OEJ Newsletter - Mar 2, 2023

Announcements

Murphy Administration Offering $19 Million in Grants to Assist Municipalities with New Stormwater Permitting Requirements

DEP to Begin Series of Public Engagement Sessions on 
Next Phase of Climate Pollutant on Reduction Initiatives

Governor Phil Murphy announced a comprehensive set of initiatives to combat climate change and power the “Next New Jersey.”

Building upon the New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats reform agenda first directed by Governor Murphy in January 2020 the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will begin a series of public engagement sessions to explore the next phase of Climate Pollutant Reduction (CPR) initiatives.

DEP will launch its public engagement process with a virtual general session on Tuesday, March 7 at 11 a.m. Additional public engagement sessions on the proposed CPR initiatives are planned throughout the spring and summer.

During the March 7 general session, DEP will provide a recap of its first phase of CPR rules, introduce potential new initiatives and solicit stakeholder feedback. Please stay tuned for details of these meetings, including meeting links, which will be posted online.

DEP to Host Public Engagement Session on Proposed Settlement of Natural Resource Damages related to Ciba-Geigy Site in Toms River

Monday, March 13, 6 p.m. 
Toms River High School North (Auditorium) 
1245 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, NJ

DEP will hold a public engagement session on Monday, March 13, to provide the public with additional information and take questions regarding the assessment, and proposed restoration, of injured natural resources related to the former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant site in Toms River, Ocean County. The engagement session will be held in the Toms River North High School Auditorium and begin at 6 p.m. 

The DEP first published notice of the proposed settlement on Dec 5, 2022 and extended the public comment period until Feb. 3, 2023. Due to the strong public interest that has been expressed, the DEP will make a final extension of the public comment period to April 5, and also host a forum for direct engagement with the interested public. 

Participation Opportunities 

Upcoming Administrative Order 2021-25 Public Hearings

March 2 - Interstate Waste Services SAJO Transfer Station (virtual)
March 2 - Veolia ES Technical Solutions (in person)

Facilities subject to the Environmental Justice Law and the Administrative Order 2021-25 must facilitate meaningful opportunities for overburdened communities to engage in permitting decisions for pollution-generating facilities through an enhanced public participation process.

Webinar Date Approaching for Overview on Developing New Jersey Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan

New Jersey’s Interagency Council on Climate Resilience is seeking public input on how the state should address extreme heat priorities and concerns as part of the Interagency Council’s development of a series of plans outlining how state agencies will incorporate climate resilience into their policies, programs and regulations.

The series of documents, known as Resilience Action Plans, will build on the Statewide Climate Change Resilience Strategy released in 2021 and provide more detail on how the strategy’s recommendations are being implemented. The first Resilience Action Plan, to be released later this year, will focus on state agency efforts to address increasing extreme heat events resulting from climate change, such as those experienced during the summer of 2022.

The Interagency Council is seeking public feedback through Friday, March 17 on extreme heat priorities and concerns, as well as a scoping document that addresses the Resilience Action Plan’s purpose, development process and content. The Resilience Action Plan initiative and the scoping document will be presented at a webinar on Thursday, March 2 seeking public input on potential extreme heat issues.

DEP and Trust for Public Land Launch Online Survey Seeking Input on Recreation Needs, With Emphasis on Overburdened Communities

DEP is launching an online survey to identify how to best enhance and expand outdoor recreation and open space opportunities that focus on the needs of overburdened communities as part of the Outside, Together! initiative. The survey results will help DEP develop an action plan and funding priorities to expand high-quality open space and recreational opportunities in NJ.

The online survey is being administered by The Trust for Public Land on behalf of the DEP. Survey responses will be accepted from Feb. 22 to March 22.

Trust for Public Land Seeking Focus Group Participants

Trust for Public Land (TPL) invites NJ residents who identify as Hispanic/Latin American and/or Black/African American to join two focus group discussions exploring views on outdoor recreation in the state. Participants will receive $100 stipend and each group is limited to 6-8 people. Both meetings will be held on Zoom and confirmed participants will be provided with the link.

TPL is facilitating the focus group on behalf of NJ's Outside, Together! partnership.

First date: March 22, 6-7:30pm,
Individuals must be 18 years of age or older and identify as Hispanic/Latin American

Second date: March 27, 5:30-7pm
Individuals must be 18 years of age or older and identify as Black/African American

If you wish to participate, email NJSCORPOutreach@tpl.org or leave a voicemail at
(973) 998-9440 with the following info:

Name (first and last)
Age
Date of focus group
Whether or not you participate in outdoor recreation
An email address and/or phone number to contact you.

DEP Seeks Partners to Build Next Generation of
Environmental Leaders from Overburdened Communities

DEP is seeking to partner with up to five community-based organizations to continue its award-winning Youth Inclusion Initiative to help youth in overburdened communities become part of the next generation of diverse environmental professionals. Applicants can receive up to $100,000 to partner with the DEP to provide outreach, recruitment, dedicated supervisory support services, professional job training and exposure to post-program employment opportunities for youth from overburdened communities.

Interested organizations, formally referred to as Community Host Organizations, can find the DEP’s request for proposal document by visiting the Grant and Loan Program website.

Proposals are due by Wednesday, April 12.

Comment Opportunities

NY NJ Harbor and Tributaries Study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District released the NYNJHAT Study Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (FR) and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public comment.  This report identifies a Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) which outlines solutions that help affected communities adapt to future coastal storms, including, but not limited to levees, storm surge barrier gates, berms and non-structural components. 

The public is invited to submit comments on the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (FR) and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) electronically (nynjharbor.tribstudy@usace.army.mil) or in writing, by March 7 to:

Mr. Bryce W. Wisemiller, Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District
Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, Room 17-401
c/o PSC Mail Center 26 Federal Plaza
New York, New York 10278

or 

Ms. Cheryl R. Alkemeyer, NEPA Lead
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District
Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, Room 17-420
c/o PSC Mail Center 26 Federal Plaza
New York, New York 10278

Details on the public comment period are also available on the USACE’s project website.

EPA Seeks Input on Inflation Reduction Act Environmental and Climate Justice Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on its Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) program funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. This program provides EPA with approximately $3 billion for ECJ program grants and technical assistance for environmental and climate justice efforts that benefit overburdened communities.

This RFI seeks public input on new and innovative strategies and approaches for competition design, community engagement, equitable distribution of financial resources, grantee eligibility for funding, capacity-building and outreach, and technical assistance. EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is seeking public input on multiple aspects of the ECJ Program including, but not limited to:

• ECJ Program Design
• Types of Projects to Fund
• Reducing Application Barriers
• Reporting and Oversight
• Technical Assistance

The deadline to provide input is March 17.

Funding Opportunities

FTA Announces Approximately $20 Million Funding Opportunity to Help Communities Prosper Through Access to Transit

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to help improve transit in areas experiencing long-term economic distress. The $20 million in competitive grant funding through FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) Program provides more resources to underserved and disadvantaged communities seeking to expand or improve transit systems.

The AoPP program supports planning and technical studies to improve public transportation in areas experiencing long-term economic hardship. The AoPP program also funds planning for transit agencies to transition to low- and no-emission vehicles and associated charging equipment. 

Projects will be evaluated by criteria outlined in the NOFO. This NOFO will utilize Fiscal Year 2021 and 2022 funding. Applications are Due by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on March 10. Read the press release for more information.

Notice of Funding: Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program

HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes made available $403 million for the Lead Hazard Reduction grant program. Grants are for evaluating and mitigating threats from lead-based paint hazards in privately-owned pre-1978 housing that is not receiving federal assistance (the residents may have housing choice vouchers, however), as well as for identifying and controlling additional housing-related health and safety hazards in those homes; outreach, training, and related work are eligible activities. As listed online, the funds are for States and Native American Tribes that have EPA-authorized lead abatement certification programs.  

Download the application package here.

The completed application package is due (through Grants.gov) by 11:59:59 PM EDT March 14.

Recordings of the Q&A webinars regarding this funding are available online.

New Jersey American Water Accepting Applications for
15th Annual Environmental Grant Program

Applications are being accepted for green project funding through New Jersey American Water’s Fifteenth Annual Environmental Grant Program. The program offers grants of $1,000 to $10,000 for qualifying innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore, or protect watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies throughout the company’s service areas. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and projects are selected based on various criteria including goals, impact, innovation, design, and sustainability. Applications are due by March 31, and recipients will be notified in mid-April. More information and application requirements can be obtained on the New Jersey American Water website. Read more on the press release. 

Coming Soon: EPA to Announce New Grant Opportunities for Technical Assistance in Adopting Pollution Prevention Practices

EPA will soon announce two new grant opportunities which will provide funding for states and tribes to provide businesses with technical assistance to help them adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices to advance environmental justice in disadvantaged communities across the country. These new grant opportunities are expected to be posted on Grants.gov in the coming weeks, and applicants will have 90 days to apply.  EPA is providing notice of these grant opportunities in advance so organizations interested in partnering with eligible applicants can make the necessary connections as applicants develop their applications.

The two grant opportunities are: 

• Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice in Communities – Providing P2 technical assistance to businesses to improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities
• Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Products – Providing P2 technical assistance to business to improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities by increasing the supply, demand and/or use of safer and more sustainable products, such as those that are certified by EPA’s Safer Choice label, or those that conform to EPA’s Recommendations for Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing 

Eligible applicants include states, state entities such as universities, U.S. territories and possessions, and federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $550 Million to Advance Environmental Justice Through EPA’s New
Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program

The Biden-Harris Administration announced the availability of $550 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to expedite investments through the EPA's new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJ TCGM) program. This program will fund up to 11 entities to serve as grantmakers to community-based projects that reduce pollution. The entities eligible to apply under this Request for Applications (RFA) include:

• A community-based nonprofit organization;  
• A partnership of community-based nonprofit organizations;  
• A partnership between a Tribal Nation and a community-based nonprofit organization; or,  
• A partnership between an institution of higher education and a community-based nonprofit organization.

EPA intends to award up to 11 cooperative agreements under this RFA for up to approximately $50 million each to be funded incrementally over a 3-year period. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2023. To view the Request for Applications, please visit the grants webpage.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability of $100 Million through Inflation Reduction Act for Environmental Justice Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of approximately $100 million for projects that advance environmental justice in underserved and overburdened communities across the country. This funding, made possible through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, marks the largest amount of environmental justice grant funding ever offered.  Read the full EPA news release here.