Tuesday, July 20
In the mid eighties despite opposition for the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, The Hamburg Mountain Wildlife Management Area in New Jersey was sold to developers. One of the few redeeming functions of this sale was that $2 million of the proceeds were directed to the "Hunters and Anglers Fund". The law provides the Division of Fish & Wildlife the means and the responsibility to manage this fund. Not only is this money sorely needed, but the diversion of this money puts at significant risk additional funds due to New Jersey from the Federal Government. These federal funds are passed along to NJ with the requirement that the state meets several guidelines. Primary among those guidelines is that the DFW has sole discretion over the use of the "Hunters and Anglers Fund." By appropriating the money in the 2005 budget, the state has failed to meet that obligation.
I first became aware of this situation while browsing NJ fly fishing message boards. The concern of a number of posters led me to look further into the issue. Since I don't believe everything I read on message boards, I contacted the DFW directly and asked for information on the subject. Some of that info is provided above. It came with urgent pleas to contact legislators to stop this diversion. I was told quite directly that this issue, "Not only affects the future of wildlife management in New Jersey, but also is probably an illegal diversion of funds which will cause the loss of matching Federal Aid."
One of the few taxes I ever pay with a smile is the money I hand over each year for my fishing license. That money and additional excise taxes are routed directly for use by the DFW for fish and wildlife purposes only. That money makes up the operating budget of the DFW and now that money, and potentially more is being threatened.
Below is a link to an interactive map allowing you to find & contact your state representatives.
District Map
Jersey City
Hoboken
Randolph
You can click the district number to see your reps names and contact info. Additionally, if you are so inclined, please contact the members of the Joint Budget Oversight committee.
Bryant, Green, Kenny, Lance, Malone, Watson
And here's basic text of a letter, if you choose to write or email.
Letter Template
I first became aware of this situation while browsing NJ fly fishing message boards. The concern of a number of posters led me to look further into the issue. Since I don't believe everything I read on message boards, I contacted the DFW directly and asked for information on the subject. Some of that info is provided above. It came with urgent pleas to contact legislators to stop this diversion. I was told quite directly that this issue, "Not only affects the future of wildlife management in New Jersey, but also is probably an illegal diversion of funds which will cause the loss of matching Federal Aid."
One of the few taxes I ever pay with a smile is the money I hand over each year for my fishing license. That money and additional excise taxes are routed directly for use by the DFW for fish and wildlife purposes only. That money makes up the operating budget of the DFW and now that money, and potentially more is being threatened.
Below is a link to an interactive map allowing you to find & contact your state representatives.
District Map
Jersey City
Hoboken
Randolph
You can click the district number to see your reps names and contact info. Additionally, if you are so inclined, please contact the members of the Joint Budget Oversight committee.
Bryant, Green, Kenny, Lance, Malone, Watson
And here's basic text of a letter, if you choose to write or email.
Letter Template
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