Nine state parks may close under budget ax

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These are painful decisions."

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-- Stephens State Park, 805 acres, Warren County. Camping area closed.

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The proposed closures would save about $4.5 million in salaries and maintenance, a small portion of the governor's proposed $33 billion budget. However, the DEP could not reach Corzine's mandate of slashing $8.8 million from the $34 million Parks Management General Fund without resorting to closing parks, Jackson said.

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Tittel called the park closings "shortsighted," saying that outdoor recreation generates $3.9 billion yearly for the state's economy.

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does this mean they'd be selling off the land or just shutting down services to the park?

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Its all a ploy, this has been threatened in the past. Everyone gets up in arms, so the parks don't get closed, but none of the budget issues are dealt with either. Then, when we complain about the state of the State, the government says, well, we tried to close the Parks to cut costs but is was criticized so we did not. Its all BS.

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i hope this is an april fools joke

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-- Jenny Jump State Forest, 4,288 acres, Warren County. Camping and office, closed. Trail access limited.

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Well if they close who will be around to snare you if you snuck in?

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but no park police or fire rangers would lose their jobs, Katz said.

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where are the treehuggers fighting this?

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 10:35 AM
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by The Associated Press Tuesday April 01, 2008, 10:55 AM One in five New Jersey state parks would be forced to close at the height of the summer season and 80 parks workers would be laid off as part of cost-cutting measures forced by Gov. Jon S. Corzine's austere budget. The Department of Environmental Protection is proposing to close nine state parks entirely, slash services at three more, and reduce offseason hours at all 42 sites. "These cuts are very significant," said DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson, who delivered the bad news Tuesday morning to park supervisors and union officials who represent the workers. "I wouldn't want to minimize the impact on families who have used the parks, sometimes for a generation, and workers who care about the parks," she said. "These are painful decisions." The list of parks slated for closure includes five in the Skylands region and two each in the Shore and Delaware River regions. Hours and services at three others would be drastically reduced. Parks targeted to close include High Point State Park and Round Valley Recreation Area in the north, Monmouth Battlefield State Park at the shore and Parvin State Park in the south. The proposed closures would save about $4.5 million in salaries and maintenance, a small portion of the governor's proposed $33 billion budget. However, the DEP could not reach Corzine's mandate of slashing $8.8 million from the $34 million Parks Management General Fund without resorting to closing parks, Jackson said. Legislators must agree to Corzine's budget plan; the state constitution requires a budget be adopted by July 1. She said the DEP looked at attendance, revenue, nearby similar services and whether a park could be effectively closed before making the list. Some 17 million visitors use New Jersey parks and forests each year for camping, swimming, hiking, boating, picnicking and more. The parks slated for closure had 2 million visitors last year, according to the DEP. Environmentalists say the modest fiscal savings are not worth the quality-of-life trade off. "We have too many people in government who don't understand how important parks are for the people of New Jersey," said Jeff Tittel, executive director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "Not everybody can have a house on Long Beach Island or the Hamptons. This is where people go on their vacations." (For once I agree with this nut!) Tittel called the park closings "shortsighted," saying that outdoor recreation generates $3.9 billion yearly for the state's economy. Carla Katz, president of Communications Workers of America Local 1034, which represents some park workers, called the cuts "wrongheaded" and "draconian." "Closing treasured state parks and cutting the jobs of the hardworking state workers who staff them is a grave injustice and remarkably shortsighted," Katz said. The layoffs would affect full-time park rangers and supervisors, historic and natural preservation specialists, and clerical and maintenance staff. Seasonal workers would not be hired for the affected areas, but no park police or fire rangers would lose their jobs, Katz said. Jackson said only Island Beach State Park operates at a surplus. However, she said the DEP was reluctant to raise fees for parking and camping because the parks are typically used by people of modest means. The list of nine state parks that would close: -- Monmouth Battlefield State Park, 2,928 acres, Monmouth County. Visitor center, restrooms, closed. -- Stephens State Park, 805 acres, Warren County. Camping area closed. -- High Point State Park, 15,827 acres, Sussex County. Swimming, camping, interpretive center, office, closed. Trail access limited. -- Brendan T. Byrne State Forest (formerly Lebanon State Forest), 36,647 acres, Burlington County. Camping, group picnic area, Indian King Tavern, office, closed. Trail access limited. -- Round Valley Recreation Area, 3,684 acres, Hunterdon County. Swimming, camping, Wallace House, office, closed. -- Parvin State Park, 1,952 acres, Salem County. Swimming, camping, interpretive center, office, closed. -- Jenny Jump State Forest, 4,288 acres, Warren County. Camping and office, closed. Trail access limited. -- Worthington State Forest, 6,584 acres, Warren County. Camping and office, closed. Trail access limited. -- Fort Mott State Park, 104 acres, Salem County. Hancock House, historic sites, office, closed. Access to ferry service, open. The list of three New Jersey state parks that would partially close under the proposed budget: -- Ringwood State Park, 4,044 acres, Bergen and Passaic counties. Shepherd Lake swimming area closed; Ringwood Manor, reduced hours. State Botanical Gardens and Skylands Manor, open. -- D&R Canal State Park, 5,379 acres, central New Jersey. Bulls Island Recreation Area closed to campers. Rockingham Historic Site and towpath, open. -- Washington Crossing State Park, 3,126 acres, Mercer and Hunterdon counties. Significantly reduced hours at Clark House, Johnson Ferry House and the museum. Winter hours at all remaining parks would be reduced. All but Liberty and Island Beach state parks would be closed Mondays and Tuesdays from Nov. 1 through March 31. __________________ "...but to protest against all hunting of game is a sign of softness of head, not soundness of heart." TR A1202 is Bad! Shame on you Anthony Chiappone!

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 10:39 AM
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Quote: These are painful decisions." say yes to raising tolls or else thats all this is about __________________ i pay to hunt here....do you "pay to hike here" CROSSBOWS are divisive....look whats happening to hunter unity if you cant answer some simple questions then its not that simple for me to donate to your cause "you know who you are"

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 10:42 AM
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Quote: -- Stephens State Park, 805 acres, Warren County. Camping area closed. Well there goes the family camping trips

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 10:48 AM
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Quote: The proposed closures would save about $4.5 million in salaries and maintenance, a small portion of the governor's proposed $33 billion budget. However, the DEP could not reach Corzine's mandate of slashing $8.8 million from the $34 million Parks Management General Fund without resorting to closing parks, Jackson said. Quote: Tittel called the park closings "shortsighted," saying that outdoor recreation generates $3.9 billion yearly for the state's economy. __________________ "...but to protest against all hunting of game is a sign of softness of head, not soundness of heart." TR A1202 is Bad! Shame on you Anthony Chiappone!

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 10:51 AM Last Edited By: Beaverkill
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This is a strong arm tactic by Corslime.. Round Valley must be a money generator..That park is usually filled to capacity during summer weekends..A horrible social and business decision __________________ http://www.Troutwater.blogspot.com http://www.catskillflyfishing.com A Pro Staff Pro-Staffer

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 10:52 AM
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looks like i wont get my sasonal job back at worthington

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:02 AM
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To me this seems a way to punish the citizens of NJ. Are you telling me we cannot trim money first from Trenton fat?

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:06 AM
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does this mean they'd be selling off the land or just shutting down services to the park? __________________ "The man who does not like to see, hunt, photograph, or otherwise outwit birds or animals is hardly normal. He is supercivilized, and I for one do not know how to deal with him." -Aldo Leopold

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:08 AM
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Its all a ploy, this has been threatened in the past. Everyone gets up in arms, so the parks don't get closed, but none of the budget issues are dealt with either. Then, when we complain about the state of the State, the government says, well, we tried to close the Parks to cut costs but is was criticized so we did not. Its all BS.

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:10 AM
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thats good to hear little

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:12 AM
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Quote: does this mean they'd be selling off the land or just shutting down services to the park? I read it as just closing down the office hours, camping, and visiting hours at park X. __________________ http://www.nra.org http://www.kriskrause.com The List - http://www.militarycity.com/valor/honor.html The Lies of Tet - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120226056767646059.html

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:17 AM
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Quote: Its all a ploy, this has been threatened in the past. Everyone gets up in arms, so the parks don't get closed, but none of the budget issues are dealt with either. Then, when we complain about the state of the State, the government says, well, we tried to close the Parks to cut costs but is was criticized so we did not. Its all BS. Unfortunately - he will close the parks as he did the casinos. Quote: i hope this is an april fools joke no - It's a shot across our bow. Mobilize. I find it symbolic that they named Monmouth Battleground. __________________ "...but to protest against all hunting of game is a sign of softness of head, not soundness of heart." TR A1202 is Bad! Shame on you Anthony Chiappone!

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:22 AM
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Quote: i hope this is an april fools joke Fat chance... but he has been a joke since he took office. __________________ Life Member NRA, NAHC, NAFC Member NJWF, NWTF, NRHRC, NJFSC Recording Sec. SORG

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:26 AM
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What does it take to keep these parks open? I fish at the D&R all the time and have only seen a ranger once in the past 4 years. What does Worthington cost? Maybe they should have not put in those stupid bathrooms and showers.

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:30 AM
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Well if they close who will be around to snare you if you snuck in?

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:40 AM
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Elusive, Don't sweat it, You don't hunt on the "Hikeing" trails right? My guess is that it's still open to hunting. Corislime is just pathetic, He won't go after the corruptsion that's wrecking the state, so let's just close what parks we can that'll solve everything! JACKASS __________________ Hunt with a Vizsla, Cause life's to short to hunt with an ugly dog! Deer-A-Thon Pro Staffer

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 2:04 PM
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And the people just sit back and eating this crap. Everyone sign the recall petition? Everyone a register voter? That's alright. Recalls and voting don't make a difference. Sit back, get teary eyed over the Sopranos or get drunk at a Met's game. Wait till Corzine comes after hunting again. __________________ Cub Scout 1973 "The people will suffer what is sufferable rather than to assume the burden of righting what is wrong."

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:30 AM
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Quote: -- Jenny Jump State Forest, 4,288 acres, Warren County. Camping and office, closed. Trail access limited. __________________ "How can you be so hypocritical to look down on a man who is honest enough to kill his own?" (Thanks MTH) "The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma" *"Patience is the key to success"*

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:54 AM
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Lisa P. Jackson, Commissioner 401 E. State St. 7th Floor, East Wing P.O. Box 402 Trenton, NJ 08625-0402 phone: 609-292-2885 fax: 609-292-7695 __________________ "...but to protest against all hunting of game is a sign of softness of head, not soundness of heart." TR A1202 is Bad! Shame on you Anthony Chiappone!

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:56 AM
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If Round Valley SP is closed, they'll have to keep a platoon of CO's around the DFW boat ramp areas there to keep out the picnic'ers. __________________ We, The People, are all first responders. We are also the first victims. Demand reasonable CCW laws from Trenton.

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:57 AM
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our state government is messed up

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 11:58 AM
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The quality of life in this state is taking a nose dive fast

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 12:27 PM
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Quote: Well if they close who will be around to snare you if you snuck in? Quote: but no park police or fire rangers would lose their jobs, Katz said. __________________ Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 12:47 PM
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its a ploy he will close them for like a week and the toll bill will get passed then he will reopen... its his way and the highway "no pun intended" or i'll make peoples life miserable....where are the treehuggers fighting this? they can't go bird watching and eat tofu at there blanket picnics on the river at the D&R canal __________________ i pay to hunt here....do you "pay to hike here" CROSSBOWS are divisive....look whats happening to hunter unity if you cant answer some simple questions then its not that simple for me to donate to your cause "you know who you are"

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 12:50 PM Last Edited By: lefteye
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How much would you save eliminating Jacksons job? Probably enough to pay two rangers with benefits. __________________ The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything. Theodore Roosevelt Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. Sir Winston Churchill

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 1:08 PM
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Quote: where are the treehuggers fighting this? They quote Jeff Tittel (Sierra Club NJ) in the article. __________________ "...but to protest against all hunting of game is a sign of softness of head, not soundness of heart." TR A1202 is Bad! Shame on you Anthony Chiappone!

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 1:36 PM
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This is just great! __________________ Want to be FIT? http://BootCross.com

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 2:16 PM
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I think he should cut his salary, maybe his drivers should go back to the streets, maybe no heli... etc. __________________ "Without either the first or second amendment, we would have no liberty; the first allows us to find out what's happening, the second allows us to do something about it! The second will be taken away first, followed by the first and then the rest of our freedoms." -- Andrew Ford

Posted: 01 Apr 2008 2:27 PM Last Edited By: Stronski
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This is Corzine's way to blackmail the people. Punish the people! It's our fault, our burden because the state is in debt. "Get onboard with the toll and gas tax hike or we close the parks." Wait till the parks get so run down and irreparable. Corzine will turn them into Hollywood Tans and Commerce Banks. __________________ Cub Scout 1973 "The people will suffer what is sufferable rather than to assume the burden of righting what is wrong."