub, offering various activities like hiking, fishing, and hunting, which attract tourism vital to the regional economy. The sponsors of SR93 express concerns that redesignation could limit or prohibit these activities, adversely affecting the local tourism-dependent economy. They firmly argue that retaining the current status is crucial for local businesses and residents who rely on outdoor recreation for livelihood and leisure.

Summary

Senate Resolution No. 93, introduced in New Jersey's 221st Legislature, opposes any proposals aimed at redesignating the Delaware Water Gap from a National Recreation Area to a National Park and Preserve. The resolution emphasizes that such changes could expand the boundaries of the existing recreation area, which encompasses nearly 70,000 acres across Sussex and Warren counties—a move that local lawmakers view as detrimental to both the community and the environment.

Contention

Opponents of the redesignation projects fear that property rights could be jeopardized if the federal government uses eminent domain to acquire private land adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap. This concern is amplified by potential economic ramifications, including reduced tax revenue for local municipalities and schools, alongside the potential disruption of agricultural activities in the surrounding areas due to the establishment of federal park land.

Resolution

The resolution articulated in SR93 seeks to protect local interests by opposing the redesignation proposals, thereby ensuring that current recreational activities remain unhindered. This stance is reflective of an overarching desire among local lawmakers to safeguard the freedom and enjoyment of residents and visitors alike, while also preserving the rights of local property owners against federal encroachment.

Companion Bills

NJ AR133

Same As Opposes all proposals to change designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve, including proposal from Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve Alliance.

NJ SR98

Carry Over Opposes changing designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve and opposes certain parts of National Park Service's "Vision 2030" for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

NJ AR157

Carry Over Opposes changing designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve and opposes certain parts of National Park Service's "Vision 2030" for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Previously Filed As

NJ AR133

Opposes all proposals to change designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve, including proposal from Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve Alliance.

NJ SR98

Opposes changing designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve and opposes certain parts of National Park Service's "Vision 2030" for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

NJ AR157

Opposes changing designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve and opposes certain parts of National Park Service's "Vision 2030" for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

NJ SB1131

Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act

NJ SB4216

Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act

NJ HB2345

Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act

NJ HB8182

Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act

NJ HB9111

Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act

NJ SB3134

Promoting National Security and Preserving Access to Public Land in Southern Nevada Act of 2023

NJ HB6216

Promoting National Security and Preserving Access to Public Land in Southern Nevada Act of 2023

Similar Bills

CA AB997

Cannabis: criminal resentencing.

UT HB0552

Pollution Control Amendments

NJ SR98

Opposes changing designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve and opposes certain parts of National Park Service's "Vision 2030" for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

NJ AR133

Opposes all proposals to change designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve, including proposal from Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve Alliance.

NJ AR157

Opposes changing designation of Delaware Water Gap from National Recreation Area to National Park and Preserve and opposes certain parts of National Park Service's "Vision 2030" for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

UT HB0373

Environmental Quality Amendments

LA HB98

Provides relative to revision of local government laws pursuant to HCR No. 218 of the 2009 R.S.

TX HB4595

Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes and to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes.