Whereas expanding sand mining operations pose a threat to the beaches along the New Jersey coastline.

Whereas tourism along the shore provides jobs and revenue for both the beaches themselves and the boardwalks that operate by them

Whereas preservation of the vibrant coastal ecosystem is a valiant goal for the Commonwealth of Chesapeake

Therefore, be it enacted that the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Chesapeake,

Section 1. Short Title

  1. This bill shall be know as the “Jersey Shore State Parks Creation and Appropriations Act”

Section II. Definitions

  1. For the purpose of this act,
  1. State Park shall be known as a section of land and water controlled and operated by the Department of the Environment  
  2. Secretary shall refer to the Secretary of the Environment

Section III. Creation of state parks

  1. The Secretary is required to find the locations for 5 new state parks within 3 months after the enactment of this act.
  1. The Secretary may delegate this power to a commission appointed by the Secretary and approved by the governor.
  2. The Secretary or the Commission may petition the Governor for additional time, as is needed.  
  3. The General Assembly must confirm the locations of each of the parks before they are designated as such.
  1. Each park must consist of the following
  1. A 5 mile stretch of continuous coastline
  1. The five mile stretch includes the beach on the area chosen as well as the territorial waters extending from it.
  1. At least 50% of the beach chosen for the state park must be suitable for recreational use by the general public
  1. Suitable shall be defined as the beach itself and the first half mile of water from the coast being accessible to humans.
  2. In addition, suitable beaches must include a reasonable lack of boulders and other natural phenomena that can cause injury to anyone in the water.
  1. At least some sand within the park’s territorial waters to replenish the shoreline’s sand, should the need arise. The amount of sand needed shall be determined by the Secretary.
  1. The Department of the Environment shall have 1 year after the Secretary finds 5 suitable locations to create establish and staff the new parks.

Section IV. Regulations Within Park Borders

  1. All existing and future laws regarding general regulations in state parks shall apply to these new state parks
  2. In addition, the following regulations apply to these state parks
  1. All commercial sand harvesting, mining, gathering, and extracting is prohibited within park borders
  1. The department of the environment may harvest sand to restore the coastline.
  1. Fishing in park boundaries will be allowed with a commercial or recreational fishing licence.
  2. No animals may be killed in park boundaries unless they present a clear and present danger to guests in the park.
  3. Individual parks may establish other regulations as they deem necessary.  
  1. Pricing regulations
  1. The price for using the state parks shall be set at $10 per individual above the age of 13
  1. Senior citizens and children below the age of 13 shall be admitted at $5 per person
  1. Those earning up to 150% of the state poverty line may apply for free admission for a period of one day per month.
  2. Each park may petition the Department of the Environment for changes in this policy.
  1. The Department must review these policy changes to insure that they do not unreasonably hamper an average citizen’s ability to use the state park.

Section V. Funding

  1. $5 million shall be appropriated to fund the provisions of this act
  1. The Secretary may petition the Assembly for additional funds as needed

Section VII. Severability

  1. Should any part of this act be found unconstitutional, all other parts of this act shall remain in place.

Section VIII. Enactment

  1. The provisions outlined in this act will take effect immediately after it is passed

This act was written by /u/phonexia2(D) and sponsored by /u/Ninjjadragon(D)