ASSEMBLY, No. 3710

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED MARCH 16, 2020

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  RONALD S. DANCER

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

     Directs DEP to designate native bee nesting habitat areas in each State park and forest.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

An Act concerning the designation of native bee nesting habitat areas in State parks and forests, and supplementing P.L.1983, c.324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.).

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

     1.    a.   The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall designate in, and include the designation in the master plan and management plan for, each State park and forest at least one native bee nesting habitat area of the State park in which loose, undisturbed soil and undisturbed foliage and vegetation shall be maintained, as appropriate, to provide native bee habitat for native bees to build nests.  The commissioner shall consult with entomologists, knowledgeable nonprofits or organizations, and any other appropriate experts to ensure the proper location, establishment, and maintenance of each native bee nesting habitat area, with minimal threat from fire, danger to the public, or impact on the public' s use and enjoyment of the State park or forest.

     b.    The Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection shall post signs,  as appropriate, notifying the public of the perimeters of each  designated native bee nesting habitat area and its purpose, and take any other cautionary measures necessary to avoid destruction of the native bee nesting habitat area and injurious interactions between the native bees and the public in and around each designated native bee nesting habitat area.

     c.     The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), such rules and regulations as may be necessary concerning the designation, location, establishment, and maintenance of native bee nesting habitat areas pursuant to this section.

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

     The bill directs the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to designate at least one native bee nesting habitat area in each of the State parks and forests.  The bill specifies that each designated native bee nesting habitat area would have loose, undisturbed soil and undisturbed foliage and vegetation which would be maintained to provide native bee habitat for native bees to build nests.  The bill also directs the commissioner to consult with entomologists, knowledgeable nonprofits or organizations, and any other

appropriate experts to ensure the proper location, establishment, and maintenance of each native bee nesting habitat area, with minimal threat of fire, danger to the public, or impact on the public's use and enjoyment of the State park or forest.  The bill further requires the Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection to:

     1)    post signs as appropriate notifying the public of the perimeters of each designated native bee nesting habitat area and its purpose; and

     2)    take any other cautionary measures necessary to avoid destruction of the native bee nesting habitat area and injurious interactions between the native bees and the public in and around the designated native bee nesting habitat area.