News Archive

Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette today testified before a joint meeting of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee about the importance of addressing climate change and coastal resilience in New Jersey.

Commissioner LaTourette was one of several speakers to address both committees on what the state can do to address the worsening effects of climate change.

New Jersey Fish and Wildlife is asking the public to be alert for deer that may be affected by Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and to report any suspected cases. Sick or dead deer are often seen in or near water. Other symptoms may include: difficulty standing, drooling, lethargy, respiratory distress, foam from the mouth or nose, and swelling of the face, tongue and neck.  

TRENTON – Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Commissioner of Environmental Protection (DEP) Shawn M. LaTourette announced today that DEP has filed a lawsuit against Monsanto Co. and two other corporate defendants over extensive damage to New Jersey’s natural resources caused by contamination from toxic chemical compounds known as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).

New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette issued a statewide drought watch as of August 9, 2022, and the Murphy Administration is urging residents and businesses to conserve water as persistent dry and hot conditions continue to stress water supplies throughout the state. 

Leveraging proceeds from New Jersey’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), Governor Murphy has announced an additional $10.8 million investment to further protect residents, the environment and the economy from the worsening impacts of climate change. The latest round of proceeds will be used to increase the number of electric trucks and buses that traverse communities overburdened by air pollution and expand the number of community fast-charging locations, Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette said.

The NJ Department of Agriculture (NJDA) has announced that reimbursement funding is available for all New Jersey counties for treatment of the spotted lanternfly. The funding amount can be as much as $15,000 and possibly more. The funds will be given to municipalities for costs they accrue for chemical treatment activities associated with spotted lanternfly control.

The Department is advising the public that a rule-making proposal with an amendment to rules governing Marine Fisheries has been published in the August 1, 2022, NJ Register. This begins a 60-day comment period. The Department is proposing an amendment to expand authority of the Commissioner to modify gear types and gear restrictions by Notice of Administrative Change, so that when changes are made to Federal or multi-state regional fishery management plans, the Department can act promptly to maintain compliance.

Trenton, NJ (July 21, 2022) - Late last week in a 220-206 vote, the House passed the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act (DRBCA), included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Coalition applauds the made in order amendment that was offered by Rep Evans (PA), Rep Fitzpatrick (PA) and Rep Blunt Rochester (DE) to the NDAA. 

Join the New Jersey State Park Service for this outing! It is part of a series of FREE leisurely after-work ambles this summer along the Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath & nearby areas.

As a reminder, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will be conducting a virtual public hearing concerning the recently proposed amendments to the Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) published in the New Jersey Register on July 5, 2022 at 54 N.J.R. 1239(a).