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Senate committee releases wildlife corridor bill, removes $90,000 appropriation
Summary
The Senate Environment and Energy Committee released S-3618 directing DEP and DOT to craft wildlife corridor/action plans after testimony from conservation groups; committee removed a proposed $90,000 appropriation after the DEP said an existing plan is in place.
Chairman Smith's Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted to release S-3618, a bill directing the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation to develop coordinated wildlife corridor and crossing action plans aimed at reducing habitat fragmentation and vehicle–wildlife collisions.
The Nature Conservancy offered the principal testimony in support. Philip Echeverria, director of government relations for the New Jersey chapter of The Nature Conservancy, told the committee the measure would protect biodiversity, reduce collisions and leverage federal funding. He said New Jersey already preserves roughly 30% of its lands but that fragmentation from roads and development is accelerating. Eli Nagel, the chapter's director of lands, cited multi-state examples in Washington and Colorado where crossing projects substantially reduced collisions and saved public money.
The sponsor and witnesses emphasized public-safety and fiscal benefits. Committee members removed a $90,000 appropriation from the bill after Chairman Smith reported that the DEP commissioner told the committee the agency already has a plan to address crossings and did not need the appropriation. A technical amendment added explicit direction for the DOT to incorporate identified crossing projects into road construction, maintenance, or repair when practicable.
The committee voted to release S-3618 to the next legislative stage following the amendment. Chairman Smith and committee members said they expect the measure to improve habitat connectivity and reduce collisions while enabling the state to draw federal funds for construction and mitigation work.
The committee did not schedule further floor action in this hearing; the bill was released for further consideration.
