On behalf of the JCAA, I attended a May 23rd meeting of the NJ Outdoor Alliance (NJOA) and the following issues were discussed: The NJOA usually has its meeting held on the last Monday of the month, but it was moved to May 23rd because of the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday.
First on the agenda was discussion of the caucus of legislators scheduled for May 26th. Approximately 24 legislators are expected to attend to hear issues that are of concern to hunters and anglers of our state. This caucus presents a good opportunity for anglers and hunters to buttonhole legislators moving through the corridors of the State Capitol buildings to present their issues to our legislators. While letters are important, the direct contact with legislators is very effective in getting our points across to them.
The HOFNOD bill has passed the Senate. Discussion centered on strategies to get it moved through the Assembly. This bill has been bounced back and forth through both houses of the legislature for a number of years and hopefully it will be passed this year.
Beach access generated considerable discussion since the DEP essentially is trying to have beach towns determine access for the public. Several public hearings on this draft bill have been held and Paul Harris and Tim Burden of the NJ Beach Buggy Association (NJBBA) gave a report on the testimony they gave at one of those hearings that was against this proposed bill. All comments on this draft bill is due on June 3rd and the NJOA will pursue trying to get an extension for the comment period. NJOA Board member Rob Winkle reported that comments need to be specific on the proposed 103 pages of the regulations and not of a general nature like the towns always block beach access for the public.
NJOA Board member Jerry Natale indicated that Mr. Frank Virgilio is the new president of the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen’s Club. Jerry also indicated that he has a good working relationship with the new president and that he will be supportive of NJOA initiatives.
The subject of Reef Rescue surfaced and Reef Rescue Chairman, Pete Grimbilas, indicated that there are a lot of rumors swirling around about a compromise solution that would allow the commercials to have their traps on the reefs for some time period. Pete stressed that NJOA members need to contact their legislators to support the Pots Off the Reef bill so that it can be first posted in Assemblyman Albano’s Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee. Approximately 22 members of the Assembly have signed on as co-sponsors of this bill, including Assemblyman Albano who is holding up posting this bill in his committee. Pete reaffirmed that the NJOA will NOT support any compromise on this bill.
Discussion moved to an article in the Asbury Park Press written by Kirk Moore “Power struggle over reef donations.” This article gave the impression that the NJOA is trying to run all donations that are involved in developing new artificial reefs. The NJOA is NOT in the artificial reef banking business. The NJOA has been involved with the DEP for about a year in developing a Memorandum of Understanding that would be a TEMPLATE for organizations to fund an artificial reef so that this process could be expedited instead of being mired in confusing and overlapping zones of responsibilities in state government.
Next on the agenda were the excessive fines in NJ’s free registry program. Board member Rob Winkle reported that NJ’s registry was hastily prepared and sent to NMFS for approval by DEP Commissioner Robert Martin in the format of a “Commissioner’s Administrative Order.” Rob Winkle further reported that in his view this Order is not a legal regulation that any judge could use to levy a fine to an angler who is not registered in New Jersey. The current fines are excessive ($300 - $3,000) and Rob does not believe that any judge would fine an angler for these amounts with a free registry in force. Rob Winkle is a former NJ Marine Police Officer. It was also reported that the Division of Fish & Wildlife is looking to change these excessive fines.
Jerry Natale closed the meeting by indicating that the NJOA is entering into an agreement with Viridian, a company that provides savings in electrical costs to consumers. NJOA clubs signing up with Viridian may receive payments of up to $2 a month as well as the NJOA receiving this type payment for every club member that signs up with Viridian. More details to follow on this program.
