New N.J. beach access rules a big step back backward: Editorial Star-Ledger Editorial Board
Posted by njdiver on 10/22/2012, 1:18 pm
Posted: 10/22/2012 10:11 AM
The state’s new beach access rules are likely to be embraced by many Shore towns when they go into effect Nov. 5, for a simple reason: The rules require nothing from them.
Under the old rules, these towns had to make sure the public could reach the beach, or risk losing beach replenishment funds. But an appeals court ruled that funding and access could not be connected. Now, the worst that might happen if a town has no plan is that there might be a delay in funding. Maybe.
And that’s a big maybe. State officials say towns have three years to voluntarily deliver a plan — with beach access every half-mile, not every quarter-mile as in the past. Towns without a plan will go to the end of the line for beach replenishment funding or maintenance permits.
Only one problem: Neither penalty is in the actual rules. Which means a Shore town can exert any political or personal leverage to be the exception to a rule that doesn’t even exist. And still receive funds while doing zilch. It’s a huge escape hatch. The state says its hands are tied by the ruling, but its extreme interpretation of the law is not shared by everyone. Opponents say the state is putting all control in the hands of towns that have blocked public use of the beaches for decades. And if you’re a beachgoer chased off the beach? You’ll have to sue in court.
Preserving public access to tidal waters, by law and history, has always been the state’s charge. But the new rules are a giant leap backward. "They’re telling towns, ‘You figure it out,’ without a lot of oversight," said Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society, an environmental group that has promoted greater access.
Raymond Cantor, chief adviser to Robert Martin, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, said towns that submit plans to the state will have to hold public hearings. The plan is not a must, he conceded, "but it’s strictly encouraged." Cantor said many towns see the value of drawing tourism.
That optimistic view ignores a long history of resistance, during which towns and property owners have erected shrubbery and walls, failed to provide restrooms and limited parking to prevent visitors from lingering at the Shore. It’s hard to see how the new rules provide any incentive for towns to do the right thing and provide access to what, in essence, belongs to all people of the state.
COME ON WHAT WHERE YOU EXPECTING? FAIR DUST, ANY TIME THE GOVT OF NEW JERSEY DOES ANY THING SOME ONE GETTING PAID OFF AND SOME ONE IS MAKING BIG MONEY..THE STATE DID THE SAME WITH THE PHOTO RED LIGHT SCAMERS THEY LET THE TOWNS SCREW WITH THE TIMING SO AS TO MAKE MORE MONEY..AND THE STATE GAVE THEM THE BLESSING.I THINK THIS IS THE ONLY STATE NEW JERSEY THAT CHARGES TO GET ON A BEACH ANY WHERE ON THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES AND ONCE YOU PURCHASE A BEACH TAG ITS ONLY GOOD IN THAT TOWN. EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME BODY OF WATER.IF THE TOWNS DID NOT CHARGE FOR THE BEACH PASSES THEY THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE PEOPLE TO SELL THEM AND PEOPLE THAT SIT THERE CHECKING THEM TO MAKE SHURE YOU HAVE ONE. THE BIG KICKER..WE PAY THE POLICE EVEN HIRE EXTRAS DURING THE SUMMER IN ALL THESE TOWNS BIG BIG MONEY AND BENNYS TO ALSO CHECK FOR BEACH PASSES.WASTE OF MONEY AND MAN POWER.DO NOT GET ME GOING ON THE PRICE OF PARKING THATS ANOTHER RIP OFF..NOW LETS SEE WHERE ALL THAT CASH GOES FROM DAILY BEACH PASS MONEY??? BET THEY WILL NOT SHOW WHO AND WHERE IT GOES.BETWEEN THE BEACH TAGS AND THE PARKING FEES THE TICKET WRITTEN ..TAXES MUST BE ZERO IN THESE TOWNS???OH I FORGOT TO MANY PARTNERS EVERY ONE HAS THERE HANDS IN THE COOKIE JAR...GOOD THING I HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND CAN SAY WHAT I FELL..GOD BLESS NEW JERSEY BECAUSE IF HE DOES NOT NO ONE WILL
Not to stick up for the state of NJ, because it is by all appearances a mismanaged, poorly run out of control money hog, but as to the payment of beach fees, I'd like to make a few observations.
We were on the beach in Long Branch almost every weekend this summer. When you get on the beach in the morning, it is clean. If you hang around until 7 PM, it is disgusting. Plastic bags, half consumed water & juice bottles, beer bottles & cans, paper, cardboard & styrofoam food wrappers, used diapers and cigarette butts. For all I could care, they should raise the cost of beach access and parking just to penalize the thoughtless slobs and frigging pigs that come down and use the ocean as their personal garbage dump.
We all complain about the cost of beach access, but with tourists unable or unwilling to carry their garbage the hundred feet from their chair to a trash can, who's going to clean the beach up? I'd rather pay for maintenance than sit in trash.
Not to mention the cost of the lifeguards who have to watch the kids who don't know how to swim because their parent's can't be bothered...
Re: New N.J. beach access rules a big step back backward: Editorial Star-Ledger Editorial Board
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