FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2025

Contact: Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795
Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795

DEP MAKES $5 MILLION IN GRANTS AVAILABLE TO ENHANCE LOCAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, BUILDING UPON MURPHY ADMINISTRATION’S HISTORIC COMMITMENT TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE

(25/P33) TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection today announced the availability of more than $5 million in grants under two new programs designed to enhance stormwater management in New Jersey’s communities, building upon the Murphy Administration’s historic commitment to climate resilience.

The grant programs are part of the Murphy Administration’s groundbreaking $20 million Ready to Be Resilient Stormwater and Resilience Funding Program, launched last year to spur modernization of stormwater infrastructure and management strategies in the face of increased precipitation resulting from a warming climate.

The DEP is making nearly $3.7 million available to help counties map existing stormwater infrastructure and for planning activities related to projects that include green infrastructure, as well as another $1.35 million in grants to promote stormwater management compliance for public entities at their wood-waste recycling and leaf-composting facilities.

“Much of New Jersey’s stormwater infrastructure is very outdated and not up to the task of managing precipitation and flooding that are increasing as a result of climate change,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “Through these two new grant programs, the DEP continues to modernize how communities in New Jersey manage stormwater.”

Green Streets & Stormwater Infrastructure Mapping Grant Program ($3,675,000)

The DEP is making funding available to promote stormwater management and increased resilience within communities through green stormwater infrastructure (i.e., green streets) and stormwater infrastructure mapping. The source of the funding is the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

All counties are eligible to apply. Grant funding will be divided equally among each of the counties. The minimum awarded amount is $175,000 ($75,000 for green streets and $100,000 for stormwater infrastructure mapping).

Should not all counties apply for this grant funding, the remaining funds will be added proportionately to each eligible grant applicant’s award up to a maximum total award of $350,000 ($150,000 for green streets and $200,000 for stormwater infrastructure mapping).

Funding for green street projects can be utilized for any planning activities related to green infrastructure along a county road that is located within an overburdened community as listed on the Environmental Justice Mapping, Assessment and Protection (EJMAP) Tool.

A completed project plan must be submitted to the DEP to receive the final disbursement of funds. Additionally, reimbursement may be sought for a previous project that meets these criteria.

Funding for stormwater infrastructure mapping can be utilized for expenses incurred to meet the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) infrastructure map requirement of the Highway Agency MS4 permit issued to each county. A complete or partially complete MS4 infrastructure map must be submitted to the DEP to receive the final disbursement of funds.

Applicants who have already incurred costs towards completion of their stormwater infrastructure mapping may be eligible for reimbursement for incurred costs up to the amount of funding dispersed under the grant.

For detailed requirements, questions and to apply visit:  https://njdepwptest.net/wlm/grants/swgrant/

Leaf Composting Grant Program ($1,350,000)

The purpose of this grant funding is to promote stormwater management compliance at wood waste recycling and leaf composting facilities. This funding will be provided to assist public entities that are authorized to operate facilities under the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJDPES) Wood Waste Recycling and Leaf Composting (WRC) Stormwater General Permit.

This program, also funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, applies to public facilities where clean wood waste such as branches and brush is chipped or where grass clippings, leaves, and wood chips are composted. For more information, including eligibility requirements, see wrc_final_permit.pdf

This opportunity is only open to public entities that are authorized to operate facilities under a valid WRC general permit authorization or to public applicants who qualify and apply for the WRC authorization on or before August 1, 2025. Applications for the WRC permit are available at https://njdepwptest.net/dwq/permitting_information/permits_application_forms_and_checklists/ – DST.

The DEP will distribute the available $1.35 million grant fund evenly among all qualified applicants. Should additional money become available, it will be evenly distributed to those that applied, or an additional future funding opportunity may be offered.

For detailed requirements, questions and to submit an application, visit https://njdepwptest.net/wlm/grants/swgrant/

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