New Jersey Senate Bill S168

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Establishes special dredging account; directs $5,000,000 of sales tax collected annually be deposited therein; directs DEP to administer account and dredging program with certain requirements.

Impact

The bill mandates the Department of Environmental Protection to administer the special dredging account, detailing a comprehensive approach to identify eligible waterways. The Department must create and continually update a prioritized list of dredging projects, inviting input from local communities, municipalities, and task forces. The intent is to create an inclusive framework that accommodates the needs of various stakeholders while ensuring that no less than a quarter of the allocated funds specifically support the restorative and maintenance dredging for residential access waterways.

Summary

Senate Bill S168 establishes the 'Community and Navigational Waterways Restorative and Maintenance Dredging Account,' which is designed to allocate $5,000,000 annually from state sales tax revenues for the dredging of waterways outside the port region of New Jersey. The bill aims to enhance the navigability of various waterways that may not be officially classified as navigational, specifically targeting those that provide access for residents in coastal areas. This funding is particularly crucial given the lack of available resources for dredging in non-port regions, which has been a growing concern for local communities relying on these waterways for accessibility.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its environmental intentions and focus on local accessibility, it also faces scrutiny regarding the implications for funding allocation and prioritization. Given that prior funds have been disproportionately directed towards the New York-New Jersey port region, critics argue that this bill is a necessary yet insufficient response to address the broader systemic neglect of waterways vital to the state's recreation and tourism industries. There will likely be ongoing debates about the adequacy of funding and the efficiency of project prioritization moving forward.