Resolutions have been introduced in the state House and Senate opposing the redesignation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as a national park and preserve.
The changes, proposed by Delaware River National Park and the Lenape Conservation Alliance, would change the purpose and culture of the current recreational area from one where hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor and agricultural activities are allowed to more restrictive areas. There is a possibility of changing to the established area. Hunting is prohibited and fishing, camping, and river use may be restricted.
In addition to the new restrictions, opponents of the redesignation also argue that designation as a “national park” could make it easier for the National Park Service to acquire more land in and around its current boundaries. There is. Another concern is that more tourists will be drawn to the area, straining the surrounding area both in terms of traffic on local roads and the infrastructure required for tourist accommodation.
The resolution, SR-93 in the state Senate and AR-133 in the Assembly, is by state Sen. Parker Space and state Rep. Dawn Fantasia, whose 24th district includes all of Sussex and parts of Warren-Morris. and is sponsored by Congressman Mike Inganamort. county.
The 70,000-acre recreation area was created from land acquired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the massive flood control Tocks Island Dam project in the 1960s. Public opposition and lawsuits ensued as land on both sides of the river was confiscated to create a “recreational area” around the lake created by the dam.
When the dam project was abandoned under the weight of public opposition, the project continued with a recreational area without a lake. The area now supports an economy centered on river recreation, as well as camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Additionally, much of the bottom land in the river basin is leased to farmers who grow crops such as grain, corn, and hay, which serve not only as farms but also as cash crops.
However, if it is designated as a national park, restrictions will be placed on “resource extraction,” if not completely prohibited, and not only forest-related activities such as hunting and fishing, but also such activities will be restricted. There is a possibility that
Opponents of the redesignation say federal lands such as Stokes and Worthington Forest and High Point State Park could be at risk as well.
Almost half of the park’s 70,000 acres (21,978 acres in Sussex and 9,222 acres in Warren County) are in New Jersey, a hunting and fishing center in a rapidly urbanizing state.
Although not specifically mentioned in the opponents’ talking points, northwestern New Jersey has one of the highest concentrations of black bears in the country. Because hunting is a major population control measure, the New Jersey Department of Fish and Game has instituted a hunting season for black bears.
The details and scope of the redesignation project, as well as the project’s environmental, economic, and agricultural impacts, remain unclear. The proposed redesignation also does not say how the project would be funded or how fees would be collected.
National parks can set entrance fees, and the main north-south route through the park is owned by the NPS. However, other government agencies own east-west routes such as Interstate 80 through the water canyon, as well as roads that provide access to the privately owned Dingman’s Bridge across the river in the center of the park.
In 2023, this recreation area was the 17th most visited division of the National Park Service with 4,207,541 recreational visitors. This number does not include trips through recreation areas by commuters or those using Interstate 80, the Dingmans Bridge, or the Route 209 toll bridge from northern Sussex County to Pike County, Pennsylvania. not.
The proposed redesignation does not say whether or how fees, which are common in most national parks, would be collected or any changes to management would be made.
