Environment (Conservation) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1383: Requires DEP to prioritize funding for certain projects for acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes and certain environmental infrastructure projects that include, or allow for, flood mitigation projects.

This bill (S 1383) 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 flood mitigation. It directs the DEP to use specific criteria - such as protecting floodplains, wetlands, and flood-prone areas - to rank projects for funding under existing Green Acres programs. The bill amends current law to ensure projects addressing flood risk receive priority when allocating constitutionally dedicated funds. This affects local governments and nonprofits applying for DEP grants to acquire or develop land for public recreation or conservation uses.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 662: Establishes various programs in DEP concerning management of publicly owned forested land; appropriates $60 million.

This bill establishes a program for managing publicly owned forested lands across New Jersey. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to survey, map, and develop management plans for all state and local government-owned forested areas (minimum 0.5 acres with 10% canopy cover), including identifying cultural sites, wildfire risks, and areas for carbon sequestration. The bill creates "Carbon Reserve Forests" to protect mature forests, advance greenhouse gas reduction goals, and promote old-growth development, with management focused on ecological health rather than commercial use. It appropriates $60 million for these efforts and mandates public input through regional hearings. The program directly affects state/local land managers, indigenous communities (through cultural site protections), and climate initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Forestry

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 803: Establishes program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands.

S 803 creates a program for New Jersey to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands, permanently restricting future development to protect land for farming, forestry, and conservation. Woodlands must be at least 20 acres, used for agriculture or forestry production, and managed under approved stewardship plans to qualify. The program will use existing farmland preservation funds and coordinate with federal agencies to access additional support, such as the federal Forest Legacy Program. Landowners who sell these easements retain ownership but lose development rights, with restrictions recorded to last indefinitely.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 605: Requires environmental sustainability plan for State House Complex.

This bill requires the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to create and implement an environmental sustainability plan for New Jersey's State House Complex. The plan must include specific measures like energy efficiency upgrades, water conservation, sustainable food service practices using local products, carbon reduction strategies, and performance tracking. The Commission must update the plan every four years, issue annual public progress reports online, and appoint an advisory committee of sustainability experts. This directly affects how the complex manages its operations, energy use, and environmental impact.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1878: Requires grants to local government units to cover total cost of forest stewardship plans; provides for allocation of funding from "Global Warming Solutions Fund".

This bill establishes the "Forest Stewardship Incentive Fund" using money from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to cover costs for forest stewardship planning. It provides grants to cover the **total cost** of developing and implementing forest stewardship plans for **local government-owned forest land**. For private owners and nonprofits, it offers up to $1,500 base coverage, with an additional 80% of costs exceeding $1,500 (capped at $2,500 total). The fund directly supports local governments, nonprofits, and private forest landowners in creating plans to manage and steward forest resources.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2332: Excludes environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from designation as vacant or available for purposes of affordable housing construction.

This bill, S 2332, amends New Jersey's affordable housing law to exclude certain environmentally protected or flood-prone lands from counting toward a municipality's obligation to provide affordable housing. Specifically, it removes lands where development is already prohibited or heavily restricted by environmental laws (like flood zones or conservation areas), agricultural preservation covenants, historic sites, or small private parcels under five housing units. Municipalities will no longer need to count these excluded lands when calculating their "fair share" of affordable housing requirements under state law. The change clarifies that lands already legally off-limits for development cannot be forced into housing projects.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1202: Requires water purveyors to conduct, and report to DEP, water loss audits.

This bill requires water utilities (called "water purveyors") to conduct annual water loss audits and submit validated reports to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It defines "water loss" as the difference between water entering a distribution system and water measured at customer meters, including leaks, breaks, and unauthorized use. Utilities must follow American Water Works Association standards for data quality and validation when preparing these reports. The requirement directly affects all public water systems serving 25+ people daily, aiming to improve water conservation and infrastructure management.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 412: Designates and preserves Caven Point Peninsula in Liberty State Park as natural habitat.

This bill permanently designates the 21.5-acre Caven Point Peninsula in Liberty State Park (Jersey City, Hudson County) as protected natural habitat. It preserves the area’s coastal wetland ecosystem, critical bird breeding grounds, and urban environmental education resource by overriding previous land use rules. The designation ensures the peninsula remains undisturbed for wildlife conservation and public education. The bill directly affects only this specific peninsula within Liberty State Park, with no broader geographic or policy implications.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 346: Extends for five years expiration date of special appraisal process for Green Acres program and farmland preservation program for lands in Highlands Region.

This bill extends the special appraisal process for land acquisitions under New Jersey's Green Acres program and farmland preservation efforts in the Highlands Region through 2029 (from 2024). It requires state agencies, local governments, and qualified nonprofits to use a specific two-part appraisal method when purchasing land for conservation: comparing current land values against those from 2004, then using the higher value for negotiations with landowners. The process applies only to lands continuously owned since 2004 (or by immediate family) within the Highlands Region, and does not affect federal-funded acquisitions. This extension ensures consistency in land valuation for these conservation programs without altering their funding or scope.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 37: Proposes constitutional amendment to preserve right of people to fish, hunt, trap and harvest fish and wildlife.

SCR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to protect New Jersey residents' right to fish, hunt, trap, and harvest wildlife as part of the state's heritage. It would require state wildlife management laws to ensure traditional methods remain available for species historically pursued by these groups. The amendment mandates that managing fish and wildlife must prioritize this access while balancing conservation for future generations. It also specifies that traditional hunting/fishing must be the preferred method for controlling invasive or overpopulated species.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

All environment bills