The Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission was established in October, 1974, when Governor Brendan Byrne signed the D&R Canal State Park Law. The Commission was created to accomplish three main tasks: To review and approve, reject or modify any action by the State in the Canal Park, or any permit for action in the park; to undertake planning for the development of the Canal Park; & to prepare and administer a land use regulatory program that will protect the Canal Park from the harmful impacts of new development in central New Jersey.