OEJ Newsletter - December 5th, 2024

Subscribe to EJ Law Notices by County: Did you know that you can receive notices to upcoming EJ Law application hearings in your area? Subscribe online and select the counties in which you'd like to stay up-to-date for hearings near you.

Announcements

Weekly Drought Updates and Water Conservation Guidance

NJDEP's Division of Water Supply and Geoscience has launched a new webpage to provide residents with weekly status updates on drought conditions that have persisted statewide since June. The website describes current strains on water supply and details state actions that have been taken to communicate ongoing drought risk and conserve water. It also offers specific recommendations for how residents can conserve water in their daily lives. Additionally, NJDEP has created a Drought Outreach Toolkit to support local governments and stakeholders in their own efforts to raise public awareness of droughts and encourage water conservation. Learn more online. 

Murphy Administration Announces the Climate Resilience Funding Directory

The Murphy Administration recently launched the online Climate Resilience Funding Directory to help municipalities, community-based organizations and state agencies identify resources for funding climate resilience projects, including local infrastructure improvements, hazard mitigation efforts and community resilience planning opportunities. The directory catalogs opportunities for state and federal grants, organized by criteria such as applicant type and cost-share requirements. In addition to connecting users with potential funding sources, the directory showcases success stories from resilience projects and examples of funded initiatives. The tool facilitates greater access to relevant funding for users, especially those in communities most vulnerable to climate change, and works to advance the state's climate adaptation goals.  Learn more online. 

Participation Opportunities 

Upcoming Environmental Justice Law Public Hearings

There are no upcoming Environmental Justice Law Hearings.

Extension of Public Comment Period for Shell's Newark Terminal - Air Quality Operating Permit Renewal

In accordance with AO-25, the public comment period, as part of the renewal process for Shell Oil Products existing Title V – Air Quality Operating Permit for its Newark Terminal is being extended. This 30-day comment extension will run Friday November 8 through Monday December 9, 2024.  Comments can be submitted via email to SHLUSA-NewarkComments@shell.com or by mail to Shell Oil Products, US Newark Terminal 909 Delancy Street Newark, NJ 07105.

The permit renewal application proposes changes such as the potential for loading and storage of other fuel types (e.g. ethanol) and includes administrative changes. More information is available online.

Facilities subject to the Environmental Justice Law must facilitate meaningful opportunities for overburdened communities to engage in permitting decisions for pollution-generating facilities through an enhanced public participation process. Subscribe to EJ Law notices by County

NJDEP Seeking Nominations for Inaugural Natural Resource Restoration Council

As authorized by Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette’s Administrative Order No. 2023-08, NJDEP is now seeking candidate nominations for the inaugural Natural Resource Restoration Advisory Council. The Advisory Council will provide insight and feedback concerning the DEP’s identification, planning, and implementation of restoration projects in response to natural resource damage settlements. The council will also assist the department in communicating restoration project objectives and outcomes to the public. Council members from distinct sectors, including local government representatives, conservation advocates, remediation professionals, academics, and environmental justice organizers, will work together to establish priorities for restoration projects, develop recommendations, and support public engagement efforts related to these projects. 

Nominations are due by December 31, 2024. Interested applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or organization. Learn more online. 

Public Comment Period Now Open for EPA's Draft Cumulative Impacts Framework

On November 21st, the EPA released a draft of the Interim Framework for Advancing Consideration of Cumulative Impacts, providing agency program staff with tools and principles to consider cumulative impacts of pollution and other environmental stressors in their work. This draft guidance offers examples of how cumulative impacts are already considered in EPA policy decisions and explores how EPA can further incorporate environmental justice principles agencywide. By providing staff with key scientific information and resources about cumulative impacts, EPA will be able to develop and implement approaches that more effectively address public health and environmental stressors in overburdened communities and Tribes.

The draft is now available for public comment! Comments are due by February 19th, 2025. More information is available online.  

Webinars on EPA's Draft Tribal Solid Waste Management Operational Cost Study

Join EPA for two upcoming webinars on December 11th and December 17th from 2-3 pm to learn more about the Draft Tribal Solid Waste Management Operations and Maintenance Cost of Service Study and provide critical feedback. While many federal agencies including the EPA provide support for Tribal solid waste management programs through competitive grants, these funds are limited and typically exclude operation and maintenance costs. Recognizing the limitations of existing funding sources, the draft study aims to quantify operation and maintenance costs for existing Tribal solid waste management programs. The study relied heavily on cost data and insight obtained directly from representative Tribes to estimate operation and maintenance costs for various waste management scenarios on a national scale. The study's findings will help to create reliable Federal funding streams that adequately account for practical costs and meaningfully support sustainable solid waste management in Tribal communities. 

During each webinar, EPA staff will review the approach and assumptions used to develop the cost estimate, present the draft results, and engage with Tribal members to gather input and identify areas for improvement. Tribal participation and feedback are vital to ensuring the study accurately reflects Tribal needs and helps advance sustainable solid waste management solutions. Learn more online.

Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities

In case you missed it, see below for opportunities that provide funding and assistance for projects related to green infrastructure, climate change, healthy communities, and more.

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities
Request for Letters of Interest

Communities across the United States are exploring Smart Growth, and other environmentally sustainable approaches, to revitalize their communities, however, when trying to implement these approaches many communities run into barriers such as outdated zoning codes, contaminated sites, and regulations that deter investment. To address this, the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program provides quick, targeted technical assistance to selected communities, delivering assistance using a team of technical experts who convene local, regional, and federal stakeholders for workshops in the selected communities to collaboratively develop a detailed and focused plan to address the community’s needs and interests. 

The program is now accepting letters of interest! This round, EPA will support partnerships between local government and a local grassroots organization representing a disproportionately affected neighborhood to reduce urban heat island impacts in that neighborhood. 

Learn more about the current round of assistance. The deadline to submit a letter of interest is December 12, 2024. 

Clean Bus for Schools Rebate Program

Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Clean School Bus Rebates Program offers public school districts and local governments rebates to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models. The program funds the replacement of up to 50 buses for eligible applicants and be used to support costs associated with workforce training for drivers, mechanics, electricians, and other essential personnel. The funding provides access to cleaner energy alternatives for school districts, particularly those that are under resourced, reducing air pollution emitted by traditional diesel school bus fleets and better protecting the health of schoolchildren. 

Applications are due January 9th by 4pm. Learn more online.

Farm to School Grant Program

Funded through the USDA, The Farm to School Grant Program is designed to increase the availability of local foods in schools and connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for school meals. Grants can launch new farm to school programs or expand existing efforts. Funding is available for projects that develop action plans for farm to school activities, incorporate agricultural education into curriculum, or implement food production operations, like community gardens. This program will support local governments in combating food insecurity, increasing access to fresh, healthy food, providing key environmental education, and empowering youth in underserved communities.

Applications are due January 10th, 2025. Learn more online.

Funding Available for Community Forests!

Offered by the US Forest Service, The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program offers a unique opportunity for communities to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect vital water supplies and wildlife habitat, serve as demonstration sites for private forest landowners, and provide economic benefits from timber and non-timber products. Local governments, conservation non-profit organizations, and tribal entities are eligible to apply.  This funding will help facilitate more equitable access to forests as natural resources and the community benefits they provide, particularly in overburdened communities with limited open space.

Applications are due January 13th, 2025. Learn more online.

Green Acres 2025 Funding Round Now Open!

The Green Acres Program 2025 funding round is now open! These grant opportunities are for local governments and non-profits seeking to acquire open space for recreation and conservation purposes, develop outdoor recreational facilities, and steward natural resources on land held for those purposes. Non-profit grants specifically consider recreational development in urban and densely populated areas to increase accessibility of green space. Applications for land acquisition, park development, stewardship, Jake’s Law (Completely Inclusive Playgrounds), and Urban Parks projects are now being accepted. All applicants must provide opportunity for meaningful public engagement to ensure park planning and development decisions incorporate community input. 

To support local governments and community-based organizations in the application process, Green Acres will be hosting an upcoming virtual application information and Q&A sessions on December 18th. Session information and details on how to join are available online. 

All applications are due February 5th, 2025. More information is available online.