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New Jersey’s water-related infrastructure is a complex system, constantly facing the challenges posed by stormwater runoff and working to properly manage it. Stormwater management isn’t just about handling rainfall; it’s a critical aspect of preserving water quality and mitigating flooding risks. In New Jersey, where urbanization and rainfall patterns intersect, managing stormwater is more than just a priority; it’s a necessity. Enter a stormwater utility— a dedicated fee to address these stormwater management challenges.

Stormwater Utilities in New Jersey

New Jersey’s stormwater infrastructure (storm drains, sewer piping, etc.) is aging and unable to effectively handle the amount of runoff that has been flowing through the region in recent years. This is causing increased nutrient runoff and flooding in communities throughout the state. With increasing global temperatures and the proliferation of intense storm systems, this trend is likely to continue.

To address these issues, in 2019, New Jersey enacted the Clean Stormwater & Flood Reduction Law that allows municipalities, counties, groups of municipalities, and sewage and improvement authorities to establish a stormwater utility.

For many local leaders, the process to establish a utility can be complex, often depending on a number of details like the scope of the work and size of the community. In 2021, Princeton Hydro teamed up with the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, New Jersey Future, and Flood Defense New Jersey to host a webinar explaining the purpose of a stormwater utility; how a stormwater utility works; how to decide if a stormwater utility is the right fit for a particular community; and how municipalities or counties can implement one.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUvD79bjiPQ[/embed]

In 2022, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced the availability of Technical Assistance for Stormwater Utility Feasibility Studies, which supports municipalities in completing a stormwater utility feasibility study. Stormwater feasibility studies can help communities weigh the costs and benefits of having a stormwater utility to determine if it's right for them. Princeton Hydro is currently conducting a feasibility study for the City of Lambertville.


Jersey Water Works Stormwater Utility Information Forum

Jersey Water Works is a collaborative effort of many diverse organizations and individuals who embrace the common purpose of transforming New Jersey’s water infrastructure. They bring people together to find equitable solutions focused on: Clean water and waterways; healthier, safer neighborhoods; local jobs; flood and climate resilience; and economic growth. Jersey Water Works consists of many different committees run by volunteers, including the Stormwater Utilities Subcommittee, which is part of the Asset Management and Finance Committee.

The Jersey Waterworks Stormwater Utility Subcommittee launched the “Stormwater Utility Informational Forum” comprising five one-hour-long, town-hall-style education sessions. Each session featured expert panelists who explored various aspects of creating a stormwater utility and establishing a sustainable and dedicated funding mechanism to pay for a community’s stormwater management program.

Utility leaders, government stormwater managers, municipal and county representatives, elected officials, experts and stakeholders came together to discuss the topics of stormwater financial planning and funding options; New Jersey legislation and the utility development process; stormwater rate structures and credits; stormwater utility policies; and stakeholder engagement.

Key leaders in the Stormwater Utility subcommittee who organized the information forum include Dana Patterson Grear, Director of Marketing and Communications for Princeton Hydro (co-chair); Micah Shapiro of RES (co-chair); Prabha Kumar of Black & Veatch Management Consulting LLC; and Elizabeth Treadway of WSP. The forum presenters included Prabha Kumar, Elizabeth Treadway, Dana Patterson Grear, Dave Mason of CDM Smith; Lindsey Sigmund of New Jersey Future.


The Art of Stakeholder Engagement

Prabha Kumar and Dana Patterson Grear led the final session of the forum, which was dedicated to Stakeholder Engagement. They shared their expert recommendations and real-world experience in fostering community involvement, navigating the complexities of stakeholder engagement, and developing inclusive public meetings and dialogues related to implementing a stormwater utility feasibility study.

The presentation emphasized the significance of prioritizing stakeholder engagement early on and maintaining consistent engagement throughout the entire stormwater utility feasibility process. Prabha and Dana also provided tons of easy-to-follow, actionable tips, including:

  • How to structure your stakeholder groups, including the creation of a project team, a project champion and internal steering committee;

  • Which local community groups, municipal entities, and other external stakeholders to include in the conversation and when to include them;

  • Key factors in planning public workshops, like how many workshops to host, should the workshops be virtual or in-person, and how to structure the agenda for the best results; and

  • How to create engaging graphics, solicit feedback and educate the target audience in ways that are inclusive, informative and tailored to the unique characteristics of the community.

"Creating a stormwater utility in your community can be challenging as it is a public policymaking process. Engaging stakeholders throughout the entire process and educating the public is not just a step; it's the cornerstone to success," said Dana. "It's about embracing a  diversity of voices from day one, listening to concerns and ideas, and collaboratively shaping a solution that resonates with your communities' needs."

Watch the full presentation.

[embed]https://youtu.be/WFeVCMrMlJE?si=qu8h-v8ESwrzAigd[/embed]

Continuing the Conversation

The Stormwater Utility Information Forum served as a platform for sharing expertise and fostering dialogue around supporting community efforts to properly manage stormwater and protect water quality. As the conversation continues, it's crucial to leverage these insights to drive meaningful change in stormwater management initiatives across New Jersey.

The sessions were held via Zoom and the recordings of the forum sessions made available on the Jersey Water Works website. The recorded sessions serve as invaluable resources for individuals, communities, and policymakers interested in delving deeper into stormwater management.

The journey towards sustainable stormwater management is ongoing. If you or your community are interested in furthering this cause or exploring a stormwater utility, don't hesitate to reach out. The Jersey Water Works Stormwater Utility Subcommittee and Princeton Hydro welcome all voices committed to creating a more resilient and equitable water infrastructure. For more information about the Stormwater Utility Subcommittee or to get involved, please contact info@jerseywaterworks.org. Also, please explore New Jersey Future's New Jersey Stormwater Utility Resource Center which is a treasure trove of resources on this topic!

Princeton Hydro is a leader in innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sound stormwater management systems. The preparation of stormwater management plans and design of stormwater management systems for pollutant reduction is an integral part of our projects - learn more.

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New Jersey Future, in partnership with Princeton Hydro, launched the New Jersey Stormwater Retrofit Best Management Practices (BMP) Guide. This comprehensive resource stands as a pivotal tool to aid local and county governments, nonprofits, developers, and property owners in retrofitting stormwater infrastructure and integrating sustainable green infrastructure solutions.

Historically, stormwater management measures, often seen in the form of detention basins in residential developments, shopping centers, and corporate complexes, have been designed to control peak flow (i.e., the maximum flow of water during a storm event) and do not necessarily provide a water quality improvement benefit.  A stormwater retrofit aims to modify the existing drainage system to further improve stormwater control and treatment practices. Retrofits can reduce runoff volume, filter out pollutants, increase groundwater recharge, and help mimic pre-development hydrology.

Many stormwater management features were built prior to contemporary regulatory frameworks like the 2021 Green Infrastructure Rule and 2023 Inland Flood Protection Rule. This guide aims to bridge the gap, supporting municipalities in complying with updated MS4 Permit regulations, offering insights into retrofitting existing BMPs, and introducing novel strategies for installing new stormwater BMPs in built-out environments.

Click here to view and download the complete guide.

New Jersey Future will be hosting a public webinar to review this new resource on January 23, 2024 at 12 PM. Register for the webinar here!


What the Guide Offers

Many communities installed stormwater features prior to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) 2004 Stormwater Management Rule, which means they are outdated and not designed to manage current and future storm events.

The guide's primary aim is to provide invaluable context and guidance, enhancing planning, prioritization, and design efforts for stormwater retrofits. It’s positioned to aid in MS4 Tier A permit compliance, project identification, and design while fostering public-private partnerships aligned with New Jersey Future's mission to promote sensible and equitable growth, redevelopment, and infrastructure investments to foster healthy, strong, resilient communities.

The guide is also intended to supplement existing resources provided by NJDEP as well as New Jersey Future’s Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure Program’s New Jersey Green Infrastructure Municipal Toolkit and New Jersey Developers Green Infrastructure Guide.

"As climate change is exacerbating flooding across the Garden State, it is imperative that we update our existing stormwater infrastructure to both handle the increased quantity of stormwater and filter out pollutants," said Dana Patterson Grear, Director of Marketing and Communications for Princeton Hydro, who helped design the guide and oversee its creation. "This comprehensive stormwater retrofit guide is a treasure trove of insights, strategies, and practical guidance aimed at empowering communities to retrofit outdated stormwater features in order to improve water quality and reduce flooding in their neighorhoods."

The informative and visually engaging guide is organized into eight sections. It delves into the historical context, the journey and evolution of stormwater management in New Jersey; provides real-world examples of successful stormwater retrofit projects across the state; discusses post-construction stormwater system inspection and maintenance protocols to ensure the longevity and effectiveness; and explores a diverse range of stormwater retrofit options, techniques, and strategies tailored for various community landscapes with practical insights and implementation guidance for a spectrum of scenarios.

"The majority of New Jersey’s stormwater management systems were designed and implemented before the MS4 permitting program was created in 2004 and before the NJ Stormwater Management Rule required green infrastructure," said Lindsey Sigmund, PP, AICP, Program Manager for New Jersey Future. "New Jersey Future believes that green infrastructure is a key tool to easing the burden of flooding issues by repairing and restoring missing links in the water cycle. This guide will help New Jersey’s municipalities retrofit their legacy infrastructure, implement green infrastructure solutions, and improve water quality and reduce flooding in their communities."

The toolkit’s conclusion resonates as a call to action, emphasizing the flexibility and adaptability of stormwater retrofits. It encourages proactive engagement with local agencies, universities, soil conservation districts, and watershed associations to initiate these vital transformations. Moreover, it directs stakeholders towards potential funding sources, underscoring the guide's practical applicability.


A Collaborative Triumph

New Jersey Future partnered with Princeton Hydro to create the guide along with input from a team of committed stakeholders, which includes: Fred Akers, Sheila Baker Gujral, Sandra Blick PE, Stephen Elliott, Andrew Filippi PE, Kathy Hale, Jeromie Lange, PE, PP, CME, CFM, Grant Lucking, Gabriel Mahon, PE, Craig McGee, Nicole Miller, Christopher Obropta, PE, Michael Pisauro Jr. Esq., Annie Polkowski, Jaclyn Rhoads PhD, Lucia Osborne, and Fred Stine. A special thank you to Lindsey Sigmund and Patricia Dunkak of New Jersey Future and the entire stakeholder team for your ideas, feedback, and participation. New Jersey Future also gratefully acknowledges the William Penn Foundation for its generous financial support, which made this project possible.

stormwater detention basin planted with native plant species and a few houses in the background  

Founded in 1987, New Jersey Future is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes sensible and equitable growth, redevelopment, and infrastructure investments to foster healthy, strong, resilient communities; protect natural lands and waterways; increase transportation choices beyond cars; provide access to safe, affordable, and aging-friendly neighborhoods; and fuel a strong economy for everyone. Click here to learn more.

Princeton Hydro is a leader in innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sound stormwater management systems. The preparation of stormwater management plans and design of stormwater management systems for pollutant reduction is an integral part of our projects. Click here to learn more. To explore more of New Jersey's stormwater management resources, click here. [post_title] => Introducing the New Jersey Stormwater Retrofit BMP Guide [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => new-jersey-stormwater-retrofit-best-management-practices-guide [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-01-18 05:01:06 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-01-18 05:01:06 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=13897 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 13876 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2023-11-07 16:12:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2023-11-07 16:12:00 [post_content] =>

The Watershed Institute hosted a webinar on Enhanced Stormwater Management Ordinances, which featured two expert speakers: Princeton Hydro Senior Technical Director of Engineering Dr. Clay Emerson, PE, CFM, and The Watershed Institute Policy Director Michael Pisauro, Esq. They provided guidance on NJDEP's new stormwater ordinances, a summary of requirements, and recommendations for developing and implementing stronger ordinances.

Co-sponsored by the American Littoral Society, Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, and Pinelands Preservation Alliance, the webinar was attended by officials, planning board members, municipal professionals (engineers and planners), attorneys and Environmental Commission members from all across the state.

In March 2020, NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) published revisions to the New Jersey Stormwater Management Rule (N.J.A.C. 7:8), which states that, in order to meet stormwater management performance criteria set forth by NJDEP, New Jersey municipalities are required to update their stormwater control ordinances to incorporate green infrastructure. Check out our blog detailing the updated requirements.

NJDEP periodically updates the stormwater rules and provides municipalities with a deadline to incorporate the rule changes in order to stay in compliance. In July 2023, NJDEP published the Inland Flood Protection Rule, which requires municipalities to update their stormwater control ordinances to improve water quality. The Watershed Institute’s webinar, which was part of its “Technical Friday" webinar series, not only provided participants with a clear understanding of the recent rule updates and guidance on how to implement best practices, but also provided the opportunity for everyone to get their questions answered.

To view the full webinar, click below:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROn4wtzyp4k&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

The Watershed Institute's next "Technical Friday" webinar, which is free to attend, will focus on "Stormwater Design: Myths and Misconceptions." One of the most complicated aspects of a new development application is designing the stormwater management infrastructure.  It is also one of the most complex parts of reviewing applications before New Jersey’s land use boards.  While stormwater management is a difficult and complex issue, it is vital to the health and wellbeing of New Jersey communities and residents. The state's 2023 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit puts front and center New Jersey's obligation to review the stormwater issues caused by land development.  Better design submissions will assist in reaching this goal and may speed up the process of review and approval.

On December 8 from 10 am - 12 pm, join Gabriel Mahon, PE, Bureau Chief of the Bureau of NJPDES Stormwater permitting and Water Quality Management and Dr. Clay Emerson, PhD, PE, CFM from Princeton Hydro as they examine some of the common issues they uncover in stormwater management proposals and provide guidance on incorporating best practices and submitting designs that successfully address New Jersey's stormwater management goals.

Click here to register.

The Watershed Institute, established in 1949, is a nonprofit organization located in Central New Jersey that promotes and advocates conservation and restoration of natural habitats, collects data on environmental conditions in its watersheds, and provides environmental education through numerous programs. To learn more about The Watershed Institute, click here.

At Princeton Hydro, we recognize the benefit of green infrastructure and we’ve been incorporating it into our engineering designs since before the term was regularly used in the stormwater lexicon. We are a leader in innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sound stormwater management systems. The preparation of stormwater management plans and design of stormwater management systems for pollutant reduction is an integral part of our projects. Click here to read about an award-winning Green Infrastructure stormwater management & Floodplain Restoration project we completed on Blue Acres Property in Linden’s Tremley Point.

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400 native plants were installed along the western shoreline of Memorial Pond in Mount Arlington, New Jersey. The planting was completed in one day by a team of 20+ volunteers, staff members from Mt. Arlington Department of Public Works (DPW), Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Lake Hopatcong Commission, Princeton Hydro, and a generous community member who volunteered his excavating equipment (and time).

The planting initiative aims to prevent shoreline erosion, promote the growth of native species, increase wildlife habitat, and improve the water quality of Memorial Pond and Lake Hopatcong. Funding for this project was secured through a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, awarded to the Lake Hopatcong Commission in partnership with the Lake Hopatcong Foundation.

[caption id="attachment_13422" align="aligncenter" width="616"] Photo by Lake Hopatcong Foundation Executive Director Kyle Richter[/caption]

Memorial Pond

Drainage Area Aerial Map of Mt. Arlington Memorial Beach and Memorial Park in New Jersey. Created by Princeton Hydro.Memorial Pond is a 0.3-acre stormwater runoff basin that gradually releases into Glen Brook, which then flows into Lake Hopatcong. The pond receives sheet flow of stormwater from the adjacent road, which contributes to nutrient and sediment loading, thus locally reducing water quality in Memorial Pond and ultimately the waters of Lake Hopatcong.

Memorial Park, which includes Memorial Pond and Glen Brook, was identified by Princeton Hydro and the Lake Hopatcong team as a priority site for improvement, targeting initiatives that reduce pollutants and excessive nutrients entering into Lake Hopatcong.

Additionally, the pond’s steeply-sloped shoreline was bare and only stabilized with large rocks at the base of the banks. In the absence of stabilizing vegetation, the pond’s banks were experiencing erosion, and there was some concern about a few mature trees along the shoreline potentially falling into the pond.

[gallery link="none" ids="13416,13407,13413"]

The photos above were taken in April 2023 before the planting initiative.


Shoreline Planting Initiative

The plant selection and layout were designed taking into account the steep slope and presence of mature, existing trees as well as focusing on regionally native plant species that will thrive and help stabilize the eroding shoreline. The planting team, led by Princeton Hydro Landscape Architect Jamie Feinstein, RLA and Aquatics Project Manager Pat Rose, was given precise instructions on how to install the plants to eliminate washouts and ensure the root systems can embrace the soil and hold it in place.

A variety of native herbaceous plants and shrubs were chosen for the site, including pennsylvania sedge, slender mountain mint, blue flag iris, sweet azalea, smooth hydrangea, and maple-leaved viburnum.

[gallery link="none" ids="13427,13421,13428"]

The plants will help reduce stormwater flow, absorb excess nutrients, prevent erosion, and ultimately decrease sedimentation to the pond, while creating a visually pleasing addition to the park and providing a habitat for pollinators and birds. Overall, this project promotes a healthier and more balanced ecosystem in Memorial Park.

[gallery link="none" ids="13400,13392,13394"]

The photos above were taken in July 2023 immediately after the planting initiative.


Multi-Faceted Approach to Water Quality Improvements

The installation of these beneficial plants is part of a series of water quality initiatives on Lake Hopatcong funded by a NJDEP Freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Prevention & Management Grant and 319(h) Grant awarded to Lake Hopatcong Commission in partnership with the Lake Hopatcong Foundation.

Additional initiatives included in the watershed implementation and HABs management plan are, the installation of:

  • floating wetland island (FWI), which are a low-cost, effective green infrastructure solution designed to mimic natural wetlands in a sustainable, efficient, and powerful way. FWIs improve water quality by assimilating and removing excess nutrients; provide valuable ecological habitat for a variety of beneficial species; help mitigate wave and wind erosion impacts; provide an aesthetic element; and add significant biodiversity enhancement within open freshwater environments;

  • biochar filtration bags, which improve water quality by removing phosphorus from waterbodies. Biochar can be placed in floatation balls, cages, or sacks, which are then tethered along the shoreline and in critical locations throughout the waterbody; and

  • nanobubble aeration system, which increases the concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the water, prevents stagnation of water, increases circulation, disrupts thermal stratification which provides “through-column” mixing, and minimizes the occurrence of HABs.

“Paired with biochar filters attached to buoys in the pond and continued monitoring and maintenance of the plantings by the DPW, these steps will set a healthy precedent for what can be achieved through working together with funders, local partners, science, and landscape architecture,” said Feinstein, who sourced plant material, provided logistics and co-led the planning and volunteer planting event along with Rose.

Princeton Hydro's Landscape Architect, Cory Speroff PLA, ASLA, CBLP, designed the planting plan, and Will Kelleher and Jackson Tilves from the Aquatics Team participated in the plant installation event with Feinstein.

Princeton Hydro is also authoring and supplying a maintenance manual that provides guidance on seasonal care of the plantings, when to remove the herbivory protection fencing, pruning, watering, and other activities that support the long term success of the planting initiative. 

“This collaborative effort to enhance water quality serves as a prime example of how seemingly simple actions can have a meaningful impact on safeguarding our water resources for the benefit of future generations,” said the Lake Hopatcong Foundation.

[gallery link="none" ids="13403,13429,13393"]

The photos above from left to right: June 2023 before the planting; July 2023 during the planting (photo by Lake Hopatcong Foundation Executive Director Kyle Richter); and July 2023 immediately after the planting.


Princeton Hydro has been working on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest Lake, for 30+ years, restoring the lake, managing the watershed, reducing pollutant loading, and addressing invasive aquatic plants and nuisance algal blooms. To read about some of the other projects we’ve recently worked on at Lake Hopatcong, click here.

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Exciting changes have unfolded at Kol Emet, a Reconstructionist Congregation in Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The campus’ exterior lands have undergone a remarkable transformation, blossoming into an enchanting and peaceful place for community member gatherings, and a wildflower meadow.

Princeton Hydro partnered with Congregation Kol Emet to design and implement the synagogue's 10-acre campus transformation. The Princeton Hydro team provided green infrastructure engineering, landscape architecture, and construction services aimed at enhancing the usability and welcoming atmosphere of the synagogue, and creating a sustainable outdoor solution in the event of future pandemics, and a place to connect with the natural environment that surrounds the property. The design provides a net positive impact by reducing flooding in the community and improves water quality by augmenting stormwater management and biodiversity throughout the property.

"Our vision surpassed mere construction of a gathering space," said Geoffrey M. Goll P.E., President of Princeton Hydro, a congregant of Kol Emet, Executive Board Member, and point person for the project. "We wanted to create a harmonious union between the synagogue campus and the surrounding preserved woodlands, cultivating a serene haven where congregants can unite, celebrate, and worship, while also enhancing the ecological functionality and biodiversity of the landscape. This was a realization of the vision of the Founders of Kol Emet and the labor and financial support of many members of the Board, past and present, and a generous donation by a longtime supporter of the community. The outdoor sanctuary was named in honor and memory of a founding member and former President, Geri Shatz, who was a staunch supporter of the Jewish community and advocate for the mission of Kol Emet. She lived the ideals of community and contribution. I am proud of the extraordinary transformation that’s been achieved."


About the Congregation of Kol Emet

The Kol Emet Reconstructionist Congregation, is a 501(c)3 religious organization, founded in 1984. While a center of worship for its members, it is much more than that. Kol Emet is a community of people who care about improving the world around them through social action and environmental protection.

The sentiment of "Tikkun Olam" is embodied by Kol Emet and the committee that spearheaded the project, working directly with the Princeton Hydro team to bring the project goals to fruition. The modern interpretation of the Hebrew phrase “Tikkun Olam,” is “action intended to repair and improve the world.” The campus restoration project brings the concept of “Tikkun Olam” to life.


About the Restoration Project

Princeton Hydro Landscape Architect Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP is the project’s lead designer. The project included landscape design and planting that incorporates native and sustainable trees and shrubs; significant upgrades to the existing stormwater management basin, including the conversion of low-flow channels, impervious surfaces, and turf-covered areas to native grassland and wildflower habitat; and the development of the “Geri Shatz Outdoor Contemplative Space."

Cory’s design inspiration for the Geri Shatz Outdoor Contemplative Space is modeled after the Hebrew term “etz chaim” or “Tree of Life.” In Judaism, the Tree of Life has a number of meanings, both literal and figurative. In the Kabbalah, the Tree of Life represents the connection between heaven and earth, wisdom and knowledge, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It is visually represented as a diagram that looks much like a tree with 10 nodes and 22 lines. Cory’s design for the community space uses strategically placed trees to mimic the Tree of Life and aims to promote community connection and a connection to the surrounding natural landscape.

 

The contemplative space consists of a bimah, seating to accommodate at least 80 people, and a beautiful array of native trees and flowering shrubs, including black gum, silver birch, and Virginia sweetspire.

[gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="13117,13071"]

Cory’s design for the land surrounding the contemplative space improves flood resilience; controls stormwater runoff volume and promotes groundwater recharge; boosts safety features of the campus; and enhances habitat for pollinators, native plants, and other important species. The wildflower meadow was seeded with a variety of native plants, including purple love grass, common milkweed, wild bergamot, and blue wild indigo.

[gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="13055,13081"] [gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="13042,13044"]

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt like the only way to see our loved ones was to be outside, and during these backyard and front porch gatherings many people re-discovered their love for the outdoors,” said Cory. “In talking with the Committee, there was a desire to create an outdoor sanctuary where the congregation could gather and continue that re-discovery. I believe that through the careful consideration of symbolic elements and thoughtful design choices, we’ve created a space that can inspire introspection, connection, and a sense of harmony with both nature and faith.”


The Generosity that Made the Project Possible

Funding for the project came from the Congregation Kol Emet’s “Our Heart. Our Home” capital campaign, a $750,000 campaign focused on upgrading four key aspects of the synagogue: social hall, HVAC upgrades, indoor sanctuary, outside school, and the new outdoor sanctuary. The outdoor sanctuary and ecological uplift to the 10-acre campus is a primary piece of the campaign and was made possible by the generous donations of several Kol Emet members.

Stan Shatz bestowed a bounteous donation in memory of Geri Shatz, which made possible the creation of the “Geri Shatz Outdoor Contemplative Space.”

The following families also contributed to the funding of the Geri Shatz Outdoor Contemplative Space: Laurel & Kevin Bloch, Barbara & Debra Fogel and Family, Jill & David Gordon, Annie & Ryan Kubanoff and Family, and Teddi & Josh Matisoff and Family.

The Princeton Hydro team is honored to have worked with Kol Emet on this important and inspirational project.


Enjoying and Celebrating the New Space

Congregation Kol Emet came together on Sunday, June 4, 2023 for a celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the outdoor sanctuary project. Here are a few photos from the joyous event:

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Princeton Hydro is an expert in engineering, ecological restoration, and landscape architecture, and we’ve been incorporating green stormwater infrastructure and nature-based solutions into our designs for decades. Click here to read about the landscape restoration and stormwater management project we designed and implemented in Thompson Park, a 675-acre recreation area in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

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On June 6, 2023, New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy announced the Administration’s upcoming adoption of the Inland Flood Protection Rule to better protect New Jersey’s communities from worsening riverine flooding and stormwater runoff. The rulemaking was filed with the Office of Administrative Law and was adopted, effective on July 17, 2023, after publication in the New Jersey Register. A courtesy copy of the rule and additional information are available here.

The Inland Flood Protection Rule updates New Jersey’s existing flood hazard and stormwater regulations by replacing outdated precipitation estimates with modern data that account for observed and projected increases in rainfall. These changes will help reduce flooding from stormwater runoff and increase the resilience of new developments located in flood-prone inland areas. Upon adoption, New Jersey will become the first state to use predictive precipitation modeling to implement rules to inform and protect future development and redevelopment from the impacts of climate change.

The Inland Flood Protection Rule will serve as a critical component of my Administration’s comprehensive strategy to bolster our state’s resilience amid the worsening impacts of climate change,” said Governor Murphy. “As a national model for climate adaptation and mitigation, we can no longer afford to depend on 20th-century data to meet 21st-century challenges. This rule’s formation and upcoming adoption testify to our commitment to rely on the most up-to-date science and robust stakeholder engagement to inform our most crucial policy decisions.

[caption id="attachment_12829" align="alignnone" width="1230"]Street flooded over sidewalks and up to buildings in Lambertville NJ Street Flooded in Lambertville, NJ[/caption]  

Inland Flood Protection Rule Overview

The Inland Flood Protection Rule establishes design elevations that are reflective of New Jersey’s changing climate and more frequent and intense rainfall, replacing standards based on outdated data and past conditions. The updated standards will apply to certain new and substantially reconstructed developments in inland riverine areas that are subject to flooding, but they do not prohibit development in these flood hazard areas.

Under the two primary components of the rule:

  1. The elevation of habitable first floors will be two feet higher than currently indicated on NJDEP state flood maps and three feet higher than indicated on FEMA maps.
  2. Applicants for certain permits will use NJDEP’s New Jersey-specific precipitation data when calculating peak flow rates of streams and rivers for permits under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:13, as well as when proposed development triggers compliance with DEP’s Stormwater Management rules, N.J.A.C. 7:8.

The updated standards in the Inland Flood Protection Rule will apply to new or reconstructed developments and not to existing developments. Pending development applications before NJDEP that are administratively complete at the time of adoption are not affected by these changes. Existing provisions of the flood hazard and stormwater rules that provide flexibility from strict compliance based on unique site-specific conditions will remain in place, along with new provisions designed to ensure that infrastructure projects already in progress can continue to move forward.

The final rule also provides clarifications for the legacy provision of the Flood Hazard Area Control Act rules at N.J.A.C. 7:13-2.1 to address projects that were wholly located outside the prior flood hazard area, and which have already received local approval under the Municipal Land Use Law. As initially proposed, this exemption from the new flood elevations would have been limited to those projects that had begun construction before the new rules were adopted. In recognition of the often-significant investments made for projects that have reached the stage of receiving municipal approval, NJDEP is retaining the existing exemption for such projects.

New Jersey’s Flood Indicator Tool

“New Jersey’s communities are facing unprecedented threats from the devastating impacts of extreme rainfall events, which are expected to continue to intensify in their frequency and severity,” said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “The Inland Flood Protection Rule ensures that inland, riverine areas at significant risk are better defined and that new and reconstructed assets in these areas are designed and constructed to protect New Jersey’s assets, economy and, above all, our people from the catastrophic effects of worsening floods. My DEP colleagues and I are truly grateful for Governor Murphy’s vision and leadership and for the thoughtful feedback we have received from the public and leaders in labor, business, local government, academia, and advocacy in designing this rule as part of the New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJ PACT) initiative.”

Screenshot of New Jersey’s Flood Indicator Tool MapperIn connection with the proposed Inland Flood Protection Rule, to aid the public to gauge flood risk and provide a visual approximation of regulatory jurisdiction on specific parcels, NJDEP has launched a flood indicator tool.  While the tool does not provide a definitive demonstration of regulatory jurisdiction or calculate actual risk, it can be useful in assisting property owners or prospective property owners on potential risk and, by referencing the 500-year flood extent, approximate NJDEP’s regulatory jurisdiction and flood risk. Equipped with this information, property owners may then decide to take additional steps to determine actual risk, which is dependent on site-specific conditions.


For more information on Princeton Hydro's stormwater management, flood mitigation, and resilience services, please contact us here. [post_title] => NJDEP Announces Filing of Inland Flood Protection Rule [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => njdep-announces-filing-of-inland-flood-protection-rule [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2023-07-24 17:01:48 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-07-24 17:01:48 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=12825 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [6] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 12550 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2023-05-16 14:22:25 [post_date_gmt] => 2023-05-16 14:22:25 [post_content] =>

In the late 1920s, the U.S. government began allocating funds for road construction in U.S. national forests. This led to hundreds of thousands of culverts being built and installed across the country for the purpose of moving water quickly and efficiently underneath the roadways to prevent flooding, minimize erosion, and provide pathways for stormwater.

However, culverts have had an unintended and significant consequence: they block the migration routes of some fish and aquatic organisms.

Culverts that are undersized, improperly placed, or designed with smooth featureless surfaces can impede or totally block fish and aquatic species from passing. Culverts with extremely high velocity flows make it incredibly difficult for aquatic organisms to navigate upstream, and extremely low velocity flows make it hard for fish to pass in either direction. The high-velocity flows can erode the stream channel immediately downstream of the culvert, which can leave the culvert pipe perched. This elevation above the water channel makes it impossible for organisms to pass through. Debris can also collect in the culvert, not only blocking fish passage, but water as well.

In addition to blocking the upstream passage of fish and other aquatic species, some culverts disrupt the normal stream movements of some macroinvertebrates, which are key components of these stream ecosystems, an important food source to countless species, and play a critical role in the cycling of energy and nutrients throughout stream ecosystems. Disruptions to the movement and dispersal of stream macroinvertebrates can reduce available habitat, lead to genetic isolation of some populations, and cause extirpation of critical species. When populations splinter, it causes a reduction in genetic diversity, which can lead to the spread of more invasive species and many other ecological issues.

[caption id="attachment_12565" align="aligncenter" width="411"] Diagram created by NOAA Fisheries[/caption]  

While culverts serve an important function in road construction and flood prevention, their impact on aquatic organisms must be taken into consideration. Finding solutions that both allow for efficient water flow and enable safe aquatic migration is crucial in preserving the health of our waterways and their ecosystems.


Addressing outdated, unsafe, and obsolete culverts

A shift in the 1980s recognized the importance of redesigning road-stream crossings for several reasons, including restoring aquatic organism passage and maintaining flood resilience. Between 2008 and 2015, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) partnered with more than 200 organizations in the Legacy Roads and Trails Program to replace 1,000+ culverts across the country. The aim of the program was to upgrade culverts to emulate natural streams and to allow fish and wildlife to pass more naturally both upstream and downstream.

Replacing culverts with structures that better facilitate the movement of both water and aquatic organisms has benefits beyond restoring critical ecosystems and improving biodiversity. Ecological restoration creates jobs, stimulates outdoor recreation and local economic activity, and generates long-term economic value.

Princeton Hydro has a strong history in designing connectivity-friendly road-stream crossings and restoring/replacing outdated culverts. Our team of engineers and scientists has been directly involved with hundreds of stream and ecosystem restoration projects throughout the Northeast.

For several years, Princeton Hydro has partnered with NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) to plan and design for aquatic connectivity through climate-ready infrastructure. Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) at the request of the governors of New York and New Jersey, HEP develops and implements plans that protect, conserve and restore the estuary, and aquatic connectivity is a key focus area for HEP and its partners.

Most recently, HEP partnered with Princeton Hydro to address hydraulic capacity issues at priority road-stream crossings in New Jersey’s South River and Lower Raritan River watersheds. The Princeton Hydro team developed a 30% engineering plan for a priority road-stream crossing – the Birch Street crossing over the Iresick Brook in Old Bridge, NJ.


Iresick Brook Culvert Restoration

Iresick Brook is upstream from Duhernal Lake, located at the end of the free-flowing South River, which feeds into the Raritan River, and ultimately flows into Raritan Bay. Duhernal Lake is dammed at the outlet so there is little to no connectivity downstream from the Iresick Brook sub-watershed. The watershed is highly dendritic (meaning the drainage pattern follows a tree-like shape) with many small streams running through it, some of them ephemeral.

The Iresick Brook 5 (IB5) culvert, located in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, is an undersized double culvert in poor condition with an eroding streambank. This culvert was chosen as a restoration priority primarily due its inadequate sizing (both pipes are only 3-feet in diameter). The outdated infrastructure blocks the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms, and it can only accommodate a 50-year storm event.

Once the IB5 culvert was identified as the priority site, Princeton Hydro completed a site investigation, which included a geomorphic assessment, site observations, and simplified site survey of the channel alignment, profile, and cross sections both upstream and downstream of the culvert.

At the time of the survey, flow was only a couple inches deep in the channel and incredibly slow-moving, especially in the upstream reach. Despite the low flow at the time of the survey, during storm events, the stream experiences extremely high velocities. The undersized culvert creates hydraulic constriction and subsequently a velocity barrier that prevents passage. Additionally, when the high-flow stream water is forced through the small pipes, it creates a firehose effect, which has led to the formation of a 60-foot-long scour hole at the culvert outlet. Substrate from the scour hole has been washed downstream, forming an island of large sand and small gravel.

Approximately 155 feet upstream of the culvert is a channel-spanning v-notch weir comprised of a combination of sheet pile and timber. The weir appears to be a historical stream gauge that is highly degraded and creates an artificially perched channel. The upstream channel also contains woody debris, which gets caught at the culvert, blocking water flow and organism passage.

For the design process, Princeton Hydro used the USFS Stream Simulation Design, an gold-standard ecosystem-based approach for designing and constructing road-stream crossings that provide unimpeded fish and other aquatic organism passage through the structure. The Stream Simulation, a required standard on USFS road projects, integrates fluvial geomorphology concepts and methods with engineering principles to design a road-stream crossing that contains a natural and dynamic channel through the structure so that fish and other aquatic organisms will experience no greater difficulty moving through the structure than if the crossing did not exist.

The design also incorporated utility constraints (gas line, sewer line, drinking water main, and stormwater outlet), a longitudinal profile assessment, channel capacity and slope analysis, and a simplified hydrologic & hydraulic assessment.

Ultimately, Princeton Hydro recommended that HEP replace the existing culvert with a Contech Precast O-321 culvert, or similar alternative. The proposed design increases the culvert opening area and allows for significant increases in flow capacity. This culvert replacement project has the potential to reduce local flood risk and restore aquatic organism passage to the reach of Iresick Brook.

To get a more detailed look at the IB5 culvert project and learn more about HEP and its partnership with Princeton Hydro, click below for a full presentation from Isabelle Stinnette of HEP and Jake Dittes, PE of Princeton Hydro: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-qbV9EG9Ss[/embed]

Prioritizing Culvert Restoration

Aquatic connectivity is crucial for improving healthy aquatic ecosystems and managing severe storms and flooding. Increases in rainfall due to climate change makes investing in these improvements even more of a growing priority. With so many culverts in place, it can be difficult to know which culvert restoration projects to prioritize.

We worked with HEP to create a toolkit for addressing problematic road-stream crossings. The easy-to-use matrix helps to prioritize potential projects and identify solutions for problem culverts and relative cost solutions.

The toolkit was just recently released to the public with the hope that it will be used as a template to promote the development of more resilient and environmentally-friendly infrastructure.

Click here to get more info and download.

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Aquatic connectivity is crucial for improving healthy aquatic ecosystems and managing severe storms and flooding. Increases in rainfall due to climate change makes investing in these improvements even more of a growing priority. With so many culverts in place – not to mention, many of these culverts are located in river headwaters – it can be very challenging to know which culvert restoration projects to prioritize.

Princeton Hydro partnered with New York - New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) and the Hudson River Foundation to create a toolkit for addressing problematic road-stream crossings. The easy-to-use matrix helps to prioritize potential projects and identify solutions for problem culverts and relative cost solutions.

Purpose of Toolkit

The toolkit is meant to be used by a wide audience of professionals and volunteers, including those familiar with the North America Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) protocol for assessing road stream crossings. It builds on the data collected through the NAACC (or similar) field assessments to identify the least expensive & highest priority project sites and provide solutions ranging from low-tech solutions that can be implemented by volunteers at minor blockages, to detailed engineering and construction plans that would require qualified contractors to implement at severe blockages.

The toolkit was just recently released to the public with the hope that it will be used as a template to promote the development of more resilient and environmentally-friendly infrastructure.

Download the Toolkit

Read the full description and download the toolkit now by clicking below:

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The Watershed Institute’s Annual Conference brings together municipal representatives, engineers, environmental professionals, watershed advocates, business leaders, and community members to advance the best available information and techniques for protecting and restoring watersheds. The program consists of a keynote discussion, exhibits, poster sessions and presentations that combine science, policy, and practical applications.

This year’s conference, focused on stormwater management in New Jersey, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements, regional solutions to address stormwater runoff and flooding, environmental justice, and the need for community-wide action.

Princeton Hydro, a proud sponsor of the conference, led two presentations:


Translating Waste Load Allocations & Load Allocations Into Water Improvement Plans

This presentation, given by Princeton Hydro Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services Dr. Fred Lubnow and One Water Consulting, LLC Principal Jim Cosgrove P.E., provided a basic understanding of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), how they’re connected to Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) requirements, and addressed how towns can best utilize Waste Load Allocations in the development of a WIPs.

Watch now: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=763ekPvi2vo[/embed]

Understanding Watersheds

This presentation was led by three members of the Princeton Hydro team: Senior Technical Director of Engineering Dr. Clay Emerson P.E., CFM; Vice President, Founding Principal Mark Gallagher; and Senior Director of Ecological Services Dr. Fred Lubnow. Participants learned about how to develop regional, multi-municipality plans for improving water quality and reducing flooding.

Watch now: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSrGFX5IMfg&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

Other presentation topics included, “Understanding Water Quality in New Jersey,” “Stormwater Utilities for Community Members,” and “Youth Advocacy – Engaging the Next Generation in MS4.” You can view all the presentations from the 6th Annual Conference by clicking below:

Save the date for the 7th Annual Watershed Conference: February 9, 2024.

Princeton Hydro is recognized as a leader in innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sound stormwater management green infrastructure. We've been incorporating green infrastructure into our engineering designs since before the term was regularly used in the stormwater lexicon. Click here to learn how we designed a green infrastructure stormwater management system, on a 55-acre corporate campus, that is capable of containing on site nearly all the stormwater runoff generated by storm events up to and including a 100-year frequency, 24-hour duration storm:

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This article, written by Princeton Hydro team members, was recently published in the ANJEC Report, a quarterly magazine published by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.

Our lakes in New Jersey are an invaluable resource for clean drinking water, outdoor recreation, and agriculture and provide habitat for aquatic flora and fauna. Home to about 1,700 lakes, the “Garden State” is also the most densely populated state. Excess nutrients from fertilizers, roadway pollutants, overdevelopment, and failing septic systems can end up in our lakes and impair water quality. Larger rain events can also cause erosion and instability of streams, adding to the influx of more excess nutrients to our lakes and ponds. Changes in hydrology, water chemistry, biology, and/or physical properties in these complex ecosystems can have cascading consequences that can alter water quality and the surrounding ecosystem. For example, excess nutrients can fuel algal and plant growth in lakes and lead to issues like harmful algal blooms (HABs) or fish kills.

In order to ensure that we protect the overall health of our local waterbodies, it’s important that we look beyond just the lake itself. Implementing holistic watershed-based planning is a critical step in managing stormwater runoff, preventing the spread of HABs, and maintaining water quality. A watershed management plan defines and addresses existing or future water quality problems from both point sources and nonpoint sources of pollutants*. This approach addresses all the beneficial uses of a waterbody, the criteria needed to protect the use, and the strategies required to restore water quality or prevent degradation. When developing a watershed plan, we review all the tools in the toolbox and recommend a variety of best management practices to prevent nutrients from entering lakes or streams. Options include short- and long-term solutions such as green stormwater infrastructure, stream bank stabilization, and stormwater basin retrofits.

To reduce nutrient availability in lakes, one innovative tool in our toolbox is floating wetland islands (FWIs). FWIs are a low-cost, effective green infrastructure solution that are designed to mimic natural wetlands in a sustainable, efficient, and powerful way. They improve water quality by assimilating and removing excess nutrients; provide valuable ecological habitat for a variety of beneficial species; help mitigate wave and wind erosion impacts; provide an aesthetic element; and add significant biodiversity enhancement within open freshwater environments. FWIs are also highly effective in a range of waterbodies from big to small, from deep to shallow.

[caption id="attachment_4363" align="aligncenter" width="631"]This illustration, created by Staff Scientist Ivy Babson, conveys the functionality of a Floating Wetland Island This illustration, sketched by Princeton Hydro Staff Scientist Ivy Babson, conveys the functionality of a floating wetland island.[/caption]  

Typically, FWIs consist of a constructed floating mat, usually composed of woven, recycled plastic material, with vegetation planted directly into the material. The islands are then launched into the lake and anchored in place, and, once established, require very little maintenance.

It estimated that one 250-square-foot FWI has a surface area equal to approximately one acre of natural wetland. These floating ecosystems can remove approximately 10 pounds of phosphorus each year. To put that into perspective, one pound of phosphorus can produce 1,100 pounds of algae each year, so each 250-square-feet of FWI can potentially mitigate up to 11,000 pounds of algae.

In addition to removing phosphorus that can feed nuisance aquatic plant growth and algae, FWIs also provide excellent refuge habitat for beneficial forage fish and can provide protection from shoreline erosion.

Let's take a look at some examples of FWIs in action:

Lake Hopatcong

[gallery columns="2" link="none" ids="11071,10666"]  

Princeton Hydro has been working with Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest Lake, for 30+ years, restoring the lake, managing the watershed, reducing pollutant loading, and addressing invasive aquatic plants and nuisance algal blooms. Back in 2012, Lake Hopatcong became the first public lake in New Jersey to install FWIs. In the summer of 2022, nine more FWIs were installed in the lake with help from staff and volunteers from the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Lake Hopatcong Commission, and Princeton Hydro. The lake’s Landing Channel and Ashley Cove were chosen for the installations because they are both fairly shallow and prone to weed growth. The installation of these floating wetland islands is part of a series of water quality initiatives on Lake Hopatcong funded by a NJDEP Harmful Algal Bloom Grant and 319(h) Grant awarded to Lake Hopatcong Commission and Lake Hopatcong Foundation.


Greenwood Lake

floating wetland island installation on greenwood lake in new jersey

Princeton Hydro partnered with the Greenwood Lake Commission (GWLC) on a FWI installation in Belcher's Creek, the main tributary of Greenwood Lake. The lake, a 1,920-acre waterbody located in both New Jersey and New York, is a highly valued ecological, economical, and recreational resource. The lake also serves as a headwater supply of potable water that flows to the Monksville Reservoir and eventually into the Wanaque Reservoir, where it supplies over 3 million people with drinking water.

The goal of the FWI Installation was to help decrease total phosphorus loading, improve water quality, and create important habitat for beneficial aquatic, insect, bird, and wildlife species. The project was partially funded by the NJDEP Water Quality Restoration Grants for Nonpoint Source Pollution Program under Section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act. GWLC was awarded one of NJDEP’s matching grants, which provided $2 in funding for every $1 invested by the grant applicant.


Harveys Lake

Volunteers install native plants in one of the FWIs installed in Harveys Lake. Photo by: Mark Moran, The Citizen’s Voice.

Measuring 630+ acres, Harveys Lake is the largest natural lake (by volume) in Pennsylvania and is one of the most heavily used lakes in the area. It is classified as a high quality - cold water fishery habitat (HQ-CWF) and is designated for protection under the classification. Since 2002, The Borough of Harveys Lake and Harveys Lake Environmental Advisory Council has worked with Princeton Hydro on a variety of lake management efforts focused around maintaining high water quality conditions, strengthening stream banks and shorelines, and managing stormwater runoff. Five floating wetland islands were installed in Harveys Lake to assimilate and reduce nutrients already in the lake. The islands were placed in areas with high concentrations of nutrients, placed 50 feet from the shoreline and tethered in place with steel cables and anchored. The FWIs were funded by PADEP.


Wesley Lake and Sunset Lake

Working with the Deal Lake Commission (DLC), Princeton Hydro designed and installed 12 floating wetland islands at two lakes in Asbury Park, NJ. In order to complete the installation of the floating wetland islands, our team worked with the DLC to train and assist over 30 volunteers to plant plugs in the islands and launch them into the two lakes. Our experts helped disseminate knowledge to the volunteers, not only about how to install the floating wetland islands, but how they scientifically worked to remove excess nutrients from the water. With assistance from Princeton Hydro, DLC acquired the 12 floating islands – six for Wesley Lake and six for Sunset Lake – through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant awarded by NJDEP.


In addition to the direct environmental benefits of FWIs, the planting events themselves, which usually involve individuals from the local lake communities, have long-lasting positive impacts. When community members come together to help plant FWIs, it gives them a deepened sense of ownership and strengthens their connection to the lake. This, in turn, encourages continued stewardship of the watershed and creates a broader awareness of how human behaviors impact the lake and its water quality. And, real water quality improvements begin at the watershed level with how people treat their land.

For more information on watershed planning or installing FWI in your community, click here to contact us. To learn more about ANJEC, go here.

- *U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2008. Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters.

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Today is World Water Day - an annual United Nations observance day that highlights the importance of fresh water and encourages people around the globe to participate in activities that protect our water resources.

Reducing stormwater pollution in our neighborhoods is an activity everyone can take part in.

Urbanization has fundamentally altered the way that water moves through the landscape. Stormwater that doesn’t soak into the ground runs along streets and parking lots and picks up pollutants. Much of the pollution in our nation’s waterways comes from everyday materials like fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, trash and plastics, and household chemicals. Rainwater washes these substances from streets, yards, and driveways into storm drains.

It’s a common misconception that storm drains lead to wastewater treatment plants. In actuality, storm drains rarely lead to treatment plants and, instead, untreated water is carried directly to the nearest waterway. This polluted runoff can have negative impacts on water quality, overstimulate algal growth (both toxic and non-toxic), harm aquatic species and wildlife, and cause trash and debris to enter our lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans.

https://www.middlesexcentre.on.ca/Public/Stormwater

Storm Drain Cleaning

Keeping neighborhood storm drains cleaned is a simple activity with big impacts. Removing debris that collects in nearby stormwater catch basins, storm drains, and along curbs promotes cleaner runoff, reduces the potential for flooding, and decreases the amount of pollution and trash entering our waterways.


5 Simple DIY Steps for Storm Drain Cleaning:

  1. Photo: Santiago Mejia, The ChronicleRake/sweep and discard debris that has collected on top of the storm grate and in curbside rain gutters. Please note: If you notice a major blockage or issue with a storm drain, contact your local municipality immediately.
  2. Use a scrub brush or toilet bowl scrubber to remove debris that may be stuck to the storm grate.

  3. Adopt a storm drain(s) and maintain a regular cleaning schedule: Make a note on your calendar each quarter to clean and clear debris from storm drains nearby your home or workplace. And, make a habit of checking your storm drains after rainstorms when clogging is most common.

  4. Host a community clean-up day that includes trash pick-up, storm drain cleaning, and disseminating information on the impacts of stormwater runoff and what we can do to help.

  5. Consider contacting your local watershed association or municipality about getting drain markers installed on storm drains throughout the community. The markers act as a continued public reminder that anything dumped into a storm drain eventually ends up in our precious waterways downstream.


World Water Day 2023 asks people to “Be the change you want to see in the world." Your actions can help solve the water crisis. Remember: small actions lead to big achievements in protecting water quality.

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New Jersey’s water-related infrastructure is a complex system, constantly facing the challenges posed by stormwater runoff and working to properly manage it. Stormwater management isn’t just about handling rainfall; it’s a critical aspect of preserving water quality and mitigating flooding risks. In New Jersey, where urbanization and rainfall patterns intersect, managing stormwater is more than just a priority; it’s a necessity. Enter a stormwater utility— a dedicated fee to address these stormwater management challenges.

Stormwater Utilities in New Jersey

New Jersey’s stormwater infrastructure (storm drains, sewer piping, etc.) is aging and unable to effectively handle the amount of runoff that has been flowing through the region in recent years. This is causing increased nutrient runoff and flooding in communities throughout the state. With increasing global temperatures and the proliferation of intense storm systems, this trend is likely to continue.

To address these issues, in 2019, New Jersey enacted the Clean Stormwater & Flood Reduction Law that allows municipalities, counties, groups of municipalities, and sewage and improvement authorities to establish a stormwater utility.

For many local leaders, the process to establish a utility can be complex, often depending on a number of details like the scope of the work and size of the community. In 2021, Princeton Hydro teamed up with the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, New Jersey Future, and Flood Defense New Jersey to host a webinar explaining the purpose of a stormwater utility; how a stormwater utility works; how to decide if a stormwater utility is the right fit for a particular community; and how municipalities or counties can implement one.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUvD79bjiPQ[/embed]

In 2022, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced the availability of Technical Assistance for Stormwater Utility Feasibility Studies, which supports municipalities in completing a stormwater utility feasibility study. Stormwater feasibility studies can help communities weigh the costs and benefits of having a stormwater utility to determine if it's right for them. Princeton Hydro is currently conducting a feasibility study for the City of Lambertville.


Jersey Water Works Stormwater Utility Information Forum

Jersey Water Works is a collaborative effort of many diverse organizations and individuals who embrace the common purpose of transforming New Jersey’s water infrastructure. They bring people together to find equitable solutions focused on: Clean water and waterways; healthier, safer neighborhoods; local jobs; flood and climate resilience; and economic growth. Jersey Water Works consists of many different committees run by volunteers, including the Stormwater Utilities Subcommittee, which is part of the Asset Management and Finance Committee.

The Jersey Waterworks Stormwater Utility Subcommittee launched the “Stormwater Utility Informational Forum” comprising five one-hour-long, town-hall-style education sessions. Each session featured expert panelists who explored various aspects of creating a stormwater utility and establishing a sustainable and dedicated funding mechanism to pay for a community’s stormwater management program.

Utility leaders, government stormwater managers, municipal and county representatives, elected officials, experts and stakeholders came together to discuss the topics of stormwater financial planning and funding options; New Jersey legislation and the utility development process; stormwater rate structures and credits; stormwater utility policies; and stakeholder engagement.

Key leaders in the Stormwater Utility subcommittee who organized the information forum include Dana Patterson Grear, Director of Marketing and Communications for Princeton Hydro (co-chair); Micah Shapiro of RES (co-chair); Prabha Kumar of Black & Veatch Management Consulting LLC; and Elizabeth Treadway of WSP. The forum presenters included Prabha Kumar, Elizabeth Treadway, Dana Patterson Grear, Dave Mason of CDM Smith; Lindsey Sigmund of New Jersey Future.


The Art of Stakeholder Engagement

Prabha Kumar and Dana Patterson Grear led the final session of the forum, which was dedicated to Stakeholder Engagement. They shared their expert recommendations and real-world experience in fostering community involvement, navigating the complexities of stakeholder engagement, and developing inclusive public meetings and dialogues related to implementing a stormwater utility feasibility study.

The presentation emphasized the significance of prioritizing stakeholder engagement early on and maintaining consistent engagement throughout the entire stormwater utility feasibility process. Prabha and Dana also provided tons of easy-to-follow, actionable tips, including:

  • How to structure your stakeholder groups, including the creation of a project team, a project champion and internal steering committee;

  • Which local community groups, municipal entities, and other external stakeholders to include in the conversation and when to include them;

  • Key factors in planning public workshops, like how many workshops to host, should the workshops be virtual or in-person, and how to structure the agenda for the best results; and

  • How to create engaging graphics, solicit feedback and educate the target audience in ways that are inclusive, informative and tailored to the unique characteristics of the community.

"Creating a stormwater utility in your community can be challenging as it is a public policymaking process. Engaging stakeholders throughout the entire process and educating the public is not just a step; it's the cornerstone to success," said Dana. "It's about embracing a  diversity of voices from day one, listening to concerns and ideas, and collaboratively shaping a solution that resonates with your communities' needs."

Watch the full presentation.

[embed]https://youtu.be/WFeVCMrMlJE?si=qu8h-v8ESwrzAigd[/embed]

Continuing the Conversation

The Stormwater Utility Information Forum served as a platform for sharing expertise and fostering dialogue around supporting community efforts to properly manage stormwater and protect water quality. As the conversation continues, it's crucial to leverage these insights to drive meaningful change in stormwater management initiatives across New Jersey.

The sessions were held via Zoom and the recordings of the forum sessions made available on the Jersey Water Works website. The recorded sessions serve as invaluable resources for individuals, communities, and policymakers interested in delving deeper into stormwater management.

The journey towards sustainable stormwater management is ongoing. If you or your community are interested in furthering this cause or exploring a stormwater utility, don't hesitate to reach out. The Jersey Water Works Stormwater Utility Subcommittee and Princeton Hydro welcome all voices committed to creating a more resilient and equitable water infrastructure. For more information about the Stormwater Utility Subcommittee or to get involved, please contact info@jerseywaterworks.org. Also, please explore New Jersey Future's New Jersey Stormwater Utility Resource Center which is a treasure trove of resources on this topic!

Princeton Hydro is a leader in innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sound stormwater management systems. The preparation of stormwater management plans and design of stormwater management systems for pollutant reduction is an integral part of our projects - learn more.

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Posted on February 10, 2024

In the Eye of the Storm: Exploring A Stormwater Utility in New Jersey

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