Please Contact the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee Today!

On Thursday, June 14 the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee will hold a hearing on A3275.  This bill seeks to drastically change the membership of the Fish & Game Council from six sportsmen and three farmers who represent various geographical regions of the state to seven political appointees recommended by the Governor.  The current system has served New Jersey and its sportsmen well for over a half-century.  There is no justification for this dramatic change of course.

Significantly, the legislation makes a number of other changes that could be exploited by “animal rights” extremists to further erode sporting opportunities in the state.  For example, it directs the Council to investigate using expensive and unproven non-lethal alternatives for game management, eliminates any reference to use and development of fish and game resources for public recreation and food supply, and substitutes “wildlife” for existing statutory references to “game.”  A3275 also proposes transferring the Division of Fish and Game from the Department of Conservation and Economic Development to the Department of Environmental Protection, where there is a significant risk that game management activities will languish behind costly environmental projects and obligations.

Many New Jersey sportsmen view this bill as a means of setting the stage for future curtailment or outright prohibition of hunting and fishing opportunities in the Garden State.  Sportsmen must act now by contacting the committee members listed below to ensure this doesn’t happen.  Respectfully inform them that A3275 is not only unnecessary but could pose a serious threat to the future of New Jersey's time-honored sporting and game management traditions.

It is also critical that sportsmen attend the public hearing in order to have their voices heard.  It will be held on Thursday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m. in Committee Room #9 State House Annex, Trenton. If you are unable to attend please contact the members of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee listed below and voice your opposition to A3275. 

Assembly Environment & Solid Waste Committee:

Assemblyman John McKeon (D-27), Chairman

(973) 275-1113

Assemblyman Robert Gordon (D-38), Vice-Chairman

(201) 703-9779

Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis (R-8)

(856) 234-8080

Assemblyman Charles Epps, Jr. (D-31)

(201) 200-1820

Assemblyman Louis Manzo (D-31)

(201) 309-0770

Assemblyman Michael Panter (D-12)

(732) 544-2116

Assemblyman John Rooney (R-39)

(201) 967-8910

To find further contact information or help identifying your legislators

please use the "Write Your Representative" feature found at www.NRAILA.org.