NJ Parks video taking permits??? really??

Hello, this is for people who have an idea about filming or photo taking for commercial purposes in the state parks. In my case it is NJ. I am a one man operation and I was told by a state rep that in order to do commercial photography/videography in a state park I would need a permit. They said it would cost $465 a day for the permit + the cost of any employees to stand and watch..

Are the parks copyrighted? I do not understand why a permit is necessary to take pictures or do a little filming with nothing more than a camera and a tripod!! I could understand if a whole crew came to make a tv special.. But just a taxpayer who wants to film with a dslr which anyone can do for not commercial purposes and then does not need a permit.. So why would I if I was to sell the clip/photo??

Does anyone here know the rights we have in this regard?? I thought a park was a public place!

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Me