Hudson River Fishermen’s Association
New Jersey Chapter
P.O. Box 421 Cresskill, N. J. 07626 201-837-2400 Fax 201-837-0872
e-mail HRFANJ@compuserve.com

The town of Edgewater is refusing to build their portion of the Hudson River Walkway even though they are getting a grant from the State to subsidize the project. The Walkway Project which has been going on for several years now is intended to stretch from Bayonne to the George Washington Bridge. One continuous walkway providing waterfront access to all the residents of New Jersey. Mr. Bill Neyenhouse of the N.J. D.E.P. is the Hudson River Walkway coordinator and is aware of the problem with Edgewater.

The town council of Edgewater is acting like many of the private developers along the Hudson. They want the River to themselves. The area in question is behind veterans park. The park area, they say, is for edgewater residents only and they want to keep it that way.

The problem with this thought is it runs counter to federal laws that state the rivers' shorelines belong to all the residents of New Jersey. The people of New Jersey have a right to the water's edge.

Developers of the shoreline must provide public access before they obtain building permits. The same holds true for municipalities. The HRFA does not understand why the town of Edgewater would build a Veterans Memorial Park and not want anyone to visit.

We will have to wait and see what penalties are in store for the residents of Edgewater, from the state, as the town resists providing this walkway project. We would hope all JCAA members can see the importance of access for the people whether it be along the Hudson or the Jersey shore.

Ray Marione Director
Charles F. Stamm President
Hudson River Fishermen’s Association
New Jersey Chapter
Fight for the Hudson
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/HRFANJ