Bill > AR157

Introduced Session

This resolution expresses opposition to proposals that change the designation of the Delaware Water Gap from a National Recreation Area to a National Park and Preserve and expand the current boundaries of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area ("Delaware Water Gap") is a unit of the National Park System located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that encompasses portions of Sussex and Warren Counties. The Delaware Water Gap offers numerous recreational opportunities that are enjoyed by the residents of Sussex and Warren counties, as well as residents from throughout the State and visitors from across the country. The Delaware Water Gap is among the top 10 most visited units of the National Park System with approximately five million visitors annually. In 2016, the National Park Service proposed a plan titled "Vision 2030: A Vision For A Sustainable Future," ("Vision 2030") which proposed to change the designation of the Delaware Water Gap from a National Recreation Area to a National Park and Preserve. The Vision 2030 plan also proposed to expand the area of the present Delaware Water Gap. The Vision 2030 plan would have limited or prohibited certain recreational activities in certain areas of the park, such as hunting, that are enjoyed by both local residents and visitors alike. If enacted, such a change was likely to affect the economic prosperity of businesses in Sussex and Warren counties that benefit substantially from tourism to the Delaware Water Gap. In addition, local residents would no longer have the opportunity to enjoy hunting and other recreational activities locally. Although the Vision 2030 plan was shelved due to these numerous concerns, a recently proposed project titled "Delaware Water Gap: Redesignation Project" ("Redesignation Project") also seeks to change the designation of the Delaware Water Gap from a National Recreation Area to a National Park and Preserve, and to expand the area of the present Delaware Water Gap. The specifics and scope of the Redesignation Project and the environmental, economic, and agricultural impacts of the project, remain unknown, including if, and how, fees will be collected, and how the project will be funded. In addition, the Redesignation Project raises concerns that the rights of local property owners may be disregarded. It is possible the federal government will use eminent domain to acquire private and State property alongside the Delaware Water Gap, including nearby High Point State Park, Stokes State Forest, and Worthington State Forest. The conversion of private property to federal property would result in numerous economic ramifications. It would result in a reduction of tax revenue in affected municipalities, may negatively affect local school districts in the area, and may negatively affect the local economy by preventing farmers who lease land along the Delaware River from producing crops that feed livestock. The Redesignation Project may further affect the local economy in a similar manner to the Vision 2030 plan by prohibiting or restricting recreational activities, including hunting. As stakeholders determined in 2016, prohibiting these recreational activities will cause local businesses in Sussex and Warren counties to suffer financially, and prevent local residents from enjoying hunting and other recreational activities locally.

Committee Categories

John DiMaio (R)*,  Parker Space (R)*,  Harold Wirths (R)*,  Vicky Flynn (R),  Erik Peterson (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (on 09/15/2022)

Official Document