In Effect May 25, 2023 – September 4, 2023
In order to protect public safety and natural resources, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and its New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (Division) will again close areas within five Wildlife Management Areas in New Jersey effective May 25.
- Cedar Lake WMA – Sand Plant Area
- Greenwood Forest WMA – Parkers Pit Area and Clay Holes Area
- Menantico Ponds WMA – Area 1, Area 2, and Area 3
- Wildcat Ridge WMA – Area in Splitrock Reservoir known as “The Cliffs”
- Winslow WMA – Winslow East (Hot Mix) Area
The closed areas for Menantico Ponds WMA listed above have changed from previous years.
According to a Division news alert, these areas have attracted large crowds and unauthorized activities – including swimming and off-road vehicle use – creating an unsafe environment. Some areas that have been seasonally closed in previous years will remain open this year with zero tolerance for illegal swimming, illegal parking, and any other violation of WMA regulations.
“Signs will be posted in the closed areas and New Jersey Conservation Police Officers will be enforcing the closures,” the Division noted.
The closures are pursuant to N.J.S.A. 23:7-9 and N.J.A.C. 7:25-2.26 and are effective May 25, 2023, through September 4, 2023, with areas reopening again on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
“NJDEP Fish and Wildlife regrets having to close these areas and understands the frustration of law-abiding users of the Wildlife Management Area system and has worked hard to address these concerns and adapted this year’s seasonal closures accordingly,” the Division stated in its release, adding “If illegal activities and unsafe situations occur at any Wildlife Management Area, NJ Fish and Wildlife Conservation Police reserve the right to close all or part of any WMA to ensure public safety and resource protection.”
In other Division news, the state has announced that renovations are complete and the Tuckahoe Boat Ramp, located on Mosquito Landing Road in the Tuckahoe WMA in Cape May County is once again reopen to the public. Improvements there include a new concrete ramp, improved parking, and a floating dock for boaters to tie up to pre-/post-launch.