Notice of Proposed Five-year Progress Report for the Regional Haze Second Planning Period

Take notice that the State of New Jersey is currently accepting public comments on its proposed Progress Report for the Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP). The Progress Report documents New Jersey’s continued progress in reducing emissions within the State resulting in improved visibility levels. The Progress Report demonstrates that New Jersey is on track to meet the visibility goals at its Class I area: the Brigantine Wilderness Area in the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Brigantine Wilderness Area).

Additionally, the Progress Report fulfills the requirements of paragraphs 51.308(g), (h), and (i) of the Regional Haze Rule (RHR) to serve as a periodic report for the second regional haze planning period of 2018 to 2028. In this progress report, New Jersey affirms that its approved regional haze SIP for the second planning period is adequate for making reasonable progress towards the RHR goal of achieving natural visibility conditions at Class I areas by 2064.

The Progress Report explains the implementation status of all regional haze SIP measures to achieve the reasonable progress goals (RPG) for the Brigantine Wilderness Area; summarizes the emissions reductions achieved throughout the State through implementation of all regional haze SIP measures; assesses the visibility conditions and changes for the 20% Most Impaired and 20% Clearest days at the Brigantine Wilderness Area; tracks changes in emissions in New Jersey by visibility impairing pollutant, types of sources, and emission activity; assesses whether any significant changes in emissions have limited or impeded regional haze progress; assesses whether the current Regional Haze SIP and strategies are sufficient to meet the established reasonable progress goal at Brigantine Wilderness Area; reviews New Jersey’s visibility monitoring strategy; and determines adequacy of the existing regional haze SIP to ensure reasonable progress towards the established visibility goal for the Brigantine Wilderness Area.

A copy of the Department’s Regional Haze Progress Report is available on the Department’s website at NJDEP | Air Quality Planning | Regional Haze Dashboard.

The Department is only accepting written comments. Written comments may be submitted by close of business, June 20, 2025.  Please email comment(s) as a document attachment to: NJDEP-BAQP@dep.nj.gov and include “Regional Haze Progress Report” in the subject line of the e-mail.

If you have any questions about this notice, you can email your questions to NJDEP-BAQP@dep.nj.gov or call the Bureau of Evaluation and Planning at (609) 292-6722.