On-Going Improvements to the Bradley Beach Maritime Forest

Left: New clam shell trail and fencing at maritime forest. Source: Capt. Alek Modjeski, American Littoral Society In 2013, the American Littoral Society (ALS), along with its partners the Borough of Bradley Beach, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering and more, started building the Bradley Beach Maritime Forest. By planting this forest, ALS hopes to improve storm protection, reduce flooding, improve water quality, increase habitat for shorebirds and other species along Fletcher Lake in Bradley Beach, and offer an outlet for environmental education. In 2014, the project was awarded a Monmouth County Planning Merit Award.  What was once a vacant lot is now a well-established forest of grasses, shrubs and trees and habitat for birds and small mammals. This fall, work continued at the maritime forest. Clam shells were added to the pathway, a split rail fence was installed along with two gates, and more than 200 native plants were added to enhance the site. This spring ALS plans to install three educational sign posts along the trails.

Upcoming Environmental & Outdoor Events in Monmouth County:

Some activities require registration and/or fees:

• Dec. 15 -Mar. 15, Thompson Park Ski Hut Season
• Dec. 20, 10 a.m. -11:30 p.m. Wondrous Winter Walk, Big Brook Park
• Dec. 21, Deadline for Children's Recycling Essay Contest
• Jan. 8, 1 p.m. Public Hearing for Stormwater Management Rule Proposal, Trenton
• Jan. 18, Application Deadline for NJ Future Smart Growth Awards
• Feb. 7,  Environmental Council Meeting, Hall of Records Annex, 2nd Floor, Freehold
• Feb. 7, Application Deadline for President's Environmental Youth Award
• Feb. 15, Application Deadline for Municipal Cycle Sustainable Jersey Action Grants 

NJDEP Publishes Proposal to Stormwater Management Rules

NJDEP published a proposal in the NJ Register changing or adding definitions, and modifing other provisions in the Stormwater Management Rules. NJDEP is proposing to replace the current requirement that major developments incorporate nonstructural stormwater management strategies to the "maximum extent practicable" to meet standards for groundwater recharge, stormwater runoff quantity and stormwater runoff quality, with a requirement that green infrastructure be utilized; clarify and modify the definition of major development; make changes to apply the total suspended solids (TSS) removal requirement to the runoff from motor vehicle surfaces and to remove the TSS requirement as it applies to runoff from other impervious surfaces not traveled by automobiles, such as rooftops and sidewalks; and make changes to support water quality and stormwater management improvements in communities with combined sewer overflows. The proposal also includes amendments to provisions in the Coastal Zone Management Rules, the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act Rules, the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules, the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System rules.

A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 8, at 1 p.m. at the NJDEP 1st floor Public Hearing Room, 401 East State Street Trenton.

Comments may be submitted electronically or mailed by Feb. 3. Click here for the mailing address.

Green infrastructure at Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Freehold. Source: Rutgers Cooperative Extension 

New Jersey Future Launches Green Infrastructure Municipal Toolkit

New Jersey Future released its Green Infrastructure Municipal Toolkit. The online toolkit offers a variety of tools designed to help municipalities plan, implement, and sustain green infrastructure in public and private sector development projects. Users can access direct guidance on identifying stormwater issues, modifying master plan policies and zoning regulations, and coordinating with Sustainable Jersey actions for certification. Resources also include case studies, a grant finder, information on plants and soil and more. Click to access the New Jersey Future Green Infrastructure Toolkit.

Loch Arbour Village Passes Pervious Pavement Ordinance

On Nov. 20, The Village of Loch Arbour amended an ordinance  allowing flexibility in  driveway design. Under the ordinance, driveways constructed of a pervious pavement may exceed the impervious or building coverage by 10% of the lot area, not to exceed 500 sq. feet, whichever is less. The ordinance also sets a standard for the construction of pervious driveways.  

Sustainable Jersey Grants

Sustainable Jersey is offering a variety of opportunities including grants cycles, webinars and trainings for participating municipalities and schools. Click here to access a list of all upcoming Sustainable Jersey events. 

Sustainable Jersey is partnering with PSEG for two grant cycles. The municipal cycle will award four $20,000, eight $10,000, and twenty $2,000 grants to support efforts related to Sustainable Jersey Actions.  The application deadline is Feb. 15, 2019. Click here for more information on the municipal grants.

The school cycle will award four $10,000 grants and thirty $2,000 grants to support efforts related to Sustainable Jersey for Schools actions. The application deadline is Mar. 15, 2019. Click here for more school grant information .

2016 NJ PEYA Winners. Source: EPA

President's Environmental Youth Award

Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 President's Environmental Youth Award (PEYA). Since 1971, the President of the United States and the EPA have recognized outstanding environmental projects completed by K-12 youth. In each EPA region one award will be presented to applicants from grades K-5 and grades 6-12. Winners will receive a Presidential plaque and a regional certificate  special recognition.

Previous Winning projects have covered a wide range of subject areas, including: native habitat restoration, recycling programs, construction of nature preserves, tree plantings, renewable energy and environmental education and outreach,  Applications are due by Feb. 17, 2019. Click here to learn more about PEYA and to access the application.