N.J. Stat. Ann. § 13:8-29

The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection is hereby authorized to acquire by gift, purchase or appropriation, in the name of the State and in consultation with the Appalachian Trail Conference and the United States Secretary of the Interior, title to easements over, or controlled use agreements relating to, sections lying within the State of the hiking trail commonly known as the Appalachian Trail which are not in public ownership; to construct thereon suitable shelters or other facilities for use by hikers; and to enter into cooperative agreements with the conference or secretary regarding the operation, maintenance and supervision thereof.