There are many types of Off Road Vehicles used to traverse the sands along our coastline, especially during the fall run. The New Jersey Beach Buggy Association is currently battling for our rights to drive the surf line.
The Department of Environmental Protection is proposing a definition of "oversized vehicle as such." An oversized vehicle, such as a recreational camping vehicle (RV or motor home) or combination of vehicles and trailers. This would be one that does not fit into the standard sized parking spot of 10 feet x 20 feet. A vehicle that requires more than one parking spot limits the number of vehicles that can use the parking lot. This is a particular issue during peak season at the parks. The fee specified in N.J.A.C. 7:2-17 for an oversized vehicle is greater than the fee for a motor vehicle that is not oversized.
For years and generations families have brought campers down the ocean to utilize the resource. The most common are the slide-in types that fit into truck beds, but as of late other types of RV’s also have ORV capabilities.
The DEP’s proposed rule changes continue-and they get worse. In an effort to better protect the beaches and natural areas of the State Parks, as well as wildlife and for public safety, the Department proposes to amend the definition of "mobile sport fishing vehicle." The existing definition does not specify the number of axles or the size of the tires on a qualifying vehicle. As amended, the definition includes only two-axle, four-wheel drive passenger motor vehicles, with tires no larger than 40 inches in overall diameter, that are designed to be licensed and operated on the public roadways and the highways of the State, and that are capable of four-wheel drive operation when off the public roads on specifically-designated beaches. Only those vehicles that fall within the proposed amended definition are eligible for a mobile sport fishing permit. The existing rule excludes from the definition ATVs, golf carts, and specialty vehicles, making such vehicles ineligible for a mobile sport fishing vehicle permit.
As amended, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), recreational camping vehicles, trailers-in-tow, and military-designed or surplus vehicles are expressly excluded from the proposed definition, and are therefore ineligible for a mobile sport fishing vehicle permit. The Department proposes the amended definition in order to protect the beaches and natural areas, as well as birds nesting on the beaches, within the State Parks. Large vehicles, such as recreational camping vehicles, and military surplus vehicles, such as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) (better known as the Humvee) or the M35 2 1/2 ton cargo truck (also known as a deuce and a half), often damage the natural areas due to their extreme weight and the wide width of their tires, which cause ruts and other damage. The specifically excluded vehicles are often used for overnight camping, which is prohibited on the beach. Moreover, their size can limit visibility beyond and around them, particularly at night, which can endanger members of the public who are also using the beaches. The amended definition applies only to vehicles subject to mobile sport fishing vehicle permits. The existing rules at N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.4 prohibit all vehicles from operating in natural areas, unless specifically permitted. This includes woods, swamps, bogs, wetlands or fields, or off of established public roads or in designated parking areas. Accordingly, the vehicles that fall within the proposed amended definition are already precluded from most areas of the parks. This proposal titled N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.2(e) further restricts the use of many of the same vehicles.
The New Jersey Beach Buggy Association has urged ORV operators to comment until Sept 14. They have their own amendments to the proposal and they can be viewed at www.njbba.org. There seems to be a stalemate with the state who wants to keep people from camping on the beach and anglers who want to work the night tides. Please let you feeling be known by supporting the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association as they continue this uphill climb.