Category Archives: Take Action

New Wharton State Forest Stakeholder Meeting Coming Up!

As we have heard over the last several months, the State is beginning a stakeholder engagement process to evaluate changes to access to Wharton State Forest including a map and permit system. OTNJ is considered one of the stakeholders and we will be keeping everyone informed of what we learn and how the public can get involved. The first step is a virtual meeting that will be held on 9/27 at 6:00 PM. Every single follower on this page should register for this meeting and participate in the subsequent survey. This is the start of your opportunity to provide feedback on how you access Wharton State forest and how you feel about these potential changes. Click here to register for the virtual meeting:

https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/wharton/

Click here to read the press release:

https://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2022/22_0036.htm?fbclid=IwAR1NEyJ9cg32-qfllkLrsSc444eF2N-XhzEAusLt64KoiThgf7YFyC_YbJc

Important – TAKE ACTION TODAY

Please see our page regarding the resolution being taken up by the Pinelands Commission this Friday, July 14th.  The meeting starts at 9:30 am at the Richard J. Sullivan Center for Environmental Policy and Education, Terrence D. Moore Conference Room, 15C Springfield Road, New Lisbon, New Jersey

OTNJ’s position on this resolution can be found at this link
This is a specific call to action with some suggested text and a link to send an email to the Commissioners on this page.

Other important links to important information:

Pinelands Commission CMP Policy and Implementation Committee Meeting

Your help is needed! There will be a meeting of the Policy and Implementation Committee of the Pinelands Commission on Friday, 1/29/16 at 9:30 AM. On the agenda is a “Discussion of DEP’s Motorized Access Plan for Wharton State Forest.” That discussion takes place right before Public Comment. This meeting is open to the public. It is important that the Pinelands Commission hear from the members of OTNJ. If you are able, please plan to attend this meeting.

When: Friday, January 29th 9:30 AM

Where:
Richard J. Sullivan Center
Terrence D. Moore Room
15 C Springfield Road
Pemberton, NJ 08064

Meetings:
http://www.nj.gov/pinelands/home/meetings/index.shtml

Agenda
http://www.nj.gov/…/home/mee…/documents/012916p&i_agenda.pdf

Please Sign this Petition

The DEP has agreed to hold Stakeholder forums and a public meeting on the M.A.P.; however, we are gravely concerned with their approach. Instead of following through with their commitment to truly work with the stakeholders, they are instead starting with the M.A.P., and asking the stakeholders to defend their needs to the DEP.  Please sign and share this petition to help assure a fair stakeholder and public forum session.

Click here for the Petition

We need your help!

The DEP has indicated that many of the roads that were closed by the Motorized Access Plan (M.A.P) were either damaged or not really roads, however, we know this is not true

We need your help documenting roads that are proposed to be closed but that are clear, and undamaged.   Head out out to your favorite kayaking spot, hunting spot or the road you used to ride down just to get away from it all, but is now proposed to be closed to motor vehicles.  Not sure where to go?  We can help.

Please see this article on how you can help us document good roads We have made it easy! All the information you need is there and you can do it while your out and about in the forest this weekend.

This information can also be found in our menu at the top of the page.