>NJ state parks could open up to logging business under Legislature bill
Private companies might get the green light to launch commercial forestry and logging businesses in New Jersey’s state parks under a bill making its way through the state Legislature.
The proposal to allow the state Department of Environmental Protections to award a five-year contract to a project manager to oversee a forestry harvest program has drawn the ire of environmentalists, who say the legislation has no guarantees that public access to the parks will not be affected by falling timber.
“They’re going to cut down trees, and there’s no need for it,” said West Orange resident Carol Rivielle on Tuesday, a day after she attended an Assembly Environment Committee hearing on the commercial forestry bill. Rivielle is a member of the League of Humane Voters. (Jordan, Gannett)
