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Conservation group warns CAFRA change would set 'dangerous precedent'; committee advances bill to amend permit restrictions

Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee · February 12, 2026

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Summary

The committee advanced Assembly Bill 1620, which would allow DEP to lift conservation restrictions tied to CAFRA permits under certain conditions. The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters opposed the idea, arguing an existing state-house-commission process should be used instead.

Chair introduced Assembly Bill 1620 (sponsored by Sean Kean), which would direct the Department of Environmental Protection to lift conservation restrictions imposed as a condition of a CAFRA permit under certain conditions. Malena Bimpong of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters testified in opposition, saying the state house commission already provides a process to amend deed restrictions and that changing CAFRA regulations to benefit a single property “sets a dangerous precedent.”

Bimpong said her organization supports environmental protections and did not intend her testimony to reflect on the specific property referenced in the bill, but she asked legislators to use the existing administrative route rather than amending regulations for an individual case. A committee member asked whether there were other paths; Bimpong reiterated the state house commission's role.

After a brief exchange, members moved to amend and release the bill; the committee recorded votes in favor and released the bill as amended. The committee did not take a final vote on the substance of the bill during this hearing; the release advances it to subsequent consideration or floor action.