>>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

IF YOU'RE NO LONGER WEARING A MASK OUT OF COVID SAFETY CONCERNS, YOU MAY WANT TO RECONSIDER.

THE CDC IS ADVISING RESIDENTS IN SIX NEW JERSEY COUNTIES TO START MASKING UP AGAIN IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACES.

THE WARNING IS FOR ATLANTIC, BURLINGTON, CAPE MAY, MOM CAPE MAY COUNTY.

THE MOST PREVALENT STRAIN AND THE MOST TRANSMISSIBLE OF ANY VARIANT TO DATE.

EVEN THE ANTIBIOTIC OFFER PROTECTION.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE INFECTED MONTH AFTER MONTH.

AND ADDING 1500 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND COUNSEL CONFIRMED DEATH TO NEW JERSEY'S TOLL.

ACTIVE OUTBREAKS ARE STILL A PROBLEM IN THE STATE'S NURSING HOMES.

ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THAT GOT HIT ESPECIALLY HARD THE FIRST PANDEMIC WAVE.

AND NOW THEY ARE QUESTIONING IF THEY HAVE DONE ENOUGH TO BATTLE THE INFECTION CONTROL.

SENIOR CORRESPONDS BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WE NEED TO KEEP OUR RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYEES SAFE.

>> Reporter: THEY WARN THAT COVID SURGERIES DRIVEN BY THE SUB VARIANTS, BA # AND 5 WITH CASELOADS CLIMBING IN RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

THEY ARE TRYING TO STOP PRESIDENT IS OF AGAINST THE VULNERABLE POPULATION.

THIS GROUP ADVOCATES SENIORS CARE.

>> THIS DISEASE IS EVERYWHERE IS IT EASILY TRANSMITTED.

AND WE HAVE EMPLOYEES COMING IN AND OUT OF BUILDINGS ON THREE DIFFERENT SHIFTS A DAY.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THIS UNDER WRAPS.

>> Reporter: THE VIRUS RAGED THROUGH THE LONG-TERM POPULATION HERE, ALMOST A THIRD OF NEW JERSEY'S 31,000 COVID DEATHS INVOLVED LONG-TERM RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTS THAT ACTIVE OUTBREAKS HAVE ADVISE SEASON IN CENTERS FROM 134 THIS PAST EASTIER AND 351 CURRENTLY THAT IS MORE THAN HALF OF 655 FACILITIES TRACKED IN NEW JERSEY.

OUTBREAKS CAN INVOLVE STAFF OR RESIDENTS INDUSTRY SPOKESMAN SAY THAT CITED BA5'S SOARING INFECTION RATE.

>> IF THIS A COMMUNITY PRESIDENT IS OF COVID, IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FIND ITS WAY INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.

GENERALLY WHAT PEOPLE SHOW SYSTEMS, SHE GET TREATED AND ON THE MEDICATIONS AND SEE FINE.

HAPPEN IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE FACILITIES.

>> WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TO GET STICK.

WHEN THEY DO, WE NEED TO BE TREATED RAPIDLY.

WE NEED SURVEILLANCE TESTING AND RAPID ANTI-VIRALS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SHUSH THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING IN TO VISIT, THEY ARE NOT BRINGING THE VIRUS IN.

>> Reporter: THE SUGGESTIONS ECHO LITIGATION METHOD REPORTEDLY DISCUSSED BY THE STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS.

IT CONTINUES TO REACH OUT TO LONG-TERM CARES FACILITIES TO INCREASE THE UPTAKE OF BOOSTERS AND TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF USING ANTI-VIRAL TREATMENTS TO AVOID SERIOUS ILLNESS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY SINCE PHARMASISTS PHARMACISTS CAN PRESCRIBE ANTI-VIRAL MEDICATIONS.

>> WE'RE SEEING THE BOOST ARE RATES ARE SLOWING.

THAT IS A BIG CONCERN HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATESES POINT TO COVID BOOSTER RATES AND LONG- TERM FACILITIES HERE.

THREE-QUARTERS HAVE GOTTEN THE FIRST BOOSTER.

ONLY A THIRD RECEIVED A SECOND COVID BOOSTER.

94% OF THE STAFF IS FULLY VACCINATED.

AND 77% HAVE THE FIRST BOOSTER.

MANY ELDERLY FOLKS THAT GOT THE COVID BOOSTERS MONTHS AGO COULD FACE WANNING IMMUNITY AND VACCINE EVASIVE VARIANT.

>> IT COULD BE MORE CONTAGIOUS.

WHETHER OR NOT IS IT LESS DANG YOUR FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION, WE KNOW IS IT DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE IN LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES.

>> THAT CREATES A THREAD, NOT JUST TO THE STAFF, BUT THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT COME INTO THE FACILITIES.

>> Reporter: MOREOVER, THE GOVERNOR REQUIRES THE LONG TERM STAFFERS TO GET THE FIRST BOOSTER, BUT NOT THE SECOND.

SO THEY ARE GOING WORK HARD TO GET PEOPLE UP TO DATE WITH THE SHOTS.

>> EDUCATION AND PRODDING AND SEEING THEIR COWORKERS AND FRIENDS GETTING THE BOOSTERS, PEOPLE DECIDE TO GO AHEAD AND GET THE BOOSTER.

>> FACILITIES WERE ALSO REEXAMINED FOR PROTOCOLS.

>> WILL KEEP US NICE AND SAFE.

IF THAT IS DAILY OR NOT, WILL BE DETERMINED.

BUT THERE COULD BE DAILY TESTING AND SCREENING FOR BOTH.

>> AND NEW A COVID VARIANT, NOW LANDING IN THE U.S., THIS VIRUS IS NOT OVER.

>>> THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR'S OFFICE MAY HAVE AGREED ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PUT TOWARDS THE STATE'S SCHOOLS.

BUT THE REAL WORK IS JUST BEGINNING, DECIDING WHICH WILL GET APPROVED AND THOSE DEEMED UNDERSERVED WILL GET FUNDING.

THEY SAY IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO COVER THE COST.

>> THERE ARE NO EXTRA CLASSROOMS WHATSOEVER.

THERE ARE NO EXTRA ROOMS.

THEY ARE OVERCROWDED.

SO AT THE CURRENT TIME, WE'RE USING BASEMENT AREAS AS CLASSROOMS AND TRAILERS.

>> Reporter: GARFIELD IS THE SECOND MOST OVERCROWDED SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

IT IS FORMALLY KNOWN AS AN ABBOTT DISTRICT, THEY ARE SLADED FOR A NEW GOVERNMENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

AND IT CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH, SAID THE SUPERINTENDENT.

>> QUEEN SEE OUR STUDENTS LEARNING IN BASEMENTS WHERE WE HAVE THE READING SPECIALISTS IN ONE AREA OF THE BASEMENT, AND A MAKESHIFT WALL.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE MUSIC TEACHER IN ANOTHER SECTION DOWN THERE T AND THE KIDS ARE TRYING TO LEARN THE SOUNDS.

AND YOU HEAR MUSIC ON ONE END.

AND THE GYM ABOVE THEM AND THE THUNDERING OF THE WOMEN ON TOP.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS A LAWSUIT CLAIMING THAT THE STATE FAILED TO UPHOLD ITS RESPONSIBLE TO THE 31SDA, MOST IN POOR URBAN COMMUNITIES WHERE THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS ARE OVER 100 YEARS OLD.

>> WE WENT TO THE COURT WITH A YEAR AGO BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN NO SIGNIFICANT MONEY PUT INTO THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM SINCE 2008.

SO WE WENT TO THE COURT THAT ARE WAS ISSUED IN THE 1998 LEGISLATION MANDATED THAT THE STAYED PROVIDE A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM IN THE DISTRICTS.

RETURN $56 BILLION BUDGET, SCHOOLS WILL SEE NEARLY 2 BILLION, A MASSIVE NUMBER, BUT LESS THAN A QUARTER OF WHAT IS ACTUALLY NEEDED.

ABOUT 1.5 BILLION THE GO TO NEW CONSTRUCTION.

350MILLION TO FUND THE RIFT OF THE DISTRICTS.

>> IN ADDITION TO THIS MONEY, THE ESTIMATE IS ABOUT ANOTHER $6 BILLION IN THE 31 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SOME OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS ARE UPWARDS OF $150 MILLION ALONE.

SO IT IS THERE FROM THE SDA AND IT WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THIS MONEY.

IT WAS NOTED THAT NEWARK HAS A NEED FOR EIGHT NEW SCHOOLS.

THIS FUNDING IS PROVIDING ONE OF THEM.

>> IS IT A ROUGH BACK OF THE ENVELOPE CALCULATION ABOUT $6 BILLION TO MEET THE NEEDS FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE FALLING APART AND ALSO COMPARTMENTS, DISTRICTS THAT ARE JUST OVER CAPACITY.

SO THIS DOES MAKE A DENT IN THAT.

BUT THERE IS A LOT LEFT TO BE DONE.

CANNOT LOSE SIGHT OF THAT.

THIS CAN NOT BE A ONE TIME SHOT.

>> Reporter: THIS NEW CONSTRUCTION IS ABOUT PROVIDING A SAFE AND EQUITABLE STATION FOR THE STUDENTS.

>> WE WANT STEAM LABS AND GREEN ROOM FOR TECHNOLOGY AND A LIFE SKILLS ROOM IN THE NEW SCHOOL, WHICH WE HAVE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THAT WILL BE A ROOM THAT HAS OVENS, WASHER AND DRIERS AND IT SERVES SO MANY PURPOSES FOR.

KIDS, COOKING CLASSES AND AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT HAS TO RELOCATE ALL OF THESE STUDENTS IN ALREADY OVERCROWDED BUILDINGS.

>>> IF YOU NEED HELP MAKING THE RENT, A NEW LOTTERY SYSTEM FOR STATE AID OPENS TO NEW JERSEY TENANTS STARTING TODAY.

THE ONLINE APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE FOR CERTAIN LOW INCOME RENTERS.

APPLICANTS ARE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST.

HAD THOUSAND HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE SELECTED IN ALL IN ONE OF FOUR CATEGORIES.

FAMILY, ELDERLY, DISABLED OR HOMELESS.

EACH CATEGORY HAS A THOUSAND SLOTS.

TO ENTER, YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD AND MEET THE INCOME LIMIT FOR THE COUNTY IN WHICH YOU LIVE.

IN MORRIS COUNTY, IS IT LESS THAN $46,000 FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.

THE NEED IS SO GREAT THAT RENTERS SELECTED THROUGH THE LOTTERY COULD WAIT UP TO TWO YEARS OR LONGER TO GET THE ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS.

>>> MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS SAID THAT THE SECONDARY MEDICAL CRISIS CREATED BY THE PANDEMIC IS STILL TAKING A TOLL ON ADULTS AND KIDS, WHERE THE STATE IS HAVING TROUBLE FINDING PSYCHOLOGISTS TO HELP TREAT THEM.

THERE WILL IS A SHORT OF PROFESSIONALS LICENSED TO TREAT ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION.

WE'RE FOLLOWING THE ONGOING PRICE AS PART OF OUR PARTNERSHIP REPORT FOR AMERICA AND JOINS US WITH THE DETAILS.

WE KNOW THIS PROBLEM EXISTED PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

SO HOW MUCH ARE THE LAWMAKERS WILLING TO COUGH UP TO ADDRESS IT?

>> WITH THE MOST RECENT BUDGET, LAWMAKERS HAVE ALLOCATED OVER $9 MILLION TO AT MORE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS STATEWIDE.

OF THAT 9.62 MILLION, THERE WILL BE 4 MILLION GOING TOWARDS THE PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENCY INITIATIVE.

THAT WILL ADD MORE OF THE RESIDENCY SLOTS.

AND THE OTHER MILLIONS WILL GO TO THE MENTAL INITIATIVE.

AND THERE WILL BE FOUR AND CHILD ADOLESCENCE PSYCHIATRY ASSISTANCE.

>> IS THERE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE GOING INTO THE PROFESSION OR WHAT IS IT?

>> Reporter: IT IS THE LACK OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS STATEWIDE.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS AN AGING OUT PROCESS, WHEREAS ONE SOURCE TOLD ME THAT TWO DECADES AGO, THE FUNDING WAS CUT AND PEOPLE RETIRING NOW FROM PSYCHIATRY ARE LESS MEDICAL RESIDENCY POSITIONS BEING FILLED.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE IS ALSO A SHORTAGE STATEWIDE IN TERMS OF THE DEBT.

THERE IS 350 TO $400,000 STUNT LOAN DEBTS RIGHT NOW.

SO THE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO OTHER STATES FOR MORE LUCRATIVE PAYMENT OPTIONS.

THERE IS A BACKLOG RIGHT NOW AT THE STATE LICENSING BOARD IN TERMS OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT HAVE GRADED FROM MEDICAL SCHOOL.

THESE ARE THE MAIN THREE THAT ARE DRIVING THE SHORTAGE STATEWIDE.

>> WE THOUGH THAT BACKLOG WAS AN ISSUE DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC WITH NURSES.

SO WE SEE THE OVERLAP HERE.

HOW DIRE OF A PROBLEM IS THIS?

HOW ARE THE RATES WITH THE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY RISING?

>> IT IS RISING.

ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THE PANDEMIC IN FEBRUARY 2021, THERE WERE 40% OF ADULTS IN NEW JERSEY THAT SUFFERED FROM ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

ALMOST 20 OF THOSE WERE UNABLE TO ACCESS A THERAPIST OR A MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER.

SO RIGHT NOW, THAT SITUATION CONTINUES TODAY.

WE'RE STILL EXPERIENCING A DIRE SITUATION ACROSS THE BOARD AND AGE GROUPS AND STATEWIDE.

>> GREAT REPORTING.

THANKS FOR THAT.

>>> HEAD OVER TO NJ THE SPOTLIGHT TO READ MORE ON WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO HELP THE MENTAL HEALTH CRITICAL CONDITION IN OUR STATE.

>>> THERE IS NO MORE SCRAMBLING FOR CASH AND SPARE CHANGE.

DRIVERS CROSSING THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE WILL NOW GO THROUGH AN ELECTRIC TOLLING SYSTEM OFFICER THE HUDSON RIVER.

THE VEHICLES WITHOUT THE EZ PASS WILL HAVE THE LICENSE PLATES PHOTOGRAPHED BY OVERHEAD CAMERAS AND A BILL SENT IN THE MAIL.

THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY WILL REMOVE THE TOLL BOOTHS SAYING THAT THE CHANGE IS TO END THE CONGESTION AT THE BRIDGE.

IS IT BUSIEST.

IT MEAN THE END OF A CARPOOL COMMUTERS.

THERE WILL NOT BE ANYONE THERE WILL SO DETERMINE IF THE CARS ARE FILLED AND MAKE THEM ELIGIBLE.

THEY SAY IT IS ANOTHER EXPENSE HITTING RESIDENTS.

IT IS THE ONLY CROSSING WHERE THE CASH IS ACCEPTED.

BUT THAT WILL CHANGE THIS YEAR.

>>> THERE IS A PROGRAM TO HELP THE HUNGRY AND BOOST THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

THEY CALL THIS A WIN-WIN AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: THE STATE IS PROVIDING 17 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN NEW GRANTS UNDER THE SUSTAINED AND SERVE PROGRAM WHICH FEEDS THE HUNGRY AND IT WILL LOSS SUPPORT LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

30 NONPROFITS WILL RECEIVE THE FUNDING UNDER PHASE THREE OF THE SUSTAIN AND SERVE.

THEY USED THE GRANTS TO PURCHASE MEALS FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

TARA COLTON, THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE ECONOMIC SECURITY AT THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES SAID WITH THE LATEST ROUND OF FUNDING, SUSTAINED AND SERVED IS EXPANDED TO A $50 MILLION PROGRAM AND SET TO DELIVER 5 MILLION MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED.

>> THE FOOD INSECURITY INITIATIVES HAVE TAKEN ROOT IN CITIES, RURAL AREAS AND SUBURBAN AREAS WHERE THE HUNGER IS HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.

THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT RECEIVE THE MEALS AND GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT.

>> NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS WILL BENEFIT FROM SOME OF THE STATE'S EXCESS REVENUE THIS YEAR.

NJ'S THE SPOTLIGHT SAID THAT ARE IN THE NEW FISCAL BUDGET, 12 HOSPITAL SYSTEMS WILL SHARE A TOTAL OF $129 MILLION IN ADDITION STATE AND FEDERAL FUND THAT IS BEYOND THE USUAL AMOUNT OF STATE AID.

>> FUNDING RANGES FROM THE LARGE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND EMERGENCY ROOMS OR SATELLITE EMERGENCY ROOMS TO WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

THERE IS MONEY IN THERE FOR NURSES.

THERE IS MONEY FOR OTHER TYPES OF JOBS.

>> YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE INVESTMENTS ON NJ THE SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO FALL EVEN AFTER THE STRONG DEMAND AFTER THE 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

THE NEW JERSEY PRICES AVERAGE 3.79 A GALLON.

THAT IS DOWN 11 CENTS COMPARED TO A WEEK AGO.

>>> ELON MUSK TOLD TWITTER'S BOARD NEXT WEEK SAID THAT AT THE WANTS TO CANCEL THE $44 BILLION OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY.

BUT TWITTER VOWS TO TAKE MUSK TO COURT TO UPHOLD THE TREATMENT IS.

>>> HERE ARE THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> A PROMINENT NEW JERSEY GROUP IS RAILING AGAINST THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE PUBLIC WILL GET TO REVIEW A MAJOR OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT.

CLEAN ACTION ACTION IS CALLING THE 45 DAY WINDOW UNREASONABLE AND UNJUST, DEMANDING AN EXPANSION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION SO THE PUBLIC CAN LOOK AT THE 1400 PAGE DOCUMENT AND IMPACT STATEMENT.

IT IS THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL WIND ENERGY FACILITY, SLATED TO BE BUILT OFF THE SOUTHERN JERSEY SHORE.

IN A LETTER SENT FRIDAY, CLEAN ACTION REQUIRES TO BE AN ADDITIONAL 60 DAYS FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT AND REFERENCED THE 1300 CITIZENS THAT SIGNED A PETITION WITHIN ONE WEEK OF SIMILAR CONCERNS.

>>> YOU MIGHT THINK THAT ELEVATING A NEW JERSEY LANDMARK TO NATIONAL PARK STATUS WOULD BE AN EASY CAUSE FOR THE RESIDENTS TO RALLY AROUND.

BUT THE RECREATIONAL AREA IS STUCK IN A TUG-OF-WAR BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTALS THAT WANT THE PROTECTIONS GIVEN WITH SUCH A STATUS AND NEIGHBORS THAT FEAR A POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT LAND GRAB.

THE DELAWARE WATER GAP RECREATION AREA OFFERS GORGEOUS VIEWS FOR MILLIONS OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR.

IS NOT DESIGNATED AS A NATIONAL PARK.

>> IS IT WHAT THE PEOPLE DESERVE.

>> Reporter: JOHN DONAHUE WANTS TO CHANGE THAT.

HE WORKED FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS AND SPENT 14 YEARS IN CHARGE OF THE AREA.

AND NOW HE'S PARTNERING WITH THE DELAWARE WATER GAP TO MAKE IT THE FIRST.

>> THIS SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AND A GREATER LEVEL.

IT IS A MATTER OF RECOGNITION AND ELEVATION AND PRESTIGE FOR THE PEOPLE AND FOR.

RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: SOME FOLKS DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY.

>> IT IS A GREAT AREA.

WHAT WE DON'T NEED ARE MILLIONS OF MORE PEOPLE TRAMPING THROUGH HERE.

QUITE FRANKLY, THAT DON'T RESPECT IT THE WAY THAT WE DO U.

>> Reporter: THIS IS SANDY HALL.

SHE HAS A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

AND SHE SAID THAT THE SIERRA CLUB'S PROPOSAL DOESN'T ANSWER THEM.

>> THERE IS NO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AND THE VISITATION.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW THEY FIGURE THAT.

AS FAR AS THE ECONOMICS, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY FIGURE HOW MUCH SPENDING EVERY PERSON IS GOING TO DO WHEN THEY COME UP HERE WHEN THERE IS NOTHING HERE FOR THEM TO SPEND THEIR MONEY ON.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN NO STUDIES ON SPECIES LIKE THE BOB TURTLE, THE WOOD TURTLE, THE EASTERN WATERLARK.

>> Reporter: HE ARGUES THAT MAKING THE DELAWARE WATER GAP A NATIONAL PARK WILL LEAD TO MORE VISITOR IT'S AND MORE CLOUD FOR AN AREA THAT NEEDS MORE THAN $200 MILLION WORTH OF REPAIRS.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT THE ELEVATION WILL PRY ADDITIONAL LEVERAGE FOR THE ADVOCATES TO CREATE THE ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THE PARK AND THE OPERATION OF THE PARK AND FOR THE KINDS OF ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE, BETTER ROADS, CAMP SITES THAT THE VISITING PUBLIC NEEDS.

>> Reporter: OPPONENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF MORE VISITORS.

>> THAT A MILLION PEOPLE WITH NOT A SINGLE PARK RANGER HERE.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO PROTECT IT.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANT TO SHARE.

I LIVE ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE BOUNDARY OF THE PARK.

BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I HAVE ANYMORE RIGHT TO THIS PARK THAN ANY OTHER AMERICAN.

>> Reporter: THERE IS CONCERN THAT THE PRIVATE LAND COULD BE TAKEN BY EMINENT DOMAIN THAT HAPPENED 50 YEARS AGO WHEN THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PROPOSED BUILDING THE THE PLANS WERE SCRAPPED.

BUT THAT WAS AS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES, INCLUDING PEOPLE IN HULL'S FAMILY.

>> AND KNOWING WHAT WE LOST AND HEAR THE STORIES OF PEOPLE THAT WERE SO BITTER OF LOSING THEIR HOMES AND FAMILY HERITAGE THERE, IS NO WAY, NO WAY YOU COULD LET THIS HAPPEN WITHOUT SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANYMORE LANDS OR INCORPORATED STATE LANDS AUTOMATICALLY INTO THIS.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSAL HAS AN UPHILL BATTLE.

THEY PASSED A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DELAWARE WATER GAP BECOMING A GAP.

THEY HAVE PASSED RESOLUTIONS OF OPPOSING IT THE CONGRESSMAN REPRESENTING THIS AREA, DOESN'T WANT TO CHANGE CAN THE DESIGNATION AND NEW NATIONAL PARKS CAN ONLY BE CREATED BY AN ACCOUNT OF CONGRESS.

FOLLOWING THE CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS IS WITH LOCAL MAYORS AND OFFICIALS AND LIFTATION OF LOCAL INPUT IN THE LAST MONTHS, AT THIS STAGE IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE DELAWARE WATER GAP RECREATION AREA AS A NATIONAL PARK HAS THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO MOVE FORWARD.

AS SUCH, I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE REDESIGNATION.

>>> THAT IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU HEAD OVER TO NJ THE SPOTLIGHT AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH THE LOCAL NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR OUR ENTIRE SPOT LIGHT NEWS TEAM.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.