Cuts to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):

·The governor's proposed budget would cut the DEP's budget by 15% and eliminate 200-300 jobs at the agency.

·In the 1990's under Governor Whitman the budget was cut by almost a third and a quarter of the staff was laid off, and the agency has not recovered from those losses.  In the past five years, an additional 400 jobs have been lost due to hiring freezes.  The DEP simply cannot sustain yet another cut and continue to effectively protect the state's environment.

·The DEP's Division of Parks and Forestry has 40% fewer staff members than it did in 1994 and 40% more land to manage.

·The DEP constitutes only 0.7% of the overall state budget.  Because of fines, fees, permits, and federal grants, the department is 90% self-sustaining with only 10% of its budget coming from general state funds.

·In fact, cutting DEP will cause the state to LOSE money.  The state currently receives federal monies both in the form of matching funds, which will be lost if the state funding is not available.

Cuts to DEP's Division of Parks & Forestry

·DEP has announced that the proposed budget cuts would result in the closing of 9 state parks and portions of 3 other parks. These include Monmouth Battlefield State Park, High Point State Park, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Jenny Jump State Forest, Round Valley Recreation Area, Stephens State Park, Worthington State Forest, Parvin State Park, Fort Mott (including Hancock House), Bulls Island Recreation Area at D&R Canal State Park, and Shepherd's Lake Recreation Area at Ringwood State Park.  Washington Crossing State Park will also have reduced hours and services.

·The closure of public parks will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income families who do not have access to private facilities.

·17 million people visit New Jersey's state parks every year, adding $3.9 billion to the state's economy through their wildlife-watching, hunting and fishing activities alone.

·The cuts in parks funding ignore the demonstrated will of the people, who have repeatedly voted to fund preservation programs.

Cuts to DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife:

·State budget cuts and staffing shortages will reduce recreational opportunities and harm the state's ability to care for wildlife species.

·Many businesses across the state rely on wildlife recreation-related income. Legislators must ensure that these dollars continue to be spent in NJ and not be drawn elsewhere.

·Saltwater fishing alone involves over a million people each year, adding $841 million to the state's economy and substantially impacting our tourism industry.

·NJ is a haven for over 70 species of wildlife considered endangered or threatened. Allowing these species to decline to the point where they are required to be protected by law will result in more costly management.

Unclear Future for NJ's Preservation Programs:

·The devastating impacts of the budget cuts to our quality of life and economy highlight the need for a longer-term solution.

·The State Legislature and the Governor must pass legislation this spring to renewal and strengthen the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT).

·Since its creation in 1998, the GSPT programs have preserved over 432,000 acres of parks, open space and farmland.

·New Jersey voters approved one-year of stop gap funding (ballot question #3) sending a clear message to our leaders that continued funding for preservation is a priority during fiscally challenging times.

·If additional funding is not secured, the GSPT will run out of money in twelve months causing preservation efforts throughout the state to come to a grinding halt.