The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance prepared a set of questions for both gubernatorial candidates to determine how they would support anglers, hunters and trappers. Jack Ciattarellli provided the following answers. Unfortunately, the Sherrill campaign denied a meeting with the NJOA despite multiple requests and did not respond to our questions so we don’t know her position on issues of importance to our fellow sportsmen.
Questions for Jack Ciattarelli
Lou Martinez
Contributing Writer
Contact # (201) 941-1105
Responses from Jack Ciattarelli:
1. New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife stands as an exemplary example of Wise Wildlife Management and Conservation. Neighboring states have not only taken notice but are also implementing some of the management techniques implemented in the Garden State. Do you support the Division of Fish and Wildlife in their endeavors and would you continue to support their efforts in the face of adverse opinions promoted by Animal Rights Activists? Primarily in respect with Black Bear Management?
I do support the science-based approach taken by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, and I’m glad that other states are following the division’s lead. Unfortunately, as I’ve mentioned before, Phil Murphy routinely opts for extreme ideology and hyper partisanship over science and
common sense, and that approach places people’s safety, property, and livelihoods at risk. As Governor, I will base my decisions on wildlife science, not political science, and will support a black bear management policy on the same basis.
2. Currently the Sportsman of NJ pay for Wildlife and Conservation through self-imposed taxes on angling and hunting equipment. They also pay through the fees for Hunting and Fishing Licenses and various stamps. If you were in a position to be called upon to sign off on Fish and Council Recommendations based on Wildlife Biologist Scientific data… Would you support said recommendations or would you bend to the pressure exerted by groups such as P E T A whose goal is to end Hunting and Fishing in the Garden State? And would you pledge to protect the make-up of the current Fish and Game Council?
As stated in my prior response, as Governor I will base my policies on wildlife science, not politics. The Fish and Game Council is comprised of experts who likewise base their decisions on science, rather than political considerations or emotional appeals. In my administration, I will safeguard the council’s independence and integrity.
To ensure this policy remains beyond my service as Governor, I would support enactment of pending legislation clarifying current law that provides the council with sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping. Unfortunately, such legislation appears necessary to correct the clearly mistaken interpretation of the law that the state Supreme Court adopted in a 2005 decision, which essentially gives the Commissioner of Environmental Protection veto authority over the council’s actions and thereby turned it into a mere advisory body. I would also vigorously defend in the courts against lawsuits against the council like the current one by former Senator Raymond Lesniak.
3. Currently (past 5 years) New Jersey residents can not obtain access onto Greenwood Lake. Residents must drive to N.Y. to pay $50 to “Day Launch”. Would you sign legislation supporting the building of N. J. based launch sites on N J ‘s second largest Public Lake; to ensure public access for NJ resident anglers ?
As the Division of Fish and Wildlife stocks Greenwood Lake, there should be public access for fishermen. I would sign legislation to provide that access, such as the bill (S3887) recently passed unanimously by the state Senate which requires the Department of Environmental Protection to provide public boat access to any state- or county-owned lake or reservoir where boats are allowed.
4. How have you shown your support to Garden State Sportsmen and women?
I’m proud of my record of support for the men and women who enjoy sporting activities in the beautiful outdoors of the Garden State. As a member of the state Assembly, I voted for several laws to benefit sportsmen and women:
- Voted to preserve and improve Lake Hopatcong by creating the Lake Hopatcong Fund and dedicating to it $500,000 annually from license fees for operating power boats on nontidal waters. That funding is used by the Lake Hopatcong Commission for the protection, preservation, restoration, and maintenance of the lake.
- Voted to encourage new anglers by creating the “Fishing Buddy License,” half-price fishing licenses for both when an existing angler or “fishing buddy” and a new one buy licenses together. That law also reduces the fee for an “All Around Sportsman” licensee who buys the license along with a new angler buying an annual fishing license, who also qualifies for a half-price license.
- Voted to allow younger people to become beginner hunters by establishing apprentice firearm hunting and bow and arrow licenses, so that aspiring sportsmen and women 14 years old or older can be licensed, without completing a course, to hunt when accompanied by a licensee 21 years of age or older.
- Voted to ensure safer and proper sportsmanship in our state by entering New Jersey in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, for reciprocal sharing of information regarding hunting, fishing, and trapping violations.
- Voted to facilitate deer hunting by allowing a person authorized by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to use a certified tracking dog to search for and recover deer lost by a hunter during any deer hunting season.
In addition, I have also made several commitments that I will uphold and implement as Governor.
I will reform hunting and fishing regulations to streamline government processes such as permitting and seek ways to expand access to publicly funded lands and to account for modern methods of hunting and fishing that are utilized safely in other states.
I will change the composition of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council to ensure that all participants in our state’s multifaceted fishing industry are fairly represented.
I will focus keenly on New Jersey’s membership with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to ensure its rules and processes account for our unique coastline and varied fishing practices, ensure proper and scientific stock management, and don’t harm our vital fishing industry which provides millions of dollars to our economy from both recreational and commercial fishing.
As mentioned in previous responses, I will protect the independence of the NJ Fish and Game Council and will base policies on wildlife science alone. I will also allow the annual bear hunt and consider the advice of the NJ Fish and Game Council and wildlife biologists on other outdoor sportsman issues.
5. Currently there are approximately 20 anti-gun laws being bandied about in the State Legislature. What is your position on legal gun ownership and the second amendment?
I am a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. I have committed to replacing current Attorney General Matt Platkin on Day One with an AG who respects all constitutional rights, including Second Amendment rights, and will review all legislation and policies for constitutional flaws to remedy or repeal them, and reevaluate the state’s position in pending lawsuits by citizens challenging state laws as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.
I will veto bills that infringe on the Second Amendment or on other rights of sportsmen and women to hunt, fish and trap.
6. What is your current ranking by the National Rifle Association?
This year, I have a B+ ranking from the NRA Political Victory Fund.
7. Today the Division of Fish and Wildlife oversees and manages in excess of 350,000 acres of public land. Although the bulk of funds comes from Sportsmen and women through the aforementioned self-imposed fees, would you seek Green Acres funds to improve access to these lands and do you think that the general public should “kick in their fair share?”
As Green Acres funds come from a portion of the Corporation Business Tax that is constitutionally dedicated, in part, for the stewardship of lands for recreation, it would be appropriate to use those funds to enhance access to public lands by sportsmen and women for recreational purposes. While current law doesn’t authorize the use of Green Acres funds for wildlife management planning on publicly owned open space or preserved farmland, I would support legislation to do so. I also would support legislation providing no net loss of land available for hunting.
8. Are you aware of the current problems facing saltwater fishermen? And if so what do you propose to do as Governor to represent NJ anglers who feel that they are being short shifted through the short seasons, lower limited bag limits, and, what of all of the Charter Boat Captains, and their family and employees losing their businesses and jobs because of these short-sighted quick fixes? How would you handle this?
Length of season, bag limits, and other important considerations will be based on science and not some reason to achieve a quick fix or some political consideration. New Jersey’s commercial fisheries and aquaculture contribute more than $1 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. Saltwater fishing is an important element to our state’s fiscal health, but also to its attractiveness as a place to live and work as well as for tourism. It includes recreational and commercial fishing, shellfish farming, and related businesses engaged in seafood processing, shipping, and serving local waterfronts.
As Governor, I will appoint only qualified and trusted individuals to leadership posts in the Department of Environmental Protection and all agencies of state government. I will do the same with all policy bodies and will fill the vacancies on the Fish and Game and Marine Fisheries councils, the Atlantic Coast and Delaware Bay shellfish councils, and all regional and international bodies or sub-entities on which our state has representation. Finally, I will ensure New Jersey properly funds and staffs state agencies, such as the DEP, to more effectively manage our resources and produce accurate data to support all fisheries management efforts.
9. Combined, NJ hunters and fishermen make up a good percentage of the state’s voting population. Lately many women are taking to the woods, waters, and fields to take part in all outdoor activities. These groups add billions of dollars to our nation’s economy and millions of dollars to New Jersey’s economic growth. They pay for hotels, equipment, meals, gas, meat processing fees, and yet many feel disenfranchised by the high tax on gas implemented by the Democrats but signed into law by a Republican Governor. Would you support and sign another tax on gas and if so, why?…And what are your feelings on self serve gas pumping?
New Jersey doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem, and that is directly attributable to eight years of fiscal mismanagement by the Murphy administration and one-party rule in Trenton. Fiscally speaking, my number one goal is to make our state more affordable by reducing our overall tax burden through income, property and business tax reductions.
I also will create more jobs by growing our economy. That can’t be done unless we have a safe, reliable and modernized infrastructure, paid for, in part, by the gas tax. My job will be to make sure the infrastructure meets the needs of a growing economy while also lessening every New Jersey’s tax burden.
I favor keeping New Jersey a full-service state. While I know the gasoline retailers favor a change, and I respect their point of view, there simply isn’t any appetite among New Jerseyans to switch. Statewide polling has shown nearly three-quarters of New Jerseyans prefer full service over self-service. That sentiment has been reflected in the Legislature where bills proposing a change died without any action taken.
10. Will you raise taxes to pay for pensions and benefits. And if yes what would you tax and when would you do it?
As noted in my previous response, New Jersey doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. I have a plan to make our state more affordable and reduce taxes rather than increase them.
11. Do you partake in any outdoor activities? If so which ones?
I have an abiding appreciation for the outdoors. Having owned a home on Long Beach Island for nearly three decades, we greatly value all it has to offer. Our time there also helps deepen our understanding of what the recreational and commercial fishing industries mean to individuals and our state. Our family greatly enjoys clay shooting, which is something we do as often as possible as well as offshore fishing when time allows.
12. Why should a Democrat/ Independent, Sportsman or woman vote for you? What’s on the line… that will affect them?
I greatly value the support I have earned among Democrats and independent voters, and those who enjoy sporting activities should support my candidacy for Governor based on the record and the commitments I have described in previous responses.
To summarize, Democrats and independents should compare my record and my vision with the Murphy record we have seen over the past eight years. As Governor, I will not let politics or emotion overcome wildlife science on bear hunts. I will veto any legislation that infringes on the rights and liberties of sportsmen and women. I will appoint an Attorney General who respects Second Amendment rights and the lawful use of firearms. I will allow no net loss of hunting land. I will support the expansion of beaver harvesting based on the science, and would sign legislation allowing the Division of Fish and Wildlife to issue permits as necessary to manage the beaver population.