Plastic is connected to health, climate change and wildlife. Single-use plastics take an enormous amount of water and energy, and chemicals to produce and dispose, yet are only used for mere minutes and can persist in our environment for more than a millennium.
Plastics and Health
Exposure to chemicals from plastic production, usage and disposal can cause cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders and neurological impairments. Thousands of toxics, carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting chemical additives are used during production, such as styrene and vinyl chloride.
Plastics and Climate Change
Plastic generates greenhouse gas emissions at every step of its life cycle, from extraction to waste. The United States plastics industry’s contribution to climate change is on track to exceed that of coal-fired power by 2030. As plastic breaks down in landfills through sunlight and heat, it releases powerful greenhouse gases such as methane that warm up the Earth’s atmosphere.
Plastics and Wildlife
Plastic pollution is an animal rights issue. Plastic does not decompose; it breaks up into smaller pieces called microplastics. It endangers more than 1,200 species from ingestion or entanglement: from seals with their necks slashed by fishing line, to turtles with straws stuck in their noses, to seabirds who starve to death with their bellies full of plastic. It’s in the food, water and air of all living creatures.
How is NJ reducing plastic pollution?
As of November 4, 2020, Governor Murphy signed into law the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act. On May 4, 2022, both plastic and paper single-use bags, as well as disposable food containers and cups made out of polystyrene foam, were banned, with some exemptions (bags wrapping raw meat, polystyrene butcher trays, produce bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, prescription bags and bags holding fish or insects from pet stores). Stores less than 2,500 square feet can still provide paper bags. This law also restricts food-service businesses from handing out plastic straws, unless specifically requested by a customer, which became effective in November 2021.
The law also created a sixteen member Plastics Advisory Council whose job is to monitor the implementation and evaluate the effectiveness of the law and make recommendations for reducing single-use plastic waste.
By May 2023, NJ had significant decline in plastic bag litter and pollution. The Plastics Advisory Council assessed that over 5.5 billion plastic bags and 110 million paper bags were eliminated from the waste stream. For the first time since 2007, plastic bags were NOT included in Clean Ocean’s 2022 Beach Sweep Dirty Dozen list!
Resources:
ANJEC ‘s website NJNoplastics provides more information on the law and resources for residents, businesses and municipalities. NJDEP also has a website GetPastPlastics for more information. Litter Free NJ from NJ Clean Communities has graphics and resources for donating reusable bags https://litterfreenj.com/i
Plastic bags have become ubiquitous, and are taking a toll on our environment and our economy. According to the EPA, between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year, and each of those bags is used for an average of 12 minutes. NJ residents use 4.4 billion plastic bags each year. These bags, which never fully break down, end up in our landfills, parks, beaches, along roadways, parking lots, and in our waterways. Disposable bags are harmful, wasteful, and unnecessary. People around the world are now choosing a sustainable alternative; reusable bags.
As of November 4, 2020, Governor Murphy signed into law the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act. On May 4, 2022, both plastic and paper single-use bags, as well as disposable food containers and cups made out of polystyrene foam, were banned, with some exemptions (bags wrapping raw meat, polystyrene butcher trays, produce bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, prescription bags and bags holding fish or insects from pet stores). Stores less than 2,500 square feet can still provide paper bags. The new law also restricts food-service businesses from handing out plastic straws, unless specifically requested by a customer, which became effective in November 2021.
ANJEC ‘s website NJNoplastics provides more information on the law and resources for residents, businesses and municipalities. NJDEP also has a website GetPastPlastics for more information
For use at fairs, events and the like, portable games and displays are available to members for loan, as well as documentary DVDs (with screening rights). Created to educate on a variety of environmental topics, the materials aid in engaging the public and furthering outreach. A Brochure of available items can be found HERE
We just closed a month of celebrations for Earth Day — and I am outraged.
Members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation and the state Legislature have engaged in peddling the obvious delusion that New Jersey can escape the devastating toll on our economy, environment, and the very safety of residents impacted by the climate crisis by ignoring science.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., has asked the Trump administration to interfere with New Jersey’s right and responsibility to protect the livelihood and very lives of residents. Members of the Legislature promoted scientific skepticism and outright denied climate facts as they questioned New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette during budget proceedings in April.
The controversy is all over a set of proposed regulations named NJPACT REAL — New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats, Resilient Environments and Landscapes. These rules are designed to keep people from drowning to death in their homes just as 25 New Jerseyans died in Hurricane Ida.
More than 15 years ago, I met with scientists and policy experts asking the same question: How can we accurately predict the flooding that we know is going to happen so that we can write regulations that build new homes and businesses in ways that are more resilient and protect public health and safety?
It took more than a decade, increased computing horsepower, and enhanced models such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Atlas 14, but we did it. We now have data and modeling that analyze the collapsing Arctic vortex (that’s why we sometimes get Arctic blasts in New Jersey now) and the collapsing Gulf Stream ocean current that holds major influence over weather on the East Coast of the U.S. and West Coast of Europe. We now have a very accurate understanding of the increase of both precipitation and sea level rise for New Jersey through the year 2100.
The NJPACT REAL regulations simply require new development and redevelopment standards to prepare for the flooding that is happening and that we know will happen through the year 2100. The NJPACT REAL rules will require that new development be elevated above the areas that will flood. States like Florida have already passed similar regulations.
When Van Drew and local lawmakers come wielding false accusations about the validity of the science and emotional appeals crying financial hardship for millionaire and billionaire friends — saying that these rules will cost too much money — they are asking everyday New Jerseyans to put their very lives and livelihoods on the line for other people’s profits.
When elected officials cast doubt on the science, it’s either because they don’t understand it or they want to ignore it.
The truth of the matter is: New Jersey experiences a $1 billion weather event on average every 32 weeks. From 1980 to 2024 (as of Sept. 10, 2024), there have been 72 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion in damages each to affect New Jersey communities, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.
New Jersey residents know we have flooding problems. The NJPACT REAL rules are a commonsense approach that says we simply need to build new development above and out of the way of flooding.
The data that informs the flood elevation levels in the NJPACT REAL rules are moderate rather than an “extreme” approach as Rep. Van Drew claims.
What he doesn’t understand or rather doesn’t want you to understand is that the extreme scenario for climate flooding impacts New Jersey predicts nine feet of sea level rise, and NJPACT REAL takes a moderate approach and plans for five feet.
Climate change is not a belief system. It’s science.
Now is the time we in New Jersey need to activate our resistance to the anti-science agenda. Gov. Phil Murphy needs to stand up and fight back.
New Jersey needs the NJPACT REAL rules to save lives. We need the NJPACT REAL rules so we can be both Jersey strong and Jersey smart.
On Earth Day, Essex County celebrates 10th anniversary of dedicated open space funding
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. (third from left). Also pictured (from left) Donald Weise from the NY/NJ Trail Conference, Jacqueleen Bido from Newark Science and Sustainability Inc., Ed Potosnak from New Jersey LCV, Martha Sapp from the NJ Green Acres Program, Jennifer Coffey from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, Don McLaughlin from the Brookdale Park Conservancy, Commissioner Brendan Gill and Doug Bell from the Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association.(Photo courtesy of Essex County)
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. joined the Keep It Green Coalition to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of legislation that provides dedicated open space funding in New Jersey.
In November 2014, voters approved Public Question 2 to dedicate existing corporate business tax funds to open space and environmental initiatives.
During the last decade, more than $2 billion has been invested to protect New Jersey’s clean drinking water, open spaces, farmland, and historic sites, as well as to improve water quality and clean up polluted sites.
“Anyone visiting Essex County can see the resources we invest each year to revitalize our parks and keep our recreation facilities up to date. Essex County is one of the most densely populated and densely developed areas in the country, so being able to continually revitalize and expand our open spaces has a profound impact on our residents’ health, quality of life and property values,” DiVincenzo said.
“I am honored to be part of the celebration of the 10-year anniversary of dedicated open space funding. It’s good to be here celebrating what we accomplished in the past but also what we can achieve in the future,” Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill said.
“On this Earth Day, we are reminded of just how essential our parks and green spaces are – not only for protecting our environment but for improving public health, enhancing quality of life, and bringing communities together, especially in our urban centers,” said Ed Potosnak, executive director, New Jersey LCV.
“The Keep It Green coalition is a shining example of what we can achieve when we unite around a common cause. Thanks to the tireless work of more than 165 partner organizations over the last ten years, we’ve secured over $2 billion to preserve New Jersey’s natural treasures – from forests and farmland to historic sites and urban parks. These investments ensure that future generations will have access to clean air, safe outdoor spaces, and the beauty of nature right in their own neighborhoods,” he added.
“Parks and open spaces have such a profound impact on people’s lives, and they have to think of our parks as part of their own backyard. We have accomplished a great deal but there is still so much more we can do,” said Martha Sapp, director of the NJ Green Acres Program.
“We all have a responsibility in the preservation of green spaces as we are the foundation for generational sustainability. Green spaces in urban environments have the ability to change how we see and engage with the world…thus it is our duty to preserve them,” said Dr. Jacqueleen Bido, Chief Strategy Officer with Newark Science and Sustainability Inc.
“Preserving open spaces like we are doing today is especially important when the environment is being threatened and challenged,” said Jennifer Coffey, Executive Director of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.
“Parks are necessary resources for people and it’s amazing the many different ways people use the parks for their enjoyment. Parks are a wonderful investment for everyone,” Don McLaughlin, chairman of the Brookdale Park Conservancy.
The collaboration between the Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association and the county has led to millions of dollars being invested to revitalize and enhance the quality of Ivy Hill Park. It has made the park a place for people to come together and unite,” said former Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association President Doug Bell.
The NJ Keep It Green Coalition consists of more than 150 organizations committed to land conservation, agriculture, historic preservation, environmental protection, urban parks, hunting and fishing, and outdoor recreation. The coalition works together to sustain and guide funding for the preservation and stewardship of New Jersey’s natural resources for quality of life and future generations.
Board of Public Utility Considers Establishing an Urban Heat Island Mitigation Program
March 17, 2025
The proposed UHI Mitigation Program (“UHI Program”) is a comprehensive approach to address extreme heat impacts and enhance resilience in overburdened communities (“OBCs”). The UHI Program will employ interventions proposed by community-based organizations (“CBOs”) and will be supported by interventions described in the following state plans: 2019 State Energy Master Plan (“EMP”), Community Energy Plans, NJ Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan, Priority Climate Action Plan (“PCAP”), and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (“RGGI”) Strategic Funding Plan.
It is proposed to use $5M in funding from the NJ Clean Energy Fund to provide grants to eligible entities. The grants would be available in three (3) main categories: Comprehensive UHI Interventions, Cooling the Built Environment, and Urban Microclimate Interventions. More Information on proposed program can be foundhere.
New Jersey Environmental Groups Call for Passage of State Plastics Reduction Bill
Urgent Need for Bill’s Passage to Save Tax Dollars,
Protect Public Health and New Jersey’s Environment
Brooke Helmick, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance — brooke@njeja.org, (909) 919-4318
TRENTON, New Jersey — Leading environmental groups held a news conference at the New Jersey State Capital in Trenton, New Jersey, urging the state legislature to pass the Packaging Product Stewardship Act (S3398/ A5009), introduced by Senator Bob Smith and Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill. The news conference immediately followed a New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee meeting.
Speakers included Beyond Plastics founder and former EPA regional administrator Judith Enck, Environment New Jersey director Doug O’Malley, Clean Ocean Action executive director Cindy Zipf, Beyond Plastics advisory board member Brian Thompson, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance policy director Brooke Helmick, Clean Water Action New Jersey state director Amy Goldsmith, Beyond Plastics NJ Youth lead and Sierra Club New Jersey Youth Committee Communications and Outreach Coordinator Shirin Sood.
New Jersey has a growing plastic pollution crisis — 82% of items collected on local beaches were plastic in Clean Ocean Action’s 2022 annual report — and residents are paying with their health (in addition to their taxes). As plastic polluters increase plastic production, pollution will only grow while environmental justice communities around New Jersey’s landfills and incinerators suffer.
The Packaging Product Stewardship Act will require:
Companies selling products in New Jersey to cut plastic packaging by 50% over the next 10 years;
Prohibit some of the worst toxic chemicals known to science to be used in packaging, including PFAS, lead, mercury, vinyl chloride, and formaldehyde;
Provide new revenue to local governments to improve local recycling and waste reduction programs; and
Prohibit the plastics industry’s latest false solution, known as chemical recycling, from counting as real recycling.
“The issues plaguing EJ communities — toxic air quality, disproportionate health impacts, siting of industry in EJ communities, and the dumping of plastic waste, among others – are all connected back to a root cause: an overproduction of plastic materials and waste. A product stewardship bill can decrease unnecessary plastic packaging which can reduce plastic pollution as well as the associated air emissions and energy consumption. These outcomes decrease the disproportionate burden of waste and air pollution that EJ communities experience,” said Brooke Helmick, director of policy at New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance.
“Tax relief, tax relief, tax relief, that’s what this promises — if you reduce the trash then you reduce the ‘tipping fees’ your town pays to get rid of it. And that reduces your tax burden so what’s not to like?” said Brian Thompson, retired NBC New York journalist, Monmouth Beach Environmental Commission member, and Beyond Plastics advisory board member.
“During Black History Month, it needs to be highlighted that environmental justice communities are exposed to a disproportionate amount of pollution. That said, everyone is affected by the toxics of plastic. Most plastic is made from reconstructing fossil fuels — oil, natural gas, and coal — which causes it not to be biodegradable. Instead, plastic breaks down into tiny micro- and nanoparticles. There are over 16,000 different chemicals that make up plastic that can leach toxic chemicals into the foods we eat, beverages we consume, and air we breathe. Micro- and nanoplastic pollution has been found in the most remote places on Earth and throughout the human body. Toxics from plastic have been linked to metabolic disorders and endocrine disruption leading to cancers, diabetes, reduced fertility, impaired brain development, birth defects, and mutations. The burden should be on the manufacturer to reduce our exposure to an unnecessary amount of poisons,” said Marta Young, New Jersey zero-waste specialist at Clean Water Action.
“We can’t recycle our way out of the plastics crisis — our waterways and our bodies are literally swimming in plastics. More than two and a half years after the ban of single-use plastic bags, the Senate Environment Committee’s passage today of a program to reduce plastic packaging is the next critical step to stop this wave of plastics swamping our environment,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “Extended producer responsibility is a simple concept of requiring the companies that produce plastic waste to take responsibility for their products — and reduce the amount of plastic packaging that ends up in our environment and our bodies. We want to thank Chairman Bob Smith for his leadership and we urge Senate President Scutari to move forward on this bill to reduce plastic waste.”
“The Packaging Product Stewardship Act is a vital step toward reducing plastic waste and protecting public health. With a strong, comprehensive approach, this legislation holds companies accountable and tackles the growing plastic pollution crisis. No longer should taxpayers bear the burden of managing packaging waste — it’s time for corporations to take responsibility. We urge its swift passage,” saidJennifer Coffey, executive director at Association of NJ Environmental Commissions.
“Recycling simply can’t keep up with the production of single-use plastic packaging. That is why we need to focus on measures to reduce plastic production at its source, limit the use of single-use plastic, and embrace reusable packaging solutions. The legislation asks manufacturers to pay and innovate to solve the enormous waste problems created by producing and selling their own products. This is a vital initiative because packaging forms a large category of waste material—28% in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency,” said Taylor McFarland, conservation program manager for the NJ Sierra Club. “This legislation, at its strongest, is essential to mitigating New Jersey’s plastic waste problem, and we urge the New Jersey Legislature to support it.”
“Attention New Jerseyans! Senator Smith has moved forward a bill that is just what the doctor ordered to help address the serious plague of plastic pollution. This prescribed plan is a remedy that will significantly reduce plastic contamination of our drinking water, food, air, and ocean. COA urges the legislature to support this bill, S3398, and quickly. The sooner we implement this sensible plan the healthier we will become” saidCindy Zipf Clean, executive director at Clean Ocean Action.
“Plastic pollution is devastating our waterways, ecosystems, and communities. The Packaging Product Stewardship Act is a necessary step to shift responsibility back to the corporations fueling this crisis, rather than placing the burden on taxpayers and municipalities. This legislation will not only protect Barnegat Bay and other natural resources from further harm but will also create healthier, more sustainable communities throughout New Jersey” saidBritta Forsberg, executive director at Save Barnegat Bay.
“Single-use plastics are harming our oceans, climate, and communities. Strong policies to reduce the production of plastic packaging and support the use of reusable packaging are key to addressing this growing problem,” said John Weber, senior field representative at Oceana. “Oceana applauds Senator Smith and the Senate Environment and Energy Committee for taking an important step to tackle plastic pollution. We look forward to ensuring the Packaging Product Stewardship Act moves through the Senate to address the plastic pollution crisis at the source.”
“The New Jersey state legislature can protect the environment and public health for years to come if it passes the Packaging Product Stewardship Act this session,” said Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics and former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2, regional administrator. “New Jersey taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for plastic pollution, and residents never signed up for the negative climate and health impacts that come with it. This bill would finally tackle what’s becoming a more urgent issue every day: the neverending plastic that builds up in our landfills, gets burned in incinerators, and pollutes our beaches, rivers, parks, and neighborhoods.”
With a crowded field of candidates in the race to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy, environmental groups are doing their best to keep their issues at the forefront, releasing a green agenda entitled “Enviro Fix in ’26.”
“The upcoming election is an opportunity for us to ask questions like, ‘Hey, candidate for governor, what are you going to do to reduce asthma rates in Newark and throughout our state?’” said Ed Potosnak, executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.
The agenda includes investing in the state’s electric grid and keeping Murphy’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2035, making communities more resilient to storms, preserving open space and expanding access to parks.
State Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), who has introduced several bills aimed at reducing New Jersey’s carbon footprint, joined the environmental groups as they introduced the agenda in Trenton on Thursday.
“Despite what the president of the United States says, offshore wind is a key factor in New Jersey’s clean energy transition. But it’s been taking very untruthful hits,” Smith said.
Earlier this week, President Trump issued an executive order pausing new leases for offshore wind farms, and a review of current permits.
The mission of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) is to promote local action
to protect and restore New Jersey’s natural resources and ensure equitable, healthy communities.
ANJEC advances its mission by engaging in diverse and inclusive practices through leadership, partnerships, education,
advocacy for strong public policy and support of environmental commissions, public officials, and communities throughout New Jersey.
Education Programs and Resources
Information, guidance, and referrals from our knowledgeable Resource Center staff;
A wide variety of environmental education courses, workshops and webinars throughout the year;
The quarterly ANJEC Report, plus the biweekly ANJEC News. a biweekly environmental news digest delivered via email newsletter;
Handbooks, resource papers and manuals; for local environmentalists;
The annual Fundamentals for Environmental Commissions Training offered each spring;
The annual Environmental Congress, our educational conference offered in October;
Advocacy Work
ANJEC advocates for strong environmental policy in New Jersey. ANJEC takes positions on statewide environmental issues and represents environmental commissions at the regional and state level. Some recent examples of this work include the successful passage and implementation of the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, passage of the Recycled Content bill, and establishment of the Environmental Justice Law.
Open Space Stewardship Grants for Environmental Commissions
Each year, ANJEC offers grants of up to $1,500 to municipal environmental commissions for Open Space Stewardship Projects. Over 2 million dollars in funds have been granted to approximately 300 municipalities to support countless local projects. These grants help to empower environmental commissions towards reaching their open space stewardship goals. Projects often include trail improvements, rain gardens, community education, and much more. Grant availability and deadlines are announced annually, typically in the spring.
Program Work and Specialized Staff Expertise
ANJEC’s staff leads program efforts in the following top priority areas by providing knowledge and expertise to a variety of collaborative efforts through the state. Top priority areas and projects include:
ANJEC supports Environmental Commissions (ECs) to enhance climate resiliency and the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Impact strategies include:
Encouraging local communities to adopt a Municipal Climate Hazard Vulnerability Assessment to the land use element of the municipal master plan.
Educating and encouraging the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources such as responsible off-shore wind, community solar, and electric vehicles.
Educating, encouraging, and supporting communities that are combatting increasing stormwater challenges due to climate change. Strategies include initiating and supporting green infrastructure projects, as well as educating and supporting communities interested in adopting stormwater utility as a dedicated and equitable source of funding for stormwater challenges.
Teaching environmental commissioners how to get involved in the Master Plan process and help set environmental goals for the community.
Introducing environmental commissioners to new tools to help protect their communities – NJ Conservation Blueprint, NJDEP Geoweb, NJ Flood Mapper, Municipal Snapshots, NJ Forest Adapt
Ending Plastic Pollution
From generation to disposal, plastics are connected to human/wildlife health, climate and environmental justice concerns. Approximately 90% of single-use plastics are made from fracked gas and 40% of plastics are used only once. Plastics manufacturing and incinerators emit known carcinogens and are frequently located in communities with a majority of residents who are low-income and minorities.
Impact strategies include:
Empowering ECs towards successful implementation of Plastic Pollution Reduction Act through education, serves on the State Plastics Advisory Council, and hosts an educational website NJNoPlastics.org
Advocating and coordinating the implementation the Recycled Content Law by ensuring adequate recycling and access to post-consumer recycled content.
Educating and advocating for Extended Producer Responsibility bill that will increase recycling rates by holding manufactures responsible with environmental standards for packaging and providing financial relief for taxpayers and consumers.
Advancing Environmental Justice
As defined by the Unites States Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. ANJEC works to educate environmental commissions about EJ and how fair treatment and meaningful involvement can be achieved in their community through environmental actions.
Impact strategies include:
Hosting continuous education opportunities on EJ, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Empowering and educating ECs to examine local zoning and planning and how it contributes to environmental injustice or advances EJ.
Listening to and amplifying voices of residents from overburdened communities in local decision-making through ANJEC staff leadership in various regional initiatives including, but not limited to: Sewage Free Streets and Rivers, Stormwater Stories, Adopt a Catch Basin work and GI initiatives in Newark and Paterson; green infrastructure work in Delaware River Watershed Coalition (DRWI), and Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI). Working with the Nature Conservancy as lead, our Paterson Flood Fighters group applied for and received a grant for $354,893 to implement a community-based green infrastructure initiative in the City of Paterson. This initiative will result in stormwater management features that will reduce the frequency of combined sewer overflows, sewer backups into private properties, nuisance flooding, as well as decrease the surcharging of sanitary sewers in the city.
Restoring Water Quality and Managing Stormwater Runoff
Non-point source pollution (fertilizer, oil, pesticides, sediment etc) from stormwater runoff is one of the greatest threats to our rivers, streams and drinking water sources. This is exacerbated with increased frequency and intensity of storms and increased development. ANJEC supports and works with ECs and municipalities to strengthen their ordinances to better manage stormwater and protect local water quality.
Impact strategies include:
As a founding member of the Flood Defense NJ coalition, ANJEC advocates, educates, and provides guidance on the establishment of stormwater utilities for communities suffering from inadequate stormwater infrastructure and maintenance.
Providing education and advocates for green infrastructure, raising community awareness, and supporting local stewardship to improve local water quality.
Advising on State distribution of Federal Bipartisan Instructure Funds for Lead in drinking line and solder replacement, and green infrastructure funding to reduce the impact of climate change flooding – in alignment with CDRW, asking for 40% of funds to be directed to low-income and minority communities.
Supporting local communities to increase community education and outreach regarding Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) communities in order for them to have increased public participation in the CSO permitting process and in the development and implementation of the Long Term Control Plans (LTCPs).
As a member of the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, ANJEC is working with our partners to conserve and restore waterways that supply drinking water to 15 million people in NJ, NY, PA and DE.
Working in South Jersey as part of the DRWI has resulted in the installation of 20 Green Infrastructure projects adverting over 1.9 million gallons of stormwater per year in the Salem and Menantico watersheds.
Contributing to the South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program, making Green Stormwater Infrastructure installations, such as rain gardens, possible for municipalities across south jersey.
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