ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 199
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JANUARY 13, 2015
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman SAMUEL L. FIOCCHI
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Assemblyman CHRIS A. BROWN
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges federal government to renew NJ Coastal Heritage Trail Route.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
AR199 FIOCCHI, C.A.BROWN
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AN ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION urging the federal government to
renew the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route.
WHEREAS, The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route (the “Trail”)
is a 300-mile vehicular route designed to provide education,
understanding, and enjoyment of nationally significant natural,
maritime, and cultural sites of the coastal area of New Jersey,
generally accessible by public road, for the benefit of the public;
and
WHEREAS, The Trail hugs the New Jersey coastline and is divided into
five regions: the Sandy Hook Region along New York Harbor, the
Barnegat Bay Region, the Absecon Region, the Cape May Region,
and the Delsea Region along Delaware Bay, providing scenic
enjoyment to travelers; and
WHEREAS, The Trail is likewise divided into five themes: maritime
history, coastal habitats, wildlife migration, historic settlements,
and relaxation and inspiration, all of which are fundamental aspects
of coastal life; and
WHEREAS, The Trail was established in 1988 through federal
legislation to raise awareness and public support for a coordinated
interpretive program of certain nationally significant natural,
maritime, and cultural sites associated with the coastal area of New
Jersey, along with stewardship and protection of natural and
cultural resources; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, due to a sunset provision in the federal
legislation, the National Park Service lost the authority to manage
the Trail as of September 30, 2011; and
WHEREAS, As a result, there is a lack of a coordinated effort between
the federal government and the State to care for and safeguard this
symbol of New Jersey heritage and history; and
WHEREAS, Further, National Park Service brochures about the Trail
will no longer be distributed once existing supplies are exhausted,
resulting in less public awareness about the Trail, and thus, fewer
tourists; and
WHEREAS, In order to protect and renew public appreciation,
education, understanding, and enjoyment of these nationally
significant natural, maritime, and cultural sites of the New Jersey
coastal area, it is necessary to renew the New Jersey Coastal
Heritage Trail Route; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey:
1. This House urges the Congress and the President of the
United States to enact legislation renewing the New Jersey Coastal
Heritage Trail Route.
AR199 FIOCCHI, C.A.BROWN
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2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State,
shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly, to the
President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and
Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and
Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States House of
Representatives, each member of the United States Congress
elected from this State, the Secretary of the United States
Department of the Interior, the Director of the National Park
Service, and the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the federal government to renew the New
Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route.
The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route (the “Trail”) is a
300-mile vehicular route designed to provide education,
understanding, and enjoyment of nationally significant natural,
maritime, and cultural sites of the coastal area of New Jersey,
generally accessible by public road, for the benefit of the public.
The Trail hugs the New Jersey coastline and is divided into five
regions: the Sandy Hook Region along New York Harbor, the
Barnegat Bay Region, the Absecon Region, the Cape May Region,
and the Delsea Region along Delaware Bay, providing scenic
enjoyment to travelers. The Trail is likewise divided into five
themes: maritime history, coastal habitats, wildlife migration,
historic settlements, and relaxation and inspiration, highlighting
fundamental aspects of coastal life.
The Trail was established in 1988 by federal legislation to raise
awareness and public support for a coordinated interpretive program
of certain nationally significant natural, maritime, and cultural sites
associated with the coastal area of New Jersey, along with
stewardship and protection of natural and cultural resources.
Unfortunately, due to a sunset provision in the federal legislation,
the National Park Service no longer has the legislative authority to
manage the Trail as of September 30, 2011. As a result, there is no
longer a coordinated effort between the federal government and the
State to care for and safeguard this symbol of New Jersey heritage
and history. Further, National Park Service brochures about the
Trail will no longer be distributed once existing supplies are
exhausted, resulting in less public awareness about the Trail, and
thus, fewer tourists.
In order to protect and renew public appreciation, education,
understanding, and enjoyment of these nationally significant
natural, maritime, and cultural sites of the New Jersey coastal area,
is necessary to renew the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route.