New Jersey to eye parking, bathrooms as part of beach access
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - New Jersey will consider expanding its beach access regulations to take into account two things every day-tripping beachgoer knows: Being able to access a beach also includes being able to park near it and use a public restroom.
Catherine McCabe, the state's environmental protection commissioner, says her department will take a renewed look later this year at beach access, including the issues of parking and restrooms.
Under the administration of former Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, New Jersey required public access points even quarter-mile, and public restrooms in any shore town that accepted government money for beach replenishment.
Those rules were struck down by a court in 2008.
New Jersey recently enshrined the Public Trust Doctrine into law, establishing the public's right to swim in waterways and walk along their shorelines.