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Increasingly, however, these valuable ecosystems are vulnerable to a wide range of harmful algal blooms (HABs). While algae are a natural and essential part of aquatic ecosystems, certain environmental conditions can cause some species to grow excessively, leading to ecological damage, public health risks, and economic losses. Understanding what HABs are, what drives them, and how nature‑based restoration strategies can prevent or mitigate blooms is essential to supporting the long‑term resilience of New Jersey’s coastal environments. What Are Algae and When Do They Become Harmful? The term "algae" is ecological rather than taxonomic and encompasses a diverse group of organisms, including eukaryotic algae, such as diatoms and dinoflagellates, and prokaryotic cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue‑green algae. Algae are not inherently harmful. In fact, they provide critical ecosystem services, including:
From tidal estuaries and back bays to nearshore marine waters, New Jersey’s coastal environments support fisheries, recreation, wildlife, and local economies. Increasingly, however, these valuable ecosystems are vulnerable to a wide range of harmful algal blooms (HABs). While algae are a natural and essential part of aquatic ecosystems, certain environmental conditions can cause some species to grow excessively, leading to ecological damage, public health risks, and economic losses.
Understanding what HABs are, what drives them, and how nature‑based restoration strategies can prevent or mitigate blooms is essential to supporting the long‑term resilience of New Jersey’s coastal environments.
The term "algae" is ecological rather than taxonomic and encompasses a diverse group of organisms, including eukaryotic algae, such as diatoms and dinoflagellates, and prokaryotic cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue‑green algae. Algae are not inherently harmful. In fact, they provide critical ecosystem services, including:
Phytoplankton are microscopic, free‑floating algae found in freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments. Scientists estimate there are 20,000 to more than 100,000 phytoplankton species, but only a small fraction—roughly 100 to 300 species—are capable of forming toxin‑producing harmful algal blooms. Problems arise when these species proliferate rapidly under favorable conditions. These blooms can become harmful when they produce toxins, deplete oxygen, shade submerged vegetation, or otherwise disrupt ecosystem function.
While most harmful algal blooms are caused by phytoplankton, large, fast‑growing macroalgae can also create serious environmental and economic challenges when conditions allow them to proliferate. A well‑known example is Sargassum, a floating seaweed that can form extensive mats across the ocean surface. During periods of rapid growth, these mats can block sunlight from reaching coral reefs and other sensitive habitats. When Sargassum washes ashore in large quantities, it can deter tourism and recreation. As the algae decomposes, it releases hydrogen sulfide gas, producing strong odors that make nearby coastal areas unpleasant to visit. While Sargassum blooms occur most summers along the coast of south Florida, the severity and extent of these events vary considerably from year to year.
HABs can form in freshwater systems, brackish estuaries, and coastal marine waters, and they are particularly dangerous with myriad when they produce toxins that affect humans, pets, livestock, fish, shellfish, and wildlife.
Below is a closer look at the dominant types of marine HABs in the region, the organisms responsible, and the environmental conditions that influence their development.
Brown tides are associated with several diatom genera, such as:
These blooms are influenced by a combination of physical, chemical, and climatic factors, including:
Ulva, commonly known as sea lettuce, is a green macroalga that can form extensive blooms in shallow, nutrient‑rich estuaries. Another common bloomer, Enteromorpha, is now considered genetically equivalent to Ulva. Although Ulva blooms are non‑toxic, they can still cause serious ecological and social impacts:
Cyanotoxins should not be confused with taste‑and‑odor (T&O) compounds. Cyanotoxins are colorless, tasteless, and odorless whereas T&O compounds, such as geosmin and MIB, cause earthy or musty smells. Cyanobacteria can produce T&O compounds without toxins as well as toxins without noticeable odors.
This distinction can complicate detection and public perception of risk.
These HABs, the region's most common, illustrate the wide range of organisms, toxins, and ecological pathways through which algal blooms can affect coastal systems. Although they differ in form, from microscopic phytoplankton to expansive mats of macroalgae, they are often driven by a common set of environmental conditions that favor rapid growth and persistence. Climate change is intensifying many of these drivers. Rising water temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and longer periods of stratification increasingly create conditions that favor bloom formation. At the same time, human activities continue to increase excess nutrients to coastal waters. Runoff from agricultural lands, chemicals transported by rainfall and irrigation, and discharges from wastewater treatment facilities all introduce nitrogen and phosphorus into rivers, lakes, and estuaries. These nutrients act as fertilizer for algae, accelerating bloom development.
Nutrient‑laden stormwater runoff does not remain localized, rather, it moves downstream through interconnected watersheds, ultimately reaching estuaries and coastal waters where it can contribute to marine blooms. Understanding these linkages between land use, climate, and algae growth is critical to identifying effective strategies for preventing and managing HABs in coastal environments.
In developed watersheds, stormwater behavior is fundamentally altered by impervious surfaces and aging infrastructure, which can result in erosion, localized flooding, and nutrient pollution in surrounding waterways. These challenges rarely have simple or universal solutions, particularly in communities where natural systems, critical infrastructure, and public safety intersect within constrained landscapes.
How practitioners navigate these challenges and decide when to rely on green, gray, or hybrid stormwater solutions was the focus of a recent educational session at The Watershed Institute’s 9th Annual New Jersey Watershed Conference. The session, led by Princeton Hydro Water Resources Engineer Sean Walsh, PE and Landscape Architect Jamie Feinstein, RLA, alongside the Mayor of Lambertville (NJ) Andrew Nowick, explored how context‑driven design informs effective stormwater and erosion control strategies in developed environments.
Drawing from three real‑world case studies, the presenters examined how surrounding land use, physical constraints, risk tolerance, and stakeholder priorities shape decision‑making and why the most effective stormwater solutions are rarely one‑size‑fits‑all. This blog summarizes key lessons from that presentation, highlighting how site‑specific conditions ultimately determine whether green infrastructure, gray infrastructure, or a hybrid approach is the most appropriate tool for managing erosion, sediment, and flooding in settings shaped by competing land‑use and infrastructure demands.
Green infrastructure is designed to manage stormwater by mimicking natural hydrologic and geomorphic processes that are often altered or suppressed by development. Practices such as floodplain reconnection, step pools, riparian buffers, naturalized detention basins, and restored stream channels slow runoff, promote infiltration, and moderate sediment transport, while also improving water quality. When implemented at appropriate scales, these approaches can increase green space within built and urban environments, enhance habitat and biodiversity, and enrich the surrounding landscape by integrating stormwater management with ecological and recreational functions. However, the feasibility and performance of green infrastructure are highly dependent on site‑specific conditions, including available space, slope, and flow regimes, which are frequently constrained in urban environments.
Gray infrastructure, by contrast, is designed to prioritize conveyance, control, and predictability. Systems such as pipes, culverts, and engineered structures are well‑suited to managing high‑capacity flow rates, centralizing stormwater runoff, and conveying water safely through constrained environments. These approaches typically require smaller physical footprints than nature‑based alternatives and often involve lower long‑term maintenance demands. In developed settings, gray infrastructure can also provide critical structural support for roads, utilities, and other built infrastructure, offering a level of reliability and risk management that green infrastructure alone may not be able to achieve.
Determining the appropriate balance between green and gray infrastructure requires a clear understanding of site‑specific constraints, risks, and performance needs, an approach illustrated in the case studies that follow.
To explore how context drives design decisions, we recently examined three real‑world case studies, each involving active erosion, sediment transport, and downstream impacts, and each arriving at a different solution.
In Lambertville, New Jersey, stormwater runoff from Music Mountain, a steep, wooded hillside, was causing repeated flooding at the Fire Department below. What appeared at first to be a small drainage issue turned out to be a much larger challenge. During heavy rain events, uncontrolled runoff carved deep erosion gullies downslope, destabilizing trees and transporting sediment directly into city infrastructure. While green infrastructure options such as step pools were initially considered, feasibility limitations became evident. The steep slope, limited footprint, and extreme peak flows made a fully nature-based solution impractical and risky in this location.
Instead, the selected design centered on gray infrastructure, including a piped stormwater system aligned with the existing flow path to minimize disturbance, along with redesigned and expanded inlet and outlet controls to safely convey peak flows and better capture surface runoff. This approach stabilized the hillside, reduced downstream sediment transport, and eliminated flooding impacts at a critical municipal facility. Given the severe spatial constraints and elevated risk associated with the site, gray infrastructure represented the most responsible and effective solution.
At Holcombe Park, ongoing erosion and a disconnected floodplain were impairing stream function and contributing sediment and debris to downstream infrastructure. Unlike the Lambertville Fire Department site, where steep slopes, limited space, and public safety risks necessitated a primarily gray solution, Holcombe Park offered greater physical flexibility and a different risk profile. The site included more available space for in‑channel and floodplain interventions, while the contributing drainage system extended more than 1,000 feet beneath roadways before releasing flows downstream, adding jurisdictional and infrastructure considerations to the design process.
Given these conditions, the project team pursued a hybrid strategy that leveraged the strengths of both green and gray infrastructure. Green infrastructure measures, including floodplain reconnection, step pools, and naturalized channel features, were incorporated where space allowed to slow flows, reduce erosive forces, and restore ecological function. At the same time, existing gray infrastructure continued to convey stormwater through developed areas where open‑channel solutions were infeasible. By allowing floodwaters to spread out and attenuate within the park, the project reduces peak velocities and limits the transport of debris and sediment to downstream culverts and roadways. This case study illustrates how, when site conditions permit, integrating green and gray infrastructure can address erosion and water quality concerns while protecting downstream assets and enhancing recreational space, achieving outcomes that neither approach could deliver on its own.
The third case study shifts to a more open, rural setting on a residential and agricultural property in Pennsylvania, where channel incision and bank instability had become a growing safety and land‑use concern. Unlike the urban conditions present in the Lambertville Fire Department and Holcombe Park projects, this site offered sufficient space for stream and floodplain processes to function, making it well‑suited for a predominantly green infrastructure approach.
Initially, the landowner attempted to address the erosion by installing a large‑diameter pipe to rapidly convey water through the affected area. While this strategy appeared to resolve the immediate problem on site, it ultimately transferred impacts downstream. Concentrated discharges from the pipe destabilized channel banks, accelerated erosion, and created new problems beyond the property boundary, while also violating local waterway regulations. This outcome illustrated how applying gray infrastructure to a system experiencing watershed‑scale hydrologic change can unintentionally amplify downstream risks.
The final design focused on restoring natural stream function rather than accelerating conveyance. The project realigned the channel to an appropriate slope and sinuosity, reconnected the stream to its floodplain, incorporated step pools and stabilization features to dissipate energy, and added riparian plantings to strengthen bank stability and ecological resilience. Limited sections of pipe were retained only where necessary to accommodate crossings, ensuring compatibility with existing land uses without compromising system function.
With adequate space, funding, and regulatory drivers in place, natural green infrastructure proved to be the most effective and resilient solution for this site. By treating water as a resource rather than a waste product, the project reduced erosion and sediment transport, improved water quality, and restored stream and floodplain processes that benefit both the landscape and downstream communities. This case study also demonstrates that successful stormwater and erosion control requires solutions that respond to both local conditions and the larger watershed system.
Across all three projects, the lesson is clear: green or gray decisions must be driven by site context, not preference alone. Surrounding land use, physical constraints, risk tolerance, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder priorities all shape what “success” looks like.
Improperly sized or poorly applied infrastructure, whether it be green or gray, will fail. Effective stormwater management requires looking beyond the immediate problem and designing solutions that reflect the realities of the entire watershed system.
Princeton Hydro’s participation alongside Mayor Andrew Nowick in leading the educational session at the 2026 NJ Watershed Conference reflects a long‑standing partnership with the City of Lambertville and the City’s active role in applying context‑driven stormwater solutions in a constrained, developed watershed. Our team has supported Lambertville’s stormwater management initiatives for many years, working collaboratively with City leadership to design projects that mitigate flooding while enhancing the natural environment.
In September 2024, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette presented the City of Lambertville with the NJDEP “Our Water’s Worth It” award. The award ceremony, held at a stormwater infrastructure improvement project site behind the Lambertville Fire Department, recognized the City’s commitment to improving stormwater management, addressing flooding, protecting local waterbodies, increasing storm resilience, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Click here to learn more.
Nutrient-driven water quality impairments, particularly harmful algal blooms (HABs), continue to challenge lake managers, municipalities, and watershed organizations across the Northeast. Excess phosphorus and nitrogen can rapidly degrade ecological conditions, limit recreational use, impact sources of potable water, and increase management costs, often despite the implementation of conventional best management practices. As a result, there is growing interest in tools that can complement or augment existing approaches and address nutrients in more targeted ways.
Biochar has emerged as one such tool. While it is best known as a soil amendment, its physical, chemical, and biological properties have prompted increasing use in aquatic systems as a means of improving water quality. Over the past five years, Princeton Hydro has applied biochar in a range of lakes, ponds, streams, and stormwater-related settings across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. These field applications, supported by monitoring, have provided important insight into when biochar is most effective, where its limitations lie, and why observed improvements in water quality are not always explained by phosphorus removal alone.
Biochar is a carbon-rich, charcoal-like material produced through pyrolysis, a process in which organic biomass is heated in a low-oxygen environment. The resulting material has a highly porous structure and extensive surface area, properties that make it effective at adsorbing nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen (Joseph et al., 2021). Because excess nutrients are a primary driver of eutrophication and HABs, biochar has emerged as a promising amendment for aquatic systems and stormwater best management practices (BMPs).
In aquatic applications, biochar is typically installed in permeable sleeves (aka socks) or incorporated into stormwater treatment practices to intercept nutrient-rich water before it enters lakes or ponds. Used biochar can also be repurposed as a soil amendment, adding to its appeal as a sustainable, circular material.
Through approximately half a dozen monitored projects implemented since 2020, several consistent patterns have emerged.
Standing Waters Show the Strongest Response: Biochar has proven most effective in low-flow or standing water environments such as ponds and stormwater basins. In these systems, Princeton Hydro has documented total phosphorus (TP) removal rates as high as 80%, with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) reductions approaching 97% in some stormwater ponds (Princeton Hydro, Lake Hopatcong Report, 2022). The extended contact time between water and biochar in these settings appears to be a key driver of performance.
Flow and Contact Time Matter: In streams and fast-moving stormwater infrastructure, nutrient removal rates tend to be lower, with phosphorus reductions typically closer to 50%. While still meaningful, these reduced efficiencies are largely attributable to limited contact time. Simply put, the shorter the interaction between water and biochar, the fewer opportunities there are for adsorption and other removal processes to occur.
Enhancement to Conventional Stormwater BMPs: Biochar can be particularly effective when paired with stormwater BMPs that primarily rely on sedimentation. Traditional practices often excel at removing particulate-bound phosphorus but are less effective at capturing dissolved forms of phosphorus—the fraction most readily utilized by algae. Incorporating biochar into these systems can enhance removal of dissolved phosphorus, improving overall treatment performance.
Streams Present Physical Challenges: Installing biochar in stream environments presents practical challenges. Even with careful anchoring, large storm events, including remnants of hurricanes, can dislodge biochar sleeves, transporting them downstream or onto streambanks. These risks must be considered during design and often limit the suitability of biochar for higher energy systems.
Chemistry Alone Does Not Tell the Whole Story: At very high pH levels, phosphorus adsorption onto biochar can become less predictable, sometimes exhibiting a “decoupling” between measured phosphorus sorption and observed water quality improvements. Monitoring data from multiple projects indicate that reductions in chlorophyll-a, cyanobacteria abundance, and overall bloom severity cannot always be explained by phosphorus removal alone.
The disconnect between measured nutrient sorption and improved water quality suggests that additional mechanisms are at work. Increasingly, evidence points toward biological processes occurring within and around biochar installations.
Biochar is known to favor the growth and proliferation of heterotrophic bacteria (Moore et al., 2023). These microbial communities may contribute to water quality improvements in the following ways:
This emerging science mirrors what Princeton Hydro has observed in the field: water quality can improve in ways that chemical measurements alone do not fully explain, suggesting that biological processes may be playing an important supporting role.
Since 2020, Princeton Hydro has applied biochar across a range of aquatic and stormwater settings, tailoring each installation to site-specific conditions and management goals. Together, these projects demonstrate biochar’s versatility and its ability to integrate into holistic watershed and lake management strategies, often working best when paired with other nature-based and engineered solutions.
At Duke Farms, a 2,700-acre estate in New Jersey, Princeton Hydro has supported lake and wetland management efforts for more than two decades. Biochar was recently introduced as an additional tool within an established, science-based nutrient management program. By placing biochar in low-flow areas where contact time could be maximized, phosphorus removal was enhanced and improvements in water clarity were observed. This effort highlights how biochar can be layered into long-term management strategies alongside floating wetland islands and other nature-based solutions.
Harvey’s Lake, the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania, has long faced challenges associated with nutrient loading and recurring HABs. As part of a broader stormwater management effort, Princeton Hydro incorporated biochar into select stormwater BMPs to reduce phosphorus before it entered the lake. Installed within targeted stormwater conveyance and treatment features, the biochar helped achieve measurable reductions in dissolved phosphorus, complementing other watershed-scale measures such as vegetated buffers and wetland enhancements. The spent biochar, having captured phosphorus and nitrogen from runoff, was then repurposed as a soil amendment to enrich a 500-square-foot pollinator garden. This repurposing effort served a dual purpose: demonstrating a closed-loop approach to managing excess nutrients while also creating a community-oriented space that supports local biodiversity.
Across multiple stormwater projects in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, biochar has been installed in detention basins, rain gardens, and other stormwater treatment devices. These applications were designed to target dissolved phosphorus, a nutrient form that conventional BMPs can struggle to remove. In several cases, biochar was paired with other nutrient control measures such as floating wetland islands to further improve nutrient capture. Collectively, these projects illustrate how biochar can be adapted and scaled to address local water quality challenges across diverse settings.
At Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest lake, biochar was deployed as part of a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy to reduce nutrient concentrations and mitigate HABs. Biochar was installed in permeable flotation bags and placed at targeted shoreline and inlet locations where nutrient loading is most pronounced, including several stormwater inlets and outlets around the lake. Funded through the NJDEP Freshwater HABs Prevention & Management Grant Program and implemented in partnership with the Lake Hopatcong Commission and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, these installations complemented other in-lake management measures such as floating wetland islands.
In Manhattan's Central Park, Princeton Hydro supported the Central Park Conservancy in developing and implementing a long-term management strategy for the park's network of lakes and ponds, where harmful algal blooms driven by excess nutrients were a persistent concern. As part of a broader, phased approach to improve water quality, biochar was incorporated as a nutrient reduction tool and will be incorporated alongside other measures such as floating wetland islands, aeration and circulation, and stormwater treatment techniques. Used in targeted locations, biochar helped support efforts to reduce nutrient loading and mitigate cyanobacteria blooms within these highly visible urban waterbodies.
Across these projects, biochar installations have been associated with measurable reductions in total and dissolved phosphorus, decreases in chlorophyll‑a concentrations, and lower cyanobacteria cell counts. While performance has varied by site, the strongest and most consistent results have occurred in enclosed or low‑flow environments where contact time is maximized and physical disturbance is minimized. When thoughtfully designed and integrated with other BMPs, these case studies show how biochar can contribute meaningfully to broader efforts to reduce nutrient loads and improve overall water quality.
Biochar is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Reviewing site-specific water quality data is essential to determine whether biochar is an appropriate standalone treatment or should be combined with complementary approaches. Ongoing and future research is focused on better quantifying the relative contributions of chemical adsorption and biological activity associated with biochar. Current studies, including collaborative efforts with academic partners, aim to document pollutant removal capacity, characterize microbial communities, and evaluate biochar’s potential role in degrading cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. As these processes continue to be studied and further understood in the water quality context, biochar may become an increasingly valuable component of integrated, science-based watershed management strategies.
Municipal ordinances, when thoughtfully drafted and effectively implemented, are among the most powerful tools for protecting watersheds, managing stormwater, preserving forests and wetlands, and reducing flood risk. While the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) provides baseline regulatory standards, these requirements function only as minimum thresholds. Under New Jersey’s home rule framework and the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), municipalities have broad authority to shape development patterns and use zoning, environmental ordinances, and master planning to adopt standards aligned with their community’s environmental constraints and development demands.
How municipalities put this authority into practice framed a recent webinar hosted by The Watershed Institute: “Municipal Ordinances: Key to Environmental Protection.”
Moderated by Michael Pisauro, Esq., Policy Director for The Watershed Institute, the webinar brought together three experienced practitioners to explore how municipalities can leverage local ordinances to strengthen environmental protection and community resilience:
Each presenter approached the issue from a different, complementary lens: science, land use law, and regulatory practice.
Mark began the webinar with an overview of New Jersey’s natural green infrastructure (forests, floodplains, riparian corridors, wetlands, and meadows) and its role in supporting stormwater management. Engineered systems are most effective when the surrounding natural landscapes can absorb, slow, and filter runoff. He stressed that municipalities shape the fate of these natural systems through their zoning and development decisions, making local ordinances essential to watershed health.
Mark examined how decades of land alteration, including stream channelization and straightening, impervious surface expansion, and floodplain encroachment, have dramatically changed stream systems across the state. As runoff volume increases, so does the frequency and duration of bankfull flows, which widen channels, erode banks, and transport sediment. A key indicator of watershed imbalance is floodplain disconnection: in healthy systems, streams access their floodplains during frequent storm events, dissipating energy and reducing downstream impacts. In many developed watersheds, streams remain confined within incised channels except during major storms, worsening erosion and downstream flooding.
Mark directly connected these environmental realities to municipal decision-making. Municipal ordinances play a critical role in maintaining and restoring the natural systems that support stormwater management, water quality, and community resilience. Municipalities can shape new development and use redevelopment projects as opportunities to repair historic environmental damage.
He highlighted municipal tools that strengthen watershed function, including well-crafted stream corridor ordinances, updated Environmental Resource Inventories (ERIs), master plan policies that prioritize open space preservation, and watershed improvement strategies that integrate ecological restoration with engineered BMPs.
Michele centered her presentation on a key message: the legal tools are already there for municipalities to guide growth responsibly, but they must be applied proactively and with precision.
She addressed a common assumption heard at planning board hearings: “If it’s zoned for it, it must be appropriate.” That assumption, she explained, is not always grounded in environmental analysis. Zoning districts set permitted uses and density ranges, but often without carefully accounting for wetlands, floodplains, sensitive habit, or limited infrastructure capacity.
For years, municipalities operated under the belief that the MLUL’s uniformity clause required identical development yield across parcels within a zone. However, the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision in "Rumson Estates, Inc v. Mayor Council of Borough of Fair Haven" (2003) clarified that municipalities may calibrate density based on the physical characteristics of a property. Environmentally constrained parcels don't need to support the same development intensity as unconstrained sites.
Michele also emphasized the importance of updating land-use definitions. Outdated definitions can inadvertently allow impacts far beyond what the original ordinance intended. Warehouse standards are a clear example: many were written decades ago and don't account for today's 24/7 high‑cube logistics operations with heavy truck traffic. She noted that timing of these updates is also critical. Under the MLUL’s “time of application” rule, existing zoning is locked-in once an application is filed, meaning municipalities must revise their ordinances before developers submit proposals.
Master plans also play a critical role. A well-designed plan evaluates full build-out potential, accounts for infrastructure and resource limitations, and directs growth away from sensitive areas. She urged municipalities to anticipate emerging high‑impact uses, such as data centers, and set appropriate standards in advance.
Michael G. Sinkevich outlined the legal framework that empowers municipalities to regulate environmental impacts and enforce local standards. He demonstrated how federal law, state regulations, and municipal authority intersect, especially in zoning and stormwater management, to create a strong foundation for local environmental protection.
Municipal authority to adopt environmental protections comes from two main sources: First is the zoning power granted under the MLUL, which allows towns to guide development in ways that protect public health, safety, and welfare. The MLUL also outlines what zoning ordinances may regulate, such as building density. The second source is municipal "police power," which permits towns to adopt environmental regulations, as long as they're consistent with state law, when needed to protect people, property, and general welfare. Together, these authorities give municipalities flexibility to craft and enforce environmental safeguards.
He highlighted tree protection ordinances as a clear example of validated municipal authority: In "New Jersey Shore Builders Association v. Township of Jackson" (2009), the New Jersey Supreme Court upheld Jackson Township’s ordinance that required developers to replace removed trees or pay into a dedicated planting fund, formally recognizing the critical role trees play in stormwater management and climate resilience.
Michael also reviewed MS4 permit requirements, which obligate municipalities to manage stormwater across public and private development. Beyond the permit itself, he emphasized that municipal land use boards have an independent responsibility to ensure compliance with state stormwater rules and cannot simply defer to NJDEP. To support municipalities in meeting these obligations, he highlighted several useful resources, including The Watershed Institute, New Jersey Future, Sustainable Jersey, ANJEC, and NJDEP.
Whether you serve on a governing body, land use board, or environmental commission, or work as an engineer, planner, or attorney, the full webinar offers practical insight into how local ordinances shape environmental outcomes. Community members and neighborhood advocates will also find the discussion clear, accessible, and directly relevant to how development decisions affect their town.
Watch the full webinar here:
The Watershed Institute regularly hosts workshops on stormwater management, watershed protection, and climate resilience. Click here to explore their extensive library of recorded webinars and sign-up for the next one.
The Lower Darby Creek Area encompasses a unique blend of residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and critical regional infrastructure, including the Philadelphia International Airport, Interstate 95, and portions of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Despite its urban setting, the area supports diverse wetlands, waterways, and wildlife habitats that play an essential role in regional flood protection, resiliency, and ecological connectivity.
Flooding and habitat loss have long challenged the Lower Darby Creek Area, particularly in the communities of Eastwick in southwest Philadelphia and Tinicum Township of Delaware County, PA. Residents in these neighborhoods experience extreme flooding during storm and high tide events, and community groups have been leading local efforts to enhance resilience and reduce flood risk. The increasing effects of climate change, such as more intense storms, sea level rise, and frequent tidal flooding, are compounding challenges.
To help address these challenges, The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania (TNC) and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge have commissioned Princeton Hydro to lead a two-year Urban Flood and Habitat Resilience Feasibility Study for the Lower Darby Creek Area. The study aims to identify and evaluate nature-based solutions that would help to convey, store, and infiltrate water to alleviate flooding, improve habitat for local wildlife species, and enhance community resilience.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of the Feasibility Study, ensuring that local voices help shape the region’s path toward long-term resilience. The project work began with a series of community meetings to learn from residents about the impacts of flooding and the changes they want to see in their neighborhoods. The outcome of this project will be a list of 6-10 nature-based solutions that have been prioritized by community members and that have been analyzed for feasibility and potential for flood reduction and ecological benefit. This information will be presented in a Project Roadmap for the co-developed pathway to achieve community and ecological resilience through project implementation. This guidance will empower partners and communities to secure funding, implement pilot projects, and advance long-term resilience goals.
Once the study is complete, Princeton Hydro will create an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap webpage that will allow users to take a deeper dive into the study's findings and interact with the data. Users will be able to visualize flood scenarios and potential restoration opportunities and learn more about specific project activities and the proposed solutions.
Earlier this year, project partners joined residents for Eastwick Community Day, a vibrant event celebrating neighborhood connections, local leadership, and climate resilience. Hosted by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability, the event was supported by representatives from The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and Princeton Hydro, including Director of Restoration & Resilience Christiana Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP and Director of Aquatics Mike Hartshorne.
The gathering offered residents an opportunity to meet the organizations involved in the flood study, learn about available climate resilience resources, and share their own experiences and priorities. Alongside informational displays and project updates, attendees enjoyed a picnic lunch, family activities, and hands-on learning about nature-based solutions. It was a day that captured the spirit of collaboration driving this initiative.
The Lower Darby Creek initiative builds on Princeton Hydro’s earlier Eastwick Flood Resilience Study, expanding from a neighborhood-focused analysis to a watershed-scale approach. In 2016, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Keystone Conservation Trust, Audubon Pennsylvania, and the William Penn Foundation, Princeton Hydro conducted an analysis of Eastwick, the flood impacts created by the Lower Darby Creek, and the viability of several potential flood mitigation strategies. The study sought to answer questions commonly asked by community members related to flooding conditions, with the main question being: What impact does the landfill have on area flooding? Princeton Hydro developed a 2-D hydrologic and hydraulic model to understand how varying restoration techniques, including removal of the Clearview Landfill, expansion of the existing tidal freshwater wetland, removal of bridge infrastructure, and rerouting storm flows, would alter flooding in the Eastwick neighborhood.
Findings from that study provided key data and analytical frameworks that now inform the Lower Darby Creek Area Feasibility Study. Expanding beyond the boundaries of Eastwick, the comprehensive Lower Darby Creek Area study takes a watershed-scale view, exploring how interconnected systems, including upstream hydrology, tidal influences, and habitat networks, can be managed holistically.
Resilience is not achieved in isolation; it thrives through collaboration. The success of the Lower Darby Creek Area Feasibility Study and related restoration projects depends on a network of partners committed to shared goals. By aligning expertise, resources, and local knowledge, these partnerships create a foundation for long-term climate adaptation and ecological health. To learn more about the Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania, click here. To learn more about the City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability Flood Resilience Strategy for Eastwick, go here. And, click here to learn more about the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum.
Princeton Hydro is also collaborating with the Refuge to restore the Refuge’s Turkey Foot area. Working with Enviroscapes and Merestone Consultants, our team designed and implemented habitat enhancement and hydrologic restoration projects to improve water quality, restore native wetland vegetation, and expand habitat for fish and wildlife. If you’re interested in learning more about this project, check out our blog: Ecological Restoration in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
Princeton Hydro was proud to participate in the New Jersey Association for Floodplain Management (NJAFM) 20th Annual Conference and Exhibition, held this fall in Atlantic City, NJ. Celebrating two decades of collaboration and innovation within the floodplain management community, the conference brought together more than 500 practitioners, researchers, agency staff, and industry leaders from across the Northeast.
As the region’s premier floodplain management event, the NJAFM conference serves as a hub for sharing cutting-edge tools, best practices, and real-world strategies that help communities reduce flood risk, adapt to changing climate conditions, and build long-term resilience. Over the course of two days, participants attended educational sessions, hands-on training, and networking events centered on the theme: “NJAFM at 20 Years: Celebrate the Past, Focus on the Future.”
Princeton Hydro was excited to return as a conference sponsor, exhibitor, and session presenter.
Floodplain management is a multidisciplinary practice that integrates planning, engineering, ecological science, and public policy to reduce flood risk while preserving the natural functions of riverine and coastal systems. At its core, it involves understanding how water moves across a landscape, identifying areas vulnerable to flooding, and implementing measures that protect people, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
Floodplains provide a range of essential functions. Hydrologically, they convey, store, and infiltrate water during storm events, supporting natural flood attenuation, erosion control, and groundwater recharge. Ecologically, they contribute to biodiversity by providing habitat, migration corridors, and spawning areas for fish and wildlife. From a community perspective, well-managed floodplains can offer recreational value, improve water quality, and enhance the aesthetic and economic vitality of local neighborhoods.
Modern floodplain management relies on both structural and non-structural approaches. Structural measures may include engineered solutions such as levees, floodwalls, culvert improvements, or stormwater system upgrades. Non-structural tools often involve land-use planning, flood-resilient building standards, conservation of open space, and community engagement programs that help residents understand risk and adopt best practices.
Princeton Hydro works with municipalities, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and watershed groups to develop and implement comprehensive floodplain management strategies across the region, emphasizing strategies that balance flood risk reduction with ecological enhancement, ensuring that floodplain management supports both resilient communities and healthy, functioning watersheds.
Pictured above: before and after photos from the Floodplain Restoration and Urban Wetland Creation project in Bloomfield Township, New Jersey. By removing a little over four acres of upland historic fill in this densely developed area and converting it into 4.2 acres of a functioning floodplain wetland, the project restored valuable ecological functions, enhances wetland and riparian zone habitat, and increases flood storage capacity for urban stormwater runoff.
Our team led two workshops at the NJAFM 20th Annual Conference:
Christiana Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP, Princeton Hydro’s Director of Restoration and Resilience, presented on strategies to address chronic flooding and climate-driven impacts in Eastwick and Tinicum Township, Philadelphia. Her talk highlighted a two-year technical assessment commissioned by The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and led by Princeton Hydro. The project combines integrated field data collection, advanced hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and rigorous alternatives analysis to evaluate nature-based solutions. These include wetland creation or enhancement, stream and floodplain reconnection, and stormwater management retrofits, with the ultimate goal of restoring natural hydrologic function, reducing flood risk, and strengthening habitat and community resilience. Read more about the project here.
Elizabeth Treadway of WSP USA and Dr. Clay Emerson, PhD, PE, CFM, Senior Technical Director of Engineering at Princeton Hydro, led a session on the practical, legal, and financial considerations of establishing a stormwater utility, an increasingly vital tool for sustainable infrastructure funding. Participants learned:
The session also addressed common challenges such as aging infrastructure, rapid development, and the growing frequency of severe storm events driven by climate change. Stormwater feasibility studies were highlighted as a key resource for evaluating costs and benefits before moving forward.
Managing stormwater effectively is essential for resilient infrastructure and community safety. Click here to learn about a Stormwater Utility Investigation & Feasibility Study we conducted for the Town of Hammonton, New Jersey.
Throughout the conference, our team was able to connect with planners, municipal officials, engineers, and local leaders at our exhibitor booth. These conversations offered valuable opportunities to discuss project experiences, share resources, and learn from others working to advance resilience across New Jersey.
Princeton Hydro is proud to be part of this community and remains committed to advancing science-based, equitable, and sustainable approaches to reducing flood risk. We look forward to continuing our partnership with NJAFM and supporting clients and communities in building a safer, more resilient future.
The Lake Hopatcong Commission, in partnership with Roxbury Township and Princeton Hydro, and with support from the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, has been awarded a $367,000 Water Quality Restoration Grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for the Lake Hopatcong Watershed Basin Enhancement Project.
The project will retrofit an existing stormwater detention basin with a series of green stormwater infrastructure improvements designed to slow, capture, and naturally treat stormwater runoff. The basin project, located between King Road and Mount Arlington Boulevard in Roxbury Township, was identified in the 2021 Upper Musconetcong River Implementation Plan (WIP) as a priority project to reduce non-point source pollution and improve water quality before stormwater enters the lake at King Cove.
"Roxbury is truly thankful for the Lake Hopatcong Commission. Lake Hopatcong is such a valuable resource and the commission’s work alongside Princeton Hydro has preserved a natural treasure," said Shawn Potillo, Mayor of Roxbury. "We are grateful to the NJDEP for their support and award of this grant. This water basin project in Roxbury will help continue the commission’s purpose of keeping the lake a beautiful place to swim, boat, relax, and call home."
A range of improvements will be incorporated including planting native vegetation and managing invasive species to stabilize soils, support wildlife, and naturally filter pollutants before they reach the lake. Erosion and sediment control measures will further protect the area by reducing stormwater scouring and preventing bank degradation.
In addition to on-the-ground restoration, the project emphasizes public education and outreach to promote best management practices and ongoing watershed stewardship among residents and local partners. Project success will be evaluated through water quality monitoring conducted before and after construction, providing measurable data on the project’s effectiveness in improving water quality.
“Lake Hopatcong’s fight against harmful algal blooms requires a united front, where many projects, like retrofitting stormwater basins to capture nutrients before they go into the lake, collectively make a big impact,” said Dr. Fred Lubnow, Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services at Princeton Hydro. “Thanks to the leadership of the Lake Hopatcong Commission and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, this collaborative approach is driving real progress toward cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and a more resilient future for New Jersey’s largest lake.”
The basin enhancement project is funded through NJDEP’s Water Quality Restoration Grant Program, which is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Clean Water Act Section 319(h). Along with the state grant, the project includes a $200,000 local match from the Commission, Roxbury Township, and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and builds on a $98,000 planning grant awarded by the New Jersey Highlands Council in 2024 that helped prepare the project for implementation and future grant opportunities.
“This project represents an important step forward in improving Lake Hopatcong’s water quality and reducing pollutants that contribute to harmful algal blooms,” said Ron Smith, Chairman of the Lake Hopatcong Commission. “We’re grateful to NJDEP, Roxbury Township, Princeton Hydro, the Foundation and the Highlands Council for their continued partnership in protecting this vital resource.”
The Lake Hopatcong Commission is an independent state agency created in, but not of, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. LHC is recognized as a steward of the lake and watershed. The 11-member Board of State and local appointees include representatives of the four municipalities and two counties surrounding Lake Hopatcong. LHC is responsible for fulfilling the obligations of the Lake Hopatcong Protection Act, to safeguard Lake Hopatcong as a natural, scenic, and recreational resource. To learn more, click here to visit lakehopatcongcommission.org.
For over 30 years, Princeton Hydro has been proud to work alongside the Lake Hopatcong Commission and Lake Hopatcong Foundation in support of the lake’s health and resilience. Through these partnerships, and with the support of numerous funding agencies, a wide range of projects have been implemented to reduce pollutant loads, manage stormwater runoff, address invasive species and harmful algal blooms, and enhance habitat quality—helping to protect both the lake and the communities that depend on it. To learn more about our collaborative efforts, click here.
The Borough of Mountain Lakes has received grant funding from the New Jersey Highlands Council to develop a comprehensive Lake and Watershed Management Plan for nine lakes within the Borough. To lead this effort, the Borough engaged Princeton Hydro, a leader in ecological and engineering consulting. The initiative will focus on characterizing hydrologic and nutrient dynamics within the Borough’s lake systems and watersheds to guide targeted water quality improvement and management strategies.
“Mountain Lakes takes great pride in our lakes, which play an important role in defining our community. Through our partnership with the Highlands Council and Princeton Hydro, we’re taking a proactive, data-driven approach to protecting both the environmental and recreational value of our lakes and waterways, with the goal of preserving these vital natural resources for generations to come,” said Borough of Mountain Lakes Manager Mitchell Stern.
A selection process was undertaken by the Borough of Mountain Lakes, Princeton Hydro, and the New Jersey Highlands Council to define the scope of this Lake and Watershed Management Program. In accordance with Policy 1L2 and Objective 1L2a of the NJHC Regional Master Plan, which establish lake management tiers and prioritize lakes greater than 10 acres for protection and management, nine lakes were selected for the study: Birchwood Lake, Crystal Lake, Wildwood Lake, Sunset Lake, Mountain Lake, Shadow Pond, Olive Pond, Grundens Pond, and Cove Pond. These lakes represent the waterbodies in the Borough and were chosen to ensure the program focuses on areas with the greatest potential impact on water quality, watershed function, and community value.
Princeton Hydro’s work will include watershed modeling, hydrologic and pollutant load analyses, and in-lake and watershed-based water quality monitoring. Once the data is analyzed, Princeton Hydro will develop a General Assessment Report that identifies the primary drivers of eutrophication and outlines a prioritized set of management strategies to effectively reduce nutrient loading and enhance long-term lake health.
“The regional, science-based approach to lake and watershed management has proven to be a powerful tool for municipalities in the Highlands Region,” said Christopher Mikolajczyk, CLM, Senior Manager of Aquatics at Princeton Hydro, Certified Lake Manager, and lead designer for this initiative. “We’re excited to collaborate with Mountain Lakes to help identify cost-effective, data-driven strategies that will enhance water quality throughout the watershed and help safeguard these treasured natural resources.”
The New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council (Highlands Council) is a regional planning agency that partners with municipalities and counties in the Highlands Region to promote proactive watershed protection. Established under the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004, the Council has funded numerous water-quality-related planning initiatives.
Historically, municipalities and private lake associations have managed water quality issues independently. However, taking a coordinated, watershed-based approach enables communities to more effectively address pollution sources, improve water quality, and prevent the spread of invasive species and harmful algal blooms.
Mountain Lakes joins several other Highlands region municipalities that have received Highlands council funding to implement similar lake and watershed management initiatives. In 2019, the Borough of Ringwood became the first municipality in New Jerey to adopt a regional, public-private approach to lake management, partnering with four lake associations across six lakes. Since the completion of the Ringwood plan, NJDEP has funded recommendations from the plan. This model has since inspired additional projects, including watershed assessments for West Milford Township, Rockaway Township, Byram Township, Vernon Township, and Somerset County Parks Commission. Princeton Hydro worked with each agency to develop the respective scope of work to secure grant funding from the Highlands Council.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently announced $8 million in Water Quality Restoration Grants to support projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution, mitigate harmful algal blooms, restore riparian areas, and enhance watershed and climate resilience. Funded through Section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act and administered by the DEP's Watershed and Land Management Program, these grants were awarded to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions across the state.
Princeton Hydro is proud to be a partner on five of the 17 funded projects. Our contributions vary by project and encompass activities such as engineering design, water quality assessment, watershed-based planning, and technical support for implementing stormwater and habitat restoration measures. Let's take a deeper look at these collaborative efforts:
The Watershed Institute received $205K in 319(h) grant funding to develop a watershed-based plan for the Assunpink Creek watershed, located within the Raritan River Basin. This watershed spans 11 municipalities across two counties, where varied landscapes and demographics share common challenges such as localized flooding, stormwater management, and water quality degradation, highlighting the need for a coordinated, watershed-wide, science-driven approach.
The plan will evaluate pollution sources and identify large-scale restoration opportunities, including green infrastructure and riparian buffer restoration, to improve water quality and reduce flooding. It will also assess the cost, feasibility, and pollutant reduction potential of proposed measures to ensure practical implementation. Princeton Hydro supported the Institute in developing the grant proposal and planning framework, leveraging our expertise in watershed-based planning to prioritize nature-based solutions that address both water quality and climate resilience. This initiative represents a critical step toward regional collaboration, enabling upstream and downstream communities to work together on strategies that strengthen watershed health, protect public safety, and build long-term resilience.
The Lake Hopatcong Commission (LHC) was awarded $366K to retrofit an existing stormwater detention basin between King Road and Mount Arlington Boulevard in Roxbury Township. This retrofit is part of a larger Watershed Implementation Plan that Princeton Hydro developed in collaboration with LHC, which prioritizes nutrient reduction and stormwater management strategies across the Lake Hopatcong watershed. Over the past several years, LHC has actively implemented multiple elements of this plan to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) and improve water quality.
For this project, Princeton Hydro is providing engineering design and technical oversight to transform the existing basin into a green stormwater infrastructure system that slows, captures, and naturally treats runoff before it enters King Cove. The design incorporates native vegetation, invasive species management, and erosion control measures to stabilize soils and filter pollutants, reducing nutrient loading, which is one key driver of HABs. Public outreach and pre- and post-construction water quality monitoring will ensure performance tracking and measurable improvements. This basin retrofit represents a critical step in a coordinated, science-based approach to restoring ecological health and water quality in New Jersey’s largest lake.
Jefferson Township received $350K in grant funding to develop an Emerging Contaminants Management Plan for Cozy Lake, focusing on cyanotoxins and HABs. Cozy Lake is a 28-acre waterbody within a 1,152-acre sub-watershed that includes both forested (60%) and developed (29%) land. The lake is fed by the Rockaway River at its northern end and a smaller southeastern inlet, with outflow through a dam on the western edge.
The shoreline is primarily residential lawn with minimal emergent wetlands, and several inlets and rock-lined drainage ditches exhibit erosion and lack slope protection, contributing to sediment loading. Princeton Hydro provided early technical input to shape this innovative project with the creation of a comprehensive Jefferson Township Lake and Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. As part of the plan, Princeton Hydro made recommendations for Cozy Lake, which included enhancing shoreline buffers with native vegetation and installing living shorelines at select properties to stabilize soils, filter stormwater and reduce nutrient loading, improve habitat quality, and enhance community access. These measures, combined with in-lake monitoring and proactive management strategies, will help mitigate HABs and protect ecological and public health.
Rockaway Township received $399K in grant funding to implement elements of its Watershed Implementation Plan, focusing on green infrastructure stormwater management and nutrient reduction to improve water quality. The project will retrofit the municipal complex by converting a rock-lined drainage swale into a vegetated swale with a bioretention basin, designed to filter stormwater runoff and reduce nonpoint source pollutants entering Fox’s Pond and Fox Brook.
Princeton Hydro played a key role in developing the Watershed Implementation Plan, which encompasses 11 private lakes within the Rockaway River watershed, prioritizing critical locations for intervention and designing cost-effective green infrastructure BMPs. This regional approach aligns with strategies recommended by NJDEP and the Highlands Council. The plan included a comprehensive watershed-based assessment to identify and quantify factors contributing to eutrophication, evaluate management measures, estimate costs, and establish an implementation schedule. Princeton Hydro authored the final report, which guided the Township in applying for the Section 319(h) grant and now informs the design and construction of green stormwater infrastructure that will deliver measurable water quality improvements while supporting ecological restoration goals.
Green Trust Alliance (GTA), a nationally accredited land trust and public charity dedicated to accelerating large-scale conservation, received $1.39 million in NJDEP funding to implement green infrastructure improvements at Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton, New Jersey. This initiative targets the Tuckerton Creek watershed, which drains into Tuckerton Creek and ultimately flows into Barnegat Bay—a critical estuary spanning 33 municipalities in Ocean County and four in Monmouth County. The retrofit will transform the school’s stormwater detention basin into a multi-functional system that mimics natural hydrology, enhances flow control, and improves water quality locally and in the larger Barnegat Bay watershed.
Working with GTA and GreenVest, Princeton Hydro is serving as the design engineer, applying nature-based engineering and ecological restoration techniques to intercept, evapotranspire, and infiltrate stormwater runoff at its source. In addition to its technical objectives, the effort includes a strong community engagement component and an educational platform for students. By bringing green infrastructure into the school environment, the initiative provides hands-on experience with water resources, stormwater management, and ecological engineering, help to build STEM skills while fostering a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape and an understanding of how natural systems work together to support environmental and community health.
Princeton Hydro also assisted several of these partners in developing successful NJDEP Section 319(h) grant applications, providing technical documentation, conceptual designs, and pollutant load reduction estimates to strengthen the proposals.
To date, the Murphy Administration has awarded more than $33M in Water Quality Restoration grants to improve the health of waterways in all corners of the state. Click here to read about all the 2025 grant funding recipients and their innovative projects.
As NJDEP Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette noted in the department's press release, “Enhancing the ecological health of our lakes, rivers, streams and coastal waters has long been a priority of the Murphy Administration. The Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to award these grants that will help our partners advance a variety of strategies to improve the health of these waterways and enhance the quality of life in our communities.”
We are proud to play a continued role in advancing that mission: helping communities implement practical, data-driven solutions that make a measurable difference for New Jersey’s waterways and the people who depend on them. Click here to learn more about our work to protect natural habitat and restore water quality throughout the New Jersey.
We're pleased to announce the release of the "New Jersey Nature-Based Solutions: Planning, Implementation, and Monitoring Reference Guide," a free resource that provides a comprehensive roadmap to incorporating nature-based solutions (NBS) into infrastructure, construction, restoration, and resilience projects across the state.
Created by the Rutgers University New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center with support from The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey, the guide compiles current research, case studies, best practices, practical tools, science-based strategies, and funding resources to "inform and empower readers to implement and seek funding for NBS."
Click here to view and download the guide now.
As the guide states, "nature-based solutions (NBS) are defined as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature." (IUCN 2024)
Whether you're a municipal planner, community leader, contractor, public- or private-sector professional, or an academic, new to NBS or experienced in large-scale restoration projects, the guide offers value at every level with practical instruction that spans the full project lifecycle, from planning and permitting to funding and long-term monitoring. While the content is tailored to New Jersey's diverse landscapes, the guide's insights and approaches are broadly applicable to regions with similar ecosystems, from Massachusetts to Virginia.
The guide also includes insights on how to address equity considerations and foster meaningful community engagement, helping users implement NBS that are both impactful and inclusive.
Princeton Hydro was proud to contribute technical expertise to this important effort. Our Director of Restoration & Resilience, Christiana L. Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP, participated on the guide's steering committee, and our team provided informational resources, including content and case studies on invasive species management, wetland and floodplain enhancement, and dam and culvert removal to restore rivers and improve fish passage. These contributions along with those from many other participants, reflect the collaborative nature of the guide and the collective commitment to advancing NBS across the state.
The guide's easy-to-follow format includes four key sections:
Whether you're just beginning to conceptualize a project or deep into project implementation, this guide is an invaluable addition to your toolbox. We encourage you to explore, download, and share it widely! Click here to access the guide now.
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