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S 3887

Relates to the Fair Fares act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 4 co-sponsors

Requires DEP to ensure public boat access to state/county lakes and reservoirs by building ramps or contracting with private marinas through public bids within two years.

PRINT NUMBER 3887A
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Bill Summary · S 3887

Summary — S 3887 (Print No. 3887A): Fair Fares Act — Public Boat Access to State & County Lakes/Reservoirs

Note: As amended and reported (1R) — Senate Environment & Energy Committee; reported favorably by Senate Budget & Appropriations; passed the Senate 39–0 on June 30, 2025. Received in the Assembly July 24, 2025.

Purpose / Intent

Require the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure public boating access (boat launches/ramps or equivalent access) to State‑ and county‑owned lakes and reservoirs where boats (with or without onboard motors) are permitted. The bill responds to situations where public access is limited or nonexistent and private marinas control access.

Key provisions

  • DEP must, within two years of enactment, either:
    • construct or cause to be constructed public boat access points at applicable State‑ and county‑owned lakes and reservoirs; or
    • enter into long‑term contracts with private marina owners to provide public boat access. Any such contract must be awarded through a public bidding process.
  • If DEP is unable to provide access at a particular lake or reservoir, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature identifying each site where access is infeasible and the reasons. If infeasibility is due to lack of funds, the report must quantify the funding required.
  • Committee amendments expanded the bill to include reservoirs (in addition to lakes) and county‑owned waters, removed a $2 million appropriation that appeared in the introduced version, and updated title/synopsis.

Who is affected

  • Department of Environmental Protection (primary implementing agency)
  • County governments (owners of some affected reservoirs/lakes)
  • Private marina owners (may enter into long‑term contracts subject to public bidding)
  • Boaters and the general public seeking access to State- or county‑owned waters
  • DEP Divisions (e.g., Fish & Wildlife) for site identification and permitting

Fiscal and implementation impacts

  • Office of Legislative Services estimates a State expenditure increase of approximately $900,000 to $3.6 million within two years of enactment. Estimates include:
    • Construction costs to provide access at up to 99 State/county sites currently lacking launches: $500,000 to $3.0 million (basic ramps range ~ $5,000–$30,000 each; costs vary by ramp type, size, environmental permitting and special-area protections).
    • Additional staffing/implementation costs estimated at $400,000–$600,000.
  • DEP may also incur periodic maintenance/renovation costs and additional permitting costs in environmentally sensitive areas.

Timeline & procedural notes

  • Two‑year deadline from enactment for DEP to complete construction or establish contracts.
  • Contracts with private marinas must follow public bidding procedures.
  • DEP must submit a feasibility/funding report to the Governor and Legislature for sites where access cannot be provided.

Sponsors and related legislation

  • Sponsored by: Sen. Nilsa I. Cruz‑Perez (primary) and Sen. Leroy Comrie (primary). Cosponsors include Senators Robert Jackson, Julia Salazar, Andrew Gounardes, Cordell Cleare.
  • Related/companion bills: A4504, A7316.

This bill aims to expand equitable public access to publicly‑owned lakes and reservoirs by providing infrastructure or contractual access paths while requiring transparency on infeasible sites and costs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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