The affected portion runs from Route 94 to Morris Farms Road
in Lafayette.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the birds died from
the bird flu.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says
the birds are being left to decompose on site because of the rough terrain and
lack of qualified people in the state to handle the birds.
The DEP also says the risk of spreading bird flu to humans
is extremely low, but it’s highly contagious and often deadly for poultry.
News 12 spoke to a poultry farmer who did not want to be
identified. She said she is nervous about the state's plan and the potential
further spread of bird flu.
"That I'd have to euthanize my entire flock because
they're just sitting there, and vultures eat vultures, and they just perpetuate
the problem,” the farmer said. “I was really surprised. I figured they'd
be on it. They've been very vocal about publication and awareness of it, and it
happens in our neighborhood and they're not going to do anything about
it."
There is no word on how long the trail will be shut down.