The Bureau of Environmental Analysis, Restoration and Standards is responsible for conducting and coordinating environmental stewardship, water quality analysis and restoration, water quality standards development, water quality management planning and other activities designed to protect, maintain and enhance water quality for all waters of the State in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act, New Jersey Water Pollution Control Act, and New Jersey Water Quality Management Planning Act.
BEARS provides the scientific foundation for restoration and protection of New Jersey’s water resources so that all of the state’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters are fishable, swimmable and support healthy ecosystems and so all of the freshwater resources are clean sources of drinking water.
The Continuing Planning Process (CPP) is broadly accomplished throughout the DEP and includes a Statewide implementation strategy to achieve water quality standards and objectives for the management of water quality and wastewater. These regulatory and non-regulatory strategies are identified in the CPP document.
BEARS is responsible for conducting and coordinating environmental stewardship, maintaining clean shorelines, water quality analysis and restoration, and water quality standards programs and activities designed to protect, maintain and enhance water quality for all waters of the State in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act, New Jersey Water Pollution Control Act, and New Jersey Water Quality Planning Act. BEARS develops, promotes and supports community-based environmental stewardship programs like the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program, Community Water Monitoring, and the Watershed Education and Urban Fishing Program, which are designed to raise public awareness about watershed issues and promote watershed stewardship through hands-on experience.
BEARS conducts water quality assessment of all waters of the State, including assessment of data collected by non-departmental entities (e.g., regional and local government agencies and community water monitoring organizations), and determining the causes and sources of water quality impairment. Assessment results are reported every two years in the New Jersey Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (Integrated Report), which includes the Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Waters (303(d) List). BEARS is also responsible for determining the pollutant reductions needed for restoration of water quality, through the development and implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) or Watershed Based Plans (WBPs) to restore water quality. The Beach Monitoring Program ensures coastal water quality is safe for recreational bathing.
