If you missed the hearings, you still have a chance to submit comments and share your concerns. May 15 is the deadline for submitting written comments to the NJDEP on the River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant plan and Adams Road Wastewater Treatment Plant plan.

Please take this opportunity to let the NJDEP and the NHSA (local wastewater treatment plant) know that reducing polluted sewage overflows into the Hudson River and sewage backups into streets and homes must be done effectively, equitably, and affordably. Most importantly, let them know that we cannot wait until 2045 to address this problem, especially with ever-increasing precipitation and sea level rise! 

A combined sewer overflow discharge into a river. Photo source: Getty Images

Keep it short and sweet! Even a short email expressing your concern for the extended implementation timeline and the need for clear and stringent processes to ensure the public—especially overburdened communities—are fully engaged in the implementation, will make a difference.

Whether you live in Hudson County or another New Jersey community, please join the effort and share your input with NJDEP by Monday, May 15. (Please let us know if you sent your comments, so we can thank you! Email info@sewagefreenj.org)

Do you need help formulating your comments? Email Suzanne Aptman, program manager, at saptman@njfuture.org.

Submit written comments by May 15 via mail to: dwq_bswp@dep.nj.gov or via postal to: Comments on Public Notice NJ0029084 and/or NJ0108715, Mail Code 401-02B, Division of Water Quality, Bureau of Surface Water & Pretreatment Permitting, P.O. Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420.

 On April 12, community organizations and community members gathered virtually to prepare for the April 17 NJDEP virtual hearing on the aforementioned CSO permits. This workshop/community meeting—hosted in collaboration with the Jersey Water Works CSO Committee—was an opportunity to learn about CSOs, the permitting process, and discuss best practices for advocacy. An expert panel consisting of Michele Langa of NY/NJ Baykeeper, Nicole Miller of MnM Consulting, and Vin Rubino of Wade Trim Associates shared their knowledge and inspiration. More webinars will come in 2023!

On April 17, the public participated in the NJDEP Virtual Hearings to make the case for sewage-free streets and for protecting the Hudson River from raw sewage discharges. It was a great show of support!

BIG NEWS THIS EARTH WEEK: On April 17, 2023—two and a half years after it was signed into law, Governor Phil Murphy announced the final adoption of regulations to implement New Jersey’s landmark Environmental Justice (EJ) Law. The law is the first in the nation to require permit denials if an environmental justice analysis determines a new facility will have a disproportionately negative impact on overburdened communities. Learn more here.

Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers has some wonderful partner organizations. Check out some of their great work below!

The NY/NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) has several new grants that are open and currently accepting applications. These opportunities are aimed at addressing different infrastructure needs spread across the estuary, including projects that promote climate resiliency, habitat restoration, and public engagement, especially in overburdened communities.

New Jersey Future and APA New Jersey are proud to present the annual New Jersey Planning and Redevelopment three-day conference convening virtually on June 21–22 and in person on June 23 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick. The conference will feature a multitude of timely session offerings as we reimagine land use in a rapidly changing and post-pandemic environment. Register here.

In every newsletter, we take the opportunity to highlight the amazing organizations that are part of the Kresge Foundation’s Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) program. This month, we highlight the work of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, who recently released a great report examining shifting rainfall amounts due to climate change across five cities and their community planning efforts. The cities examined are Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; South Bend, Indiana; and Buffalo, New York. The report was funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund.