Commissioner Bob Martin visited the mayors again, this time at Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis Ocean County Golf Course in Little Egg Harbor. Bob criticized the profusion of regulations the agency is charged with enforcing. “What we have is rules on top of rules,” he said, “and some are in conflict.” For that reason, he said, the DEP would be introducing new rules over the next 12 to 19 months.
The commissioner said that 3,700 beachfront homeowners have agreed to easements for the protective beach dune program that resulted from Hurricane Sandy, but that 300 are holding out to protect their ocean views. Meanwhile, beach replenishment is underway with the largest such project in New Jersey history beginning now on Long Beach Island. Bob made two requests of the mayors. The first was to submit the municipal access plans that outline each town’s public access policy. The second was to support the DEP’s controversial $3 fee for swimmers who access Island Beach State Park by boat from Barnegat Bay’s Tices Shoal. The money helps pay for lifeguards. “This is not a cash grab,” he said.
The Ocean County Mayors’ Association has been found tax exempt by the IRS. Donations are deductible. Documentation of this determination and related financial disclosure documents are available for public examination. The Ocean County Mayors’ Association has been found tax exempt by the IRS. Donations are deductible. Documentation of this determination and related financial disclosure documents are available for public examination without notice.