Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Liberty State Park Protection Act topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senators and advocates press committee to pass Liberty State Park Protection Act
Summary
Lawmakers and a broad coalition of park advocates urged the Environment and Energy Committee to release S2924, a bill that would codify protections for Liberty State Park and remove an appointed advisory committee; the panel voted to amend and release the bill for further consideration.
Senator Mukherjee told the Environment and Energy Committee that the Liberty State Park Protection Act (S2924) is intended to “put this to bed” and prevent future encroachments on the park, calling Liberty State Park “a national treasure” and “the people's park.” He asked the committee to move the bill forward so protections would be codified into law.
Sam Pessin, president of the Friends of Liberty State Park, testified that the Coalition to Pass Protection Act represents more than 111 groups and that the bill’s amendments — including deleting an appointed advisory committee — would empower public participation through DEP-held public meetings. “This is not a funding request law. It's a public good law to protect the park from being sold out to private interests,” Pessin said.
Multiple advocates and organization representatives — including the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, Friends of Liberty State Park, the New York–New Jersey bay keeper, and Jersey City representatives — spoke in favor of the bill, saying the park serves recreation, historical preservation, and environmental purposes. Isaac Smith, representing the Jersey City mayor's office, thanked sponsors and said the measure would “lock in” a vision of the park as an oasis in an urban area.
Committee staff summarized proposed amendments that refine findings, remove the appointed Liberty State Park advisory committee and references to it, revise definitions of concessions, adjust DEP duties, authorize a limited marina dry-rack facility of no more than one-half acre, and add an exception for telecommunications infrastructure. On the motion to amend and release S2924 the committee recorded affirmative votes and moved the bill out of committee with the described amendments.
The committee’s action advances the bill to the next legislative stage; sponsors and advocates said they expect further floor debate and potential additional amendments ahead of a final vote.
