The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is looking for ideas from individuals and organizations that may be interested in leasing the former Rockport Game Farm in Mansfield Township, Warren County.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife last year closed the facility, which reared pheasants, due to the cost of complying with recent changes to U.S. Department of Agriculture avian influenza control requirements.
The 160-acre facility, situated within the 1,380-acre Rockport Wildlife Management Area and just minutes from Hackettstown, had been in operation for more than 100 years. Game pheasants reared at the facility were known as Rockport Rockets.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest for projects that are compatible with the rural environment of this part of the state. The goal is to eventually bid out the site for agricultural purposes to a bidder that can improve and utilize the site while providing lease revenue to the DEP.
“Located amid picturesque rolling hills and farmland, the Rockport Game Farm is a wonderful property that could be re-utilized for a number of purposes such as a farm, to raise poultry, a tree nursery, or even a vineyard,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Larry Herrighty. “We are very eager to gather ideas on how this property can remain in active, productive use that is compatible with its rural surroundings.”
The 160-acre game farm consists of a number of structures, including a barn, a garage, rearing pens and houses, a pole barn, and brooder and incubator building.
Diverse uses are welcome provided they cause no detrimental environmental impacts. Those interested should note that the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on land owned by the Division of Fish and Wildlife but that the rule may be relaxed if a bidder can show the potential for significant revenue.
For details and to view the full Request for Expressions of Interest, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2019/rockport_rfei.htm
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