Recent discussions in Avon-by-the-Sea have revealed significant concern from local officials regarding the proposed state bill, A4816, which aims to protect public beach access rights under the public trust doctrine. While the intent to safeguard Avon’s operations is understandable, the transparency about the financial implications needs more clarity.
In a recent meeting, officials expressed worries that the bill, which prohibits beach badges for accessing the wet sandy beach below the mean high tide line for recreational purposes, could lead to loss of revenue from beach operations. However, it's important to note that Avon disclosed a beach operations budget of approximately $1.2 to $1.3 million last year, the actual revenue generated was significantly higher. According to NJ.com, Avon made $1.95 million from beach fees in 2021, with revenues likely increasing in the following years.
This gap between the costs of maintaining the beach and the revenue generated raises questions. The purpose of beach fees should be to support beach maintenance and services, not to generate surplus revenue at the expense of public access. The right to freely access our beaches for recreation is not just a luxury but a matter essential to the public welfare and the spirit of New Jersey's shoreline communities.
Bill A4816 is a step forward in ensuring that all residents and visitors can enjoy our beautiful beaches without an economic barrier, reflecting the true intent of the public trust doctrine. Let's support fair access and transparency in how our beach revenues are utilized.
Contact members of the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee to express your support for this bill. Emailing the committee members can make a significant impact. Here are their email addresses for quick access:
AsmMoen@njleg.org
AsmCalabrese@njleg.org
AsmAllen@njleg.org
AswDonlon@njleg.org (the bill's sponsor)
AsmGuardian@njleg.org
AsmMcClellan@njleg.org
We also encourage you to directly contact your local representatives to express your support for Bill A4816. Finding and reaching out to your state and local representatives is easy and makes a big difference. Visit https://www.njlcv.org/find to find your officials and their contact details, or check your state legislature's website. An email, call, or social media post can go a long way!
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