New Jersey launches $20 million resilience program to modernize stormwater infrastructure

The state of New jersey announced on September 26, 2024, the launch of the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEPs) Ready to Be Resilient Stormwater and Resilience Funding Program to modernize stormwater infrastructure and management strategies in the face of increased precipitation that is resulting from a warming climate.

The program is funded by $20 million from the American Rescue Plan.

The program will provide $9 million for a variety of resilience-related efforts, including grants to incentivize regional watershed management, development of local technical assistance programs, advancement of flood mapping, and improvement of post-disaster damage assessment protocols.

In addition, the program will make $11 million available as principal forgiveness loans through the State Revolving Fund for local stormwater resilience infrastructure projects that focus on green technologies.

A brief breakdown of funding can be found below:

Local technical assistance ($3,600,000)

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Engineers will receive $1,600,000 for technical assistance with stormwater planning, design and implementation that will be offered regionally through a task order.

Resilient NJ – Resilience Planning Program will receive $2,000,000 to support municipalities in understanding their vulnerability to climate impacts and identify their preferred municipal planning response.

Building statewide resilience data ($350,000)

Flood Mapping Scope for New Jersey will receive $250,000 for the DEP to engage a contractor to conduct global research on flood mapping, inventory all of New Jersey’s existing floodplains, identify potential methodologies for state floodplain mapping, consult with stakeholders and subject matter experts to form recommendations, and demonstrate methodology options.

State Asset Damage Assessment Protocol will receive $100,000 for floodplain management on state-owned properties and to develop a Substantial Damage Management Plan.

Stormwater and Resilience Grant Program ($5,025,000)

To promote stormwater management and increased resilience within communities, grants will be offered to New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NJPDES) stormwater permittees to incentivize regional watershed management and for various activities, such as development of Watershed Management Plans, enhanced stormwater mapping, and improved operations at municipal composting facilities.

Overburdened communities will be given priority.

Stormwater and Resilience Infrastructure Principal Forgiveness ($11,000,000)

The program will provide $11 million to finance priority stormwater management construction projects that will improve infrastructure and community resilience. A significant focus of these projects is the utilization of green infrastructure technology and nature-based solutions, particularly in overburdened communities.

The primary objectives are to mitigate localized flooding and enhance the ecological health of waterways, goals that have gained urgency due to increased precipitation resulting from a warming climate.

A full breakdown of funding can be found on DEP’s website here.