Hammonton, N.J. – Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli says one of his first acts as governor would be to remove barriers blocking access to Wharton State Forest, pledging to restore “freedom and tradition” to one of South Jersey’s most popular outdoor destinations.
Speaking during a campaign stop in Hammonton, Ciattarelli said reopening the forest roads will be a “Day One” priority if he wins next month’s election.
He accused Gov. Phil Murphy and state Democrats of restricting public use of the forest by closing access roads and limiting entry for local residents.
Key Points
- Jack Ciattarelli said reopening Wharton State Forest roads would be a Day One priority as governor.
- The Republican candidate met with recreation groups and local officials to plan expanded access.
- Ciattarelli said he would balance public access with environmental protections through a new task force.
Ciattarelli calls closures government overreach
“For more than a century, the people of New Jersey’s Pinelands have safely and responsibly enjoyed a free Wharton State Forest,” Ciattarelli said. “That ends when I’m governor. First, we’re going to reopen the roads on Day One. Then, we’re going to work with stakeholders to expand access while protecting its sensitive ecological areas.”
He argued that the recent closures—initiated under the Murphy administration—have limited recreation for hunters, fishers, bikers, horseback riders, and off-roaders. The Department of Environmental Protection began restricting vehicle access to certain trails last year as part of a conservation management plan.
Local officials back expanded access
Assemblyman Michael Torrissi Jr., whose 8th Legislative District includes Wharton State Forest, joined Ciattarelli in supporting the plan. “There’s no better advocate for freedom and the sanctity of our state lands than Jack Ciattarelli,” Torrissi said. He added that the pair would form a task force with nonprofit and recreation groups to reopen roads and develop guidelines for sustainable use.
Torrissi, along with Senator Latham Tiver and Assembly candidate Brandon Umba, has been vocal in opposing DEP restrictions. The trio previously helped block a proposal that would have imposed per-vehicle fees for forest entry.
Critics decry ‘surveillance and shutdowns’
Umba said South Jersey residents have grown frustrated with state monitoring of the forest and access limitations. “People throughout South Jersey have spoken loud and clear—they want their freedom back in Wharton State Forest,” he said. “They want their roads reopened, and they no longer want to be surveilled by rogue agents in the DEP.”
Environmental debate continues
Wharton State Forest, spanning more than 120,000 acres in the Pinelands National Reserve, has been at the center of a long-running debate between conservation advocates and access proponents. Environmental groups have defended restrictions as necessary to prevent erosion and habitat damage, while recreation organizations argue that responsible vehicle use and public engagement can coexist with preservation goals.
Ciattarelli’s proposal to reopen roads and establish a stakeholder task force is likely to become a key talking point as the campaign intensifies in the final weeks before Election Day.