Bill Text: NJ A1812 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates little brown bat as NJ State Bat.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [A1812 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A1812-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman PARKER SPACE
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Designates little brown bat as NJ State Bat.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act designating the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) as the New Jersey State Bat and supplementing chapter 9A of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Whereas, The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is one of over 1,200 species of bats in the world; and
Whereas, The little brown bat, found mostly in southern Canada and the northern half of the United States, is one of the most populous bats in New Jersey, and one of the most likely to come into contact with humans; and
Whereas, The little brown bat has an average wingspan of 11 inches and measures two to four inches from nose to tail, and despite its small size, can eat up to 4,500 insects in one night, including moths, wasps, beetles, gnats, mosquitos, midges, and mayflies, thereby reducing the need for pesticides and preventing some of the environmental damage associated with pesticide use; and
Whereas, During the spring, summer, and fall, little brown bats in New Jersey are often found in trees, buildings, or caves, or under rocks or piles of wood, while during the winter months, they are most commonly found hibernating in the State's largest known bat hibernaculum, the Hibernia Mine in Morris County; and
Whereas, In recent years, bat population numbers have sharply declined throughout the State, especially in the Hibernia Mine, which was once home to nearly 30,000 little brown bats; and
Whereas, As of 2015, the little brown bat population in the Hibernia Mine has declined to less than 500, a staggering 98 percent reduction; and
Whereas, This drastic reduction in population is attributed to white-nose syndrome, a disease which attacks bats while they hibernate, leaving them with white markings around their muzzles and severe scarring on their wings; and
Whereas, White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus that researchers believe originated in Europe and was accidentally introduced to a cave in Albany, New York, in 2006, after which it spread to 28 states, including New Jersey where it first appeared in 2009; and
Whereas, While researchers have yet to find an effective treatment for white-nose syndrome, it seems that little brown bat population numbers have stabilized for the time being; though, because little brown bats produce only one pup per year, it may be many generations before population numbers are restored to what they once were; and
Whereas, In consideration of the little brown bat's sensitivity to environmental disturbances, it is imperative that the people of New Jersey are made aware of the important contributions these small mammals make to the State and how to best preserve bat ecosystems, and so it is fitting and appropriate to designate the little brown bat as the official bat of the State of New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is designated as the New Jersey State Bat.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) as the official bat of the State of New Jersey.
Found mostly in southern Canada and the northern half of the United States, the little brown bat is one of the most populous bats in New Jersey, and one of the most likely to come into contact with humans. Though it is one of the smaller bat species, the little brown bat can eat up to 4,500 insects in one night, thereby reducing the need for pesticides and preventing some of the environmental damage associated with pesticide use.
During the winter months, little brown bats are most commonly found hibernating in the Hibernia Mine in Morris County. In recent years, bat population numbers have sharply declined throughout the State. As of 2015, the little brown bat population in the Hibernia Mine has declined a staggering 98 percent. This drastic decline is attributed to white-nose syndrome, a disease which attacks bats while they hibernate, leaving them with white markings around their muzzles and severe scarring on their wings. While researchers have yet to find an effective treatment for white-nose syndrome, it seems that little brown bat population numbers have stabilized for the time being. However, since little brown bats produce only one pup per year, it may be many generations before population numbers are restored to what they once were.
In consideration of the little brown bat's sensitivity to environmental disturbances, it is imperative that the people of New Jersey are made aware of the important contributions these small mammals make to the State and how to best preserve bat ecosystems. It is therefore fitting and appropriate to designate the little brown bat as the official bat of the State of New Jersey.
