News Release from . . . District 24
October 19, 2006
Senator Robert Littell 973-827-2900 Contact: Jeff Spatola
Assemblywoman Alison McHose 973-726-0954 Contact: Lou Crescitelli
LITTELL & McHOSE ASK GOVERNOR TO EXPEDITE BEAR HUNTING PERMIT PROCESS
Senator Robert Littell and Assemblywoman Alison McHose (R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon) released the following statement in conjunction with a letter they sent today to Governor Corzine asking his office to approve the Division of Fish and Wildlife's re adoption of its regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act. The letter is attached.
"The population level of black bears in this part of the state is at a critical level and their numbers must be controlled to protect people, property and domestic animals. Hunting is the most efficient method to control the bear population and is an important tool in wildlife management, and we urge the Governor to take all necessary steps to expedite the permitting process. He must act now to make bear hunting permit applications available to the public so that the bear hunt scheduled for early December can proceed without delay."
October 19, 2006
Honorable Jon S. Corzine Governor, State of New Jersey State House P.O. Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625
Dear Governor Corzine:
As you know, the northwestern portion of New Jersey is prime habitat for black bear, and over the last decade the bear population has increased substantially, resulting in a significant rise in the number of bear/human encounters. Some of these interactions were, or easily could have become, very serious threats to the health and safety of
humans as well as domesticated animals. To control the bear
population density for the purposes of keeping it within the carrying capacity of the land and reducing the potential threat to public safety, the State has permitted the hunting of these animals in two of the last three years. Last year, in response to the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision, the Fish and Game Council developed a comprehensive black bear management policy which envisions the possible need for
additional hunts in the future, including this year. Notwithstanding
the Council's plan, which was approved last year by then-DEP Commissioner Campbell, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has yet to make bear hunt permit applications available to the public, even though the hunt ostensibly would be scheduled for December 4th-9th. It is my understanding that last year the first bear hunt permit application was
accepted by the division on October 4th. It is also my understanding
that the division cannot make these permit applications available to hunters unless and until your office first approves the division's re adoption of its regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The reason I am writing is to urge your office to act immediately in that regard. The State needs to allow enough time for interested hunters to prepare and submit their permit application, to find out if their application has been approved by the division, and, in many cases, to take the training course that the division requires as a condition of participating in the hunt. Time is of the essence if the bear hunt is to proceed as planned and in order for it to be successful in accomplishing its objectives.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. Sincerely,
Robert E. Littell Senator
Alison Littell McHose Assemblywoman
cc: Commissioner Lisa Jackson, NJDEP
October 19, 2006
Senator Robert Littell 973-827-2900 Contact: Jeff Spatola
Assemblywoman Alison McHose 973-726-0954 Contact: Lou Crescitelli
LITTELL & McHOSE ASK GOVERNOR TO EXPEDITE BEAR HUNTING PERMIT PROCESS
Senator Robert Littell and Assemblywoman Alison McHose (R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon) released the following statement in conjunction with a letter they sent today to Governor Corzine asking his office to approve the Division of Fish and Wildlife's re adoption of its regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act. The letter is attached.
"The population level of black bears in this part of the state is at a critical level and their numbers must be controlled to protect people, property and domestic animals. Hunting is the most efficient method to control the bear population and is an important tool in wildlife management, and we urge the Governor to take all necessary steps to expedite the permitting process. He must act now to make bear hunting permit applications available to the public so that the bear hunt scheduled for early December can proceed without delay."
October 19, 2006
Honorable Jon S. Corzine Governor, State of New Jersey State House P.O. Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625
Dear Governor Corzine:
As you know, the northwestern portion of New Jersey is prime habitat for black bear, and over the last decade the bear population has increased substantially, resulting in a significant rise in the number of bear/human encounters. Some of these interactions were, or easily could have become, very serious threats to the health and safety of
humans as well as domesticated animals. To control the bear
population density for the purposes of keeping it within the carrying capacity of the land and reducing the potential threat to public safety, the State has permitted the hunting of these animals in two of the last three years. Last year, in response to the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision, the Fish and Game Council developed a comprehensive black bear management policy which envisions the possible need for
additional hunts in the future, including this year. Notwithstanding
the Council's plan, which was approved last year by then-DEP Commissioner Campbell, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has yet to make bear hunt permit applications available to the public, even though the hunt ostensibly would be scheduled for December 4th-9th. It is my understanding that last year the first bear hunt permit application was
accepted by the division on October 4th. It is also my understanding
that the division cannot make these permit applications available to hunters unless and until your office first approves the division's re adoption of its regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The reason I am writing is to urge your office to act immediately in that regard. The State needs to allow enough time for interested hunters to prepare and submit their permit application, to find out if their application has been approved by the division, and, in many cases, to take the training course that the division requires as a condition of participating in the hunt. Time is of the essence if the bear hunt is to proceed as planned and in order for it to be successful in accomplishing its objectives.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. Sincerely,
Robert E. Littell Senator
Alison Littell McHose Assemblywoman
cc: Commissioner Lisa Jackson, NJDEP
