Save New Jersey's Parks!

Governor Corzine's proposed budget includes a devastating 15% cut to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) budget. On April 1st the DEP announced that as a result of the proposed cuts, nine state parks will close and three others will close sections or reduce hours, including Round Valley, Highpoint, Washington Crossing and Monmouth Battlefield State Parks and Bryne State Forest.

Significant cuts to DEP's Divisions of Parks & Forestry and Fish & Wildlife threaten camping, fishing, wildlife-watching, swimming and educational programs for kids throughout the state. At the same time, the Garden State Preservation Trust, New Jersey's funding mechanisms for open space, farmland and historic preservation, will run out of money in less than a year and no plan is in place for continued funding.

Write your legislators today and tell them that this is not an acceptable way to resolve New Jersey's budget crisis! They should not approve a budget that includes these cuts. They must listen to New Jersey voters and continue to fund our state's parks, wildlife and preservation programs! Send a fax today by clicking "Send This Message" on the right. You can edit the letter at the bottom of this page.

Want to do more? Write a brief letter to the editor using the talking points provided and send it to your local newspaper and one or more regional or statewide papers.

Also, save the date for the Camp Out at the Capitol on April 23rd at 12:30 PM. Show your State Leaders you care, wear your outdoor gear, bring your own signs and rally to save our parks. For more information, visit www.NJKeepItGreen.org.

Tell me more

Talking Points

Please click on "Tell Me More" above for talking points and additional details on the impacts of these cuts.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

As you may know, Governor Corzine's proposed budget includes a 15% cut to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  Because of repeated cuts over the last decade, the DEP cannot absorb an additional cut and still continue to protect New Jersey's environment and administer the programs that are so important to our public health, economy, and quality of life. I am particularly concerned about the proposed cuts to the Divisions of Parks & Forestry and Fish & Wildlife as well as the lack of a clear plan for the renewal of the Garden State Preservation Trust, New Jersey's nearly-empty fund for preservation and park creation.

Our parks, historic sites and natural areas are integral to the state's economy and ensure a high quality of life in our state. Wildlife-watching, hunting and fishing alone bring in $3.9 billion each year.  These area also important places where families can go to spend time together, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors.  Our low- and middle-income families are especially dependent upon these public open spaces because they do not have access to private facilities that our higher-earning residents enjoy.

Resolving New Jersey's budget crisis by cutting funding for the DEP does not make economic sense.  The DEP is 90% self-sustaining, with only 10% of its budget coming from general state funds.  In fact, we will lose important revenues from park fees, permit fees and fines and damage our growing ecotourism industry if we make these cuts.  These cuts will also result in the inability of our state to provide the matches required to receive federal dollars for conservation work, further exacerbating the budget crisis. This is not a sound strategy for getting the state back on track fiscally.

New Jersey voters have repeatedly approved funding for parks and open spaces, even during difficult fiscal times.  Less than six months ago, we approved a $200 million bond issue to fund the state's open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs, even while denying two other funding requests.  Clearly this is a priority for the people of New Jersey.  I urge you to honor that priority by voting NO on any budget that includes the proposed cuts and passing legislation this spring to renew the Garden State Preservation Trust.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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