The Liberty State Park Protection Act establishes a framework for the protection and management of Liberty State Park in Jersey City, emphasizing its importance as a natural, historic, and cultural resource. The bill creates the Liberty State Park Advisory Committee, composed of nine members from various environmental and community organizations, to assist the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in developing a management plan, reviewing proposals for concessions or property rights transfers, and ensuring public input on changes to the park. Key provisions include restrictions on commercialization, development, or privatization of the park, particularly in designated areas like the 235-acre natural restoration area and the Caven Point Peninsula.

The bill also amends existing laws to prevent the granting of rights or privileges for private profit at Liberty State Park, ensuring that any commercial activities enhance public enjoyment of the park's resources. It mandates that the DEP consult with the advisory committee before making decisions regarding concessions or property rights transfers and requires public forums for community input. Additionally, the bill removes certain provisions from the Hackensack Meadowlands Agency Consolidation Act that previously granted authority to the commission over Liberty State Park, thereby reinforcing the DEP's responsibilities in managing the park's ecological and recreational resources.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1L-6, 5:10A-19