Liberty State Park projects would need DEP OK under bill

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- The Assembly has passed a bill giving New Jersey's chief environmental official the authority to approve any plans to commercially develop Liberty State Park.

Lawmakers on Thursday approved the measure that amounts to what Democratic leaders call a fix to legislation recently signed by Gov. Chris Christie.

It comes after criticism from park boosters and environmental groups, who worried the law could lead to development at the park, which includes views of the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline.

That law established the Meadowlands Regional Commission and gave it authority to approve projects at the park. The law's opponents wanted authority to rest with the Department of Environmental Protection. Christie and Democratic leaders promised to address the issue in new legislation.

The bill heads to the Senate next.

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