{"id":12085,"date":"2025-10-30T15:36:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T19:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/?p=12085"},"modified":"2025-10-30T15:37:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T19:37:14","slug":"25_0049","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/25_0049\/","title":{"rendered":"Murphy Administration Awards Nearly $8 Million In Water Quality Restoration Grants (25\/P049)"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong>
\nOctober 30, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Contact:<\/strong> Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
\nCaryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
\nVincent Grassi (609) 984-179<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n


\nMURPHY ADMINISTRATION AWARDS NEARLY $8 MILLION IN WATER QUALITY RESTORATION GRANTS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

(25\/P49) TRENTON<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The Murphy Administration has awarded nearly $8 million in Water Quality Restoration grants to local municipalities, nonprofit groups and academic institutions to fund projects that will enhance water quality in surface waters across the state, Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced today.<\/p>\n

The grants provided through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will help reduce the impacts of nonpoint source pollution, address harmful algal blooms, develop watershed-based planning efforts, address emerging contaminants and improve climate resilience.<\/p>\n

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\u201cEnhancing the ecological health of our lakes, rivers, streams and coastal waters has long been a priority of the Murphy Administration,\u201d Commissioner LaTourette said<\/strong>. \u201cThe Department of Environmental Protection\u00a0is pleased to award these grants that will help our partners advance a variety of strategies to improve the health of these waterways and enhance the quality of life in our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

With this round of funding, the Murphy Administration has awarded more than $33 million in Water Quality Restoration grants to improve the health of waterways in all corners of the state.<\/p>\n

Funded through the federal Clean Water Act, these grants support activities such as stormwater management, riparian buffer restoration, and erosion control. In New Jersey, this grant program is administered by the DEP\u2019s Watershed and Land Management Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are grateful to NJDEP for this funding which will advance watershed scale planning to improve water quality and make collaboration between upstream and downstream communities possible,\u201d said Jim Waltman, Executive Director of the Pennington-based Watershed Institute<\/strong>, which is receiving a $205,138 grant to develop plans to improve the health of the Assunpink Creek watershed. \u201cThis approach will save municipalities money and prioritize projects that will build resiliency to water pollution and flooding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe appreciate the NJDEP\u2019s support of our collaboration with the Rutgers Water Science Center, the Ocean County Soil Conservation District, and Ocean County to renovate several priority, publicly owned stormwater basins in northern Ocean County,\u201d said Stan Hales, Director of the Toms River-based Barnegat Bay Partnership<\/strong>, which is receiving a \u00a0$334,132 grant to retrofit stormwater basins in the Toms River and Metedeconk River watersheds. \u201cThis effort directly builds upon our development of the Toms River Watershed Protection and Restoration Plan and our partners\u2019 commitments to protect and restore water quality and wildlife habitats of the Barnegat Bay watershed.\u201d<\/p>\n

2025 Award Recipients<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Development of Watershed Based Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rowan University\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$356,035<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Rowan University in Glassboro will develop a targeted Watershed Based Plan for the lower Great Egg Harbor River watershed that focuses on reducing nonpoint source pollution. The restoration strategy plan will emphasize green infrastructure and low impact development systems to improve performance without major construction, enhancing cost-effectiveness and minimizing disturbances. The project will be guided by a watershed advisory committee.<\/p>\n

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Montgomery Township\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$288,300<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Montgomery Township will produce a comprehensive Watershed Based Plan for a portion of the Raritan River watershed that will focus on reducing non-point source pollution to improve water quality and minimize flooding. Led by One Water Consulting LLC, the project will generate pollutant load estimates, mapping visualizations, and detailed plans supported by technical and financial analyses.<\/p>\n

The Watershed Institute\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$205,138<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The Pennington-based Watershed Institute will create a Watershed Based Plan to improve water quality in the Assunpink Creek watershed. The plan will evaluate causes of this pollution and solutions, while promoting public engagement. Green infrastructure and large-scale ecological restoration projects will be identified and evaluated for cost, feasibility, and pollutant reduction potential.<\/p>\n

Lake Owassa Paulinskill Headwaters Conservation Foundation\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$87,100<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The Culver Creek sub-watershed, part of the Upper Delaware River watershed, has been identified as impaired due to pollutants such as fecal coliform, phosphorus, and arsenic. The Lake Owassa Paulinskill Headwaters Foundation, supported by Clean Waters Consulting LLC and local lake associations, will develop a Watershed Based Plan to calculate pollutant loads and identify priority areas for intervention.<\/p>\n

Implementation of Watershed Based Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rockaway Township\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$399,400<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Rockaway Township plans to construct green infrastructure at its municipal complex to target nonpoint source pollutants in Fox’s Pond and Fox Brook. Elevated levels of fecal coliform have led to frequent closures of the public beach. The project will include conversion of the rock-lined drainage swale to a vegetative swale with a bioretention basin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lake Hopatcong Commission\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$366,813<\/em><\/p>\n

The Lake Hopatcong Commission will modify an existing stormwater basin in Lake Hopatcong through installation of structural and vegetative improvements to better remove sediments and nutrients.<\/p>\n

Barnegat Bay Partnership\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$334,132<\/em><\/p>\n

This project focuses on improving the water quality in the Toms River and Metedeconk River watersheds through the implementation of stormwater basin retrofits at six sites. The retrofits will focus on those identified as priority areas with elevated levels of stormwater pollutants.<\/p>\n

Liberty Township\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$230,500<\/em><\/p>\n

Mountain Lake, a glacial lake in Liberty Township, has had significant harmful algal bloom outbreaks that have resulted in public swimming beach closures. Liberty Township will implement a series of best management practices to reduce nutrients that contribute to these blooms.<\/p>\n

Extreme Weather Resiliency Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$361,200<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership plans to create an Extreme Weather Resilience Plan focused on remediated and contaminated sites within Middlesex County. Ten priority sites will be selected, five impacted by flooding and five affected by wildfires. The partnership will conduct a comprehensive vulnerability assessment of prioritized sites.<\/p>\n

Emerging Contaminants Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jefferson Township\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$350,100\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Jefferson Township plans to develop an Emerging Contaminants Plan to address cyanotoxins and harmful algal blooms in Cozy Lake. The cyanotoxin management plan will focus on in-lake monitoring and implementation methods that will target management strategies to mitigate harmful algal blooms.<\/p>\n

Mount Holly\u00a0<\/em>Township<\/em><\/p>\n

$20,000<\/em><\/p>\n

Mount Holly Township plans to conduct a dredging feasibility study to address nonpoint source pollution impacting Woolman Lake through green infrastructure and sediment management strategies. The feasibility study will assess the viability of dredging to enhance aquatic habitat and overall hydraulic function. It will also evaluate shoreline erosion and sediment deposition resulting from severe precipitation, goose activity, and impervious surface runoff.<\/p>\n

Green Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n

Green Trust Alliance\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$1,389,793\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The Green Trust Alliance will upgrade an outdated detention basin at Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton into a multi-functional system to improve both water flow control and water quality to benefit Tuckerton Creek in the Barnegat Bay watershed. The Green Trust Alliance and GreenVest will manage the project, which will also have education components for students and the public.<\/p>\n

New Jersey Institute of Technology\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$948,108<\/em><\/p>\n

The New Jersey Institute of Technology will implement green infrastructure projects across five selected public properties in Paterson, including parks, schools, and community centers. The projects feature bioretention areas enhanced with green-engineered mulch to improve stormwater pollutant removal.<\/p>\n

New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

$991,655<\/em><\/p>\n

The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium will expand the existing living shoreline and oyster reef at the Naval Weapons Station Earle waterfront complex in Colts Neck. As part of this initiative, 600 additional oyster castles will be installed to enhance coastal resilience. These nature-based structures will enhance resilience, reduce shoreline erosion, and restore vital habitats and natural resources that support a diverse range of avian and marine species.<\/p>\n

Avon-by-the-Sea\u00a0<\/em>Borough<\/em><\/p>\n

$700,000<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Sylvan Lake, a coastal lake on the border of Avon-by-the-Sea and Bradley Beach, has been impacted by urbanization and disrupted connection to the ocean. This grant will fund work to improve habitat, stabilize the shoreline, enhance water quality, provide public access, and encourage community engagement in support of the borough\u2019s ongoing living shoreline project.<\/p>\n

Stafford Township<\/em><\/p>\n

$411,066\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Stafford Township will construct two bioswales along Parker Street to improve stormwater management and reduce runoff. The bioswales \u2013 constructed ditches or channels designed to slow down the flow rate of stormwater and allow it to soak into the ground \u2013 will reduce nutrient loading, manage flood risks, and support local ecological stability.<\/p>\n

Montclair\u00a0<\/em>Township<\/em><\/p>\n

$326,700<\/em><\/p>\n

The Montclair Resiliency Park Green Infrastructure project is located in the Fourth Ward, a community impacted by legacy pollution and chronic flooding. This project will repurpose remediated land for public green space through construction of a combination of subsurface detention measures, rain gardens, and vegetated bioswales.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

NJDEP PHOTO\/Living shoreline project, Avon-by-the-Sea<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””] Contact: Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795 Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795 Vincent Grassi (609) 984-179 [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] MURPHY ADMINISTRATION AWARDS NEARLY $8 MILLION IN WATER QUALITY RESTORATION GRANTS   (25\/P49) TRENTON\u00a0\u2013 The Murphy Administration has awarded nearly $8 million in Water Quality Restoration grants to local municipalities, nonprofit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":628,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"dep-single.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[193],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-193"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12085","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/628"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12085"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12085\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12089,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12085\/revisions\/12089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12085"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}