Cape May National Wildlife Refuge to Get Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cape May National Wildlife Refuge in line for $750,000 funding windfall.
U.S. Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-2nd) on Wednesday announced that the House of Representatives has approved its Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Interior, Environment & Related Agencies Appropriations bill containing $750,000 for further land acquisition at the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge. The land to be acquired is located in Middle Township near the community of Goshen. The bill, H.R. 2643, passed the House today 272 to 155.
“One of the unique characteristics of southern New Jersey is our open spaces, and I continue to strongly support efforts to preserve and protect our wildlife refuges,” stated LoBiondo in a release. “I am pleased that additional land can now be acquired in Cape May County in our ongoing efforts to enhance this area for both local residents and visitors while protecting the habitats of the native wildlife.”
“This news is fantastic!” stated Howard Schlagel, refuge manager.
“Congressman LoBiondo, in his efforts to support the National Wildlife Refuge System, both locally and nationally, is providing a tremendous service to the public, both now and for the future,” Schlagel continued.
Previously, LoBiondo had secured $6.35 million since FY 1998 for the refuge.
LoBiondo has secured an additional $7.35 million for the expansion and improvement of the Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge in Atlantic County during that same time period.
Earlier in the debate, there were several amendments proposed to lift the moratorium on oil and natural gas exploration off the shores of coastal states, including New Jersey.
LoBiondo, who has long opposed drilling off of South Jersey’s shores, voted to maintain the current federal moratorium on off-shore drilling of both oil and natural gas.