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Apply Now to Join the Environmental Justice Advisory Council!

Join the Environmental Justice Advisory Council (EJAC) and make a difference in New Jersey’s environmental justice initiatives! NJDEP is seeking applications to fill six (6) vacancies for 3-year terms through 2029. The Council advises the DEP Commissioner on environmental justice matters, coordinates with the Department’s Office of Environmental Justice, and provides guidance to Executive Branch departments and agencies. Members represent diverse sectors and have contributed to crucial initiatives like the Environmental Justice Law, the Environmental Justice Seminar series and the What’s in My Community Tool.

Sectors with available seats:

  • Statewide environmental justice or environmental advocacy organizations (2 vacancies)
  • Statewide Social Justice/ Civil Rights or labor rights (1 vacancy)
  • Local grassroots or community groups (1 vacancy)
  • County or Municipal Government or Planning (1 vacancy)
  • Academia (1 vacancy)

Applications are due April 24th, 2026. Please review the EJAC Membership Solicitation FAQs for more information.

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What is Environmental Justice?

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”7/12″][vc_column_text]The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as “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.”

“Fair treatment” means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, and commercial operations or policies.

“Meaningful involvement” means that people have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health; the public’s contribution can influence the regulatory agency’s decision; community concerns will be considered in the decision-making process; and decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.

Historically, New Jersey’s low-income communities and communities of color have been subject to a disproportionately high number of environmental and public health stressors, including pollution from numerous industrial, commercial, and governmental facilities located in those communities and, as a result, suffer from increased adverse health effects including, but not limited to, asthma, cancer, elevated blood lead levels, cardiovascular disease, and developmental disorders.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/12″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/gsToByN_JN4″ align=”center” el_class=”my-0″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

Upcoming Event(s)

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]There are no upcoming events at this time. Check back soon or subscribe to our newsletter for up-to-date event announcements.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1/3″][info-box-shortcode title=”Environmental Justice Rule Implementation” buttontitle=”Learn More” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/ej/ej-rules-implementation/” bgimg=”5065″]View EJ Rule resources for facilities, application documents, public meeting information, and more.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][info-box-shortcode title=”Community Engagement Sessions” buttontitle=”Learn More” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/ej/ej-order-meetings/” bgimg=”5067″]See recordings and meeting notes from past meetings on localized EJ issues and information on upcoming events.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][info-box-shortcode title=”Environmental Justice Seminars” buttontitle=”Learn More” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/ej/seminars/” bgimg=”5066″]Learn about EJ topics and DEP resources that benefit overburdened communities.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1/3″][info-box-shortcode title=”Overburdened Communities” buttontitle=”Learn More” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/ej/communities/” bgimg=”5070″]Learn about DEP’s legal definition for EJ communities and where they are in the state.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][info-box-shortcode title=”Environmental Justice Advisory Council” buttontitle=”Learn More” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/ej/ej-council/” bgimg=”5062″]Meet the council of EJ advocates and industry professionals that advise the DEP on various initiatives.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][info-box-shortcode title=”Environmental Justice Directory” buttontitle=”Learn More” buttonlink=”https://deptest.nj.gov/ej/ej-directory/” bgimg=”5063″]Connect with EJ advocates throughout the state and join the directory.[/info-box-shortcode][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

EJ Mapping, Assessment and Protection Tool (EJMAP)

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5064″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”” link=”https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/548632a2351b41b8a0443cfc3a9f4ef6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=””]An interactive map that shows NJ’s overburdened communities, major polluting facilities, and combined stressors in a given area.

View Map

Quick Links

Technical Guidance
March 2026 Data Update
Data Documentation[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

Environmental Justice Action Plan

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5105″ img_size=”large” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=””]An agency self-assessment to serve as a roadmap for a more equitable and just set of services and initiatives to better serve overburdened communities (OBCs) across New Jersey.

While the EJ Law focuses outward on certain types of polluting facilities the DEP regulates, the action plan turns the lens inward, ensuring that environmental justice principles guide all DEP policies, resources allocations, and engagement strategies.

Learn More[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-solid fa-phone-volume” size=”xl” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fej%2Fcontact%2F”][vc_column_text css=””]

Contact Us

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About Us

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Newsletter

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