Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes multi-species depredation permit.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing a multi-species depredation permit, and supplementing Title 23 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Upon receipt of a proper application therefor, the Division of Fish and Wildlife shall issue a multi-species depredation permit for the taking, capturing, and transportation of wildlife which is creating a hazard to public safety or causing damage to crops or livestock. The permit shall be in effect for one year from the date of issuance, and shall list the specific property or properties and all species to which the permit applies, as determined by the division.
b. The State Fish and Game Code shall include provisions establishing: (1) the qualifications and application procedures for obtaining a multi-species depredation permit; (2) the method or methods allowed for taking wildlife under the permit; (3) the disposition of animals taken under the permit; and (4) the fee for the permit. In no event shall an applicant be required to apply for more than one permit to conduct depredation control activities on a specific property.
c. In deciding whether to issue a multi-species depredation permit, the division shall consider the hazard to public safety and the damage to crops or livestock caused by wildlife in the immediately preceding year, where it is demonstrated that such hazard or damage has occurred.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would establish a multi-species depredation permit for the taking, capturing, and transportation of wildlife which is creating a hazard to public safety or causing damage to crops or livestock. The permit would be in effect for one year from the date of issuance, and would list the specific property or properties and all species to which the permit applies. Under the bill, an applicant would not be required to apply for more than one permit to conduct depredation control activities on a specific property. In addition, in deciding whether to issue a permit, the division would be required to consider the hazard to public safety and the damage to crops or livestock caused by wildlife in the immediately preceding year, where it demonstrated that such damage or hazard has occurred.