Environment (Water Quality) in New Jersey

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

A 3630: Authorizes performance of supplemental environmental project to replace portion of monetary penalties for environmental violations in certain circumstances.

This bill allows businesses or individuals who violate New Jersey environmental laws to replace part of their fine with a supplemental environmental project (SEP) that reduces pollution. The Department of Environmental Protection must approve the project proposal, which must detail the work, costs, and environmental benefits. The SEP can cover up to 75% of the penalty (50% for water pollution violations), but participation is voluntary and requires department approval based on factors like community impact and project feasibility. The bill aims to direct funds toward actual environmental improvements rather than solely collecting fines.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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

A 3195: Dedicates $500,000 annually in revenues from vessel registration and renewal fees to NJ Greenwood Lake Fund.

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Greenwood Lake Fund" to dedicate $500,000 annually from New Jersey vessel registration and renewal fees toward protecting and maintaining Greenwood Lake. The fund, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection, will support projects exclusively on the New Jersey side of the lake, including water quality, recreation, and conservation efforts. It ensures these funds can be used without requiring matching contributions from New York State, even when joint projects are needed. The lake provides drinking water for 3.5 million residents and is a major recreational area for boating and outdoor activities.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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

A 3939: Requires DOT to prioritize green stormwater infrastructure in design, construction, reconstruction, and repair of public highways.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to prioritize green stormwater infrastructure - such as permeable pavement, rain gardens, and vegetated swales - in the design, construction, and repair of state highways funded by the Special Transportation Fund. It directly affects DOT projects on public highways, mandating they use methods that reduce stormwater runoff by treating it through soil or vegetation instead of traditional drainage. The DOT must establish a program to implement this prioritization "to the extent practicable," as determined by the Commissioner. The bill takes immediate effect and defines green infrastructure broadly to include practices that store, reuse, or treat stormwater naturally.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Water Quality Roads & Highways

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

A 1874: Makes FY2023 supplemental appropriation of $17 million to DEP for grants for certain lake management activities.

This bill appropriates $17 million from the General Fund to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for fiscal year 2023. It establishes a grant program to assist qualified entities - including lake commissions (like Greenwood Lake and Lake Hopatcong), local governments, and nonprofits - focusing on lake management for recreation and conservation. Grants prioritize projects improving water quality, preventing harmful algal blooms, increasing public access, and controlling pollution that affects lake use. The DEP must develop application criteria and administer the program, with funds limited to eligible lake management activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation Water Quality

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

A 594: Requires continuing identification and remediation of waste tire sites.

This bill (A-594) requires anyone responsible for waste tire accumulation at a site to remove and properly dispose of tires to comply with environmental laws. It directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to establish a recurring process for identifying illegal tire sites, including annual inspections of junkyards and previously remediated areas, plus public and local government input. The department must issue annual reports on program progress, cleanup efforts, and costs, and may impose liens on properties with unremediated sites to recover cleanup expenses. The bill directly affects property owners and businesses accumulating waste tires, with enforcement focused on preventing environmental hazards like water contamination and mosquito breeding.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Water Quality

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

A 3852: Requires DEP to designate municipalities with critical headwaters as headwater guardians.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify and designate municipalities with "critical headwaters" (water sources supplying drinking water to at least 1 million residents) as "headwater guardians" within one year of the law's effective date. The DEP must develop a public process to identify these headwaters using data on watershed significance, water quality, and location in sensitive areas like the Highlands or Pinelands. Once designated, municipalities must implement environmental protections - such as enhanced stormwater management or riparian buffers - to safeguard water quality, with DEP determining specific requirements within six months. These designations will be recognized in local land use planning under state law and must undergo a 30-day public comment period.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 3078: Requires DEP to establish online flood, rainfall, river level, and sewer capacity dashboard.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a publicly accessible online dashboard tracking real-time flood risks across the state. The dashboard must display rainfall, river levels, sewer capacity, flood damage reports, drainage complaints, and historical flood data from municipalities. Municipalities and counties must report this data to the DEP, with the dashboard updated weekly during active storm warnings. The DEP must annually review the system to standardize reporting, reduce administrative burdens on local governments, and improve data sharing capabilities.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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

A 3901: Establishes ranking criteria for certain nonpoint source pollution control grants issued by DEP.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a ranking system for nonpoint source pollution control grants under the Water Pollution Control Act. The system must prioritize projects in specific areas: those served by stormwater utilities, municipalities banning lawn fertilizers, regions suffering economic harm from polluted waterbodies, or municipalities with strict septic system maintenance rules. Grants funded by state Corporation Business Tax revenues or federal Clean Water Act funds will be allocated based on these criteria. The law directly affects municipalities and project applicants seeking DEP pollution control grants. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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

A 3083: Requires developer to submit stormwater impact study as part of application for planned development site plan approval.

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.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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

A 1878: Permits business entities and nonprofit organizations to adopt certain responsibilities related to stormwater management basins; provides corporation business tax credit for adoption of stormwater management basins in certain watersheds.

This bill allows businesses and nonprofits to adopt and maintain stormwater basins in specific New Jersey watersheds (including Lake Hopatcong, Budd Lake, and others), with the state offering a corporation business tax credit for participation. It requires government agencies to verify adopters' capability to manage basins per environmental regulations, establishes formal adoption agreements, and provides liability protections through waivers and insurance requirements. The program applies only to basins owned by state or local agencies in designated watersheds, with no cost to the agencies themselves. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Environment Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Water Quality

All environment bills