The Office of Environmental Review critiques potential developmental projects. This is to prevent building in areas providing critical habitat for endangered or other species. If an area is to be developed this office devises ways to assist in reducing impacts to wildlife populations. The office also provides input into the review of proposed regulations and legislation that may impact fish/wildlife resources. Additionally, input is provided at inter/intra-state fish and wildlife oriented committees and assistance is given in the development of natural resource maps in developing a Geographical Information System (GIS) database for mapping fish and wildlife resources.

Comments from the bureaus of Freshwater Fisheries, Marine Fisheries, Shellfisheries, Wildlife Management and the Endangered and Nongame Species Program are consolidated to provide data on known fish/wildlife and endangered species at or near a proposed project. The office also provides recommendations on avoiding/minimizing project impacts.

While the office has minimized fish and wildlife impacts on everyday projects by recommending time restrictions, fish passage designs, protection of eel grass beds, etc., it has also been successful in modifying some major projects that would have impacted significant fish and wildlife habitat.

Together with the support of the division’s bureaus and programs, as well as the cooperation of state and federal permit issuing agencies, the Office on Environmental Review continues to have an influence in the way developmental projects are designed in New Jersey.

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

• Classification of NJ Waters As Related to Their Suitability for Trout (pdf, 118kb)
• Locations of Anadromous American Shad and River Herring During Their Spawning Period in NJ’s Freshwaters Including Known Migratory Impediments and Fish Ladders (pdf, 131kb)