SENATE RESOLUTION No. 107
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
INTRODUCED DECEMBER 1, 1997
By Senators KYRILLOS and CAFIERO
A Senate Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to reauthorize and appropriate funding for the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail.
Whereas, The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail was authorized by the Congress of the United States in 1988 as a public/private partnership to provide for the understanding and enjoyment of sites associated with the coastal areas of New Jersey, and the project exemplifies partnership programs that have become increasingly important nationally in protecting significant natural and cultural resources; and
Whereas, The Trail has been designated to include a 300-mile section of coastline in the State from Perth Amboy in Middlesex County south through portions of Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, and Atlantic counties to Cape May in Cape May County and west through portions of Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties to the Delaware Memorial Bridge in Deepwater, with the Trail region being east of the Garden State Parkway and south of State Route 49; and
Whereas, The goals of the Trail include protecting resources through interpretation, education, and research; creating public advocacy for resource protection through expanded awareness of the coast's significance; and ensuring that resources are not threatened or adversely affected because of designation as part of the Trail; and Whereas, The Coastal Heritage Trail benefits New Jersey by bringing national recognition and stature to many of New Jersey's special places; by helping to contribute to tourism, the State's second largest industry; by providing a unique opportunity for the State to capitalize on the expertise, technical assistance, and resources of the National Park Service in developing interpretive exhibits and brochures for Trail sites; and by building public support for the outstanding resources managed through the State park system through identification as Trail sites and development of expanded interpretive programs and exhibits; and
Whereas, While federal funding, pursuant to section 6 of Public Law 100-515 (16 U.S.C. S.1244), has been essential in providing the resources necessary to begin and complete construction of a portion of the interpretative trails envisioned by the various federal, State and private organizations and individuals involved, it is due to reach the federal authorization ceiling level of $1 million in federal fiscal year 1998, and there is no further appropriation for the Coastal Heritage Trail contained in any federal budget legislation proposed to date; and
Whereas, Additional funding is needed for construction of two of the five theme trails originally planned, and for three more welcome centers along the trails; and
Whereas, Senators Lautenberg and Torricelli have introduced Senate Bill No. 1016, which would increase the authorization level for the Trail to $4 million, and extend the authorization to the year 2004, which would give the National Park Service the additional time and funding necessary to complete the remaining trails; and
Whereas, Although the National Park Service has successfully raised, as a result of the requirement imposed in the original federal authorizing legislation that it match 50 percent of its appropriations for the Trail with non-federal funds, over $818,000 in non-federal funds, thus greatly exceeding the targeted amount, this has only provided enough funding to complete the existing trails and accommodate annual operating expenses; and
Whereas, There is still much to be done before the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail is completed, and additional federal funding authorizations and appropriations would ensure that this relatively small investment is in place to preserve the rich history of New Jersey and the Nation; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the Congress of the United States to pass Senate Bill No. 1016, which would reauthorize up to $4 million in federal funds through the year 2004 for the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail, and to appropriate the funds necessary for the continuation and eventual completion of this important natural and cultural resource project.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice-President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, each member of Congress elected thereto from this State, the Secreatry of the Department of the Interior, the Director of the National Park Service and the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Congress of the United States to reauthorize funding for the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail, and to appropriate these reauthorized funds for this important natural and cultural resource program. Of the five trails originally planned by the National Park Service, only three will have been constructed and completed by February 1998. Two trails and three welcome centers will still require federal funds for their completion. The National Park Service, together with State officials and private individuals and organizations, has raised over $800,000 thus far to more than meet the federal requirement for matching funds. However, additional federal funds are needed to make the Coastal Heritage Trail a reality. The additional funds are a relatively small investment to preserve the rich history of New Jersey and the nation.
Urges Congress to reauthorize and appropriate funds for completion of NJ Coastal Heritage Trail.