Bill Text: NJ A4606 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Directs DEP to designate native bee nesting habitat areas in each State park and forest.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-06-22 - Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee [A4606 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-A4606-Amended.html
ASSEMBLY, No. 4606
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 27, 2017
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
Assemblyman ERIC HOUGHTALING
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman PARKER SPACE
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Muoio
SYNOPSIS
Directs DEP to designate native bee nesting habitat areas in each State park and forest.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 6, 2017, with amendments.
An Act concerning the designation of native bee nesting habitat areas in State parks and forests, and supplementing P.L.1983, c.324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall designate in, and include the designation in the master plan and management plan for, each State park and forest at least one native bee nesting habitat area of the State park in which loose, undisturbed soil and undisturbed foliage and vegetation shall be maintained, as appropriate, to provide native bee habitat for native bees to build nests. The commissioner shall consult with entomologists 1, knowledgeable nonprofits or organizations,1 and any other appropriate experts to ensure the proper location, establishment, and maintenance of each native bee nesting habitat area, with minimal threat from fire, danger to the public, or impact on the public' s use and enjoyment of the State park or forest.
b. The Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection shall post signs, as appropriate, notifying the public of the perimeters of each designated native bee nesting habitat area and its purpose, and take any other cautionary measures necessary to avoid destruction of the native bee nesting habitat area and injurious interactions between the native bees and the public in and around each designated native bee nesting habitat area.
c. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), such rules and regulations as may be necessary concerning the designation, location, establishment, and maintenance of native bee nesting habitat areas pursuant to this section.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.