newjerseynewsroom.com

DEP has spent $74 million since 2007, intends to spend $45 million by 2014

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The state Department of Environmental Protection stated Tuesday that it will spend $45 million to improve New Jersey’s state parks, forests, historic sites, wildlife areas and marinas through 2014 and that $32 million will be used annually for the work beginning in 2015.

In a related development, the DEP has launched a new website providing information on how $74 million has been allocated for repairs and maintenance since 2007.

Examples of capital projects that can be found on the website include restoration of the iconic monument at High Point State Park in Sussex County, the ferry slip and bulkhead work at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, chapel steeple painting at Allaire State Park in Monmouth County, dam inspections and road improvements at the Sparta Wildlife Management Area in Sussex, and repairs to bridges through sprawling Wharton State Forest in South Jersey.

In addition, DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said capital investments are being made in projects officials hope will save money for the parks, such as projects implementing energy efficiency. These include installation of energy efficient well motors at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Warren County and the installation of LED exterior lighting at Liberty State Park.

Commenting on the new website, Martin said, "This new website is designed to keep the public well informed about the work we are doing to protect and enhance our natural and historic resources, which are so important to New Jersey's residents and visitors to our state. Our goal is to assure the public that state government is maintaining careful stewardship of these resources and spending taxpayer money wisely."

Gov. Chris Christie on Nov. 2 released a long-term strategy that centers on enabling parks to generate revenues that will make the parks more self-sustaining while improving visitor services and amenities. The Sustainable Funding Strategy for New Jersey, which includes privatizing some park operations.

"The State Park system is enjoying record numbers of visitors, and is continuing to grow in terms of acreage and facilities that must be maintained," DEP Assistant Commissioner Amy Cradic said. "Our new website will give the public valuable information about how the DEP is keeping up with the capital needs of the parks.

"DEP stakeholders, including park advocates, environmental groups and the general public, take great interest in the care of our natural and historic resources,” Cradic said. “They have been asking for easy access to information about capital projects. There is no better way to do this than by posting the information online, in a website that is easy to navigate."

To learn how the funding has been used, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/cbt/index.html. It provides a site-by-site breakdown of capital projects undertaken from June 2007 through last June.