NJ DEP Adds Shark River Basin and Lower Passaic River Regions to Resilient NJ Flood Program

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2026

Contact: Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795

SHERRILL ADMINISTRATION MARKS EARTH WEEK BY DELIVERING ON MISSION TO ADDRESS FLOODING

(26/P15) TRENTON – In celebration of Earth Week, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak today announced the addition of two regions to the DEP’s Resilient NJ program, a unique effort that brings together multiple municipalities to plan regionally to protect communities from flooding.

The addition of the two new regions surrounding the Shark River in Monmouth County and the Lower Passaic River in Essex County brings the number of regions participating in this nationally recognized program to six.

In addition, Acting Commissioner Potosnak announced that the DEP is now accepting applications to develop up to four additional Resilient NJ planning regions to further expand the successful program and improve flood and climate resilience throughout the state.

“Persistent flooding is being felt across our state, but it’s important to remember that communities experience these impacts in different ways,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “Resilient NJ’s planning efforts help regional teams identify their unique vulnerabilities and demonstrate that bolstering resilience can be achieved in a cost-effective way without placing the burden on residents and local communities.”

“Resilience to flooding and the impacts of worsening storms demands proactive planning,” said Acting Commissioner Potosnak. “The Resilient NJ program has a proven record of bringing together communities in regions with shared concerns to provide them with the scientific expertise, tools and financial assistance critical to advancing work that better protects homes, businesses and infrastructure from climate impacts. Together, we are working to deliver on our mission to make our communities and local economies safer and more resilient to the impacts of flooding.”

“The addition of the Shark River Basin Region to the State’s Resilient NJ program is an important step forward in strengthening our communities against the growing impacts of climate change. By bringing together Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Neptune City, Neptune Township, and Wall Township, alongside trusted community partners, this effort reflects a shared understanding that resilience must be regional, collaborative, and community-driven,” said Senator Vin Gopal, and Assemblywomen Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul, New Jersey’s 11 th Legislative District, Monmouth County.

“New Jersey provides municipalities with much needed resources, expertise, and support needed to develop practical, forward-looking solutions that protect our natural resources, improve infrastructure, and expand access to public spaces,” the legislators added in a joint statement. “We are proud to support this initiative and the continued investment in programs that help our communities not only prepare for future challenges, but emerge stronger, more connected, and more sustainable for generations to come.”

“We are thrilled to add more than a dozen municipalities in the Shark River and Lower Passaic River watersheds to our highly successful Resilient NJ program,” said New Jersey Chief Resilience Officer Nick Angarone. “With the addition of these regions, the Resilient NJ program is working with 87 municipalities in both coastal and inland areas. As we look to further expand the program, we urge municipalities to learn more about Resilient NJ and how it can help them better protect property, lives and infrastructure in their communities.”

In addition to fostering regional planning cooperation, Resilient NJ climate resilience action plans and technical support provided by the program have resulted in more than $31 million in awards to implement the plans, including multiple Federal Emergency Management – Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Coastal Resilience Fund, and DEP – Natural Climate Solutions grants.

New Resilient NJ Regions

Regional resilience action plans crafted through the Resilient NJ program help local governments identify and implement innovative regional solutions to address climate change related risks, while also enhancing the value and integrity of ecological, economic, recreational, and natural resources unique to their regions. During plan development, key community assets such as emergency services facilities and historic structures are identified and mapped to ensure plans address any existing and future climate hazard vulnerabilities.

The two new regions are comprised of the following municipalities and community-based organizations:

• The Shark River Basin Region consists of Avon-by-the-Sea Borough, Belmar Borough, Neptune City Borough, Neptune Township and Wall Township, and three community-based organizations – the American Littoral Society, Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute and the Shark River Cleanup Coalition.

• The Lower Passaic River Region consists of eight contiguous municipalities surrounding the watersheds for the Second and Third rivers in the broader Lower Passaic River watershed – Montclair Township, Glen Ridge Borough, Bloomfield Township, Nutley Township, Belleville Township, West Orange Township, City of Orange Township, and City of East Orange –  and two community-based organizations – NY/NJ Baykeeper and the Passaic River Coalition.
  Each region will receive grants to engage in the planning process to develop solutions that improve the resilience of their communities.

“Monmouth County is grateful to be a recipient of the Resilient NJ Grant and looks forward to collaborating with the NJDEP’s Office of Climate Resilience, our municipal partners, and local community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy to address climate-related threats to the Shark River Basin,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “The Shark River is a vital ecological, economic, and recreational asset, and its protection, enhancement, and restoration are essential to advance regenerative and sustainable solutions intended to strengthen lasting resilience of the surrounding communities.”

“Montclair is proud to participate in the Resilient NJ program. This effort will advance watershed-scale resilience planning, helping to address shared flood risks and water quality challenges,” said Lisa Johnson, Montclair Township Director of Sustainability. “By leveraging DEP’s technical expertise and working collaboratively across municipal boundaries, we can develop coordinated strategies that support necessary stormwater management improvements and strengthen our long-term climate resilience.”

Program Expansion

DEP invites municipalities across New Jersey’s 21 counties to establish self-identified regions, made up of at least three contiguous municipalities and at least one community-based organization, to apply for the latest Resilient NJ funding opportunity. As many as four regional teams will receive grants of up to $300,000 each to improve climate resilience in their communities.

Selected regional groups will be paired with multidisciplinary consulting teams comprised of planners, engineers, ecologists, designers, and other experts to develop and implement region-wide resilience action plans. DEP will provide approximately $2 million dollars to each consultant team to lead each region through the comprehensive planning process.

The inaugural round of regional projects through Resilient NJ saw the creation of resilient action plans for four regions. The Raritan River and Bay Communities region, comprised of seven municipalities within Middlesex County, with the county itself serving as the lead, has been able to effectively use the action plan to support the advancement of several actions through grant awards.

“The Resilient NJ – Raritan River and Bay Communities Project Action Plan reflects Middlesex County’s unwavering commitment to protecting our residents, infrastructure, and local economy from the growing impacts of flooding and climate change,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny. “The Board of County Commissioners, and I are impressed by NJDEP’s leadership in bringing together local, county, and state officials with authority to commit resources to a multi-component, future-forward improvement plan for at-risk areas of this region to ensure real, long-term solutions. This plan is more than a roadmap — it is a clear demonstration of how Middlesex County is leading with purpose to reduce flood risk, strengthen regional resilience, and ensure a safer, more sustainable future for the communities we serve.”

County governments, regional planning commissions, and utility authorities are also eligible to participate. Teams must share municipal borders and may cross county borders.

Grant applications are now available and are due July 2, 2026. Selected regional teams will be notified in September 2026. For more information about eligibility and to find the application materials, visit: https://resilient.nj.gov/

Once all regional teams are selected and awarded, DEP will hold a separate process to choose the consulting teams that will partner with each selected regional team. Each regional team and its consulting team will assess current and future climate hazard vulnerabilities, identify specific actions to reduce hazard risk, evaluate those options using a detailed cost-benefit analysis, develop resilience action plans, and support the regions with planning action implementation. Funds for the consultants are awarded separately from these municipal grants.

The goal is for each new region to kick off its efforts by the end of 2026.

Funding for the Resilient NJ program comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as part of the Building a Climate Ready NJ initiative, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

To learn more about the progress that’s being made to make New Jersey more resilient, visit dep.nj.gov/climatechange.

For more information on DEP’s celebration of Earth Week 2026, including a proclamation signed by Governor Sherrill, press releases, social media and other resources, visit https://dep.nj.gov/