Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4574: Requires Director of Division of Housing and Community Resources in DCA to establish sandbag reserve program for local government to mitigate flooding.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to create a state-run sandbag reserve program that local governments can access to help prepare for and respond to flooding. The program would involve collecting, storing, and distributing sandbags to municipalities upon application, with distribution prioritized based on a required state-wide flooding risk study that considers factors like elevation, climate, and proximity to water. Local governments requesting sandbags must submit detailed applications describing their specific flood risks and needs, while the department must submit annual reports on program usage and effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SCR 106: Determines that DEP's "Protecting Against Climate Threats" rules, adopted January 20, 2026, are inconsistent with legislative intent.

This concurrent resolution (SCR 106) declares that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) "Protecting Against Climate Threats" rules - adopted January 20, 2026, and known as NJPACT-REAL - are inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution argues the DEP overstepped its authority by adopting these rules without explicit legislative approval, as the DEP claimed authority under outdated laws that never intended to cover climate regulations. The rules significantly expand flood hazard areas, restrict development rights for property owners, and impact housing costs and property values. This resolution does not change the rules but formally states the Legislature’s position that the DEP must await future legislative action on climate policy.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4490: Establishes thermal energy network pilot program for gas public utilities.

This bill establishes a four-year pilot program allowing New Jersey gas utilities to build thermal energy networks using geothermal or other renewable thermal sources (like waste heat) as an alternative to natural gas infrastructure. It directly affects gas utilities, their ratepayers (who may see cost recovery through bills), and communities - particularly those with aging pipelines or no gas service. Utilities must submit detailed "thermal infrastructure plans" to the Board of Public Utilities for approval, which will evaluate project costs, benefits like emissions reductions and job creation, and how well projects serve low-income or overburdened communities. The program limits approval to one project per geographic region (northern, central, southern, coastal) and permits cost recovery via utility rates. The goal is to test the feasibility of thermal networks for heating and cooling across the state.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3486: Excludes environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from designation as vacant or available for purposes of affordable housing construction.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to exclude environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from being counted as available for affordable housing construction. It specifically excludes land regulated by agencies like the Highlands Water Protection Council, flood hazard areas under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act, and wetlands protected by the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act. The law changes current policy by removing the requirement that development must be "prohibited" on such land - now regulated land automatically qualifies for exclusion. This affects municipalities obligated to provide affordable housing under New Jersey's Fair Housing Act, preventing them from using these lands to meet their housing quotas.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4380: Establishes Watershed Council in DEP.

This bill creates a 21-member Watershed Council within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The council, appointed by the Governor with input from environmental groups, will represent each of the state's 21 watershed areas and analyze flooding, water quality, and environmental programs. It must assess the DEP's watershed management effectiveness - including flood protection, stormwater runoff, and ecosystem preservation - and make recommendations. Within 12 months of its first meeting, the council will submit annual reports to the DEP commissioner, Governor, and Legislature with these findings and suggestions for improving water quality and resident safety.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 547: Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events.

This New Jersey bill (A 547) requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify reservoirs with a history of causing downstream flooding and study their capacity and water needs. The DEP must then set maximum water levels for these reservoirs to balance flood prevention with water supply, and require owners to create approved flood action plans - including flood gates - for reservoirs linked to past flooding. The Office of Emergency Management can order reservoir levels lowered during severe weather to prevent flooding, after consulting with the DEP. Reservoir owners who follow approved plans and comply with emergency orders are protected from related lawsuits. The bill directly affects DEP, reservoir owners, and communities downstream of affected reservoirs.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3477: Establishes fund in DEP for Blue Acres acquisition and relocation projects; appropriates $25 million.

This bill creates the Blue Acres Buyout Fund within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), appropriating $25 million from the General Fund. The fund will provide relocation assistance to homeowners and tenants displaced by Blue Acres property acquisitions, cover the state's costs for purchasing flood-prone lands under the Blue Acres program, and pay for program administration (limited to 5% of annual funds). It directly affects residents in flood-prone areas who may be relocated due to these acquisitions. The fund operates as a nonlapsing, revolving account managed by the DEP.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 320: "Flood Zone Clarification Act"; modifies procedure for delineation of State flood hazard areas.

This bill modifies New Jersey's process for defining flood hazard areas. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to update flood maps to align with federal FEMA standards, mandating that state flood hazard zones must be at least as protective as FEMA's 100-year floodplain maps and no more than one foot above FEMA's designated elevation. The bill also delays implementation of the proposed NJPACT flood rules until after June 1, 2038, unless the Legislature passes a specific resolution authorizing them. These changes directly affect property owners, developers, and local governments needing permits in flood-prone areas, as they govern where construction can occur and what safety standards apply.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 1620: Directs DEP to lift conservation restrictions imposed as condition of CAFRA permit under certain conditions.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to remove conservation restrictions from property when the owner needs the land for expanding a special needs school, provided they also establish a new conservation restriction on a parcel at least twice as large within 20 miles. It applies specifically to properties with restrictions tied to Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permits. The new restriction must protect land similarly to the original. This creates a trade-off between development for education and expanded conservation coverage.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1845: Requires DEP and New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide priority for principal forgiveness on environmental infrastructure project loans to municipalities in coastal areas.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to prioritize principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure loans to municipalities in coastal areas. It directly affects coastal municipalities needing funding for projects like wastewater treatment and water supply systems. The key mechanism establishes that these coastal communities will receive preferential treatment in the existing Interim Environmental Financing Program for eligible projects listed on the DEP's priority list. The change modifies how loan forgiveness is allocated within current financing programs, without creating new funding sources.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

All environment bills