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Post subject: State sues Sea Bright, beach clubs for better public access
 Posted: Sep 22, 2006 - 10:27 PM
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Puffer
Joined: Dec 31, 1969
Posts: 73
Status: Offline
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From the Press of Atlantic City -
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State sues Sea Bright, beach clubs for better public access
By BETH DeFALCO, Associated Press Writer
Published: Friday, September 22, 2006
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The state filed suit Friday against the Borough of Sea Bright and nine private beach clubs there seeking unrestricted public access to beaches in front of the clubs.
In the lawsuit, filed in state Superior Court in Monmouth County, the state argues that the private beach clubs have profited by charging fees for use of beaches in Sea Bright that have been built and maintained through publicly funded beach replenishment and beach nourishment projects costing some $29 million since 1995.
The beaches are resources that belong to the people of the state, and "we will continue to take whatever action is necessary to protect the people's right to access these natural resources and enjoy them," Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson said in a statement released late Friday afternoon.
Under New Jersey law, the area from the water line to high tide is considered public, said Jeff Tittel, president of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter.
"They received public money for improvements to the beaches but don't allow public access. That's pretty despicable," Tittel said. "They want our money but they don't want us."
A call to Sea Bright Mayor Joann Kalaka-Adams was referred to the borough attorney, who did not immediately return the call Friday evening. Calls to several of the nine beach clubs were also not immediately returned.
The lawsuit also seeks records of all beach fees Sea Bright has collected since 1992. The state alleges that Sea Bright kept $17.7 million in beach fees in 2004 that was never used as required by law for maintaining beaches and providing services related to beach maintenance.
The municipality charges a daily beach access fee of $7, and a seasonal fee of $95. |
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