DEP will partner with entities such as Sustainable Jersey, other nonprofit organizations, and Barnegat Bay educators to create a comprehensive bay-friendly stewardship program. The program will focus on improving water quality by assisting communities, golf courses, businesses and residents in actions that they can take to lessen their individual and community impact on the bay and will include the collection and packaging of the many well-done products that have been developed for the region in the past by various educators. This past work will help to create the solid foundation needed to develop and implement a successful and comprehensive program.

In addition to the leveraging the work of so many Barnegat Bay educators past and present, this new program will also be informed by the above referenced Municipal Compliance Assistance Program with the vision of being able to assist municipalities in effectively meeting their educational requirements in their Municipal Stormwater General Permits and to extend, through voluntary action, the involvement to non-regulated members of the community such as schools and small business.

• Action: Develop water focused stewardship programs modified for Barnegat Bay


• Lead: DEP – Division of Water Monitoring and Standards and environmental advocacy groups


• Partners: Sustainablity Institute at the College of New Jersey, Barnegat Bay Partnership, Save Barnegat Bay, and ReClam the Bay


• Progress:
  • $100,000 Water Quality Restoration Grant to develop and implement a Bay Friendly Stewardship Certification Program to actively engage community stakeholders in changing their behaviors to manage stormwater and reduce non-point source pollution. Funding has been awarded to Barnegat Bay Partnership in state fiscal year 2018.
  
  
  • $100,000 Water Quality Restoration Grant to expand Save Barnegat Bay’s existing Nonpoint Education of Municipal Officers (NEMO) and Municipal Stormwater Outreach programs to encourage non-point source problem-solving through development of Barnegat Bay specific education and outreach tools for Barnegat Bay municipalities. Funding awarded to Save Barnegat Bay in state fiscal year 2018.