NJ Department of Environmental Protection

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is a state agency dedicated to managing and safeguarding New Jersey's natural resources and environment. Established on April 22, 1970, during America's first official Earth Day, NJDEP consolidated various environmental programs into a unified agency, making New Jersey the third state to do so.

Headquartered at 401 East State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420, NJDEP employs approximately 2,850 staff members across multiple divisions. The agency's primary mission is to protect and enhance the environment, ensuring a high quality of life for New Jersey residents.

This includes enforcing environmental laws, managing natural resources, and promoting sustainable practices.

Key Divisions and Responsibilities

• Division of Water Quality: Responsible for protecting New Jersey's fresh, salt, and ground waters from pollution caused by improperly treated wastewater and its residuals.
• Division of Parks and Forestry: Manages the state's public park system, including 42 state parks, 11 state forests, 3 recreation areas, and over 50 historic sites and districts.
• Division of Air Quality: Ensures the cleanliness of air by enforcing air-pollutant standards imposed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
• Division of Land Use Regulation: Provides rules and information concerning wetlands, coastal, and stream/floodplain encroachment programs.
• Division of Site Remediation and Waste Management: Oversees the remediation of contaminated sites to protect public health and the environment.

NJDEP also operates the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, which is responsible for protecting forests from wildfires. The Forest Fire Service's administrative offices are located in the 5 Station Plaza building, housing some NJDEP offices at 501 East State Street in Trenton.

Locations

• Trenton, NJ, USA: Headquarters at 401 East State Street, including Forest Fire Service offices at 501 East State Street.
• Ewing, NJ: Offices located at 25 Arctic Parkway, Ewing, NJ 08638.

Environmental Incident Hotline

NJDEP provides a 24-hour environmental incident hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337), offering residents a direct line to report environmental concerns.

Through its comprehensive programs and dedicated staff, NJDEP plays a crucial role in preserving New Jersey's natural environment, ensuring that the state's resources are protected and managed responsibly for current and future generations.