Saxton and the fishermen have been struggling with the U.S. Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service for more than three years over what was expected to be an administrative ruling to close access to the beach by barring vehicles on refuge lands above the high tide water mark. Since most of Holgate is accessible only via vehicles registered for beach use, barring vehicles would have created dangerous conditions at high tide and could have, in effect, prevented fishermen access.

Saxton had drafted legislation to create a 30-foot safety zone to allow vehicles to travel above the high tide water mark, and had met with Interior Secretary Gale Norton to discuss protecting the rights of those who use Holgate to surf fish.

"I consider this a win for the fishermen of New Jersey and a win for the refuge system and the wildlife it aims to protect," Saxton said. "Fishermen have been very supportive of the designation of the Holgate section as wilderness and have strongly supported the ongoing expansion of the entire Forsythe Wildlife Refuge. It is well-documented that they have made significant changes to protect wildlife, in particular the endangered piping plover. Fishermen are proven protectors of the environment and wildlife."

Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks David Smith informed Saxton of the development. The decision will initially promote measures to protect the refuge with an education campaign. All fishermen heading out onto Holgate in their vehicles will be given literature outlining the new policy that aims to keep beach traffic below the berm crest line and on or near the wet sand. Brochures are already being printed and will be distributed in the near future. Forsythe officials plan a grace period of about a month while the education campaign is under way. Refuge officials will then begin to enforce the policy.

At the suggestion of the Interior Department, a fall meeting between Saxton, Interior officials and local elected officials to outline the decision and ways to improve Holgate is in planning stages and could take place in the fall.

"I'm very pleased with this outcome," Saxton said. "In my view, the Fish and Wildlife Service has come up with a solution that protects the rights of fishermen while recognizing the need to protect the fragile ecosytem of the Refuge. This is the end of a frustrating three-year battle, and I'm happy to say it looks like all sides win." 

Congressman Saxton is Vice Chairman of the House Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee, and could take over as chairman of its full committee, the House Resources Committee, in January 2003. The committee authorizes the Department of Interior's annual budget and various projects.

 "I have a reputation within the Fish and Wildlife Service of being open and fair in developing reasonable environmental policy," Saxton said. "This is a fair solution and a sensible solution."

 He represents the Third Congressional District of New Jersey, which includes a majority of Ocean County. The Third District includes Barnegat Bay, Toms River,  as well as notable landmarks such as Long Beach Island, Island Beach State Park and the Seaside areas.