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Environmental Justice Newsletter
July 3rd, 2025
Summary of Important Dates
Upcoming EJ Law Hearings
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There are no upcoming public hearings at this time.
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Announcements
DEP Makes $5 Million in Grants Available to Enhance Local Stormwater Management, Building upon Murphy Administration's Historic Commitment to Climate Resilience
On July 2nd, NJDEP announced the availability of more than $5 million in grants under two new programs designed to enhance stormwater management in New Jersey’s communities, building upon the Murphy Administration’s historic commitment to climate resilience. The grant programs are part of the Murphy Administration’s groundbreaking $20 million Ready to Be Resilient Stormwater and Resilience Funding Program, launched last year to spur modernization of stormwater infrastructure and management strategies in the face of increased precipitation resulting from a warming climate.
The Green Streets & Stormwater Infrastructure Mapping Grant Program provides nearly $3.7 million in funding to help counties map existing stormwater infrastructure and for planning activities related to green infrastructure projects along county roads in overburdened communities. Grant funding can be utilized for expenses incurred to meet the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) infrastructure map requirements, and applicants who have already incurred costs towards completion of their stormwater infrastructure mapping may be eligible for reimbursement. Another $1.35 million is available through the Leaf Composting Grant Program to assist public entities in achieving stormwater management compliance at their wood-waste recycling and leaf-composting facilities.
The deadline to apply for both grants is August 1, 2025. Learn more online.
Murphy Administration Launches Green Transportation Planning Grant Program as Part of Commitment to Reducing Air Pollution in New Jersey
On June 19th, NJDEP announced the award of nearly $1 million in eMobility Planning Grants as part of a newly launched effort to identify and develop local transportation solutions that will reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles that impact communities. Through the program, selected Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) will work with partner communities to develop specialized solutions that help alleviate traffic congestion and connect residents to jobs, educational opportunities, medical services, and other resources. As part of planning, TMAs will gather demographic data, evaluate current transportation options, conduct surveys, and design community engagement opportunities to better understand resident perspectives. Awardees are encouraged to use the Transportation Needs Index tool to identify areas that could benefit most from transportation investments and conduct a baseline analysis of transportation gaps that may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. The program will help ensure equitable transportation infrastructure development, reducing disproportionate environmental and public health stressors and expanding access to sustainable and reliable public transportation options in overburdened communities. Learn more online.
OEJ Welcomes New Members to NJDEP's Environmental Justice Advisory Council!
This June, the Office of Environmental Justice appointed 4 new members to serve on the Environmental Justice Advisory Council (EJAC). EJAC provides a valuable forum for discussions about integrating Environmental Justice into DEP’s programs and policies. It helps build DEP's capacity and improves its support of the state’s Environmental Justice constituents and stakeholders. The Office of Environmental Justice is pleased to welcome Rachel Dawn Davis representing the Faith Based or Tribal Government sector, Kevin Barfield representing the Local Grassroots Sector, Tenisha Malcolm-Wint representing Business and Industry sector, and Jessica Freer representing the Public Health sector. Read the new member bios and learn more about EJAC online.
Participation Opportunities
Upcoming Environmental Justice Law Public Hearings
There are no upcoming public hearings at this time.
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
NEW DATE: AUGUST 5TH Paterson Environmental Justice Community Engagement Session
Call for Applications: DEP Seeking Trail Users with Disabilities Representative for the New Jersey Trails Council
DEP is seeking applications for a new Trail Users with Disabilities Representative to fill a vacant seat on the New Jersey Trails Council! Through this Council, members representing diverse trail user groups, community groups, outdoor recreation and conservation organizations, and State governmental agencies advise DEP on statewide trail planning initiatives and provide guidance on use of federal Recreational Trails Program funding. The selected applicant will represent trail users with disabilities, helping inform DEP funding policies and planning efforts to promote trails that are welcoming and accessible for individuals of all abilities.
Applications are due Friday, July 11, 2025. Learn more online.
IAC Webinar Exploring Extreme Heat's Impact on New Jersey’s Natural World
In continuation of its extreme heat webinar series, the NJ Interagency Council on Climate Resilience (IAC) is hosting a webinar about the impacts of extreme heat on NJ’s ecological communities, biodiversity and natural resources. The fourth and final 2025 webinar will take place virtually at 11am on Thursday, July 24th, 2025. Expert panelists will examine the impacts of extreme heat on plants, terrestrial and marine wildlife, and insects — including issues related to invasive species, local extinctions, habitat loss, and shifts in animal behavior. Learn more online.
Public Comment Period Now Open for NJDEP Noise Control Rule Proposal
NJDEP and the New Jersey Noise Control Council are proposing amendments to the state's Noise Control Rules. The proposed amendments and repeals will update the Noise Control rules to consolidate definitions, amend definitions that are not sufficiently descriptive, and update measurement procedures and sound level measurement device requirements to reflect modern technology in broad use.
A public hearing concerning the proposal will be held virtually on July 7, 2025, at 6 P.M. If you are interested in providing oral comments at the virtual public hearing, please email the Department at michelle.feasel@dep.nj.gov no later than 3:00 P.M., on July 7, 2025, with your contact information.
Written comments are due by August 15, 2025. Comments may be submitted electronically or by mail. 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.
Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant
Funded through the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act, the New Jersey Department of Education has announced the Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant to remediate water contamination in school water systems and protect schoolchildren's health. Approximately $100 million in bonds is available to fund key improvements to school facilities' water infrastructure, including lead pipe replacement.
Applications are due on July 25, 2025. Learn more online.
Career Opportunities
Want to Work with OEJ? Apply Now for the Full Time Program Specialist Trainee Position!
OEJ is seeking applications for a Program Specialist Trainee within our Science and Policy unit! This is a full-time position located at NDEP's Headquarters in Trenton.
The selected candidate will:
- Serve as a staff liaison to the Department’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council (EJAC), an 18-member volunteer body that advises the DEP Commissioner on strategies to integrate environmental justice into the Department’s work. They will plan and schedule EJAC meetings, prepare meeting minutes, and coordinate EJAC workplan projects.
- Assist specific DEP Program areas in developing and implementing the Department's Environmental Justice (EJ) Action Plan and provide coordination efforts relative to the incorporation of environmental justice considerations across all Department activities.
- Review and comment on various Department documents in need of EJ review by the Office.
Research experience with a background working collaboratively in teams is preferred. The selected candidate should be comfortable interacting with the public and attending various public or community events, including during evening hours.
Applicants must submit their resume and letter of interest by July 17th, 2025. Learn more online.
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All New Jersey residents, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, have a right to live, work, and recreate in a clean and healthy environment. Historically, New Jersey’s low-income communities and communities of color face a disproportionately high number of environmental and public health stressors and, as a result, suffer from increased adverse health effects. New Jersey seeks to correct these outcomes by furthering the promise of environmental justice.
DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) aims to improve the quality of life in New Jersey’s most vulnerable communities by educating and empowering communities who are often outside of government decision-making processes and guiding DEP’s programs and other state departments and agencies in implementing environmental justice.
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