This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: (1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and (2) environmental infrastructure projects that include or enable flood mitigation. It directly affects local governments, nonprofits, and communities seeking DEP grants under the Green Acres program, which uses constitutionally dedicated funds. Key provisions mandate that DEP establish criteria prioritizing projects that protect floodplains, reduce flood risk, conserve natural resources, and support recreational access. The bill amends existing laws to ensure these factors are explicitly considered when ranking eligible projects for funding.
This bill requires developers seeking approval for planned development projects (like residential clusters or commercial sites) to submit a stormwater impact study as part of their site plan application. The study, conducted by a third-party consultant agreed upon by both the developer and local planning board, must evaluate pre- and post-development stormwater runoff, downstream flood risks, and potential mitigation strategies. It applies directly to developers and planning boards reviewing applications for planned developments under New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law. The bill amends existing law to mandate this review before site plan approval can be granted.
This bill (A 3861) adds State-owned, municipally-managed "Blue Acres" land as a permitted option for developers to compensate for freshwater wetland loss caused by construction projects. It allows wetland creation, enhancement, or restoration on Blue Acres land (property acquired by the State for recreation/conservation, often flood-prone or buffer land managed by municipalities) if both the State and the municipality grant permission. Currently, developers can use private land or contribute to a Wetlands Mitigation Bank when on-site wetland restoration isn't feasible; this bill creates a fourth option using Blue Acres land. The change directly affects developers seeking wetland mitigation, municipalities managing Blue Acres properties, and the Department of Environmental Protection overseeing permit approvals.
Bill A-675 prohibits New Jersey Transit (NJT) from making major rail yard modifications - such as adding tracks, building fuel tanks, or upgrading facilities - near environmentally sensitive areas. It specifically applies to rail yards located within coastal zones, within 1,000 feet of wetlands or tidal water bodies, or where water flows into the Barnegat Bay Estuary. NJT must obtain the Governor’s written authorization after consulting the Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA before proceeding with such changes. This law aims to protect ecological areas by requiring environmental review and approvals before rail yard alterations.
The Climate Superfund Act (A 3735) holds fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments into a state fund. Companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels during 1995-2026 and emitted over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases must pay based on their proportional liability, with joint liability for companies in a "controlled group." Funds collected will be distributed to implement climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs in overburdened communities. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to manage payments and fund these projects.
This bill establishes a Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience Financing Program within the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. It would impose a per-kilowatt-hour charge on all electricity consumption in the state, added to utility bills for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. The collected funds would finance projects like flood-resistant infrastructure, coastal protection, and other climate resilience initiatives. The program aims to address climate impacts through targeted infrastructure investments, funded directly by electricity users.
This bill creates a grant program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help municipalities address flood risks. It provides funding for flood risk assessments, mitigation projects (like dikes, weirs, permeable pavements, and stormwater basins), emergency preparedness training, and public education about flood hazards. Municipalities in greatest need, particularly overburdened communities, will receive priority for grants to implement structural and non-structural flood solutions. The DEP will manage applications, set criteria, and require grantees to report on fund use and program effectiveness annually.
This proposed bill (A 3087) directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop an artificial intelligence tool that predicts and maps flood risks at the neighborhood level using satellite imagery, historical rainfall data, climate models, river sensors, and federal floodplain maps. The tool must be made publicly available to municipalities, emergency officials, and residents, with ongoing updates to improve accuracy. The DEP may partner with universities and tech companies through competitive bidding and grant programs to build the tool, requiring all contracts and awards to be publicly disclosed. The bill aims to enhance flood preparedness and resilience by integrating diverse data sources into a single accessible resource.
This bill creates a new Office of River Maintenance within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to oversee all stream cleaning and bank restoration projects statewide. The office will replace the previous system under P.L.1993, c.376, and must follow strict environmental rules - including protecting "Category one waters" (like trout streams and park-adjacent waters) and coordinating with agencies for endangered species or wetlands. Projects must avoid altering stream beds beyond historical levels, preserve shading vegetation, and comply with existing wetlands and flood control laws. The bill directly affects DEP operations and any entities conducting stream or bank work, requiring all such projects to be managed through this new office.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a program mapping all stormwater infrastructure - including culverts, drains, and underground pipes - using drone and LIDAR technology. It directly affects DEP, counties, and municipalities, especially older communities with outdated or missing records of aging infrastructure. The DEP must prioritize vulnerable areas, store all collected data in a central database accessible to relevant agencies, and submit annual progress reports to the Governor and Legislature. The goal is to improve flood prevention, emergency response, and infrastructure planning by replacing incomplete records with accurate, modern maps.
