9th District Legislators are calling on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to rescind a $3 fee boaters must pay to access Island Beach State Park through the Fisherman's Walkway adjacent to Tices Shoal. 

Island Beach State Park New Boardwalk (Photo by Townsquare Media News)
Island Beach State Park New Boardwalk (Photo by Townsquare Media News)
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State Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove call the new fee "A money-grab by the state."

DEP officials said they are baffled by the opposition and have reiterated the fee is being implemented to improve safety. The money is needed to pay for a lifeguard in a section of the park that was unprotected where several near-drownings occurred last season.

Rumpf said he applauds the DEP and Administration for making safety improvements, but added, "The idea of implementing a new fee, particularly at this time when people are having such struggles, particularly here at the Jersey Shore, where we have been absolutely ravaged by Super Storm Sandy, just is not appropriate."

Although the $3 walk-in fee is cheaper than driving through the Park's main entrance, Rumpf pointed out, boaters and fisherman aren't looking to take advantage of everything the Park has to offer.

"The $3 fee is quite frankly a slap in the face to many of those who have used the area for many, many areas," said Rumpf. He noted boaters and recreational fisherman already bring a tremendous amount of revenue down to the shore by virtue of their recreational activities.

"They pay our higher gasoline prices, they pay for their slip rentals, they pay for their meals when they visit our local restaurants," Rumpf added.

Opposition to the walk-in fee from the 9th District Delegation comes on the heels of resistance from Berkley Township Officials and the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Despite opposition on the state, county and local levels, DEP officials have said the they do not plan to rescind the fee and again stressed it's a matter of safety.

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