New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection announced a new $10 million grant program to support waterbody conservation and combat pollution.
The lakes management grants program will fund projects to mitigate storm water and runoff that can pollute the lakes, according to DEP Commissioner Shaw LaTourette, reported The Daily Record. The program will specifically target harmful algae blooms.
“Investments such as rain gardens or storm water improvements to restore and protect natural resources in our watersheds help protect communities from damaging storms, reduce the impacts of climate change that are favorable to harmful algal blooms and improve water quality,” said LaTourette, reported The Daily Record. “I encourage all local leaders and organizations in northeastern New Jersey and in the Delaware River Watershed to apply for this grant funding so we can help enhance their natural resources and environmental infrastructure.”
According to The Daily Record, projects that may be eligible for grant funding include:
- Development and/or implementation of Lake Watershed Protection Plans, including updates to existing approved plans statewide;
- Development and implementation of individual lake storm water/nonpoint source pollution plans;
- Use of green infrastructure to reduce storm water runoff in communities with aging combined wastewater storm water infrastructure;
- Improvement of existing storm water management infrastructure;
- Restoration or improvement to the water quality function of stream and waterbody riparian zones and/or wetland buffers;
- Watershed and lake management activities designed to improve lake water quality and maintain recreational and conservation uses of the qualifying lake; and
- Lakes with existing lake commissions for lake-management activities that will improve water quality and maintain recreational and conservation uses.
Applications are available online and are due by May 28 and more information about the program can be found on the DEP website.
The funds are from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, reported The Daily Record.
Storm water runoff and nonpoint source pollution can endanger the water quality of lakes, according to DEP experts, reported The Daily Record.