The Legislature finds and declares that opportunities for access to recreational open space are rapidly diminishing and that, in an effort to explore alternative techniques to provide that access, the State should aid private landowners permitting public recreational use of their land.

The Legislature further finds and declares that administering a program to aid private landowners, informing the public of recreational opportunities and evaluating the operation of the program would best be implemented by establishing an Open Lands Management Program, and by empowering the Department of Environmental Protection to provide financial assistance and in kind services to assist private landowners in maintaining and increasing public recreational opportunities, all as hereinafter provided.

L.1983, c. 560, s. 3, eff. Jan. 17, 1984.