Bill Text: NJ S907 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: The "Liberty State Park Protection Act"; establishes Liberty State Park Advisory Committee and requirements concerning DEP actions related to Liberty State Park.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2022-06-09 - Withdrawn from Consideration [S907 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S907-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator BRIAN P. STACK
District 33 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
The "Liberty State Park Protection Act"; establishes Liberty State Park Advisory Committee and requirements concerning DEP actions related to Liberty State Park.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning Liberty State Park, supplementing Title 13 of the Revised Statutes, and amending P.L.1983, c.324 and P.L.2015, c.19.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) Sections 1 through 7 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be known and may be cited as the "Liberty State Park Protection Act."
2. (New section) The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Liberty State Park, located in Jersey City, is a priceless New Jersey and American treasure and an urban oasis in the middle of densely populated metropolitan northern New Jersey;
b. With internationally-recognized landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline as a spectacular backdrop, Liberty State Park is one of the nation's most sacred and inspiring parks;
c. Encompassing over 1,200 acres, approximately 600 acres of land and 600 acres of water, of which all but the interior's 235 acre natural restoration area are open to the public currently, the park contains significant natural, historic, recreational, scenic, and cultural resources;
d. The park, a major historic and cultural resource with its transportation and immigration history, includes: the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal or "CRRNJ Terminal," the third landmark of America's Gateway "Historic Trilogy" along with Lady Liberty and Ellis Island; the location of portions of the historic Morris Canal, with its significance to the local, region, and statewide transportation industry during the 19th and 20th centuries; and also the location of the Black Tom Island 1916 explosion historic site, with its significance to America's entry into World War One;
e. The park is also a major natural resource as a sanctuary for over 300 bird species including migratory species that use the park as a stopover while on the Atlantic Flyway, and countless other wildlife species;
f. More than five million people from around New Jersey, our nation, and the world visit the park each year to take in the dramatic and meaningful views and enjoy the peacefulness and passive recreational opportunities of green open space, the beauty of nature and wildlife habitats, family picnic areas, and fishing in the midst of the most urbanized area on the East Coast;
g. Unfortunately, this unique
and scarce urban green open
space has been the target of repeated privatization and commercialization
proposals since the park opened, and the subject of a number of development
proposals in recent years, including the Department of Environmental Protection
issuing requests for proposals to privatize or commercialize portions of the
park, which, if approved, would have seriously jeopardized this beloved public
resource and severely harmed the public's ability to enjoy free and full public
access to and enjoyment of the park;
h. From the time of its opening on June 14, 1976, Liberty State Park has had sustained overwhelming public support for a "free and green" open space park, and overwhelming opposition to privatization and commercialization proposals, as expressed in public hearings, countless public comments, petitions, and in a series of coalitions of local, regional, and Statewide groups to protect Liberty State Park as a "People's Park" behind Lady Liberty; and
i. It is fitting, proper, and necessary to recognize and respect this history of overwhelming public opposition and to take action to protect Liberty State Park from any inappropriate development proposals and to preserve Liberty State Park for future generations.
3. (New section) As used in sections 1 through 7 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.
"Committee" means the "Liberty State Park Advisory Committee" established pursuant to section 6 of P.L. ,c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
"Concession" means any rights or privileges granted by the department to a public, non-profit, individual, corporate, private, or other entity to operate on or within Liberty State Park to provide small-scale commercial activities that support or promote the public's use of Liberty State Park, or any building or facility thereon, or for small-scale commercial activities as provided in section 5 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), and shall include, but not be limited to, concession or operation agreements, franchises, licenses, permits, or other similar use agreements, but shall not include a lease, conveyance, or other transfer of property rights.
"Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.
4. (New section) The Department of Environmental Protection shall:
a. not consider any proposal to commercialize, develop, or privatize Liberty State Park, except as provided in accordance with the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);
b. not convey, lease, or otherwise transfer any property rights within:
(1) the 235-acre natural restoration area in the interior of Liberty State Park, identified on the tax maps of Jersey City as Block Number 21506, Lot Number 2; Block Number 21506, Lot Number 5; Block Number 21506, Lot Number 1; Block Number 24401, Lot Number 1; Block Number 21505, Lot Number 1; Block Number 21601, Lot Number 6; Block Number 21601, Lot Number 5; Block Number 21601, Lot Number 3; Block Number 21601, Lot Number 2; Block Number 15802, Lot Number 15; Block Number 15802, Lot Number 13; Block Number 15802, Lot Number 14; Block Number 15802, Lot Number 12; Block Number 15802, Lot Number 11; Block Number 15802, Lot Number 10; Block Number 15802, Lot Number 21; Block Number 15904, Lot Number 16; Block Number 15904, Lot Number 17; and Block Number 15904, Lot Number 18; or
(2) the 21.5-acre Caven Point Peninsula, the estuarine ecosystem for plants and animals, critical bird breeding habitat, and urban environmental education resource, which stretches into the Upper New York Bay and is identified on the tax maps of Jersey City as: Block Number 27601, Lot Number 1; Block Number 24307, Lot Number 10; Block Number 27701, Lot Number 1; Block Number 27601, Lot Number 2; and Block Number 24306, Lot Number 7;
c. no later than five years after the date of enactment of this act, and after consultation with the committee, finalize a management plan for Liberty State Park, which utilizes the map developed pursuant to subsection h. of this section;
d. consult the committee for review and recommendations:
(1) prior to entering into an agreement for a concession, conveyance, lease, or other transfer of property rights of any portion of Liberty State Park; and
(2) prior to the extension or renewal for a term of one year or longer of any lease in effect on the date of enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);
e. develop and implement, in conjunction with the committee, a public participation process to allow public citizens and civic organizations to provide public input on any proposed changes in land use at Liberty State Park or to the management plan developed pursuant to subsection c. of this section;
f. at least once each year, hold a public forum to receive input from the public concerning plans, including the management plan required pursuant to subsection c. of this section, improvements, preservation, conservation, and management of Liberty State Park, in addition to any public hearings that may be required pursuant to law; and
g. post in a prominent location on the department's website:
(1) any proposed agreement for a concession, conveyance, lease, or other transfer of property rights, including an extension or renewal, of any portion of Liberty State Park;
(2) the minutes of the committee pursuant to subsection k. of section 6 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);
(3) copies of any reports received by the commissioner pursuant to subsection b. of section 7 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill); and
(4) the management plan required pursuant to subsection c. of this section; and
h. develop, no later than one year after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), a map depicting Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The map shall include all public lands purchased, donated, conveyed, and owned in fee simple that the department manages and identifies as Liberty State Park. The map shall include the lots and blocks as listed on current tax maps of Jersey City. The department may update the map annually to ensure all public lands are shown and to include any additional land donated or purchased and to be managed as part of Liberty State Park.
5. (New section) a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto to the contrary:
(1) the Department of Environmental Protection shall only approve an agreement for a concession, conveyance, lease, or other agreement transferring the property rights of Liberty State Park, including an extension or renewal, with a private entity to provide small-scale commercial activities, if the agreement enhances the ability of a visitor to enjoy the natural, historic, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources of Liberty State Park for recreation and conservation purposes as defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-3), such as a bicycle or kayak rental concession, food concession, temporary winter skating rink, commercial boat tour operating from an existing boat slip, use of the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, and uses identified in the management plan developed pursuant to section 4 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);
(2) prior to entering into an agreement for a lease including an extension or a renewal, conveyance, or other transfer of property rights of any portion of Liberty State Park with a term of one year or longer, the department shall:
(a) present the proposal to the committee for review and recommendations; and
(b) provide a 30-day public comment period and hold at least two public hearings at Liberty State Park, with one hearing being held on a weekday evening and one on the weekend;
(3) whenever the department intends to convey, pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1993, c.38 (C.13:1D-51 et seq.), lands acquired or developed by the State with Green Acres funds, or acquired or developed by the State in any other manner and administered by the department, located within or adjacent to Liberty State Park, the department shall:
(a) present the proposal to the committee for review and recommendations; and
(b) provide an opportunity for public comment on the proposal, including holding two public hearings at Liberty State Park, with one hearing being held on a weekday evening and one on the weekend, and providing a 30-day comment period.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section to the contrary, the department may renew or amend an existing agreement or execute a new agreement for the continued operation of the Liberty Science Center or the marina in existence on the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), provided that the Liberty Science Center or marina are not expanded beyond their footprint of operation as of the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
c. No fewer than 45 days prior to the issuance of any request for proposal or similar solicitation for a concession, the department shall provide the solicitation to the committee for review and comment. In the event a solicitation is not issued, the department shall provide the committee with the proposed concession no fewer than 45 days prior to execution. If a solicitation has been provided to the committee for review and comment, the department shall not be required to provide the associated concession agreement to the committee for review and comment prior to execution, provided the concession agreement is materially consistent with the solicitation presented to the committee.
6. (New section) a. There is established a Liberty State Park Advisory Committee in the Department of Environmental Protection, to assist the department with conserving, preserving, protecting, and improving Liberty State Park. In carrying out its responsibilities, the committee shall give due consideration to the natural, historic, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources and the local, State, and national significance of Liberty State Park.
b. The committee shall consist of nine members, as follows:
(1) the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as an ex officio, non-voting member;
(2) the director of the Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection, or the director's designee, who shall serve as an ex officio, non-voting member;
(3) the president of the Friends of Liberty State Park, or the president's designee;
(4) the NY/NJ Baykeeper Chief Executive Officer, or the officer's designee;
(5) the president of the Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy, or the president's designee; and
(6) the president of the Jersey City Parks Coalition, or the president's designee;
(7) the chair of the Jersey City Environmental Commission, or the chair's designee; and
(8) two members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate as follows:
(a) one member from the State's academic community with expertise, knowledge, or experience in history, landscape architecture, park management, environmental protection, or ecology; and
(b) one member from a Statewide environmental organization with expertise, knowledge, or experience in ecology, environmental protection, land management, or natural resources protection.
The terms of the public members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate shall expire at the end of the Governor's term in office.
c. Any vacancy in the membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
d. The committee shall organize as soon as possible after the appointment of its members and shall annually elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members, and a secretary who need not be a member of the committee.
e. The committee shall meet at the call of the chairperson or the commissioner or when requested by any four members of the committee.
f. A majority of the voting members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of committee business.
g. The department shall provide primary staff support to the committee.
h. The committee shall be entitled to the assistance and service of the employees of any State, county or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, authority, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes, and to employ stenographic and clerical assistance.
i. The members of the committee shall serve without compensation.
j. The committee shall be subject to the provisions of the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.).
k. A true copy of the
minutes of every meeting of the committee shall be prepared and made available
to the public. The minutes shall also be made available on the department's
website.
7. (New section) a. The Liberty State Park Advisory Committee shall:
(1) assist the department in developing the Liberty State Park management plan required pursuant to subsection c. of section 4 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), and advise the department on the ecological restoration of the 235-acre interior portion of Liberty State Park and means to increase public access and public enjoyment of the natural, historic, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources of the park;
(2) review and make recommendations on any proposed agreement for a concession, lease including an extension or a renewal, conveyance, or other transfer of property rights of any portion of Liberty State Park as provided in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) within 45 days of presentation thereof by the department to the committee;
(3) request from the commissioner any information concerning Liberty State Park as it may deem necessary to carry out its responsibilities, excluding confidential information;
(4) request the attendance of the superintendent of Liberty State Park, or the superintendent's designee, at each of the committee's meetings to provide assistance and information to the committee; and
(5) submit to the commissioner any recommendations the committee deems necessary to improve and protect Liberty State Park.
b. The committee shall present a report of its recommendations to the commissioner within one year after its organizational meeting, and periodically thereafter. The committee shall also submit copies of its reports to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature.
8. Section 6 of P.L.1983, c. 324 (C.13:1L-6) is amended to read as follows:
6. a. Notwithstanding any other law, rule , or regulation to the contrary, the department shall have the authority to grant such rights or privileges to individuals or corporations for the construction, operation , and maintenance for private profit of any facility, utility , or device upon the State parks and forests, lands , and waters as the department shall find necessary and proper for the use and enjoyment of the lands by the public. Such rights and privileges shall include, but not be limited to, concessions, franchises, licenses, permits , and other rights and privileges deemed by the department to be appropriate in the utilization of the lands for the public benefit. The grant or award of such rights or privileges shall be made in the name of the State of New Jersey and executed by the department, at such price and upon such terms and conditions as shall be fixed by the department.
b. The department shall have the authority to acquire rights and privileges in lands owned by individuals or corporations where the department deems it necessary or useful, for the proper implementation of the provisions of [this amendatory and supplementary act] P.L.1983, c. 324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.), that an interest in such lands be acquired. Such rights and privileges shall include, but not be limited to, leases, licenses, concessions, franchises , and permits. Any rights or privileges acquired hereunder and the considerations therefor shall be subject to terms and conditions fixed by the department.
c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of this section to the contrary, commencing on the date of enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the department shall not grant any rights or privileges to an individual or corporation for the construction, operation, and maintenance for private profit of any facility, utility, or device at Liberty State Park except as may be allowed pursuant to the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
(cf: P.L.1983, c.324, s.6)
9. Section 19 of P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-19) is amended to read as follows:
19. In addition to any powers established pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1971, c.137 (C.5:10-5), and the powers established pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-7), the commission shall endeavor to safeguard the environmental resources of the district and provide quality public recreation and educational opportunities. The commission may:
a. Target and prioritize potential preservation sites for acquisition, deed restriction, and conservation easements, including large tracts of wetlands sites;
b. Preserve wetlands to protect wildlife, water quality, and flood storage value;
c. Review preservation sites for potential wetland enhancement and mitigation;
d. Improve connections among the district's trails and habitats, reducing fragmentation;
e. Identify missing links in the existing trail system, as well as key locations for connecting to wildlife viewing stations, environmental venues, boat launches, docks, and other active and passive recreational attractions;
f. Increase both active and passive recreational uses;
g. Eliminate or control the presence of other invasive plant and animal species;
h. Maintain and improve targeted habitats relative to breeding, wintering, feeding, and other wildlife activities;
i. Maintain the value of the Hackensack meadowlands as an urban sanctuary for birds using the Atlantic Flyway;
j. Seek available funding for land acquisition, protection, and management of wildlife preserves;
k. Maintain and restore the ecology of the waterways, including the estuary, shorelines, and nursery habitat for fish;
l. Continue monitoring water quality by collecting and analyzing data to determine trends, document improvements, and assess the need for additional, or more stringent, measures;
m. [The provisions of section 6 of P.L.1984, c.128 (C.13:17-6.1), or any other law, rule, or regulation regarding purchases, contracts, or agreements to the contrary notwithstanding, at the request of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, evaluate, approve, and implement any plan or plans for the further preservation, development, enhancement, or improvement of Liberty State Park and the buildings, structures, properties, and appurtenances related thereto, or incidental to, necessary for, or complementary to the park. The commission may avail itself of any plans under review by the Department of Environmental Protection from any source that may promote expanded and diverse recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities for visitors to Liberty State Park and provide greater access to park facilities. Any approved plans shall constitute a project of the commission, but shall not be adopted as part of the master plan. Any plans approved by the commission shall be subject to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.447 and subject to approval or disapproval by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. In evaluating any plan, the Commissioner shall prepare an assessment of environmental impacts on the plan, and how those impacts, if any, may be avoided, minimized, or mitigated. At least one public hearing in connection with plans under consideration by the commission shall be held at Liberty State Park. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to transfer ownership of any of the property of Liberty State Park to the commission or any other person;] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and
n. Operate a not-for-profit organization which shall continue research opportunities of the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute.
(cf: P.L.2015, c.72, s.10)
10. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill, to be known as the "Liberty State Park Protection Act," would preserve Liberty State Park as a public urban green open space free of inappropriate privatization by establishing certain requirements concerning actions by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) related to Liberty State Park and establishing a Liberty State Park Advisory Committee (committee).
The bill would prohibit the DEP from considering any proposal to commercialize, develop, or privatize Liberty State Park, except as provided in the bill. The bill would the DEP from conveying, leasing, or otherwise transferring any property rights within the 235-acre natural restoration area in the interior of Liberty State Park and the Caven Point Peninsula. The bill would require the DEP, within five years after the bill is enacted into law, to develop a management plan for Liberty State Park in consultation with the committee. The bill would also require the DEP to develop a map of Liberty State Park, which includes all public lands purchased, donated, conveyed, and owned in fee simple that the DEP manages and identifies as Liberty State Park.
The DEP would be required to consult the committee for review and recommendations: prior to entering an agreement for a concession, conveyance, lease, or other transfer of property rights of any portion of Liberty State Park; and prior to the extension or renewal for a term of one year or longer of any lease in effect on the date the bill is enacted into law. In addition, the bill directs the DEP to develop and implement, in conjunction with the committee, a public participation process to allow public citizens and civic organizations to provide public input on any proposed changes in land use at Liberty State Park or to the management plan developed pursuant the bill, and at least once each year, hold a public forum to receive input from the public concerning plans, including the management plan to be developed pursuant to the bill, improvements, preservation, conservation, and management of the park, in addition to any other public hearings that may be required pursuant to law.
Under the bill, the DEP would only approve an agreement for concession, conveyance, lease, or other agreement transferring the property rights of Liberty State Park, including an extension or renewal, with a private entity to provide small-scale commercial activities, if the agreement enhances the experience of a visitor to Liberty State Park for recreation and conservation purposes, such as a bicycle or kayak rental concession, food concession, temporary winter skating rink, commercial boat tour operating from an existing boat slip, use of the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal ("CRRNJ Terminal"), or another use identified in the management plan developed pursuant to the bill.
In addition, prior to entering into an agreement for a lease, including an extension or renewal, conveyance, or other transfer of property rights of any portion of Liberty State Park with a term of one year or longer, the DEP would be required to present the proposal to the committee for review and recommendations and provide a 30-day public comment period and hold at least two public hearings at Liberty State Park, with one hearing being held on a weekday evening and one on the weekend. In addition, the DEP would be required to take these same actions when it intends to convey lands acquired or developed by the State with Green Acres funds, or acquired or developed by the State in any other manner and administered by the department, located within or adjacent to Liberty State Park.
The bill provides that the DEP may renew or amend an existing agreement or execute a new agreement of the continued operation of the Liberty Science Center or an existing marina, provided that the Liberty Science Center or marina are not expanded beyond their footprint of operation as of the effective date of the bill.
The bill would require the DEP, no fewer than 45 days prior to the issuance of any request for proposal or similar solicitation for a concession, to provide the solicitation to the committee for review and comment, and would require that if a solicitation is not issued, the DEP would provide the committee with the proposed concession no fewer than 45 days prior to execution. If a solicitation has been provided to the committee for review and comment, the DEP would not be required to provide the associated concession agreement to the committee for review and comment prior to execution, provided the concession agreement is materially consistent with the solicitation presented to the committee.
The Liberty State Park Advisory Committee established by the bill would be charged with assisting the DEP in conserving, preserving, protecting, and improving Liberty State Park. In carrying out its responsibilities, the committee would give due consideration to the natural, historic, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources and the local, State, and national significance of Liberty State Park.
The committee's responsibilities would include: assisting the DEP in developing the management plan required by the bill, and advising the DEP on the ecological restoration of the 235-acre interior portion of the park and means to increase public access and public enjoyment of the natural, historic, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources of the park; reviewing and making recommendations on agreements for leases, including extensions or renewals, conveyances, or other transfers of property rights of any portion of Liberty State Park with a term of one year or longer; and submitting to the DEP Commissioner any recommendations the committee deems necessary to improve, protect, and restore the park.
In addition, this bill would amend the "State Park and Forestry Resources Act," P.L.1983, c.324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.), which, in part, allows the DEP to enter into agreements with private entities for the construction, operation, and maintenance for private profit of any facility, utility, or device in State parks and forests as the DEP finds proper for the use and enjoyment of the lands by the public. This bill would amend the law to reflect the provisions of this bill concerning agreements related to Liberty State Park.
Lastly, the bill would amend the "Hackensack Meadowlands Agency Consolidation Act" to delete the provision that provided the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which under current law is also referred to as the "Meadowlands Regional Commission," with certain authority concerning Liberty State Park.
