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Commissioner Campbell's
Response to Asbury Park Press Editorial of January 9, 2003
Below is an editorial
response sent today to the Asbury Park Press
Mr. Andrew Sharp, Editor
Asbury Park Press
PO Box 1550
Neptune, New Jersey 07754-1550
Dear Editor:
I read with interest the Asbury Park Press
editorial (January 9, 2003) concerning recent discussions
about a saltwater fishing license and license fee.
Contrary to the editorial's suggestion,
the McGreevey Administration has never suggested such a
license or fee. The proposal originated in a consultant's
report from the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies, and was discussed at a forum on marine fisheries
convened by the statutorily established Marine Fisheries
Council on November 12, 2002. The report discussed possible
revenue-generating ideas for seven northeastern states,
and New Jersey was one of those seven.
The Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) is deeply concerned about the impact a license might
have on New Jersey's saltwater anglers, and on the range
of businesses that would be affected by such a fee. Upon
fuller review of the report, I have concluded that while
the consultant's report raises several valid points, neither
the license proposal nor any of the other proposals discussed
in the report were sufficiently developed to be credible
from a policy or budgetary perspective. Accordingly, I have
advised the Treasurer that none of these proposals should
be considered in their current form in preparing the 2004
budget.
Despite the challenges of a staggering
budget deficit inherited from the prior administration,
Governor McGreevey is strengthening our stock assessment,
fisheries enforcement, coastal protection, and other programs
that are vital to protecting our saltwater fisheries and
the businesses that depend on them.
In taking these important steps, DEP has
consulted closely with all affected constituencies, and
will certainly do so before any changes in New Jersey's
licensing system or related programs are entertained.
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Sincerely,
Bradley M. Campbell
Commissioner
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