Permit System Planned For Unimproved Roads In Wharton State Forest

WHARTON STATE FOREST, NJ — Each year, more than 800,000 people head to Wharton State Forest. It's the largest tract of land in the New Jersey State Park system, with 124,350 acres spanning Burlington, Camden and Atlantic counties. It's home to the historic Batsto Village, Atsion Recreation Area, more than 500 miles of unimproved roads and more. Now, the Department of Environmental Protection wants to introduce a permit system for visitors to drive on those roads.

The permit system would operate similarly to the Mobile Sport Fishing Vehicle Permit at Island Beach State Park, the DEP said.

"The development of a permit system will enhance the State Park Police’s ability to assess vehicle use and protect sensitive resources throughout the forest," the DEP said in a release.

The forest is home to 43 endangered or threatened animals and about 750 species of plants, including rare ones like bog asphodel, swamp pink and Pine Barrens gentian.

The roads where permits would be required have yet to be decided, as the DEP is conducting a survey through Nov. 11, asking visitors what activities they do at the park, what forest areas are important and what routes they use to get around.

"The results of the survey will be used to enhance Wharton State Forest’s map to clearly define designated safe and legal routes for vehicle usage, while protecting culturally and ecologically sensitive areas," the DEP said.

"Understanding how, when and where people recreate throughout Wharton State Forest is key for the State Park Service to develop plans that are representative of the diverse users who come to visit from around the state and country, while protecting this nationally recognized unique environment," said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner of State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. "After compiling these data, we will hold additional public meetings to review the findings and decisions regarding access."

But some say that requiring a permit is government overreach.

"Visitors and residents of the Pine Barrens have never had to pay to use the roads in Wharton State Forest and shouldn’t have to at any point moving forward," 8th Legislative District Senator Jean Stanfield said in a statement. "This is government overreach and something that New Jersey residents already pay for with their highest-in-the-nation taxes."

"My position is not that you should have unfettered access all over the forest. You should be able to stay on the roads of the forest," John Druding, president of Open Trails New Jersey, told the Press of Atlantic City. The group is dedicated to advocating for vehicle access at Wharton.

Open Trails NJ explains on its website that it believes permits would restrict access.

"Our position is that the costs and impacts far outweigh any potential benefits and that the system fundamentally changes the access model from one of 'permitted unless forbidden' to 'forbidden unless permitted' and is an encroachment of our access to state owned land," the website reads.

Off-road vehicles, like ATVs, are illegal on all state-owned lands, but this does not stop people from using them in areas like the Pinelands. Permits would allow State Park Police to assess vehicle use and protect sensitive areas in the forest, according to the DEP.

"For many decades Wharton has been subjected to illegal off-road vehicle use that has destroyed natural resources and harmed the experience of other visitors," the Pinelands Preservation Alliance said in a blog post. "The state has not taken decisive actions to solve this problem to date, but that appears to be changing. This new process will help move the state to take real action if we speak out."

"The Murphy Administration recognizes the immense importance of Wharton State Forest to the thousands of people who visit it for everything from birding and quiet walks to scenic drives and motorized recreation," said DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. "For this reason, public engagement is critical to our mission to ensure the forest is a place for everyone to enjoy. We, therefore, encourage the public and stakeholders to participate in our virtual sessions and complete the survey to ensure a diversity of viewpoints and that there is an opportunity to address any community concerns."