New Jersey Legislators Work To Save Barnegat Bay

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - An idea now floating in the New Jersey legislature would help pay to save Barnegat Bay by tapping into beach tag fees down the shore. But shore towns are none too happy with that idea.

Legislators have already approved a $110 million plan which imposes stricter environmental rules and calls for better storm water drainage. All laudable goals but how to pay for it all? That's where the "Save Barnegat Bay Fund" comes in.

Every town that imposes a beach tag fee would be forced to kick a buck a badge into the fund. Sea Isle City Mayor Len Desiderio is just one shore official insisting Trenton keep hands off their beach fees.

"It would cost us $95,000 and that's just something that we don't have to give away."

Even though the proposed legislation prohibits passing on the dollar to beachgoers, Desiderio says towns will likely get around that by hiking the fees $5 to $10 bucks.

Currently the funding plan is in a subcommittee.

Reported By David Madden, KYW Newsradio.