LETTERS TO THE GOVERNOR: GREENWOOD LAKE PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCH

[muskynut]

HEY EVERYONE:

Hope you are all well and healthy. As was discussed in previous updates, the NJ Fish and Game Council voted unanimously in favor for a PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCH on Greenwood Lake. We are maintaining at 1899 signatures on our online petition.

It is VITALLY important that we let Governor Murphy know about the issue of ACCESS on Greenwood Lake such that monies can be found to fund the project. The STATE is looking at the Brown's Point area of the lake for the PUBLIC RAMP since it is state owned land.

We were told by the Council there are many avenues to find funding for the project....and....in order to be successful at this...it is IMPERATIVE THAT THE GOVERNOR BE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.....just like when we solicited everyone for their signatures on the petition: WE NEED ALL OF YOU AGAIN. Find attached two possible choices for a letter you can send to the governor regarding the request for funding a PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCH RAMP ON GREENWOOD LAKE. We did the work for you....all you have to do is print it out...add YOUR NAME, YOUR PHONE NUMBER, AND YOUR ADDRESS.....and mail it out. They are included with this post in a compressed "ZIP" format. A third letter is also in the works but not completed.....when it is.....we will include it. If everyone sends ONE letter to the governor....his office will be inundated with correspondence regarding this and it will keep the topic OUT FRONT and be considered a HOT TOPIC. We got 1899 of you for your signatures....now lets shoot for 1899 letters to the governor.

The Fish and Game Council also made us aware that the Governor also takes emails through the website as an option if anglers want to send their individual experiences regarding current ACCESS concerns at Greenwood. Again it is imperative that we keep this a hot topic on the forefront such that the STATE will seriously start looking for the funding. One letter per person.....that's all we ask. Pick whichever one you like, fill out, and SEND:

HONORABLE GOVERNOR PHILIP MURPHY
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PO BOX 001
TRENTON, NJ 08625

Also please remember, if you can to attend the monthly Fish and Game Council Meetings for updates and to express your concerns and have input. If no one cares....Greenwood Lake is on its way to becoming private.

We all need to be proactive....whether you fish the lake or not.....your license fee gives you the right to access the lake. Please HELP.....please get the word out....PLEASE SEND A LETTER.....thank you! Keep you posted.

UFANJ

[dales529]

Printed, signed and will mail out tomorrow. Great job you are doing for the fishing community. Keep up the effort. Sweet or Salt it all matters for current and future fisherman/ women!
Access is a huge issue and should not be taken lightly.

[muskynut]

thank you.....be well

[RAMMFISH66]

Signed and mailed!!!!

[dales529]

Just a heads up:
NJ Senate News
PENNACCHIO, WEBBER BILL WOULD ENSURE BOAT ACCESS TO
PUBLIC LAKES FOR RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN
The fees New Jersey recreational fishermen pay for freshwater fishing licenses help pay for the stocking of public lakes with game fish, but anglers are finding it increasingly difficult to get their boats into public waters.

A pair of lawmakers from the 26th District, Senator Joe Pennacchio and Assemblyman Jay Webber, sponsor legislation to be introduced in Trenton to address the frustration and growing concern for the lack of public boat launches and lake accessibility.

"There are public lakes in the state where bass boats and motorized vessels are welcome, but for a variety of reasons, fishermen who do not have private docks are finding it impossible to get into the water," said Pennacchio (R-26). "In effect, the lack of public boat launches creates private lakes that are supported by fishing fees intended for public benefit and enjoyment."

To address the problem, the legislation sponsored by Pennacchio and Webber would require the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure public boat access to all state-owned lakes where boats are allowed.

Under the bill, the DEP is required to construct boat ramps or enter long-term contracts for public launches at marinas or other private sites.

"Ensuring access to our state's great freshwater natural resources must be a priority for New Jersey," said Webber (R-26). "Recreational boating and fishing improve our residents' quality of life, enhance our economy, and are just plain fun. The Assembly should consider and pass this bill in the upcoming lame-duck session."

Greenwood Lake, spanning the border of New York and New Jersey, is one of the state's premiere freshwater fishing locations. Each year, the 7.5-mile-long lake is stocked with thousands of fish, but there is no public boat access.

In the past, recreational fishermen could pay to drop their boat in the water at private marinas, but the popularity of boating and fishing on the state's lakes spiked in recent years, partly due to the pandemic. As marinas filled to capacity, they could no longer handle daily traffic.

"More than 1.2 million anglers fish the state's waters each year, and two of every three boats registered in New Jersey are used for fishing," Pennacchio said. "The public should be able to enjoy the same ease of access enjoyed by property owners and members of private marinas. Incredibly, Greenwood Lake, the state's second-largest lake, has no public access. This bill will fix that."