Pallone Urges National Park Service to Abandon Proposal to Increase Fees at Sandy Hook

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2016


Long Branch, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement in response to the National Park Service (NPS) proposal to increase Sandy Hook’s camping and parking fees starting next year. Pallone is also writing National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis to urge the NPS to withdraw its proposal.

For most vehicles, beach parking is currently $15 per day or $75 per season. For oversized vehicles (more than 20 feet), the charge is $30 per day or $150 per season. The new proposal would place fees at $20 per day and $100 per season, with $50 per day and $200 a season for oversized cars. This would mark the second fee increase at the park in five years.

In 2012, Pallone successfully fought efforts to increase parking fees per vehicle from $10 to $20, and a season pass increase from $50 to $100. NPS compromised and cut the proposed fees by half, which is what the parking fees are today.

“I am requesting that the National Park Service and Gateway National Recreation Area withdraw its proposal to increase fees,” said Pallone. “I believe the park service can find a way forward that doesn't place the burden on New Jersey families and which keeps access to one of our state’s most prized assets affordable to everyone.”

“Sandy Hook is a treasure along the New Jersey shore that should remain affordable for anyone who wants to visit, regardless of his or her economic situation. I want to see the park continue to encourage tourism, create recreational opportunities and serve as an economic driver for the local economy. My concern is that these proposed fee increases will make it less likely that many in our community will be able to enjoy all Sandy Hook has to offer.”

Pallone Announces $567,776 for Research, Education to Benefit Coastal Communities

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) has been awarded $567,776 for research, extension and education programs on coastal issues. NJSGC will also receive an additional $333,281 in non-federal matching funds. Sea Grant is a nationwide network administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of 33 programs based at top research universities that help build resilient coastal communities.

“This funding for research and education at New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is good news for our coastal communities, especially after the devastating impact Superstorm Sandy had on our region,” said Pallone. “NJSGC conducts great ocean science research, and its work helps us better understand our marine environment, so that we can mitigate adverse effects of disasters like Sandy on our economy and ecosystem.”

NJSGC is headquartered in the Sixth District on Sandy Hook, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area that falls under the National Park Service’s (NPS) jurisdiction. NJSGC conducts research and hosts educational programs to further understanding of the state’s marine and coastal environment.

NJSGC’s research and education initiatives that will benefit from this grant include facilitating natural dune building to help protect inland areas from future storms; understanding the impacts of climate change on the distribution and management of summer flounder throughout the Mid-Atlantic; and providing educational resources to help New Jersey’s residents and visitors better understand and appreciate the state’s coastal environment.

Sandy Hook Beaches Open for Memorial Weekend

Pallone Instrumental in Securing More Than $37 Million for Park’s Repairs

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone announced that all beaches will be open for Memorial Day weekend at Sandy Hook, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.

“New Jerseyans and visitors have been enjoying the beaches of Sandy Hook for generations, and I’m thrilled that they are once again open for all to enjoy,” said Congressman Pallone. “The road to full recovery is a long one, and the reopening of Sandy Hook’s beaches is a significant step in the process and one more sign of New Jersey’s strength and resilience.”

Pallone has taken a lead in the Sandy Hook recovery process since the storm hit, and he worked directly with the National Park Service to ensure that needs were tended to with urgency. Critical to the recovery, Pallone was instrumental in securing over $37 million in federal funding for Sandy Hook to repair roads, buildings, trails, beaches, utilities and equipment. Pallone monitored the recovery and toured Sandy Hook multiple times to assess damage and progress.

Pallone proudly cut the ribbon on May 1, 2013 when parts of Sandy Hook officially reopened to the public.

Lautenberg, Menendez, Pallone Announce almost $2 Million to Sandy Hook for Storm Repair

Washington, DC —Today, Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area will receive $1,994,889 in federal aid to repair roads damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

"Superstorm Sandy devastated Sandy Hook—a treasured parkland that draws people from across New Jersey to enjoy its beaches and bike paths," said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and co-author of the Sandy relief legislation. "These federal funds will ensure that the roads going through Sandy Hook are rebuilt so people can once again access and take advantage of all that it has to offer. We'll continue fighting for New Jersey to make sure every square mile is rebuilt and restored to its prior beauty."

“Repairing and restoring Sandy Hook’s roadways is a critical part of New Jersey’s long-term recovery from Superstorm Sandy, as well as revitalizing the state’s $38 billion tourism industry,” said Senator Menendez, who helped lead the New Jersey delegation’s fight for federal Sandy relief. “Every day we are making progress in our recovery, but there is still much work to be done. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to make sure New Jersey gets the resources needed to come back better and stronger than before the storm.”

“Sandy Hook is a major driver of the tourism economy for the region and a lot of work needs to be done to get things back to pre-storm conditions,” said Pallone. “Sandy Hook is one of our area’s natural treasures, and this funding will help the rebuilding process.”

This federal grant is in addition to $3.5 million in aid sent to Gateway National Recreation Area in February as part of the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program.

Each year, over 2 million visitors come to Sandy Hook, helping to fuel the local economy. Sandy Hook has been closed since the storm, but parts of the site are expected to open next month, and as repairs and relief work continues, additional parts of the park may open as well.

Pallone Announces Over $35 Million in Sandy Aid to Sandy Hook

LONG BRANCH, NJ—Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area will receive more than $35 million in federal aid to repair damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. $30 million has been allocated for the national park from the Superstorm Sandy relief package passed by Congress in January with an additional $5.2 million awarded through U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads Program.

“Sandy Hook is a treasure enjoyed as a destination by families from throughout New Jersey and beyond,” said Pallone. “So much of Sandy Hook was devastated by the storm and it is critical that we get the beaches and park infrastructure repaired as soon as possible so visitors can enjoy the park in upcoming season. I am pleased that this funding will help get the park back in working order.”

During a recent tour of Sandy Hook Congressman Pallone reviewed with the National Park Service specific projects for which the federal aid will be used. Included in those projects are repairing and repaving roads, parking lots, boardwalks and the multi-use path, fixing the beach facilities and restrooms, restoring ferry service to Sandy Hook, restoring fishing opportunities, opening campground for public and group camping and resuming public interpretive programs. Funds will also be used for replacing and repairing utility infrastructure work includes restoring electric, water, sewer, wastewater treatment systems as well as telecommunication systems.

The National Park Service anticipates spending approximately $18 million on buildings, $5 million on trails and beaches, $3 million on utilities, $2 million on equipment and $2 million on roads. These funds meet the anticipated need for Sandy Hook recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

“Sandy Hook is a major driver of the tourism economy for the region,” said Pallone. “Each year, over 2 million visitors come to Sandy Hooks from throughout the state and beyond to enjoy our pristine beaches, and in the process, help fuel the local economy. Getting Sandy Hook back in working order must continue to be a top priority as we work to rebuild from Superstorm Sandy’s destruction.”

Sandy Hook has been closed since the storm, but parts of the site will open on May 1. Beach B, Gunnison Beach and North Beach will open Memorial Day weekend. As repairs and relief work continues additional parts of the park may open.