The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has launched a $10 million lakes management grants program that will fund projects to mitigate stormwater and runoff pollution. The state is accepting applications by May 28, 2022.
Local governments, lake commissions, nonprofit organizations, and other entities established specifically to manage publicly accessible waterbodies are eligible for funding.
According to a Request For Proposal issued by the DEP, projects eligible for funding must address stormwater management, nonpoint source pollution, and related infrastructure needs at public lakes while maintaining, improving, or enhancing recreation or conservation activities.
“Investments such as rain gardens or stormwater 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,” Commissioner LaTourette said. “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 help enhance their natural resources and environmental infrastructure.”
Stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollution can endanger the water quality of lakes. Increased runoff due to climate change carries excessive nutrients and impacts water temperatures, which can harm the ecosystem and contribute to persistent harmful algal blooms.
These issues also can endanger recreational activities, as well as conservation ventures, and potentially have devastating impacts on the local economy of lake communities if critical summer revenue is lost.
Funding applications and project proposals must be submitted by May 28 to the DEP’s Water Quality Restoration Grants Program. 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 stormwater/non-point source pollution plans;
- Use of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in communities with aging combined wastewater-stormwater infrastructure;
- Projects that improve existing stormwater management infrastructure;
- Projects that restore or improve 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;
- Lakes with existing Lake Commissions for lake management activities that will improve water quality and maintain recreational/conservation uses at the waterbody.
Grants are made possible with funds provided under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Proposals for Lakes Stormwater Management Grants must be submitted electronically using the DEP’s System for Administering Grants Electronically (NJDEP SAGE) at https://njdepsage.intelligrants.com. Registered users will log on and the listing for this RFP will be under “View Available Opportunities” Lakes Management 2022.
For more information, NJDEP recommends calling Larry Torok, Bureau of Watershed Management, Restoration Unit, at (609) 984-0921.
To view the Request For Proposal, including requirements for proposal submissions, and for more information about New Jersey's Water Quality Restoration Grants Program, visit https://www.nj.gov/dep/wlm/grants/lakestormwater.html
