SEA ISLE CITY – The City Council has gone on the record in opposing legislation in Trenton that would impose an exception on beach tag requirements.
The legislation, introduced by Assemblywoman Margie Donlon of Monmouth County, would prevent municipalities from requiring tags for access to the wet sand beach below the mean high tide line.
The bill is meant to benefit surfers and anglers. Donlon is herself a surfer.
On March 25 the council passed a resolution opposing the legislation. The focus of its opposition is not on the revenue that would be lost, although that is mentioned, but rather on the many difficulties a beach resort town would have in enforcing its beach tag policies if this exception were allowed.
The resolution states: “Municipal beachfront staff will be forced to allow many individuals on the beach for free who will be using the wet sand areas for their beach equipment or who inform the beachfront staff they intend to do so.”
The bill was reported out of committee on a 4-2 vote, with four Democratic members, none of whom was from a coastal district, in favor and two Republican members, both from coastal districts and one of whom was Antwan McClellan (R-1), opposed.
Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
