Sponsored by:
Senator NILSA I. CRUZ-PEREZ
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Space
SYNOPSIS
Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State- and county-owned lakes and reservoirs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on May 22, 2025, with amendments.
An Act concerning public boating access to certain 1county- and1 State-owned lakes 1[,] and reservoirs and1 supplementing P.L.1983, c.324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.) 1[, and making an appropriation]1.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Within two years after the date of enactment of this act, the Department of Environmental Protection shall construct, cause to be constructed, or enter into long-term contracts pursuant to a public bidding process with the owners of private marinas to provide for, public boat access to any State-owned 1or county-owned1 lake 1or reservoir1 at which boats with or without onboard motors are allowed.
b. If the department is unable to construct, or cause to be constructed, public boat access to any State-owned 1or county-owned1 lake 1or reservoir1 at which boats with or without onboard motors are allowed, the commissioner shall submit a report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature identifying the lakes at which public boat access is unable to be provided and the reasons therefor. If the reason is due to a lack of sufficient funds for the purpose, the report shall detail the necessary funding required.
1[2. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection the sum of $2 million for the purposes of subsection a. of section 1 of this act.]1
1[3.] 2.1 This act shall take effect immediately.