ANIMAL PROTECTION LEAGUE OF NEW JERSEY, THE BEAR EDUCATION
AND RESOURCE GROUP, ET AL. VS. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION("NJDEP"), BOB MARTIN, ET AL.
A-1603-10T2
On this appeal challenging the validity of the
Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy (CBBMP) adopted by
respondent New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, we
conclude that while there may be disagreements as to available
data and its interpretation, under our standard of review we
defer to agency findings that are based on sufficient evidence
in the record. We further conclude that the agency findings
here meet that standard. Most important, we determine that
appellants have failed to demonstrate that respondents acted
arbitrarily or capriciously or in bad faith. We further find
that appellants have failed to demonstrate any procedural
deficiencies supporting invalidation of the CBBMP. Accordingly,
we affirm. 12-01-11
