LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
SENATE, No. 309
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
DATED: MARCH 5, 2026
SUMMARY
|
Synopsis: |
Requires DEP to provide public access for boats to certain State-and county-owned lakes and reservoirs. |
|
Type of Impact: |
Two-year State expenditure increase. |
|
Agencies Affected: |
Department of Environmental Protection. |
|
Fiscal Impact |
Two-Year Period Following Enactment |
|
State Expenditure Increase |
$900,000 to $3.6 million |
· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates that this bill would result in a State expenditure increase between $900,000 and $3.6 million within two years following enactment for the Department of Environmental Protection to provide for the construction of public boat access to State- and county-owned lakes and reservoirs, as well as to identify the lakes and reservoirs at which it is not feasible to construct public boat access.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill would require the department to construct, or cause to be constructed, or enter into long-term contracts with owners of private marinas to provide for, public boat access to any State-owned or county-owned lake or reservoir at which boats with or without onboard motors are allowed. Any contract entered into with an owner of a private marina would be subject to a public bidding process.
The department would have until two years following the date of enactment to construct public boat access points, or establish long-term contracts for construction of public boat access at private marinas. If the department is unable to facilitate public boat access, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection is required to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature to identify the lakes and reservoirs at which it is not feasible to construct public boat access and provide reasons therefor.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS estimates that this bill would result in a State expenditure increase between $900,000 and $3.6 million within two years following enactment for the department to provide for the construction of public boat access to State-and county-owned lakes and reservoirs, as well as to identify the lakes and reservoirs at which it is not feasible to construct public boat access.
For context, the department’s Division of Fish and Wildlife accounts for over 400 publicly accessible lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in the State. This list does not include privately-owned marinas. One hundred and fifty-six of the bodies of water enumerated by the division are State- or county-owned. Ninety-nine of these State- or county-owned lakes, ponds, and reservoirs do not currently provide access to a boat launch or a boat ramp. Assuming that all 99 of the State-and county-owned lakes, ponds, and reservoirs without public boat access allow the use of boats, the cost of building boat access at all of these would be between $500,000 and $3.0 million.
A basic boat ramp may cost between $5,000 and $30,000 depending on ramp size, construction type, and additional features. Certain regions with sensitive aquatic species may also be regulated by the department as a “special area” and may require additional construction permitting or considerations in advance of installing a public access point. The department may experience incidental costs to renovate public access ramps or docks every several years.
The OLS finds that the department may incur additional staffing costs between $400,000 and $600,000 in order to meet the requirements of the bill.
|
Section: |
Environment, Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources |
|
Analyst: |
Anna Heckler Assistant Fiscal Analyst |
|
Approved: |
Thomas Koenig Legislative Budget and Finance Officer |
This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).