Watershed Management

DIVISION: Land Use
GENERAL PHONE NUMBER: (609) 984-0058
FAX NUMBER: (609) 633-0750
WEB SITE

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Division of Watershed Management (DWM) implements statewide non-point source (NPS) pollution control and comprehensive water resource management on a watershed basis using a rule-based approach for preventing water quality degradation. The division employs regulations to achieve its goal, and an action-based approach to remedy existing water quality problems, employing Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) determinations, NPS control (319) projects, and stream restoration efforts.

The Bureau of Environmental Analysis and Restoration develops technical “tools” for the use of the DWM and its partners in watershed planning, protection and restoration. Among those tools are the development of TMDLs, the writing of rules and regulations including Stormwater Management Rules, Water Quality Management Planning Rules, Sewage Infrastructure Improvement Rules and portions of the Highlands Rules. Other tools include the development of environmental standards, technical or administrative guidance documents for rule implementation, model ordinances, and best management practices (BMPs).

The Bureau of Watershed Planning consolidates the voluntary watershed partnership aspects of the DWM, focusing on watershed restoration plans that provide a specific blueprint for the restoration and protection of a waterbody, and the projects that implement those restoration plans. The functions of this bureau include the provision of technical support to independent watershed organizations, associations and local and county government units, and the administration of federal NPS control pass-through grant programs. The bureau also promotes the voluntary implementation of departmenta; initiatives such as TMDLs, source water protection, and septic management plans.

The Bureau of Watershed Regulation uses their regulatory authority to implement departmental policy including TMDLs, source water protection, critical habitat protection and water supply protection through water quality and wastewater planning. Staff work with state, regional and local agencies to make land use plans consistent with the water quality and environmental protection objectives of the department. Responsibilities include Water Quality Management Plans (WQMP) and Wastewater Management Plan reviews and consistency determinations, stormwater management reviews, and Highlands applicability and WQMP consistency determinations under the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act.

MONETARY ASSISTANCE PROVIDED:

The Clean Water Act (CWA) section 319 (h) authorizes USEPA to grant money to states, territories and Indian tribes to address Non-point Source (NPS) Pollution. These funds are used to implement programs and projects designed to reduce non-point source pollution.
The Clean Water Act (CWA) section 604(b) allows the NJDEP to receive federal funds to be passed through to county and regional planning entities for water quality management related planning. These grants have been to counties for the purposes of preparing Water Quality Management Plans and Smart Growth implementation.

Visit www.nj.gov/dep/watershedmgt/financial_resources.htm for more information about these and other grant programs.

PERMITTING RESPONSIBILITIES:

The division administers the Water Quality Management (WQM) Planning rules, N.J.A.C. 7:15 in conjunction with the WQM Plan, which together constitute the Continuing Planning Process conducted pursuant to the Water Quality Planning Act, N.J.S.A. 58:11A-1 et seq., the Water Pollution Control Act, N.J.S.A. 58:10A-1 et seq., and N.J.S.A. 13:1D-1 et seq., and as required by Sections 303(e) and 208 of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.). According to these rules, the commissioner of the department shall not undertake, or authorize through the issuance of a permit, any project or activity that affects water quality and conflicts with the applicable sections of adopted WQM Plans or the WQM Planning rules. The existing rules establish a mechanism for the determination of consistency between proposed projects or activities requiring departmentally issued permits and the WQM Plans. In addition, procedures for the modification of water quality management plans, when necessary, either through amendment or revision are also specified. Please refer to the web site for additional information www.nj.gov/dep/watershedmgt/wqmps.htm.

PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE:

Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (BMP manual), developed to provide guidance to address the standards in the Stormwater Management Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:8 is available at www.njstormwater.org.

Nonpoint Source reports are available at www.nj.gov/dep/watershedmgt/nps_program.htm.

Many more publications and documents relating to education, stormwater and NPS pollution, TMDLs and the WQMP process are available at www.nj.gov/dep/watershedmgt/publications.htm.