| Vision of New Jersey in the Year 2020 In the Year 2020, decades of progressive environmental initiatives have made New Jersey a cleaner and healthier place to live and work. The economics and environmental advantages of sustainable development and pollution prevention have turned out to be productive common ground for business and environmentalists. Well-planned mixed-use communities have reduced land consumption, habitat loss, vehicle miles traveled, toxic emissions and demand for energy and other resources. The quality of the air we breathe is better. Emissions of toxins, including heavy metals such as mercury, have been dramatically reduced. In 2005, the state met its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 3.5% below those of 1990 and has achieved even greater reductions in the following 15 years. The incidence of respiratory conditions and other diseases caused by diesel particulates, aerosols and smog has declined dramatically. There are fewer carbon monoxide “hot spots” as a result of better land use planning, reliance on mass transit and new transportation technologies. Traffic congestion and ozone production has been reduced. In our cities, the planting of street trees and use of other heat- reducing materials on rooftops and street surfaces has proven successful in reducing the “heat island” effect, saving energy and improving comfort. Due to improved mass transit systems and advancements in engineering, automobile trips and mileage are down, reducing the overall consumption of fossil fuels. Vehicles, buildings and industrial processes are more energy-efficient, and alternative local energy sources are used in many areas. Energy consumption per capita has steadily declined as energy-efficient community design, construction techniques, appliances and weatherization of existing buildings have become commonplace.
Improvements in air quality have reduced the deposition of pollutants to the state’s waters and, consequently, the number of water bodies experiencing eutrophication. Watershed based planning, increased inter-municipal cooperation, and improved site disturbance measures have reduced nonpoint source pollution, especially sedimentation in streams, lakes and reservoirs, and improved the protection of well fields and aquifer recharge areas. The public is appreciative of the pollution threat posed by nonpoint source pollution—now known as “pointless pollution”—and has worked to modify behavior patterns of businesses and residents. For example, integrated pest management has become a general practice and the overfertilization of lawns is now a rare occurrence. As a result, there has been a corresponding reduction in organic matter, heavy metals, nutrients and synthetic organics in stormwater runoff. Local efforts to minimize site disturbance and soil compaction have reduced runoff, preserved larger areas of vegetative cover, and enhanced aquifer recharge. Changes in landscaping practices also reflect an increased use of native species, in recognition of their lower maintenance needs and sustainability.
Changes in the regulatory system support and encourage wastewater treatment systems that are innovatively designed, adequately funded and properly operated to ensure high effluent quality and prevent degradation of the ground or surface waters to which they discharge. New, alternative wastewater technologies are being approved and used in smaller Centers to encourage and enable compact forms of development. Technological improvements and increased demand have resulted in lower costs for installation and operation of these systems. Septic management programs have been developed to assure that septic tanks are pumped out on a regular basis. The reduction in septic system failures and the increase in water quality in local streams and water bodies has been dramatic wherever such measures have been implemented. Today, the state’s river miles support healthy, sustainable biological communities. The goal of “fishable and swimmable” state waters has been met. Along New Jersey’s coast, beach closings are a dim memory, and annual beach cleanups collect less trash each year. Spotting dolphins in back bays and tidal rivers, and migrating whales just off the beach, is no longer a novelty. Local governments have ensured infrastructure integrity and separated stormwater and wastewater systems, preventing untreated wastes from polluting the coast. Subsequently, more shellfish beds are open now than in the past 50 years. Baymen are comparing blueclaw crab catches with those of the early 20th century, and fisherman have no trouble catching their limit. This has also yielded economic benefits to marine-related industries from boat builders and commercial fishing to bait and tackle shops. Herons and swans are now nesting in the lower reaches of the Hackensack and Passaic rivers, where before they were only visitors on their way to more hospitable nesting sites. Statewide, the loss of identified critical resources, including critical slope areas and wetlands, has slowed dramatically since their contribution to scenic character, water quality, erosion control and species habitat has become widely appreciated. Cleanup and restoration of previously degraded wetland systems as part of a variety of incentive programs, including brownfields, has been very successful in restoring natural functions and ecosystem integrity. The recycling effort that began in the 1970s eventually led to wider application of the principle to “reduce, reuse and recycle.” Industries, businesses and residents have modified their processes and behavior to conserve and reduce their use of water, energy and other resources. Source reduction has become the byword in New Jersey’s business community as well as at the checkout counter. The state’s recycling goal was surpassed some years ago as New Jersey’s chemical industry pioneered innovative solutions to plastics recycling, and manufacturers reduced packaging materials or redesigned their products for reuse and recyclability. Responding to public interest, government agencies reinforced this effort by requiring reduced packaging, recycled materials and source reduction as conditions of all governmental contracts. There are now several regional facilities that remanufacture recycled materials and dispose of the residue from recycling. Spin-off companies have developed around reprocessing plastics for insulation, and for the construction and textile industries. The idea of sustainability is becoming the reality of economic progress. Paper and metal recycling remain high as the recycling loop continues to close with increased use of recycled materials in manufacturing processes. Industrial demand for waste stream separation has made the isolation of composting material more cost-effective and much of our household waste now naturally fertilizes gardens and community landscaping, helping to keep unwanted synthetic organic compounds out of our waterways. The need for toxic and hazardous waste disposal has declined, due in part to the chemical industry’s efforts to reduce toxic components in products, along with improved recovery and recycling techniques. But the legacy of past methods of waste disposal still requires significant resources to protect public health and restore degraded landscapes. Old landfills are still being closed out and tested to see if they are safe for new uses. New Jersey leads the nation in the cleanup and reuse of former brownfields and Superfund sites. In addition to legislation limiting liability following state-approved site remediation, technological improvements in site cleanup and the integration of cleanup activities with area-wide planning for redevelopment have greatly aided the return of land with existing infrastructure to viable commercial and industrial uses. |
Goal #4: Protect the Environment, Prevent and Clean Up Pollution
Strategy
Develop standards of performance and create incentives to prevent and reduce pollution and toxic emissions at the source, in order to conserve resources and protect public health. Promote the development of businesses that provide goods and services that eliminate pollution and toxic emissions or reduce resource depletion. Actively pursue public/private partnerships, the latest technology and strict enforcement to prevent toxic emissions and clean up polluted air, land and water without shifting pollutants from one medium to another; from one geographic location to another; or from one generation to another. Promote ecologically designed development and redevelopment in the Metropolitan and Suburban Planning Areas and accommodate ecologically designed development in Centers in the Fringe, Rural and Environmentally Sensitive Planning Areas, to reduce automobile usage; land, water and energy consumption; and to minimize impacts on public health and biological systems, water and air quality. Plant and maintain trees and native vegetation. Reduce waste and reuse and recycle materials through demanufacturing and remanufacturing.
Background
Air
Quality and Energy
Over
the past 30 years, as sources of air pollution have been
identified and solutions implemented, air quality in New
Jersey has improved. However, widespread exposure to high
ozone levels in the summer and toxic air pollutants
in localized areas are still serious concerns because
of their potential effects on human health. Children,
the aged, and health-compromised individuals are especially
susceptible to the effects of air pollution. Because air
pollution can damage the respiratory system and other
organs, air quality health standards have been set nationally
for six of the most common pollutants: ground-level ozone,
particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide and lead.
| Climate Change New Jersey’s role in contributing to global climate change is being examined in the state’s first ever inventory of greenhouse gas emissions. Of these emissions, about 87% are from fossil fuel burning, with more than half generated by transportation, and nearly 9% came from methane mostly emitted by landfills. New Jersey is heavily dependent on fossil-fuel derived energy, an expensive fuel source whose availability is vulnerable to conditions in oil-producing nations. For these reasons, we need to promote every possible means to conserve energy by using energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy resources, and passive solar energy including the use of trees and other landscaping for shade. |
New Jersey is part of four major airsheds, each of which is associated with a metropolitan area (New York, Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Allentown-Bethlehem). Within each airshed, air quality is affected by both local emissions and by pollution that is transported into the area by the prevailing winds. Within New Jersey, there are many pollution sources which can generally be categorized as mobile sources (vehicles), stationary sources (factories, power plants, etc.), and area sources (such as consumer products, gasoline stations, and home heating systems). In addition to affecting air quality and human respiratory health, the contaminants emitted by these sources can harm water quality and ecosystem health.
Overall, air quality in New Jersey has been improving as a result of new, low emission advanced technology vehicles, reformulated fuels, higher car emission standards, more efficient manufacturing processes and cleaner industrial emissions. Ongoing vigilance, supported by the national Clean Air Act and its amendments and many state regulations, is responsible for much of the improvement. Transportation accounts for nearly a third of all energy consumed in New Jersey and all of that energy is derived from fossil fuels. Residential and commercial buildings account for over 40% of all energy consumed in New Jersey and an estimated 75% of that is from fossil fuels.The use of fossil fuels for energy is a key part of what makes the land use— transportation—air quality connection so explicit and so important in New Jersey. And although New Jersey residents use less energy per capita than residents of other northeastern states, the opportunities for energy conservation (and reduced use of imported fossil fuels as a result) are still substantial.
Water
and Soil Resources
Approximately
one half of New Jersey's population drinks water from
streams, rivers and reservoirs and the rest rely on
water from wells and ground water sources. Since 1972,
in excess of $5 billion has been spent to improve sewage
treatment, and additional funds have been spent on advanced
pretreatment of industrial waste flows to ensure that
point discharges to stream and rivers, and ground water,
meet appropriate standards. The quality of New Jersey's
drinking water has improved substantially as a result.
In 1995, 97% of all the community water systems met all
of the microbial standards and 89% met all of the chemical
standards. Since 1985 when New Jersey began a volatile
organic chemical (VOC) monitoring program, the number
of community water systems with no detection of VOCs above
the respective standards has increased from 80% to about
93%. Such tests measure over 25% of the contaminants that
are currently regulated in New Jersey's drinking water,
including five that are not regulated nationally, and
12 that are regulated at levels more stringent than national
standards. Ground water quality across the state is generally
very good. However, at some locations ground water is
contaminated by nonpoint sources—including, but not limited
to, excess fertilizers and pesticides, poorly functioning
septic systems and animal wastes—and by naturally occurring
contaminants such as radon and radium. Elevated levels
of mercury have been found in numerous private drinking
water wells and saltwater threatens some freshwater
wells.
| Watershed-based Planning New Jersey has over 100 small watersheds which have been grouped into 20 management areas. The Department of Environmental Protection has initiated a watershed planning process in each of these management areas to encourage and guide public advisory groups through a watershed management process. The objective of the program is to characterize each area and develop appropriate management plans for land use and water quality protection based on local conditions and local participation. The goal is to achieve clean and plentiful, fishable and swimmable water across the state. |
Nonpoint source pollution, including atmospheric deposition
to water and soil, is currently recognized as being
a very large contributor to water quality problems.
|
|
Land use, the way land is developed and managed, is the most potent tool in addressing this issue. For example, much of the water-borne nonpoint source pollution reaching New Jersey’s streams is sediment which eventually reaches the state’s major rivers and ports and accelerates the need to dredge. Thus, land development practices that permit removal of natural stream buffers and building in flood plains, exacerbate the siltation of rivers, ports and harbors, and ultimately impact the economy of the state. Atmospheric deposition from vehicles is directly related to vehicle miles traveled (VMT), which is a function of the amount of driving required for work trips and goods delivery. Advanced technology vehicles which do not use fossil fuel as an energy source and shorter travel distances and more alternatives to single-rider vehicular transportation can reduce air pollution. Travel distances can be reduced by optimal siting of larger residential, commercial and industrial developments and by compact development forms.
| Stormwater management plans and local ordinances for landscaping and pet waste reduction can minimize the amount of pollutants that storm events carry to receiving waters. |
In addition to land development practices, management practices can also have a positive effect on reducing nonpoint pollution. Stormwater management plans and local ordinances for landscaping and pet waste reduction, for example, can minimize the amount of pollutants that storm events carry to receiving waters. Similarly, efforts to promote proper maintenance of private septic systems can greatly reduce threats of bacterial contamination to wells and streams.
Waste
Management, Recycling and Brownfields
The
location and off-site impacts of waste management activities
intersect with State Plan concerns for urban revitalization,
beneficial economic growth, truck traffic and congestion,
air quality and water quality.
In 1976, the Legislature placed primary responsibility for planning and implementing solid waste programs with each of the 21 counties.The designation of counties as planning units, or “wastesheds” enabled regional planning to take place.The state, in turn, adopted “waste flow” regulations which directed each municipality to a specific disposal facility. These regulations served as the “glue” which held the county plans together and enabled counties to move away from reliance on open dumps and to finance the construction of modern landfills and energy recovery incinerators based on a guaranteed flow of solid waste. Ultimately, our counties constructed 30 new, long-term solid waste facilities consisting of 13 modern landfills, 5 energy recovery facilities, and 12 transfer stations.
 |
The
former site of the Ward Baking Company has been
converted into an apartment complex that offers
afforable and spacious housing units.This brownfield
site on the East Orange-Newark border had remained
idle for 13 years before its rehabilitation gave
it new life and a place back on the local tax
rolls. |
In 1994, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that a local flow control ordinance in New York was unconstitutional. New Jersey’s own waste flow case, Atlantic Coast Demolition and Recycling, was heard in federal court. Ultimately, the court found state waste flow laws unconstitutional insofar as they discriminate against out-of-state solid waste facilities. Administrative or legislative action is needed to deal with the future of solid waste planning in New Jersey as a result of the ruling.
New Jersey continues to be a national leader in recycling. As of the end of 1995, New Jersey had met its target of recycling 60 percent of the total municipal solid waste stream but reduced to 55 percent by 1999. Some 13,500 private sector jobs and $1.3 billion in value added to New Jersey’s economy are directly attributable to recycling. However, the key to long-term solid waste management is reducing the household and commercial waste stream. Composting, on both a community and household basis, is being used in several communities in the state to reduce the need for landfills or incineration.
There were over 13,500 sites on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s list of Known Contaminated Sites by March 2001. Many more sites remain underutilized because of perceived contamination. Without minimizing the importance of removing risks to the public’s health, we should also note that perceptions play a big part in how contaminated sites, ranging from a leaking household heating oil tank to a 150-year-old industrial site, are treated. A concerted effort is under way to sort out which sites pose a serious and immediate threat to public health and which can be remediated quickly and without extensive further investigation. Further, we should look at community and neighborhood risks and opportunities.
Brownfields constitute a distinct group of sites which are, or are perceived to be, contaminated. They are industrial or commercial sites, most of them in cities or older suburban or rural municipalities. Most were served by a full complement of infrastructure systems at one time, although some of those systems may no longer be in operation. Because brownfields sites are either vacant or underutilized, their full economic potential is not being realized. The New Jersey Brownfields Redevelopment Task Force, an 11-member commission staffed by the Office of State Planning, is leading concerted efforts currently under way to capitalize on this potential.
Related PlansOther plans, programs and reports related to protecting the environment and preventing and cleaning up pollution include:
- New Jersey Energy Master Plan (New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, 1995). Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27F-14, the Energy Master Plan Committee is responsible for the preparation, adoption and revision of the master plans for the production, distribution and conservation of energy in New Jersey.
- State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Attainment and Maintenance of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (Submitted annually by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990). Non-attainment states, such as New Jersey, are required to obtain approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a plan addressing a schedule of actions the state will take to become compliant with the standards for ozone, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. The Department of Transportation shares responsibility for the SIP by developing transportation control measures as part of the submission.
- New Jersey Statewide Water Quality Management Plan (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 1985). The Statewide Water Quality Management Plan was adopted in 1985 in response to the federal Clean Water Act which requires states to prepare water quality plans for all surface waters and to have a “continuous planning process.” The plan provides a standard for limiting the impacts of various projects and activities upon water quality.
- District Solid Waste Management Plans (various). Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 13:1E-21 each county and the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission (HMDC) are required to develop and maintain a plan for the inventory of sources of waste, projections of waste for a period of 10 years, an inventory of disposal facilities, an analysis of collection and routing systems, identification of an implementation agent within the district, a statement of the solid waste strategy to be utilized within the district to manage solid waste generated in said district and a site plan including all existing and projected disposal sites within the district (county or HMDC).
- Source Water Assessment Program Plan (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 1999). This plan for assessing the susceptibility of source water intakes to impairment was submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1999 as the first step towards developing a protection plan. The assessment will provide information on the potential hazards and dangers to the existing water supply structure so that county and municipal governments and water suppliers, working together in a watershed management framework, can implement appropriate land use and management practices for source water protection.
- County
and Municipal Master Plans (in addition to the Land
Use Element):
- Utility Service Plan Element: An optional master plan element under the Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D–28b(5)) for municipal master plans “analyzing the need for and showing the future general location of water supply and distribution facilities, drainage and flood control facilities, sewerage and waste treatment, solid waste disposal and provision for other related utilities, and including any stormwater management plan required pursuant to the provisions of …N.J.S.A. 40:55D–93 et seq.”
- Recycling Plan Element: A mandatory master plan element under the Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D–28b(12)) for municipal master plans “which incorporates the State Recycling Plan goals, including provisions for the collection, disposition and recycling of recyclable materials…within any development proposal for the construction of 50 or more units of single-family housing or 25 or more units of multi-family residential housing and any commercial or industrial development proposal for the utilization of 1,000 square feet or more of land.”
Related Policies
Statewide Policies most closely related to protect the environment are found under:
- Water Resources
- Waste Management, Recycling and Brownfields
- Air Resources
- Energy