DEP Increases Public Access in
Ocean County
through Acquisition of Barnegat Bay Property
(05/116) TRENTON -- Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell announced the acquisition
of over 89 acres in Waretown providing additional protection
for the Barnegat Bay watershed, expanding the preservation of
coastal land, and increasing public access along New Jersey’s
coast.
“We are protecting even more of Barnegat Bay to provide
residents and visitors additional opportunities to enjoy the
Jersey Shore,” said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. “Preserving
over 1,000 feet of waterfront area in Ocean County means more
people can experience water sports and boating in our oceans,
as well as bird watching and hiking along our beaches.”
DEP Green Acres Program and Ocean Township jointly purchased
the 89-acre property for $2.25 million to maintain the area as
preserved open space.
“This acquisition advances Governor Codey’s Coast
2005 initiative, giving additional protection to New Jersey’s
natural resources and the Barnegat Bay watershed,” said
Commissioner Campbell. “DEP will continue to seek protection
for all of New Jersey’s valuable coastal resources, while
increasing easements along New Jersey’s shorelines statewide.”
The property provides 1,060 feet of waterfront area along the
Barnegat Bay and is within close proximity to the Barnegat Inlet.
The acquisition of this property provides additional access along
the Atlantic Ocean at three points in Waretown, along Chickasaw
Drive, Whippany Road and Hatters Road.
The Barnegat Bay acquisition will create a nearly 200-acre Wildlife
Management Area adjacent to the Lighthouse Center for Natural
Resource Education owned by DEP’s Fish & Wildlife and
managed by the natural Resources Education Foundation of New
Jersey.
“This is exactly what partnerships are all about and the
Township of Ocean is pleased to partner with the DEP Green Acres
Program to make this acquisition possible,” said Mayor
Dan Van Pelt of Ocean Township. “It is nice to know that
future generations will enjoy what we enjoy today.”
DEP has expanded fishing opportunities statewide with 54 new
public access points and over 4,700 acres of permanently preserved
open space.
In April 2005, Governor Codey announced Coast 2005, a statewide
directive to strengthen protection of coastal resources, enhance
public access, expand preservation of coastal areas, while continuing
to support the State’s tourism, recreation and maritime
industries.
New Jersey has 127 miles of ocean coastline along the Atlantic
Ocean and 83 miles of shoreline along the Delaware and Raritan
Bays. New Jersey’s coast is a diverse environment of natural
resources with more than 50 species of fish and shellfish that
are commercially and recreationally harvested.
The DEP Green Acres Program purchases land to protect environmentally
sensitive open space, water resources, as well as open spaces
with significant natural and historical value. Land acquired
becomes part of the statewide system of parks and forest, wildlife
management areas and natural areas.
During 2005, the DEP Green Acres Program has preserved more
than 28,961 acres of open space. Over 586,725 acres of open space
has been protected to provide for hundreds of parks throughout
New Jersey with DEP Green Acres funding. The statewide system
of preserved open space and farmland totals over 1.3 million
acres.
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