DEP Announces Virtual Public Meeting to Launch Wharton State Forest Visitor and Vehicle Use Survey
- Thread starter RednekF350
- Start date
This is what Fix Our Parks sent out to have their members cut and paste into the Survey.
They also attached a .kmz file with large areas around Friendship and Quaker Bridge for "walking and nonmotorized vehicles only."
I can't attach the kmz file but I have shared it here:
the kmz file
All orgs use the "suggested comment" stuff but this is what ticked me off: they suggest using different computers to essentially stuff the ballot box:
Here is the cut & paste they want sent. $17 isn't much, but it opens things up to keep people out. This is essentially a beach pass for all state recreational areas for them to keep people out. We already pay for this and don't need a sticker so they can snitch on people who don't have one.
They also attached a .kmz file with large areas around Friendship and Quaker Bridge for "walking and nonmotorized vehicles only."
I can't attach the kmz file but I have shared it here:
the kmz file
All orgs use the "suggested comment" stuff but this is what ticked me off: they suggest using different computers to essentially stuff the ballot box:
Here is the cut & paste they want sent. $17 isn't much, but it opens things up to keep people out. This is essentially a beach pass for all state recreational areas for them to keep people out. We already pay for this and don't need a sticker so they can snitch on people who don't have one.
"Michigan State Parks has a form of this approach called a “recreation passport” that could be a model for New Jersey. For just $17 a year, one receives a license plate sticker that authorizes access to a variety of state-owned lands and facilities"
Seems like apples and oranges here. Michigan is about 8x the size of New Jersey (56,500 vs 7,300 square miles) and I wouldn't be surprised if the amount of openspace is an even a greater ratio. And our populations are similar in size (10 million for MI, 9 for NJ) so each Michigan resident has access to a lot more openspace. Based on access to public resources, a NJ permit should only be about $2.
Regardless, the whole thing is a terrible idea and I'm disappointed to see "Fix our Parks" take this position.
Seems like apples and oranges here. Michigan is about 8x the size of New Jersey (56,500 vs 7,300 square miles) and I wouldn't be surprised if the amount of openspace is an even a greater ratio. And our populations are similar in size (10 million for MI, 9 for NJ) so each Michigan resident has access to a lot more openspace. Based on access to public resources, a NJ permit should only be about $2.
Regardless, the whole thing is a terrible idea and I'm disappointed to see "Fix our Parks" take this position.
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It’s an old article but it gives you an idea of the Michigan permit system. It is like comparing apples and oranges since this system is for the entire state of Michigan compared to one state park in NJ.
greatlakesecho.org
New Michigan state parks permit brings in more cars, money | Great Lakes Echo
Michigan residents are paying less for yearly passes to state parks but the program has generated more funds than in prior years. Michigan Recreation Passports, available at the Secretary of State for the past year, now allow almost 2 million vehicles access to all Michigan state parks.
greatlakesecho.org
They want to make this apply to everything, which is egregious overreach. People are going to get tickets for driving to parks that used to be free. It's gentrifying the forest, they want to keep people out.
I heard that Shamong has come out against the plan like Waterford. Does anyone know if this is true?
Yes, this true. So far, Shamong, Waterford and Mullica passed resolutions against the State’s plans.
I was at the Waterford township meeting last night and was very happy with what I was hearing from the council. They are fully on the side of those against the permit. They offered suggestions and support and genuinely were sympathetic to the cause.
Last update Oct 26th... eerily quiet
NJDEP | Wharton State Forest Visiting Vehicle Use Map| New Jersey State Park Service
NJDEP - Wharton State Forest Visiting Vehicle Use Map
nj.gov
From the article that Guy linked to here
...after being presented with the comments of the township committee members and asked for a response, Shinske pointed out that the NJDEP “plans to host” a “virtual stakeholder meeting” in early 2023, which she said will “present a summary of information gathered through the Wharton State Forest Visitor and Vehicle Use Survey.” In August, the NJDEP had teased such a meeting in its release. “At this meeting, there will be a public comment period where residents may make further comments regarding visitor and vehicle access in Wharton State Forest,” Shinske maintained. “The date of this upcoming meeting is to be determined.”
...after being presented with the comments of the township committee members and asked for a response, Shinske pointed out that the NJDEP “plans to host” a “virtual stakeholder meeting” in early 2023, which she said will “present a summary of information gathered through the Wharton State Forest Visitor and Vehicle Use Survey.” In August, the NJDEP had teased such a meeting in its release. “At this meeting, there will be a public comment period where residents may make further comments regarding visitor and vehicle access in Wharton State Forest,” Shinske maintained. “The date of this upcoming meeting is to be determined.”
Prompt reply at least, "Information regarding the survey may be released in the spring of 2023"
Tabernacle Twp. Breaks From Other Area Towns by Supporting Efforts of NJDEP for Wharton Tract
Tabernacle Committeeman Robert Sunbury, who initially proposed the Tabernacle committee resolution to support the NJDEP’s efforts during a November Tabernacle committee meeting.
"...after having discussions with the NJDEP, the permit system would simply “just make sure vehicles are appropriately equipped to use those roads (in the forest) versus 'a Volkswagen'"
My four-wheel-drive Volkswagen SUV can handle most conditions in the pines, unless really high ground clearance is needed. But anyway, this is the first time I've seen anybody claim that only certain vehicles would be able to obtain a permit. Sorry Guy and Ben... permit denied: your cars are not "appropriately equipped".
I thought one of the earlier talking points was that the roads should be improved to make them more accessible to ordinary vehicles.
My four-wheel-drive Volkswagen SUV can handle most conditions in the pines, unless really high ground clearance is needed. But anyway, this is the first time I've seen anybody claim that only certain vehicles would be able to obtain a permit. Sorry Guy and Ben... permit denied: your cars are not "appropriately equipped".
I thought one of the earlier talking points was that the roads should be improved to make them more accessible to ordinary vehicles.
The $195 permit fee noted in the article is a special yearly permit to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle on the beach. There has alway been a small fee to gain access to the Park payable at the Gate. If you are a resident 62 and over, you can obtain a Senior Pass Card at the Gate House to have free access.
I will be very interested in what position the Piney Warden takes. After he speaks to the NJDEP, I would likely support his position. He has as much experience, common sense, and skin in the game as anyone.