5:10A-19 Safeguarding of environmental resources of district.

19. In addition to any powers established pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1971, c.137 (C.5:10-5), and the powers established pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2015, c.19 (C.5:10A-7), the commission shall endeavor to safeguard the environmental resources of the district and provide quality public recreation and educational opportunities. The commission may:

a. Target and prioritize potential preservation sites for acquisition, deed restriction, and conservation easements, including large tracts of wetlands sites;

b. Preserve wetlands to protect wildlife, water quality, and flood storage value;

c. Review preservation sites for potential wetland enhancement and mitigation;

d. Improve connections among the district's trails and habitats, reducing fragmentation;

e. Identify missing links in the existing trail system, as well as key locations for connecting to wildlife viewing stations, environmental venues, boat launches, docks, and other active and passive recreational attractions;

f. Increase both active and passive recreational uses;

g. Eliminate or control the presence of other invasive plant and animal species;

h. Maintain and improve targeted habitats relative to breeding, wintering, feeding, and other wildlife activities;

i. Maintain the value of the Hackensack meadowlands as an urban sanctuary for birds using the Atlantic Flyway;

j. Seek available funding for land acquisition, protection, and management of wildlife preserves;

k. Maintain and restore the ecology of the waterways, including the estuary, shorelines, and nursery habitat for fish;

l. Continue monitoring water quality by collecting and analyzing data to determine trends, document improvements, and assess the need for additional, or more stringent, measures;

m. The provisions of section 6 of P.L.1984, c.128 (C.13:17-6.1), or any other law, rule, or regulation regarding purchases, contracts, or agreements to the contrary notwithstanding, at the request of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, evaluate, approve, and implement any plan or plans for the further preservation, development, enhancement, or improvement of Liberty State Park and the buildings, structures, properties, and appurtenances related thereto, or incidental to, necessary for, or complementary to the park. The commission may avail itself of any plans under review by the Department of Environmental Protection from any source that may promote expanded and diverse recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities for visitors to Liberty State Park and provide greater access to park facilities. Any approved plans shall constitute a project of the commission, but shall not be adopted as part of the master plan. Any plans approved by the commission shall be subject to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.447 and subject to approval or disapproval by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. In evaluating any plan, the Commissioner shall prepare an assessment of environmental impacts on the plan, and how those impacts, if any, may be avoided, minimized, or mitigated. At least one public hearing in connection with plans under consideration by the commission shall be held at Liberty State Park. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to transfer ownership of any of the property of Liberty State Park to the commission or any other person; and

n. Operate a not-for-profit organization which shall continue research opportunities of the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute.

L.2015, c.19, s.19; amended 2015, c.72, s.10.