Local Environment Matters WINTER 2018 · 4 ANJEC REPORT – Winter 2018 2 Director’s Report 4 NY/NJ Baykeeper’s oyster reef naturally reproduces baby oysters in Raritan Bay 6

Inside:

The oysters are coming back toRaritan Bay!

Apply now: ANJEC open spacestewardship grants

Addressing global trends locally

Inside:

The oysters are coming back toRaritan Bay!

Apply now: ANJEC open spacestewardship grants

Addressing global trends locally

WINTER 2018Local Environment Matters

2 ANJEC REPORT – Winter 2018

Director’sReport

New Jersey is on a fast track to correct-ing the environmental degradation of thepast eight years. Twenty-eight of the mostactive and prominent nonprofits in NewJersey, whose missions are to protect andrestore our shared natural environment,banded together to developed Environmen-tal Agenda ’18, New Jersey’s ConservationRoadmap, which was delivered to GovernorMurphy and his transition team.

Our new Governor has hit the groundrunning. Within three weeks of his inaugu-ration, Murphy signed a number of execu-tive orders and declared his intention to filelawsuits to protect the water we drink, theair we breathe, and the food we eat.

On Feb 2, Governor Murphy’s AttorneyGeneral signed on to a multi-state letteropposing federal expansion of offshore


drilling. This is a move to resist PresidentTrump’s proposal to open up all the coastsof the United States to offshore oil andgas drilling. Seismic blasting to map depos-its for such drilling would harm marinemammals. Spills would threaten not onlycoastal habitats, but also businesses alongNew Jersey’s 130 coastal miles, includingour $37 billion tourism industry and our$4.5 billion fisheries and shellfish industrythat employs thousands in New Jersey.ANJEC is asking municipalities throughoutthe State to pass a resolution opposingoffshore oil and gas drilling. The resolutioncan be found at ANJEC.org

On Jan 31, Governor Murphy signed anexecutive order promoting offshore windenergy. Our Governor has campaigned onand endorsed the Environmental Agenda ’18

EPA budget UpdateFollow the money. In the onslaught of rapidly changing national news, it's easy to

forget that President Trump has proposed a greater than 30 percent cut to theEnvironmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) budget. As of publication, Congress passedand Trump signed a two year budget agreement that included a spending bill that willkeep the government open through the end of March. A long-term spending bill isneeded to continue operations beyond that point.

The long-term spending bill is where we could see reductions in the EPA's budgetthat could translate into significant reductions in funds typically passed through tothe New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to assist withpollution prevention initiatives, monitoring swimming beaches, cleaning up toxic sitesand more.

ANJEC will keep you up to date regarding the federal spending bill and suggestactions for municipalities and individuals to engage with federal representatives. Tosign up for our action alerts and twice monthly ANJECNews updates, [email protected].

Putting NJ back on track

ANJEC REPORT – Winter 2018 3SUSTAINABLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

Executive Director ........................... Jennifer M. CoffeyEditor ................................................. Julie Lange Groth

The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissionsis a private, non-profit educational organization serving environ-mental commission and open space committee members, con-cerned individuals, non-profits, and local officials. ANJEC’sprograms aim to promote the public interest in natural resourcepreservation, sustainable development and reclamation andsupport environmental commissions and open space commit-tees working with citizens and other non-profit organizations.

The REPORT welcomes articles and photographs but is notresponsible for loss or damage. Opinions expressed by guestauthors do not necessarily reflect ANJEC policy. Articles maybe reprinted with permission and credit. Please addresscorrespondence to ANJEC REPORT, PO Box 157, Mendham,NJ 07945; tel: 973-539-7547; fax: 973-539-7713.E-mail [email protected]. Web site: www.anjec.org.

565 MUNICIPALITIES .................... ONE ENVIRONMENT

Vol. 38 / No. 1 WINTER 2018

Library Subscription $18.00ISSN 1538-0742

SUSTAINABLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

goal of achieving 100 percent renewableenergy for New Jersey by 2050. Offshorewind energy takes advantage of a clean,renewable energy source. Offshore windmay be an incompatible use with oil andgas drilling, so siting offshore wind loca-tions quickly could help to protect ourshoreline.

On Jan 29, Governor Murphy signed anexecutive order directing New Jersey toreenter the Regional Greenhouse GasInitiative (RGGI), enabling New Jersey topartner with neighboring states to fightclimate change by reducing greenhousegases through a regional carbon capprogram. New Jersey’ Department ofEnvironmental Protection (NJDEP) andBoard of Public Utilities will begin talkswith other RGGI states to determine howNew Jersey can best reenter the program.

Strengthening State rules that governregular business, such as protection ofstream buffers and wetlands, and incorpo-rating the most recent and robust flooddata into those rules, will take longer.ANJEC is committed to working with theMurphy Administration, nonprofit col-

leagues and municipalities to go beyondunwinding the rollbacks from the Christieadministration and advancing environmen-tal protections to restore our naturalresources. New Jersey is facing real threatsto our environment (and therefore publichealth, safety, and economy) from climatechange and the Trump administration.

That’s why we helped to develop Envi-ronmental Agenda ’18, New Jersey’sConservation Roadmap (available atanjec.org). The Agenda outlines priorityactions for the Murphy Administrationfor the first 100 days, first year, and firstterm to:• protect and restore clean water;• fight climate change;• protect open spaces;• enhance reliance on renewable energy;• protect our coast and ocean;• improve good governance and a high

functioning NJDEP;• restore key infrastructure;• clean up toxic sites,• plan for emergency spills, and• provide relief to overburdened communi-

ties.ANJEC is providing resources and advice

to municipal officials to both support localneeds and advance these State goals. Welook forward to continuing to work withyou!

Jennifer M. CoffeyExecutive Director

On the cover: Higbee Beach path – coastalhabitats are threatened by federal expansion ofoffshore drilling. (see page 30)Photo by W Blanchard


2 Director’s Report

4 NY/NJ Baykeeper’s oysterreef naturally reproducesbaby oysters in Raritan Bay

6 Acting Locally

9 Global trends and localresponses

11 Building effectivenessthrough strong relationships

13 Local Action Toolkits nowavailable

14 How promoting eco-labeledproducts is good for both theenvironment and business

17 New general stormwaterpermits challengeNew Jersey municipalities

20 Remembering lives well lived

21 Steps to healthy waters inUpper Deerfield

23 What We’re Reading:Drawdown

24 Make the most of springfestivals

25 ANJEC 2018 Open SpaceGrant Program

26 Lechner Scholarship

27 Fundamentals forEffective EnvironmentalCommissions

28 ANJEC people 2018

29 Your town can help moveNew Jersey toward anEV-friendly future

30 Standing against offshoredrilling

In this issue:

NY/NJBaykeeper’soyster reefnaturallyreproducesbaby oystersin Raritan Bay

By Debbie Mans, Former ExecutiveDirector & Baykeeper, NY/NJ Baykeeper,

current NJDEP Deputy Commissioner

NY/NJ Baykeeper’s RestorationProgram scientists discovered the naturalgrowth of baby oysters, biologically knownas spat, while monitoring the oysterrestoration site at Naval Weapons StationEarle in Raritan Bay this past fall. Naturalrecruitment has been observed at the sitefor the first time, which means that theadult oysters on the reef are spawning andthe larvae are settling back on the reef. Thisis the first step in a self-sustaining reef.

Oyster castles provide a hard surfacewhere oysters can attach.

Click on an article to jump to that page


The NY-NJ Harbor Estuary was oncehome to millions of acres of oyster beds.However, due to rampant development,overharvesting andpollution, the metro-areaoyster is now function-ally extinct. NY/NJBaykeeper has beenworking to restore theoyster population for thebenefits they provide thesurrounding communi-ties, which includecleaner water, increasedhabitat, and shorelinestability.

“From a biologicalperspective, this initialdiscovery of spat isfantastic news, signifyingthe health of our oysterreef and Raritan Bay,”said Meredith Comi,Restoration Program Director, NY/NJBaykeeper. “With our continued urbanshoreline habitat restoration efforts, weexpect to see additional recruitment andreproduction. As a bi-state restorationleader, we are thankful for the Navy’sunique assistance in providing a continuedcommitment to a safer and cleaner NY-NJHarbor.”

NY/NJ Baykeeper and partners installed afirst of its kind urban living shoreline lastyear at Naval Weapons Station Earle in

Monmouth County. The O.9-acre livingshoreline consists of an artificial reef usinglive oysters and concrete structures, known

as oyster castles, whichprovide the necessaryhard surface on whichoysters can attach andgrow. The project isworking to protect theNavy’s critical infrastruc-ture, as well surroundingcommunities, againstfuture storm surges.

“After Hurricane Sandy,it became critical toaddress shoreline erosionand improve coastalresiliency. The project willprovide important data todetermine how a livingshoreline can fortify thenearby shoreline, improvewater quality, and create

aquatic habitat in our urban watershed and,hopefully, replicate this technique else-where in the estuary.

For more information on the program,please visit www.njnybaykeeper.org andfollow us @NYNJBaykeeper. Baykeepermay be reached at 732-888-9870.

Oysters spat

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mailto:[email protected]


By Michele Gaynor, ANJEC Resource Center;Jule Girman, Hopatcong Environmental Commission;

and Cheryl Reardon, ANJEC Project Director

Lake Hopatcong trail becomes a realityThe Lake Hopatcong Foundation (LHF)

envisioned a 40-mile trail encircling LakeHopatcong and traversing each of the fourmunicipalities on the lake. That vision isbecoming a reality thanks to the dedicationof LHF staff and support from environmen-tal and trails organizations and dedicatedvolunteers. The Lake Hopatcong Trail alsobecame a challenging Eagle Scout under-taking funded by an ANJEC StewardshipGrant awarded to the Hopatcong Environ-mental Commission.

A grant from the New Jersey Departmentof Environmental Protection (NJDEP)Recreational Trails Grant Program helped tocomplete the first nine-mile section of thistrail through the Borough of Hopatcong.Dennis Briede of The Land Conservancy ofNew Jersey completed GPS mapping andflagging of all the trails. Trail blazing,maintenance and invasive species trainingworkshops were conducted by the NewYork-New Jersey Trail Conference. Volun-teers, scouts, and members of theHopatcong Environmental Commission (EC)cleared the trails.

Cliff Lundin, well-known environmentalistand former Mayor of Hopatcong, also had avision. Lundin wanted to create access trailsor “spurs” from various neighborhoods inHopatcong that would give residentsconvenient access to Lake Hopatcong. Toaccomplish this, the Hopatcong Environ-mental Commission applied for and wasawarded an ANJEC Open Space Steward-ship Grant for blazes and signage for theseneighborhood spurs. Eagle Scout Matthew

Karpiak of Hopatcong Troop 88 took onthe trail as a project. With the help of othervolunteers and fellow scouts, Karpiakcreated and erected the signs and blazedsome spur trails.

The ANJEC grant provided funding for 13parking and access signs, which Karpiak andhis team of scouts created, assembled anderected under the tutelage of Tony Cretellaat Custom Sign Source in Roxbury. Cretellagenerously donated his time to train thescouts on sign building and providedworkspace. The Hopatcong Public WorksDepartment also provided expertise andsign posts.

The first phase of the trail runs from theMorris Canal Towpath at Hopatcong StatePark through preserved land. Several milesof the Lake Hopatcong Trail align withboth the Highlands Trail and the Tri-Municipal Trail. The completed segmentmakes its way through borough woods tothe border of Jefferson Township, wherethe second phase of the trail will begin. In September the collaborators held aribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate theopening of the first section of the trail,followed by a short hike on the newwalkway. The next phase will follow soon.The LHF and Hopatcong EC continue topartner to recruit and train volunteers astrail maintainers.

— Jule Girman


Madisoncomposting

When the Madison EnvironmentalCommission decided to plan a composterbin drive, they were hoping to receive atleast 25 orders for Earth MachineComposters. They were more than thrilledwhen 54 orders were placed. Priced at $99retail, the EC sold the composters for just$55. Delivery was free for an order of morethan 25 units.

While the EC has held composter bindrives in the past, they added to thepromotion mix this time by posting widelyon social media and reaching out tosurrounding towns.

Backyard composting is a great way toreduce greenhouse gases by diverting wastefrom landfills, which produce methaneemissions. Good compost can reduce theamount of water consumed by plants andalso decreases the amount of chemicalsand fertilizers needed.

More communities are looking to largescale composting of food waste to reducethe amount of trash they send to landfills.For example, San Francisco is workingtoward fulfilling a pledge of zero waste

entering landfills by 2020. In Portland, ME,Garbage to Garden is a popular curbsidecompost service that offers urban dwellers,schools and commercial businesses aconvenient way to recycle food scraps,including meat, dairy and bones that can beused to renew their local soil. See Garbage toGarden https://garbagetogarden.org/ .

A compelling reason for businesses andinstitutions to compost is that it savesmoney by cutting back on landfill fees. In2011, Middlebury College in Vermont saved$100,000 on landfill fees by composting 90percent of food waste generated on campus.The 370 tons of food Middlebury compostedtranslated into a savings of $270 per tonof waste.

If your EC is interested in doing acomposter drive and would like moreinformation about the Earth Machine,contact Jeff Brown at 201-452-4636.

For help and more details on how to do acompost bin drive, contact Ellen Kranfuss,[email protected]. — Michele Gaynor

Belmar’s solution toplastic pollution

Belmar wants to make reusable shoppingbags not just trendy, but the norm. Coun-cilman Tom Brennan presented a plan tolocal businesses in the Borough’s centralshopping districts. Instead of an outright banon single-use plastic bags, the councilmanasked store owners to consider handing outfree reusable bags. Merchants were over-whelmingly on board with this idea.

All students in the county were invited toparticipate in a contest to design the bagsto help create widespread awareness. Over100 students submitted logo designs. Thebags display the winning design, the shapeof a black and green turtle with the slogan“I’m the solution to plastic pollution”.

Stores offered the reusable totes free ofcharge. The EC’s budget covered the expenseof purchasing 2000 bags made of recycledplastic. They were available in time for theholiday shopping season. With the help of

Madison Environmental Commissiondemonstrating the Earth Machine composter


Belmar Business Partnership members,Councilman Brennan distributed the bagsand merchants were happy to offer them tocustomers. Business owners have noticedcustomers returning with their reusable bags.

It’s estimated that the US goes through100 billion plastic shopping bags annually.Approximately 12 million barrels of oil arerequired to make that amount of plasticbags.

But consumers are getting the messageabout the harm caused by disposable bags.Recent data from a coastal litter clean upin California showed plastic bag litterdropped by 72 percent compared to 2010data. In one California county officialsreported finding 433 bags last year com-pared to 4357 in 2010.

Legislation also appears to help thecause. Chicago, Seattle, and Austin, TX,have all enacted bag bans, and between2015 and 2016, lawmakers proposed atleast 77 state-level plastic bag bills.

— Michele Gaynor

Reducing wastethrough creativecollaboration

Little Silver resident Jennifer Boreniusand other members of the grassroots SingleUse Reduction Effort (SURE) Committeeare passionate about sharing the messageof protecting the environment and theimportance of recycling and reducing single

use bottles and bags. Partnering with theLittle Silver Environmental Commission(EC), they reached out to Red BankRegional (RBR) Visual & Performing ArtsAcademy teacher Claudia O’Connor to raisestudent awareness and involvement in abranding campaign.

Their collaboration resulted in a logodesign competition in which four RBR artstudents’ logo design creations were postedon the campaign’s Facebook page and alsodisplayed at the Little Silver Kitchen Tour.

Contest winners were announced at theNovember Little Silver EnvironmentalCommission Meeting. Borenius said, “Allfour designs received great accolades andmany people couldn’t believe the art wascreated by high school students. The logodesigned by Sophie Navarro (a junior fromLittle Silver) was chosen to brand thecampaign. The submission by KatherineSmith (a junior from Spring Lake) waschosen as a runner-up, with Kathy Trevinoand Morgan McIntyre (both seniors fromLittle Silver) receiving honorable mentions.

Sophie’s logo design will be printed onSURE brochures and Facebook page as wellas reusable cloth bags that the Little SilverEC is giving out to residents.

RBR’s Visual & Performing studio artprogram is styled on the model of anadvertising company serving the art needsof a business client.

Borenius has also collaborated with theRBR Student Environmental Club. Studentmembers Jay Izzo and Paul Schoening,both of Little Silver, created a PublicService Announcement to further thecampaign’s awareness. RBR also installed water refilling stationsthroughout the school building to discour-age students’ use of plastic water bottles.Borenius hopes to introduce that conceptto the local elementary schools too. She isalso collaborating with Clean Ocean Actionand would like it to spread to other NewJersey towns.

For more information on SURE, pleaseemail [email protected] or visitthe SURE Facebook page at: WeAreSureLS.

— Cheryl Reardon

A Belmar student’s winning logo design


Y

Global trends andlocal responsesBy Sheila Baker Gujral, ANJEC Resource Center

ou’ve heard it before. “Thinkglobally. Act locally.” We all live in oneatmosphere, on one planet. We breathe thesame air, drink the same water. What we dohere has an effect on the other side of theglobe and vice versa. Here are some globaltrends that are impacting us at home.

Recycling – There is no “away”China has been the biggest international

destination for recyclable materials sincethe 1980s. The US exports about a third ofits recycling, with half of that going toChina (Scrap and waste is our sixth largestexport to China).

In 2013, the Chinese imports of recy-clable material were subject to increasedinspections to discourage the importationof contaminated material in “OperationGreen Fence.” In March 2017, “OperationGreen Sword” increased inspections ofimported recyclables and tightened stan-dards, reducing the acceptable amount ofcontamination from 2 percent to 0.5percent. Brent Bell, in charge of recyclingfor Waste Management, says that hiscompany currently receives materials withan average 16-17 percent contaminationlevel and reducing it to acceptable levels forexports is a big challenge.

In July 2017, China informed the WorldTrade Organization that it will stopaccepting shipments of recycled plastic andother “foreign waste,” specifying 24 typesof waste which will no longer be accepted,from household plastic waste to recycledtextiles and unsorted paper.

The impact of China’s actions was feltalmost immediately on the West Coast.Some recycling firms in Oregon andWashington State have already stopped

accepting plastic recyclables, as they havenowhere to send them. In order to processthe glut of recycled plastic waste, USrecycling firms will have to upgrade theirfacilities or find other foreign markets. Thismeans an increase in municipal costs whichwill be passed along to the taxpayers.

Tiffanie Nyzio of Giordano Companies, arecycling company in Newark, says the firmis investing about $5 million in newequipment to deal with the new stringentcontamination limits.

What to do? We thought we’d solvedthe problem by sending our plastic recy-cling overseas for processing, but it is nowour problem to solve again. The residentsof Boise, ID, found themselves in a predica-ment since China is their main exportmarket for plastic recyclables. They teamedup with Renewology, a company thatreverses the process by which oil becomesplastic, converting it to low sulfur diesel fuel.

Whether pursuing innovative solutions,finding new export markets, incinerating forenergy recovery, ramping up education toincrease the percentage of materialrecycled, or focusing on reducing consump-tion of single use plastics in the first place,we need to re-address our situation vis-à-visrecycling.

Slowing down fast fashion...At the same that that China is halting

imports of some recyclable materials, thegovernments of the East African Commu-nity (EAC), comprised of Kenya, Rwanda,South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi andUganda, are planning to ban the importa-tion of secondhand clothing by 2019. Theaverage American throws out 70 pounds oftextile waste each year, and only about 20


percent of it gets sold in secondhand storesin the US. The rest goes overseas andcountries from the EAC to India to EasternEurope are finding that it is undercuttingtheir own domestic textile industries.

...and driving in the clean laneElectric vehicles are coming, and they are

coming in force. China, France, Norway,India, and others have all made strongcommitments to electrify their motorvehicles. Volvo Cars announced thatstarting in 2019, all new models will beeither hybrid or all electric. GM plans tooffer 20 electric models by 2023. (CEOMary Barra says the company will sell overa million electric vehicles a year by 2026.)

“Contamination devalues good recyclablesand adds unnecessary additional processingcosts, energy costs, and resource costs. Wecan educate our residents and businessesabout the best recycling practices.”

Brent Bell, Vice President of RecyclingOperations at Waste Management, says,“We really need to wage a war on contami-nation.” Another thing to consider iswhether we should focus on disincentivizinguse of plastic through measures such asbans, fees or return deposit programs.Longport and Teaneck have already enactedplastic bag bills and other municipalitieshave expressed an interest in doing thesame.

“The biggest problem is food waste,” saysNyzio. Giordano Companies are increasingtheir efforts to communicate what isacceptable to municipalities.

ANJEC and ChargEVC can help get yourmunicipality ready for the shift to electricvehicles. ANJEC has two sample resolutionsand a model pledge that environmentalcommissions and other local boards can useto support electric vehicle facilitation inNew Jersey. ChargEVC is developing andpromoting programs and policies thatencourage electric vehicles to be adoptedfaster. “In addition to ChargEVC member-ship, your community can play a leadershiprole in helping to make New Jersey moreEV-friendly through local education andoutreach and by installing charging stationsat municipal facilities, schools, places ofworship, workplaces, and other key loca-tions,” says ANJEC Executive DirectorJennifer M. Coffey.

At the end of the day, we need to actlocally. We need to focus on consumptionreduction – of single use plastics, of fastfashion and of fossil fuels.

As Governor Phil Murphy said in hisinaugural address, “New Jersey once was anational model for protecting the environ-ment and growing an economy fueled byinnovation and ideas.... We can once againbe the state that leads the nation inprogressive policies and puts common senseand our residents first in line.”

Electric car on display at Philadelphia AutoShow

Many other automakers are gearing them-selves up to meet the increasing demand forelectric vehicles. Global electric car saleswere up 63 percent in the third quarter of2017. Despite the rhetoric about embracingold fossil fuel technology, the marketplace isresponding to the realities of diminishingresources and greenhouse gas emissions andgearing up for an electric vehicle revolution.

What to do locallyHow can we respond to these trends

locally? We can reexamine our recyclingpolicies, procedures and education to makesure we are providing the best product tosend to the recycled materials market.According to Myles Cohen, president ofPratt Industries (a recycled packaging firm),


T

Building effectivenessthrough strongrelationshipsBy Julie Lange Groth, ANJEC Report Editor

Insights from ECs

he success of an EnvironmentalCommission (EC) depends on the good willand support of many others in the commu-nity. Commissions need the backing oflocal officials to facilitate and fund theirprojects. Local schools, businesses andorganizations can help ECs gain influenceand build consensus on environmentalissues while providing manpower andresources to accomplish more with less.Getting the general public engaged andinvolved is pivotal to creating a healthy,sustainable community. This vibrant web ofconnections enables EC to accomplish theirimportant work.

Relationships with municipalofficials

Steve Sangle, the longtime chair of WestMilford Environmental Commission,cultivates strong ties with members of

town government, including other boardsand committees.

“Throughout the year, if we becomeinvolved in a special project or if there areenvironmental issues affecting the commu-nity, we communicate with the governingbody and administration to address anyconcerns they may have,” says Steve.

“We also meet periodically with theTownship Administrator as well as otherlocal officials, to discuss potential andongoing grant opportunities, as well asissues that may develop with currentprojects. This process seems to reduce theamount of conflicts before they becomemajor issues.”

When undertaking a project, Steve sayshe also tries to consider the interests ofother constituencies, including thoseinterested in recreation, historical sites orthe needs of businesses. For example, an

important considerationwhen reviewing propertiesfor possible open spaceacquisition is the value ofrevenue from real estatetaxes to fund theTownship’s needs.

Phearless PhragmitesPhighters from theMillstone Elementary SchoolCommunity Problem Solversteam.


“We recommend properties which serveboth the residents’ needs as well as thosethat protect the environment, while takinginto consideration the economic impactand possible loss of tax dollars,” Steveexplains.

Alliances with other groupsBy involving organizations, schools and

other groups, ECs can multiply the impactof their efforts. In honor of its 25th year,The Washington Township (Gloucester)Environmental Commission partnered withseveral local entities to celebrate EarthMonth with more than a month’s worth ofenvironmental educational programming.

Working with the Open Space AdvisoryCommittee, schools, the public library andother community groups and local experts,they assembled a robust menu of eventsthat included a gardening class, an artcompetition, community garden planting, adisplay of the Environmental ResourceInventory, a rain barrel workshop, a refores-tation project, a build-a-birdhouse work-shop, tree planting lessons, a workshop oncreating backyard habitats, stream and lakesampling, and an owl presentation. Insteadof one day of activities in the park, theyhad a robust month full of workshops andclasses to teach the community how to bebetter stewards of the land.

Millstone Township EnvironmentalCommission found a way to enlist a cadreof school children while providing ameaningful learning experience. With theEC’s help, area students took on the toughjob of eradicating a patch of invasive

Phragmites near a first-aid station. Stu-dents spent an entire school year learningabout the harm Phragmites do to theenvironment. They then educated towncouncil members and informed scouttroops about the problems caused by thiscommon reed. Students also distributedspecial cleanup kits to help clean seeds offclothes and stop the plant from spreading.

Engaging the publicVerona Environmental Commission has

found a wide variety of ways to engagewith people in the community face-to-face,including the Verona Green Fair, the localFair in the Square, Volunteers Night, theNew Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign, andannual cleanups at Grove Park, the WestEssex Trail and the Peckman River.

But, according to EC Chair GloriaMachnowski, “Involving the public is nolonger limited to distributing information.It’s about inviting residents to providefeedback and listening. Social media isgreat for that, as long as you remember tointeract with empathy and respect. It isabout making it easier and convenient forpeople to support good initiatives. It is alsoa great tool to empower people within yourcommunity to become environmentalleaders themselves.”

The EC has had its own website since2009, and joined social media several yearsago, expanding its opportunities tocommunicate with residents.

“We post our meeting minutes, townevents and local environmental news. Weprovide helpful information to townresidents and free publicity for town-sponsored initiatives.”

It all adds up In Caldwell, EC Chair Ann Marchioni hasdeveloped many productive relationshipsover the years that have helped theCommission earn accolades and grantfunds. She offers these tips:• Think of projects that can involve

students – contests, gardens etc. Schoolecology clubs are a good place to start.

Students in Verona designed posters toencourage the public to end unnecessaryvehicle idling.


• Reach out to the local service clubs, suchas the Kiwanis and Rotary.

• Don’t be afraid of rejection. Just spread-ing awareness of the EC and its work isimportant in itself.

• When purchasing materials, don’t beafraid to ask for a donation of goods or adiscount.

• Your library is probably looking forprograms and would be happy to show afilm or host an informative program.

• Keep everyone you can think of up todate with your activities, especially thetown council and say thank you a lot. Inshort, knock on a lot of doors and somewill open.

Local Action Toolkits now availableHas your environmental commission or green team identified some issues you

want to work on in the coming year, but don't know how to get started? TheANJEC Resource Center has prepared a set of tools and information that may helpyou get out of the starting gate with a bang.

Climate Action Toolkit - Includes dozens of helpful resources, such as:• How to do a community carbon

footprint• Model resolution for a municipal

greenhouse gas audit• Resource paper on siting solar

installations in NJ• Guidance for creating Plug-In Electric

Vehicle (PEV) friendly ordinances• Information on stream corridor

protection• Model water conservation ordinance

and how to develop one

Plastic Pollution Toolkit - Articles, reports and sample ordinances including:• Sample municipal ordinances for balloon release ban (Atlantic City) and

plastic bag reduction (Longport)• Lambertville's food waste collection ordinance• Lots of articles, tips and other rinformation

Templates for basic environmental commissionannual reports and budgets

To get these tools, please contact the ANJEC Resource Center at [email protected] visit our website at www.anjec.org.

Thanks to ANJECmember communities

We are grateful to the thousands ofvolunteers serving as local officials inmore than 260 municipalities andcounties that are members of ANJEC.These dedicated people - from municipaland regional environmental commissionsand green teams to open space commit-tees, planning boards and governingbodies - dedicate their time and effortsto assure a clean environment and highquality of life in their communitiesthroughout our State. Thank you!


T

Make a difference:

By Richard Lawton, Executive Director,New Jersey Sustainable Business Council

How promoting eco-labeled products is goodfor both the environmentand business

he economy versus the environ-ment. It’s a familiar framing of complexissues that depicts an ongoing tug-of-warbetween businesses and environmentalactivists, with government accused ofbeing the intrusive referee, favoring oneside or the other. But while such a binarydepiction may be appealing in its simplic-ity, it obscures and distorts a much morecomplex dynamic between economic,social and environmental interests andconsiderations that can’t be captured in140 characters or less.

Fortunately, there are a growing numberof businesses that are breaking free of thisoutmoded 20th century tug-of-warbetween an unnecessary and false choice.Instead of struggling to overpower theother side in courtrooms, or trying to winthem over by "greenwashing," they seeopportunity in the midst of social, environ-mental and economic tension from whichinnovative products are being designed tomeet a growing consumer demand for itemsthat are effective, safe and affordable.

Without any way to validate the claimsthat businesses make about the safety andrelative greenness of their products,however, consumers can become confused.Our innate aversion to risk acts as animpediment to switching from a knownproduct to a new one that claims to besuperior.

It’s all about choicesHow can consumers discern the differ-

ence between just good marketing and agenuinely good product?

Over time, many public and privateorganizations throughout the world haveadvanced the use of eco-labels to fill thisneed. In the simplest sense, it is hoped thateco-labels can assist consumers in makingmore informed personal and businessbuying decisions. It is also hoped thatsovereign consumer choice and enlightenedinstitutional purchasing can be leveraged togive producers of comparatively environ-mentally friendly products a competitiveadvantage over products that are lessenvironmentally friendly, and also encourageshifts in investment and innovation towardsverifiable greener products.

While eco-labels are not a panacea toresolve all environmental challenges, theycan contribute to the creation of opportuni-ties for economic and environmentalsuccess.

Informed decision:Enter third-party eco-labels

Green Seal and ECOLOGO are lifecycle-based environmental certifications based onrigorous scientific testing that indicate thata product and its ingredients meet specificenvironmental performance standards.


The US Environmental ProtectionAgency’s (USEPA’s) Safer Choice program isthe federal voluntary labeling program thatepitomizes effective collaboration betweenthe government and the private sector. Itsends a signal to consumers that productscertified under the program meet a higher,safer standard for consumers and theenvironment, while performing as expectedand being comparably cost effective.Safer Choice identifies the requirementsproducts and their ingredients must meetto earn the Safer Choice label, including:• criteria for safer chemical ingredients and• requirements for: performance; packag-

ing; pH; and VOCs.Significant efforts are made by EPA

and manufacturers to achieve fullingredient disclosure and toparticipate in audits to maintainauthenticity and also toencourage continuousimprovement in greenchemistry innovation.

Hundreds of businessesnationwide, like EarthFriendly Products (a NewJersey SustainableBusiness Council businessmember), with a facility inPiscataway, are partners inthe Safer Choice program.More than 2000 productsare qualified to carry thelogo, which lends animpartial and science-based credibility thathelps to overcome theinertia of habitual pur-chasing habits.

And it’s not just individual consumerswhose desire for safe products is fueling agrowing market. Municipalities andbusinesses are also looking to integratesustainability factors into their procure-ment decisions for a host of reasons:• to reduce long-term costs;• to create enhanced community or

workplace health, safety and pride,• to reduce potential liabilities, insurance

incentives.

• to address increasing pressure fromexternal stakeholders and the growingavailability of vendors that offer greenerproducts.

More than just a label – Acatalyst for constructive change

The benefits of eco-labels have thepotential to go beyond the functional valueof the labeled products. Safer Choice is aconcrete example of the good that cancome from a more constructive relationshipbetween business and government whenfocused on serving the overlapping needs ofshareholders, customers and general publicwelfare.

Safer Choice proves that we don’thave to choose between a

thriving economy and a clean,safe environment. Rather,

Safer Choice demonstratesthat we can choose adifferent way of doingbusiness that can gener-ate a profit in socially andresponsible ways, whilerewarding leadinginnovation and productdesign.

How can youhelp to greenbusinesses througha local eco-labelcampaign?

Academic argumentsfor change can often betoo abstract to connectat an emotional level.

And doing the necessary research tounderstand all of the arcane science behindsafe chemicals is too time-consuming. Eco-labels make theory and arcane detailsunnecessary; instead, they offer pragmaticshortcuts for those who wish to switch frommore toxic to safer chemical products.

For those change agents who are workingwithin their communities or organizationsfor a more sustainable and resilient future,promoting eco-label products represents a

http://epa.gov/saferchoice




Environmental Impacts • Wetlands • www.njeco.com

Environmental ConsultingThomas D’Angelo

17 Indian TerraceLafayette, NJ 07848

973•875•8585Fax: 973•875•8080

powerful and tangible step in the rightdirection that can help cultivate a reorienta-tion toward more sustainable businesspractices.

In his book The Tipping Point, authorMalcolm Gladwell reveals how products andtrends can go from relative obscurity tobroad adoption almost overnight. Threedifferent types of change agents are criticalin this process:• Mavens are good at research, and have

deep knowledge that people can rely onas credible sources of information.

• Connectors have extensive networks andare good at connecting the right types ofpeople and organizations for actualizingcommon interests.

• Salespeople are skilled persuaders thatcan turn data into the kinds of compel-ling stories that help people see newpossibilities and encourage them to acton them.

ResourcesIf you want to start a campaign to

promote green chemistry innovation andSafer Choice products, contact the ANJECResource Center at [email protected] for moredetailed information on the (a) effective-ness of eco-labels, (b) major campaignquestions for Safer Choice, (c) supportchecklist to promote partnership, and (d)other change management/cultural changeresources. Armed with these insights, youcan show local businesses that being greenand profitable can go hand-in-hand.

Richard Lawton can be reached at646.234.9216.

www.dvrpc.org/Planning


www.hgapa.com


By David Peifer, ANJEC Highlands Project Director

E

New generalstormwaterpermits challengeNew Jerseymunicipalities

nvironmental Commissionsshould be aware of new New JerseyDepartment of Environmental Protection(DEP) permits that became effective onJanuary 1. The permits, known as Ms4permits1, regulate how a municipality mustmanage its stormwater systems. Thepermits direct local governments inimplementing water management powersdelegated to the states under the FederalClean Water Act. The new permits are inresponse to the US EnvironmentalProtection Agency’s “Stormwater Phase IIFinal Rule.” Although there are no specifictasks assigned to environmental commis-sions, the permits contain importantrequirements that are ideally suited foraction by commissions.

What type of permit does yourtown have?

Municipal permits fall into one of twotypes: Tier A and Tier B. Tier A Permitscover municipalities with extensivesystems, while Tier B permits apply tomunicipalities with smaller systems. Yourmunicipality’s Tier assignment can bechecked at: www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/

MS4_municipal_tier_list.pdf or by viewingthe map available at: www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/images/mun-tierA-assignments1.jpg.

Most New Jersey municipalities areassigned to Tier A, while Tier B municipali-ties are concentrated in the northwesternpart of the State, along the Delaware BayShore, and in the Pinelands. If your townalso has areas served by a combined sewersystem (CSS) that mixes sanitary wastewa-ter with stormwater, you already have aseparate permit dealing with them. It ispossible that communities with both typesof systems will have both permits.

The new permit documentYour municipality should already have

received its permit and you should try toreview it. However, if you have difficultygetting access, samples of the new Tier Aand Tier B permits are provided on the DEPwebsite at:• Tier A – www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/tier_a_

Full_Permit_No_ReponsetoComments.pdf• Tier B – www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/tier_b.htm

Since no specific guidance document iscurrently available (as of this printing), it iswise to read the sample permit and theCrosswalk Document (www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/tier_a_crosswalk_2009-2018.pdf) thatcompares the previous 2009 permits to the

1 The name, Ms4 is shorthand for “municipalseparate storm sewer systems.”

www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/MS4_municipal_tier_list.pdf

www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/MS4_municipal_tier_list.pdf

www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/tier_a_ Full_Permit_No_ReponsetoComments.pdf

www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/images/mun-tierA-assignments1.jpg

www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/images/mun-tierA-assignments1.jpg


new 2018 permits. At 71pages, the sampleprovided may lookdaunting, but much ofthe content includesdefinitions and attach-ments that you will finduseful.

What’s new formunicipalities?

The short answer is “a lot!” The newpermits, are issued as General Permitsunder the New Jersey Pollution DischargeElimination System (NJPDES rules, N.J.A.C.7:14A). They incorporate provisions of theStormwater Management Rule (N.J.A.C.7:8) and affect municipal actions under theMunicipal Land Use Law. They cover:• recordkeeping and reporting• public participation• stormwater management planning• review of stormwater management plans

submitted by applicants• preparation, updating and incorporation

of Municipal Stormwater ManagementPlans into Municipal Master Plans

• passage and periodic updating ofmunicipal stormwater ordinances

• training of municipal professionals,application reviewers, DPW workers

• education of the public.In all, the permits require a more orga-

nized institutional commitment to storm-water management at the municipal level.

Some specific concerns forcommissions

The permit contains a number ofimportant requirements that municipalitiesshould be concerned about. A few of theissues are discussed below, but you shouldmake it a point to read the actual permitand supporting DEP information for a

more complete understanding.

Planning and ordinancesThe permits require the preparation of a

Municipal Stormwater Management Planand incorporating this plan as a requiredpart of the Master Plan (40:55D, Article 14).Commissions should not only be aware oftheir town’s Plan contents but should alsobe involved in periodic reviews as part ofthe municipality’s normal Master Planreview process. The Stormwater Manage-ment Plan must now include a StormwaterPollution Prevention Plan (SPPP). The SPPPhelps identify possible pollution sourcesand best management practices to addressproblems. (www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/auto_sppp.htm)

As part of this process, municipalitiesmust also designate a MunicipalStormwater Program Coordinator, respon-sible for implementing the plans,recordkeeping and reporting to the DEP.Municipalities will have to submit anannual report and certification to the DEPand keep all records used to demonstratecompliance with permit conditions.Municipalities must also pass and imple-ment a stormwater management ordinancethat meets or exceeds the requirements ofthe Stormwater Management Rule (N.J.A.C.7:8) and that is periodically updated. Amodel ordinance is provided by the DEP at:www.nj.gov/dep/wqmp/docs/sw_ordinance.pdf.

Volunteers planting araingarden in Pilesgrove tohelp manage stormwaterrunoff

www.nj.gov/dep/wqmp/docs/sw_ordinance.pdf


Commissions should review their localordinance for compliance, but should alsokeep in mind that municipalities may passmore protective local ordinances. Forexample, the DEP rule applies only to“major development” that disturbs 1 ormore acre, but some municipalities havereduced this trigger threshold.

There is also a requirement for adoptinga suite of related communitywide ordi-nances, also considered minimum stan-dards, dealing with pet waste, wildlifefeeding, litter control, improper wastedisposal, containerized yard waste andprivate storm drain inlet retrofitting. Manymunicipalities have such ordinances, butcommissions should become familiar withthem and inquire about implementationand enforcement. In addition, towns mustadopt an illicit connection ordinance thatprohibits the connection or inflow fromnon-stormwater sources into thestormwater system.

Training and educationTraining members of municipal boards

and the governing body is urgent. Thepermit requires that municipal officials whoreview and approve stormwater manage-ment plan applications during site planreview and those involved in post construc-tion review and compliance complete the“Asking the Right Questions in StormwaterReview” training e-tool by July 1, 2018.New members must do so within sixmonths. This E-Tool is a computer-basedinteractive tool, developed jointly byRutgers Cooperative Extension WaterResources Program, DEP and ANJEC. It’savailable online at www.nj.gov/dep/stormwater/training.htm. Commissionsshould take a leadership role in seeing thatthese trainings take place in a meaningfulway, by workshop or presentation tomembers of the environmental commis-sion, planning board, and governing body.

Public educationMunicipalities are now required to

engage in public education aboutstormwater on a continuing basis, a task

ideal for environmental commissions. Eachcalendar year, the municipality must earn12 “points” for education drawn from atleast three of the categories described inAttachment B of the permit including:General Public Outreach , Targeted Audi-ence Outreach, School/Youth Educationand Activities, Watershed Regional Collabo-ration, and Community InvolvementActivities. These requirements containmultiple opportunities for commissions toeducate about stormwater issues andshould be explored as commission activitiesand as partnering opportunities withenvironmental organizations and academicinstitutions.

Storm drain inlet markingAlthough the DEP stormwater rule

requires new catch basin inlets to have thewords “Dump No Waste. Drains to Stream”cast into the metal; there are many stormdrains out there that predate this require-ment. Marking these with attached tags orstenciling is a permit requirement and anideal commission activity that can involveschool groups or other youth groups.Detailed instructions on how to carry outthis activity can be found at: www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/Storm%20Drain%20Labeling%20Guidelines%20Manual.pdf

Outfall and facility mapping andevaluation

One of the most important permitrequirements is the mapping of stormwateroutfalls and facilities, evaluating theirconditions and checking for illicit connec-tions. Technology in the form of cellphones, tablets, GPS units and specificsoftware has made this formerly dauntingtask much easier. Commissions can helpwith the inventory and collection of dataand should include the results in theEnvironmental Resource Inventory. Anexcellent PowerPoint presentation detailingthe entire process is available at:www.water.rutgers.edu/PVSC/3_Inventory%20and%20Assessment%20of%20Stormwater%20Infrastructure-09222017.pdf

www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/pdf/Storm%20Drain%20Labeling%20Guidelines%20Manual.pdf

www.water.rutgers.edu/PVSC/3_Inventory%20and%20Assessment%20of%20Stormwater%20Infrastructure-09222017.pdf


Remembering lives well lived

Governor Brendan Byrne(NJ Governor 1974 to 1982)

Not many people get a forest namedafter them. But not many people canclaim to have saved a precious and fragileecosystem of more than a million acresfrom being developed as a giant jetport.As New Jersey's Governor in 1979,Brendan Byrne made protection of NewJersey's Pine Barrens a priority and helpedpass the most innovative land protectionlaw in the nation. To him, the PinelandsProtection Act was his greatest legacy tothe State he once governed.

Today, the Pinelands National Reservestands as the largest surviving open spaceon the eastern seaboard between thenorthern forests of Maine and the FloridaEverglades.

Gov. Byrne also presided over thelegalization of casino gambling and theconstruction of the Meadowlands SportsComplex and he established the State'sfirst income tax, which tanked hisapproval rating at the time. When he wasa prosecutor in Essex County during theNewark riots in 1967, he famouslybecame known as "the man who couldn'tbe bought."

Gov. Byrne died in January at the ageof 93 as the State's oldest living gover-nor. In 2002, then Gov. James E.McGreevey renamed a corner of thePinelands known as Lebanon State Forestin honor of Byrne. We think he morethan deserved it.

Peter Craig and wife Suzanne Smith ladenwith silent auction goodies after an ANJECfundraiser

Peter CraigDr. Peter Craig died on Nov. 25, 2017,

at age 87, having contributed to theworld in many meaningful ways, andhaving lived a full, rich life. Peter woremany hats, walked many paths, servedmany causes and created many fondmemories.

Early in his career, Peter was a facultymember of veterinary colleges at theUniversity of Pennsylvania and CornellUniversity, and then a scientist whoretired from Mobil Oil after 15 years. Hewas very active in his retirement, workingas a ski instructor at Camelback, servingon the Holland Township Rescue Squad,chairing the Holland Township PlanningBoard, and belonging to various historicalcommissions and societies aroundHunterdon County. He was a boardmember of the Hunterdon Land Trust andthe Hunterdon County Library. In hisleisure, Peter was an avid skier, sailor,fisherman, photographer, and smallaircraft pilot.

At ANJEC, we'll remember him sittingat his desk in the ANJEC Resource Centerworking as a weekly volunteer, and latersitting through countless Board meetingsas an ANJEC trustee and Advisory Boardmember. We'll remember him luggingaround heavy cameras and photographyequipment to capture many, many ANJECevents on film. We'll remember a man witha very generous spirit and an unflaggingzest for life. And we'll miss him.


U

Steps to healthywaters inUpper DeerfieldBy Jody Carrara, ANJEC Project Director

pper Deerfield Township inCumberland County New Jersey is currentlyaddressing the Township’s desire for cleanwaterways in two important ways: They areinstalling green infrastructure and they areteaching residents about New Jersey’scomprehensive Fertilizer Law. Let’s exploreboth progressive endeavors in a bit moredetail.

In 2015, Upper Deerfield partnered withANJEC, National Fish & Wildlife Foundationand Rutgers Water Resources Program toaddress the need for green infrastructureprojects in the Township. Rutgers com-pleted an Impervious Cover Assessment andImpervious Cover Reduction Action Planand in 2016 a rain garden was installed atthe municipal building. Being adjacent to astream, the location was an excellentchoice for nonstructural stormwaterremediation. The green infrastructureproject comprises 2,500 square feet ofbioswale and a native plant garden. Thegarden collects rain water from 19,070square feet of parking lot and filters470,700 gallons of waterper year.

The engineering ofthis project is a delight

to see during a rainstorm! It prevents oil,trash, and other pollutants from enteringthe stream. Remediating stormwater is anexcellent start for cleaning local water-ways.

Addressing overuse of fertilizerUpper Deerfield is also creating an

educational brochure for landowners aboutNew Jersey’s Fertilizer Law, one of themost comprehensive in the nation. Its goalis to help to reduce pollutants instormwater before it flows to our streams.Excess nutrients spread on gardens andlawns are carried to the nearest water bodyduring a rain storm. These pollutantsdeplete the water of oxygen, impactingthe ecosystems and fisheries.

Many homeowners, like farmers, nowroutinely test their soil to determine whichnutrients need to be supplemented. Soiltesting and plant diagnostic services areprovided by Rutgers New Jersey Agricul-tural Experiment Station. (https://njaes.rutgers.edu/services/ ) Testing can

Volunteers planting a raingarden in Upper Deerfield


reduce fertilizer use and the cost to main-tain a lawn or garden while protecting ourwater quality and aquatic ecosystems.

Because pollution from lawns hadseriously polluted surface water in NewJersey’s back bays, lakes and streams, theNew Jersey Department of EnvironmentalProtection, Rutgers University and othersformed “Healthy Lawns, Healthy Waters” in2009. This working group coordinates tocollect and develop educational materialand plans to clean up our waterways byreducing the fertilizer loads in stormwater.The result of this collaboration was thepassage of New Jersey’s Fertilizer Law inphases, beginning in 2011. www.nj.gov/dep/healthylawnshealthywater/

New Jersey’s Fertilizer LawHere’s a brief synopsis of New Jersey’s

Fertilizer Law.

Phase IBeginning in early 2011, several public

education resources were developed thataddressed fertilizer information and pre-ferred fertilizer practices.

Phase IIEffective in January 2012, all professional

fertilizer applicators and lawn care providerswere required to undergo training andbecome certified through the NJ Agricul-tural Experiment Station at RutgersUniversity. By law, homeowners cannotapply fertilizer after November 15 and beforeMarch 1 in any calendar year. CommercialFertilizer Applicators must complete late fallnitrogen or phosphorus fertilization byDecember 1 and then fertilizer containingnitrogen or phosphorus cannot be appliedagain until March 1. All other materials,such as products containing potassium, limeand composts, are still legal to apply duringthe blackout dates. To learn more, go to thehttp://profact.rutgers.edu/Pages/default.aspx

Phase IIIEffective January 2013, all fertilizer

products sold in New Jersey for turf had tocontain at least 20 percent slow-releasenitrogen and zero percent phosphorus

unless a soil test demonstrates a need toadd phosphorus.

Enforcement of this law is the responsi-bility of municipalities, counties, local soilconservation districts and the local healthdepartments. Some highlights of the law,which directs enforcement to the localgovernments, (New Jersey Act, P.L. 2010,c. 112 (C.58:10A-64) are:• A professional fertilizer applicator, who

violates the New Jersey Fertilizer Law, issubject to a civil penalty of $500 for thefirst offense and up to $1,000 for thesecond and subsequent offense. If theviolation continues, each day duringwhich it continues shall constitute anadditional, separate and distinct offense.The Superior Court and the municipalcourt shall have jurisdiction

• Any person, other than a professionalfertilizer applicator or person who sellsfertilizer at retail, who violates this act,or any rule or regulation adoptedpursuant thereto, may be subject to apenalty, as established by municipalordinanceA concerted effort is underway to clean

up waterways all over the State. The NJFertilizer Law is one part of the solution.The fine work of Upper Deerfield showsthat a multifaceted approach can besuccessful over time.

The municipality also adopted a streambuffer ordinance in 2010, installed a greeninfrastructure project in 2016 and conductscontinuing education on native vegetationand fertilizer impacts.

Environmental Commissions can followUpper Deerfield’s example by recommend-ing ordinances, partnering to install raingardens and educating the public. Healthywaters can be the result of many differentfactors including an active environmentalcommission.

www.nj.gov/dep/healthylawnshealthywater/

www.nj.gov/dep/healthylawnshealthywater/


Review by S. T. Carroll, ANJEC Volunteer

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive PlanEver Proposed to Reverse Global Warming

In his review of Drawdown, Joel Makowerwrote: “At minimum, Drawdown is likelythe most hopeful thing you’ll ever readabout our ability to take on global warm-ing.” At a time when we seem to havereached a point of federal immobility onthe climate change front, a hopeful book iswhat we need.

Drawdown, The Most Comprehensive PlanEver Proposed to Reverse Global Warming,edited by Paul Hawken, describes 80solutions (procedures that alreadyexist) and 20 concepts or ideas(“coming attractions”) that theDrawdown Team considers to havethe greatest potential to reduceemissions or sequester carbonfrom the atmosphere. Foreach solution, the bookcalculates the estimatedsavings in greenhouse gasemissions by 2050 and the amountof money needed to purchase, installand operate it over 30 years.

Drawdown measures savings in green-house gases in terms of gigatons (1 billiontons) of CO2. For the 80 solutions de-scribed in this book, the combined totalsavings of CO2 is 1051 gigatons. Forperspective, (and this is a hopeful part)consider that annual emissions of CO2have averaged 36 gigatons gobally in recentyears. The projected emissions savings fromthe solutions are comfortably in excess ofannual emissions. In addition, the total costfor the solutions would be $27 billion butsavings would be $73 billion, a net gain of$46 billion.

The solutions range from a high of 89.74gigatons in emissions reductions to lessthan 1 gigaton. There are several surprises inthe rankings. Solar farms rank only 8th at37 gigatons while the only land transportsolution to make the top 30 is number 26,electric vehicles at 10.8 gigatons. The topfour solutions were refrigeration manage-

ment (89.7 gt), onshore wind turbines(84.6 gt), reduced food waste (70.5

gt) and plant-rich diet (66.1).The plant-rich diet

section containsmy favorite quote

from the book: “Ifcattle were their own

nation, they would bethe world’s third largest

emitter of greenhousegases.My second favorite quote

is from Paul Hawken’s closingwords, which can serve as a

recommendation to read the book:“As researchers, we were and remainastonished at the impact individual solu-tions can have, especially as they relate toboth the production and consumption offood. What we choose to eat,and themethods employed to grow it, rank withenergy as the top causes and cures ofglobal warming. Individual responsibility andopportunity do not stop there: they includehow we manage our homes, how wetransport ourselves, what we purchase,and more.”


N

Make the most ofspring festivals

Jersey City Environmental Commission puts the ANJECgame wheel to good use to engage visitors to a festivalbooth.

By Lyle Landon, ANJEC Development Director

ow is the perfect timeto plan an environmental event foryour town. Many environmentalcommissions (ECs) hold an eventon or around Earth Day or ArborDay, which in 2018 are on April 22and April 27 respectively. Hostingor participating in a fair or festivalcan help you engage with yourcommunity in a neighborly,interesting way and provides anopportunity to educate the publicabout how your community isbecoming greener and buildingresiliency. You can learn moreabout residents’ concerns and recruitvolunteers for EC projects.

Most such events are held on weekendsat a central location, such as a school orpark. Families are often looking for fun andeducational things to do, especially out-doors. Using interactive displays and games,refreshments and entertainment will helpattract a larger audience.

Remember that ANJEC has seven prizewheels and games available for loan ontopics ranging from Cutting Your CarbonFootprint to Habitat Protection. Have youever considered inviting your town’s scienceteachers to create an Eco game or display,with all entries to be showcased at theevent? This is a great way to increaseawareness of your EC as a resource andpartner with large segments of the popula-tion. Here are some tips shared by townsthat have successful environmental fairs:• Brick Township works with their Sustain-

able Committee and the TownshipRecreation Department, and popularbooths include those from Rutgers

Master Gardeners, Jenkinson’s Aquariumand other nonprofits.

• Glen Ridge Environmental Committeehosts an Eco and Art Fair, and featuresmusic by their high school students.

• Blairstown’s Genesis Farms celebrateslocal agriculture with healthy food,hayrides, plant walks and cookingdemonstrations.

• Montclair EC hosts an Arbor Day eventthat includes a Tree Scavenger Hunt andsapling giveaway.

• Livingston’s Eco-Fair at their Senior/Community Center featured a Rot Squaddemonstration about backyardcomposting as a way to help reduce theamount of trash going to landfills.

• Washington Borough celebrates thespring opening of their farmers’ marketwith children’s activities, a petting zooand a butterfly release.We’d like to hear from you about your

town’s successful spring events. Email usat [email protected].


Ribbon cuttingat new trail inJacksonTownshipfunded by anANJEC grant

F

Funding AnnouncementANJEC 2018Open Space GrantProgramBy Elizabeth Ritter, ANJEC Deputy Director

or the fifth consecutive year, ANJECis pleased to announce the continuation ofthe ANJEC Open Space Stewardship Grantsfunded in part by the Sandy Batty GrantFund.

One-year grants of up to $1500 will beavailable to environmental commissions inNew Jersey whose applications are acceptedin 2018. Application materials are nowavailable on the ANJEC website. ANJECexpects to award approximately 15 grantsin 2018.

Completed grant applications are due nolater than Friday, April 13, at 4:30 PM.Successful applicants will be notified byMay 11, 2018. Suitable projects include, but are notlimited to:• pollinator gardens• trail building, signage, maintenance• printed or online guides, maps, invento-

ries of open space, trails• open space or trails assessments, plans,

maps

• multi-town plans to link open space ortrails

• conservation easement inventory,monitoring, outreach, education

• management of invasive species• habitat enhancement on open lands• restoration or maintenance of riparian

areas within preserved public open space• educational stormwater management

projects on preserved public open space.The 2018 program objectives and

application requirements are the same asfor the 2017 grants. No cash match isrequired.

To read the 2018 guidelines and viewexamples of projects funded in previousgrant rounds, visit ANJEC’s grant page atwww.anjec.org/EnvCommissionGrantPrograms.htm.

www.anjec.org/EnvCommissionGrantPrograms.htm


Lechner Scholarshipfor a student in the environmental field

ANJEC Film Lending LibraryANJEC has the following films available to lend to your environmental commis-

sion, school or green team for public screenings:• Bag It! Is Your Life Too Plastic? – An investigation into plastic and its

effect on our waterways• Poisoned Waters – This film shows the kinds of pollution now contami-

nating America’s waterways• Highlands Rediscovered – Explore the history of this heavily-forested NJ

region• King Corn – Addresses questions about how we eat and how we farm.• Groundswell Rising – An inspiring film about the power of community

organizing to protecting our children’s air & water• Flow – How Did a Handful of Corporations Steal Our Water? – An

award-winning documentary• Kilowatt Ours – A Plan to Re-Energize America – Solutions to the great

energy problems of our day• Turning the Tide – A documentary about the Hackensack Meadowlands.

Get more details or request a film by contacting ANJECat [email protected] or calling 973-539-7547.

2016 LechnerScholarhip winner,

Amy Hsieh

ANJEC will award a $1200 scholarship toa New Jersey college student entering his/her junior or senior year. The scholarship isgranted to encourage qualified students topursue a career in a field related to environ-mental protection.

The Lechner Scholarship Fund is a livingmemorial to Hermia Lechner in recognitionof her many years of dedicated service andcontributions to the preservation of openspace and natural resources in New Jersey.

An eligible student must:• be a New Jersey resident;• attend an accredited New Jersey four-year

college or university;• be entering his/her junior or senior year in

the fall of 2018;• be majoring in natural resources, parks

and recreation, environmental law,environmental sciences, or a related field;

• have a cumulative grade point average of3.0 or better;

• have demonstrated an activist role in thepreservation of open space, wildlife orwater resources in NJ; and

• submit a completed Lechner ScholarshipApplication to ANJEC by Friday, May 4,2018. (application and information atwww.anjec.org)The Lechner Scholarship will be awarded

by June 1, 2018. Thewinner will berecognized atANJEC’s annualEnvironmentalCongress on Oct. 12,2018.


Fundamentals for EffectiveEnvironmental Commissions

Saturday, March 109:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Tatum Park, Holland Activity Center206 Holland Road, Middletown


Roxbury Community Center72 Eyland Avenue, Roxbury


Washington Twp. Municipal Building(Gloucester County)

523 Egg Harbor Road, Sewell

Learn how to be an effective member of a municipal environmental commis-sion. ANJEC's 2018 program is newly updated and will include breakoutsessions for experienced and new environmental commissioners. More hands-ontraining and networking opportunity also planned.

Agenda includes:• Responsibilities and powers of an environmental commission

• Funding opportunities for environmental commissions

• Site plan review

• Creating/updating an ERI

• The Municipal Master Plan and the Environmental Commission's role

• Reviewing and updating municipal environmental ordinances

Registration details:

Participation fee: $45 No charge for ANJEC members

To register: Email [email protected] with date of training, name and affiliationor call 973-539-7547.

Not available these dates?Request an ANJEC Road Show. Contact ANJEC for details.


OfficersPresident: Nancy Tindall, Allentown

(Monmouth)Vice President of Operations: Ray Cywinski,

Demarest (Bergen)Vice President for Development: Barbara

Vadnais, Princeton (Mercer)Treasurer: Leonard Berkowitz, Berkeley

Heights (Union)Secretary: Victor DeVasto, Pitman

(Gloucester)Past President: Nelson Dittmar, Jr. ,

Cranford (Union)

BoardNick D'Ambrosio, Montclair (Essex)Lee Farnham, Ewing (Mercer)Thomas Gibbons, Jersey City (Hudson)Liti Haramaty, East Brunswick (Middlesex)Marion McClary, West Milford (Passaic)Cinny MacGonagle, Bethlehem

(Hunterdon)Kenneth Miller, Newark (Essex)Amanda Nesheiwat, Secaucus (Hudson)Steve Souza, Ringoes (Hunterdon)Gary Szelc, Fanwood (Union)Jenine Tankoos, Manalapan (Monmouth)John Thonet, Pittstown (Hunterdon)

Advisory CouncilChris Allyn, Harding (Morris)Kirk Barrett, South Orange (Essex)Michele Bellinger, Mays Landing (Atlantic)Cynthia Berchtold, Cherry Hill (Camden)John Capozucca, Bloomingdale (Passaic)Allan Esenlohr, Green (Sussex)Julie Gandy, Commercial (Cumberland)Marian Glenn, Summit (Union)J. Geoffrey Gollin, Holmdel (Monmouth)Joy Grafton, Edison (Middlesex)Priscilla Hayes, Robbinsville (Mercer)Blanche Hoffman, Edison (Middlesex)Janet Larson, Toms River (Ocean)Martha Lieblich, Leonia (Bergen)David Moskowitz, East Brunswick

(Middlesex)

Advisory Council continuedRenee Resky, Livingston (Essex)Bruce Riede, Ridgefield (Bergen)Karen Riede, Ridgefield (Bergen)Sandy Siegel, Maywood (Bergen)Peg Van Patton, Hillsborough (Somerset)Nancy Wysocki, Haworth (Bergen)

ANJEC StaffJennifer M. Coffey, Executive DirectorElizabeth Ritter, Deputy DirectorLyle Landon, Membership and Develop-

ment DirectorKaren Buchanan, Financial ManagerJody Carrara, Coastal Planning Project

DirectorN. Dini Checko, Resource CenterMichele Gaynor, Resource CenterJulie Lange Groth, Media DirectorSheila Baker Gujral, Resource CenterDavid Peifer, Highlands Project DirectorCheryl Reardon, South Jersey Bayshore

Project DirectorLou Ann Rosenthal, Administration

ANJEC VolunteersCandace Ashmun, Environmental Summit

VolunteerAnn Campbell, Web Site VolunteerSteve Carroll, Resource Center VolunteerAnn Marchioni, EarthShare VolunteerMatthew Hanks, Media Volunteer

ANJEC people 2018


Your town can help move New Jerseytoward an EV-friendly future

ANJEC is a proud partner of ChargEVC, a nonprofit organization working toprovide leadership, resources, research and advocacy to advance electricvehicle programs and policies in New Jersey.Associate membership in ChargEVC is now being offered to municipalities,environmental commissions, green teams, and other local groups who wantto be at the vanguard of this important movement. Individuals can alsobecome members. Benefits of membership include:

• alerts about available funding and promotional programs for EVcharging infrastructure;

• a Municipal Guide, which outlines template resolutions, modelordinances, and other helpful content to assist municipalities;

• a weekly summary of media reporting on developments in the EV field;• access to the EV studies and plans developed by ChargEVC;• updates on the electric vehicle market in New Jersey;• advocacy opportunities at the State level for programs and policies.

Municipal membership dues are $100 annually and membership for individu-als costs $50. Find more information at www.chargevc.org/how-to-join/.

The ANJEC Report welcomes submissions or suggestions fromour readers.• Is there a topic or issue you'd like us to write about?• Have you recently completed a project that would be of interest

to other local environmentalists?• Would you like to author an article in your area of expertise?

If so, please let us hear from you. Your input is valuable. Justemail the editor at [email protected].

Got an idea for the ANJEC Report?

ANJEC is proud to be a member of Earth Share New Jersey.

For more informationcontact ANJEC at (973) 539-7547

Lead the charge!


Standing againstoffshore drilling

n Valentine's Day in Hamilton,NJ, ANJEC, Clean Ocean Action, and manyother nonprofits held their own publichearing in the same facility as the Bureauof Ocean Energy Management publicmeeting on President Trump's proposal to

O drill for oil and gas off the Jersey shoreand the entire eastern seaboard. Hundredsattended in opposition to the drilling.Thank you to Governor Phil Murphy andFirst lady Tammy Murphy, Senator BobMenendez, Senator Cory Booker, Con-gressman Frank Pallone Jr., CongressmanChris Smith, State Senator LindaGreenstein, Assemblywoman NancyPinkin, and Assemblyman Andrew Zwickerfor joining us in person and via video fromaround State and Washington DC. We areall united in opposition to drilling off theJersey Shore.



DID YOU KNOW?

ANJEC training is an importantbenefit of membership.

Our courses, workshops, webinars, road shows and conferences provide top-notch training for local environmentalists and offer a robust forum for sharinginformation and success stories among towns.

Members are eligible for free workshops around the state including ANJEC’sannual Fundamentals for Effective EC’s Course. Members also receive discountedadmission to:

• Road shows on topics of your choice, delivered at your location

• The annual ANJEC Environmental Congress

• And more!

A real bargain!ANJEC membership is a bargain for any town.Find out more at www.anjec.org/EnvCommMember.htm.

ANJEC's Dave Peifer talks about ERIs at an ANJEC training for environmental commissioners.


Paperless ANJEC Report available!Instead of waiting for the US Mail, ANJEC members can receive the quarterly ANJECReport via email! Benefits include:

• earlier delivery (one to three weeks ahead of the mailed version);• easy, one-click links to articles and references;• easily downloaded onto your electronic reading device.

You will also help us reduce the magazine’s carbon footprint by eliminating some ofthe paper, printing chemicals and transportation involved with producing our maga-zine.

To sign up for a members-only subscriptionto the paperless ANJEC Report just contact us at

[email protected] or call (973) 539-7547.

ur newest resource paper offers 16 pages of helpful information forenvironmental commissions about caring for septic systems in your town, including:

• Why municipalities should care about septic systems• Recognizing the warning

signs of septic system failure• Taking action: The 5 levels of

protection• Sample ordinances from NJ

towns• Septic system owner educa-

tion references• And much more!

This is the only publicationavailable that addresses septicsystem management for munici-palities. It's available for downloadfrom the ANJEC website atwww.ANJEC.org/pdfs/SepticSystemMgt.pdf

New ANJEC resource paperSeptic Systems,Clean Water and YourMunicipalityO




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a biweekly e-newsletter forenvironmental commissionsand others who care about

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Network with ANJECSocial networking can offer important tools for staying connected, getting

news out quickly and gathering feedback in a world where people have manychoices for how they communicate. That’s why ANJEC is on both Facebookand Twitter. We’d love to highlight your town’s successes on our Facebookpage, so please “like” us at www.facebook.com/ANJECpage and then post yourcommission or green team events, activities and accomplishments. And if youuse Twitter (www.twitter.com), please follow @ANJECtweets and we’ll returnthe favor!



• Wetland Delineations• Ecological Impact Assessments

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTSJill Stein Dodds

President

[email protected](908) 996-3214

• Endangered Species Surveys• Wildlife Inventories/Studies• Habitat Mitigation Proposals

• Photography• Expert Testimony

[email protected]

877-NYC-WS88

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EPA RecommendedReclaimed Concrete is Recycled

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guide to sustainable landscaping in New

Jersey. Get the information you need to

create a low-maintenance landscape that

is beautiful, healthy, and cost-effective.

Use the searchable Plant Database to

create a custom plant list for your property.

The Jersey-Friendly Yards website was

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with a grant from the NJDEP.

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ANJEC REPORT – Winter 2018 35SUSTAINABLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER ANJEC REPORT – Winter 2018 35SUSTAINABLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

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Thanks to ANJEC Supporters

PSEGAtlantic City Electric

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

Environmental Strategy ConsultantsProject Management Support and Services

TheNomadGroup.com (973) [email protected]

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ANJEC REPORT – Winter 2018 36



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Documents

Local Environment Matters WINTER 2018 · 4 ANJEC REPORT – Winter 2018 2 Director’s Report 4 NY/NJ Baykeeper’s oyster reef naturally reproduces baby oysters in Raritan Bay 6