N.J. Stat. tit. 12, ch. 6

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-1 General powers and duties

The board of commerce and navigation shall: a. Investigate and report annually to the governor the routes of the existing inland waterways of this state, the depth of water therein and the use thereof by traffic of business or pleasure, and the advisability and possibility of increasing the use thereof by extension or improvement, together with the reasons therefor; b. Recommend by said report, after such survey as may be rendered possible by appropriation for such purpose, the construction of such additional inland waterways as are best calculated to promote the interests of the people of this state, either by deepening natural streams or channels or the construction of artificial channels, or both; c. Make or have made such surveys as may be authorized; d. Maintain, improve and repair the existing inland waterways and construct and maintain such additional waterways as may be authorized and constructed; and e. Make and enforce proper rules and regulations for the use of the inland waterways.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-2 § 12:6-2

The board may mark by stakes, buoys, day and night signals, range marks, or otherwise, as in its judgment is necessary and expedient, the channels of the inland waterway along the Atlantic coast from Cape May to Bay Head, and the waters connected therewith and adjacent thereto.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-3 Lease of lands for construction of canals connecting lessee's lands with Bay Head and Manasquan canal

The board may lease lands of the state abutting on the Bay Head and Manasquan canal to any person owning lands adjacent to the right of way acquired for the canal, and authorize the lessee to construct and maintain a canal running through the leased lands connecting with the canal and the lands of the lessee, for purposes of navigation. Such leases shall be made upon such terms and for such compensation as the board may fix and determine, and shall be executed as leases of riparian lands of the state are required to be executed. This section shall not authorize the making of any such lease of lands acquired for such right of way by condemnation.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-3.4 Improving Shrewsbury and Manasquan rivers

In addition to the powers conferred by the provisions of the act of which this act is a supplement, the Department of Conservation, Division of Navigation, is hereby authorized and empowered to dredge, bulkhead and improve the Shrewsbury and Manasquan rivers and any of their tributaries within the limits of tidewater. L.1946, c. 313, p. 1026, s. 1, eff. May 6, 1946.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-3.5 Work to be done when appropriation made

This work shall be done when the funds for such improvements are included in any annual or supplemental appropriation bill. L.1946, c. 313, p. 1026, s. 2, eff. May 6, 1946.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-3.6 Dredging and improving Oyster bay

In addition to the powers conferred by the provisions of the act of which this act is a supplement, the Department of Conservation and Economic Development, Division of Planning and Development, is hereby authorized and empowered to dredge and improve Oyster bay, a tributary of the Shrewsbury river, commonly known as Polly's pond, in the borough of Rumson, county of Monmouth, and to provide for the necessary spoil areas. L.1949, c. 75, p. 379, s. 1, eff. May 6, 1949.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-3.7 Appropriation

There is hereby appropriated the sum of fifty-eight thousand dollars ($58,000.00), when included in any annual or supplemental appropriation bill, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act. L.1949, c. 75, p. 379, s. 2, eff. May 6, 1949.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-4 Appointment; term; compensation

The board may appoint a harbor master in any locality where an inland waterway shall have been constructed or improved by the state, when, in its discretion, such appointment shall be necessary. The term of office of harbor masters so appointed shall be for one year and they shall serve without compensation from the state.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-5 General powers and duties

Such harbor masters shall have authority, within the limits fixed by the board at the time of the appointment: a. To supervise the use of the inland waterways in such locality; b. To prevent permanent anchorage or obstruction of any character from being located therein; c. To remove all temporary obstructions therefrom; and d. In all other ways to protect the interests of the state and the public in the waterway by keeping it free from obstruction and open to navigation.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-6 Powers with respect to power and other vessels using inland waterways

Such harbor masters shall have power: a. To stop any vessel using any of the inland waterways of the state and to examine the same to see that it complies with the requirements of the law, whether in the matter of equipment, identification or otherwise; b. To require the production of permits and licenses; c. To arrest, without warrant, for violations of chapter 7 of this title (s. 12:7-1 et seq.) and any other laws of this state, committed in their presence; d. To act as special officers for the detection and arrest of those who violate or infringe upon the provisions of chapter 7 of this title (s. 12:7-1 et seq.) and other laws relating or pertaining to the operation of vessels on the inland waterways and for the violation of the rules and regulations of the board; and e. Generally to act as special officers for the enforcement of the laws of this state pertaining to power and other vessels, their operation and maintenance, and the enforcement and observance of the rules and regulations of the board.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-7 § 12:6-7

Such harbor masters shall have authority to regulate all water traffic on the inland waterways and upon other waters under the jurisdiction of the state, and shall have explicit powers to enforce all laws and regulations relating to or regulating traffic or inspecting the equipment of vessels on such inland waterways and other waterways within the control of the state.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-8 Powers of board; assistance of municipalities and counties

The board may improve, by deepening and widening as it shall deem advisable, such streams, creeks, rivers or inlets as connect with or are tributaries to the inland waterway system or that connect with or flow through any of the tidal waters bordering or adjacent to the Atlantic ocean. The board may engage in such improvements in conjunction with any municipality or county through which any of such streams, creeks, rivers or inlets flow or are adjacent to.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-9 § 12:6-9

Any stream, creek, river or inlet that is improved pursuant to section 12:6-8 of this title shall constitute and form a part of the inland waterway system of this state and shall thereafter be maintained as such by the state.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-10 § 12:6-10

When the necessary and required funds are provided for and included in any annual or supplemental appropriation bill, the board may proceed with any or all improvements authorized by section 12:6-8 of this title and enter into contracts for the necessary work to be done therefor, after first advertising as required by law.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-11 § 12:6-11

The board may apply to the federal government for financial aid for the improvement of tributaries to the inland waterway system, and enter into agreements with the federal government whereby such federal aid will be granted, upon condition that the improved tributaries will, after federal aid improvements are completed, be maintained by the board.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-12 § 12:6-12

After the completion of the improvement of any such tributary with federal aid, the board may, in its discretion, maintain such improvements at the expense of the state and for that purpose may use any moneys coming into its hands and not otherwise specifically appropriated or set aside.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-13 § 12:6-13

Every permit granted by the board for dredging in the Manasquan river, or in the Shark river west of the New York and Long Branch Railroad, shall contain a provision requiring the holder of the permit to dredge in such a manner as to establish a maximum mean low-water depth of fifteen feet over the area dredged, and requiring the dredging to be of a uniform average depth, with due allowance for the normal rise and fall of the tide. No holder of any such permit shall be permitted to leave any undredged areas upon the completion of the dredging.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-14 Violations; penalty

The holder of a permit violating any of the provisions of this article or any of the conditions of the permit, shall be liable to a penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.00) to be recovered in a civil action in the name of the department. Such penalty, when recovered, shall be for the use of the State and payable into the State treasury. Amended by L.1953, c. 12, p. 102, s. 9, eff. March 19, 1953.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-15 § 12:6-15

The violation of any of the provisions of this article shall be cause for the revocation of any such permit, and the board, after hearing, is authorized so to do.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-16 § 12:6-16

The board shall supervise all such dredging work and enforce the provisions of this article.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-19 New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway; conveyance of Manasquan-Bayhead canal to the United States

It is hereby declared to be the policy and purpose of the State of New Jersey to co-operate with the United States in a project for the improvement of the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway. In order to effectuate such policy and purpose, the Commissioner of Conservation and Economic Development, acting for, on behalf, and in the name of the State of New Jersey, is hereby granted the following authority and powers: (a) To transfer and convey to the United States, on such terms and conditions, in such manner and by such instrument as shall be agreed upon between the commissioner and the United States, all the right, title and interest of the State of New Jersey in and to the lands, easements, water rights, and structures other than bridges, which the State has heretofore owned or acquired and used for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Manasquan-Bayhead canal; provided, however , that this transfer shall not become effective until there has been appropriated to the use of the trustees of the fund for the support of free public schools such sum as shall be determined by a majority of the Planning and Development Council, with the approval of the Governor and the Commissioner of Conservation and Economic Development, to represent the fair value of the riparian lands and rights ceded by this act to the United States. (b) To agree to furnish, free of cost to the United States, all lands, easements, rights-of-way, and spoil-disposal areas required for the improvement of the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, and for its maintenance henceforth. (c) To agree to provide for the maintenance and operation of all existing highway and railroad bridges over the Cape May canal section of the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, and to provide for the reconstruction, maintenance and operation of all existing highway and railroad bridges over the remainder of said waterway. (d) To transfer and donate to the United States all navigation aids now maintained by the State in the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway. (e) To agree to save and hold the United States and its agents free from any claim for damages which may arise from the work of improving the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, other than claims arising from the tortious acts of agents or employees of the United States. (f) To do all other acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly granted by this act and to effectuate its purpose. L.1950, c. 333, p. 1109, s. 1. Amended by L.1951, c. 14, p. 40, s. 1, eff. April 2, 1951.

N.J. Stat. § 12:6-20 Severability clause

If any provision of this act shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions hereof which can be given effect without the invalid provision or provisions, and to this end the provisions of this act are declared to be severable. L.1950, c. 333, p. 1110, s. 2.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026