Enviros hail NJ’s enactment of ‘skip-the-stuff’ plastics law


A coalition of environmental groups applauded New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy for signing what they called the strongest Skip the Stuff legislation (S3195/A5157) in the nation. This new law establishes, on a statewide basis, what over 60 NJ towns already do: providing single-use utensils and condiment packets only when a person wants them.

“We want to thank the prime sponsors in both the NJ Senate and Assembly for their leadership – Prime Senate sponsors Bob Smith and Raj Mukerji, as well as Assemblywoman Collazos-Gill, the group said in a news release. “Their leadership has secured a reduction in single-use plastics while providing financial savings to New Jerseyans.”

“Skip the Stuff is practical legislation that reduces waste and toxics while saving money,” said Marta Young, Zero Waste Specialist, Clean Water Action. “By passing Skip the Stuff, New Jersey is a national leader in reducing single-use plastic while respecting customer choice and supporting local businesses. Every fork and ketchup packet adds up. We thank New Jersey’s legislative champions and local advocates for understanding that small things cause big problems and for providing a great model for other states to follow.”  

“Going Green almost always saves ‘green,’ in this case, restaurants will save real dollars by not giving out so much waste, thus making this a prime example of how we can have a win-win for the environment and small businesses,” reported Brian Thompson, Monmouth Beach Environmental Commissioner.

“Skip the Stuff is common-sense legislation to reduce plastic waste and pollution and keep millions of kitchen junk drawers free of unneeded plastic utensils from home delivery. This law ensures that people get what they ask for and will reduce plastic litter and single-use plastics that can’t be recycled,” said Doug O’Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey. “Dozens of towns across New Jersey have already implemented this concept, and it’s been successful for both customers and businesses. We thank Gov. Murphy for signing this bill into law and the leadership of Sen. Bob Smith and Asw. Alixon Collazos-Gill for getting this bill passed on the last day of the legislative session.”

Key provisions of the law:

  • Effective on August 1, 2026.
  • Single-use cutlery and condiments are only provided when requested – only types and amounts expressly requested.
  • Applies to take-out and dine-in full-service restaurants with a seating capacity of 10 or more.
  • Applies to food service businesses regardless of whether the customer’s meal order is placed in person, by phone, online, or via other available methods. The default selection for online ordering must be “no utensils or condiments”.
  • A 180-day education campaign will be developed to educate people on the financial and environmental benefits of reducing single-use utensils and condiments.

If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it. Try it free for a whole month

Enviros hail NJ’s enactment of ‘skip-the-stuff’ plastics law Read More »

Coast Guard rescues three from sinking ship off New Jersey coast

The Coast Guard sprang into action after a boat began to sink in the Jersey Shore on Saturday

A Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew and Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin aircrew rescued three mariners after their 74-foot boat began to sink approximately 4 nautical miles northeast of Shark River Inlet. Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard

 
By Sam Barron, Jackson Daily Voice, 01/20/2026 8:49 a.m.

At 4 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay command center watch standers received notification from Monmouth County Dispatch that a 74-foot pleasure craft was taking on water off Shark River Inlet with three mariners aboard, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Command center watchstanders launched the Station Manasquan Inlet boat crew and Air Station Atlantic City helicopter crew to assist, authorities said.

The three mariners were rescued 4 nautical miles northeast of Shark River Inlet while their vessel was semi-submerged. They were transported to emergency services, authorities said.

The Coast Guard said pollution responders are working with partners to formulate a salvage plan for the vessel, authorities said.

The cause of the incident is under investigation, authorities said.

If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it. Try it free for a whole month

Coast Guard rescues three from sinking ship off New Jersey coast Read More »

NJ OKs Liberty State Park private marina over strong opposition

The following combines reports by NJ.com and the Hudson County View

The State House Commission on Thursday approved a 60‑year lease that lets a private marina operator build a massive boat-warehouse on Liberty State Park land — and saddles taxpayers with $30 million in bulkhead repairs.

Despite the heated objections of park preservationists, the State House Commission voted 5-2 to effectively extend its lease with Suntex Marina Investors until the year 2086, even though the current agreement wasn’t set to expire for another 21 years.

The deal also commits up to $30 million in taxpayer funds to replace the deteriorating bulkhead that shields those million-dollar yachts.

Opponents argue the lease amounts to a taxpayer-funded giveaway of public land in Liberty State Park.

LSP protector Sam Pesin

“It is an undemocratic, shameful sham for the DEP’s very unpopular and severely harmful new 60-year marina lease allowing a gargantuan boat storage warehouse to be on the agenda on Thursday, just five days before Gov. Sherrill takes over,” said Sam Pesin, president of the Friends of Liberty Park.

“This is the biggest betrayal of public lands in New Jersey history,” said former NJ Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel. “The Statue of Liberty doesn’t say Give us your tired, your poor, and millionaires’ yachts.”

Boat storage building approved for construction at Liberty State Park

“It (Liberty State Park) doesn’t belong to the DEP. It belongs to history and the public,” argued state Senator Raj Mukherji

Sen Raj Mukherji

“I think Liberty State Park is not surplus land. It ought not be … a balance sheet item … There were no public hearings to consider this new design. The public should be heard, and it should be more than perfunctory,” Mukherji added.

“I want to echo my disappointment that this is not a true public meeting. It should be rescheduled,” newly seated Assemblywoman Katie Brennan, a Hudson County Democrat, said during her remarks.

The commission voted 5-2 to approve the proposal without any explanation, and the meeting abruptly concluded after about three-and-a-half hours.

Assad Akhter, Gov. Phil Murphy’s Deputy Chief of Staff on Legislative Affairs, and his designee, Deputy State Treasurer Aaron Binder, state Office of Management & Budget Acting Director Tariq Shabazz, state Senator Anthony Bucco and Assemblyman John DiMaio all voted in the affirmative.

State Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin voted no.

If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it. Try it free for a whole month

NJ OKs Liberty State Park private marina over strong opposition Read More »

‘Regenerate NY’ Forestry Cost Share Grants Now Open!

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced that approximately $5 million in funding is now available in the fifth round of the State’s ‘Regenerate NY’ Forestry Cost Share Grant Program. The grant program is designed to assist private landowners in growing the next generation of forests, which are crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change, providing wildlife habitat, protecting air and water quality, and supporting green jobs and local economies. Funded projects will enhance efforts made through New York’s 25 Million Trees Initiative to restore and sustain the state’s natural landscapes.

For Round 5 of this grant opportunity, DEC’s goal is to support underserved landowners and priority projects. A portion of the grant funds will be reserved until March 10, 2026, for landowners and projects that meet the following criteria:

Landowners:

  • active or veteran military landowners;
  • first-time landowners (owned property less than 10 years); and
  • State or federally recognized Indian Nations or Tribes.

Or projects dedicated to:

  • Improving the health of significantly degraded forests due to an insect pest or disease outbreak; and
  • Large-scale planting projects (greater than 5 acres).

Private landowners planning to restore or establish 5 or more acres of forest land in New York State may apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $1 million. A 10 percent match is required. A portion of the funding for projects in this round will be available upfront to assist with the high costs associated with these practices. Eligible projects include:

  • planting trees to restore or create new forests;
  • Creating young forest habitat to initiate natural regeneration and improve wildlife habitat;
  • Thinning to remove unhealthy or close-growing trees to promote forest health or regrowth;
  • removing competing or invasive vegetation that would interfere with seedling establishment and growth; and
  • Installing tree protection to prevent deer browsing of young tree seedlings.

Applicants must work with a forester or a qualified natural resource professional to develop their project.

A portion of the grant funds will be reserved for priority landowners and projects until Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Any remaining funds will then be made available to all qualified applicants. Applications will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on August 31, 2026, in SFS Grants Management. Grant funds will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted or the August 31 deadline.

Expanded funding for the fifth Round of Regenerate NY is supported by the USDA Forest Landowner Support Grant, the Environmental Protection Fund, and the Arbor Day Foundation.

For more details about the grant opportunity, including application criteria, visit DEC’s website. For more information, read the January 16 press release.

Learn more about Regenerate NY

If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it. Try it free for a whole month

‘Regenerate NY’ Forestry Cost Share Grants Now Open! Read More »

‘Regenerate NY’ Forestry Cost Share Grants Now Open!

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced that approximately $5 million in funding is now available in the fifth round of the State’s ‘Regenerate NY’ Forestry Cost Share Grant Program. The grant program is designed to assist private landowners in growing the next generation of forests, which are crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change, providing wildlife habitat, protecting air and water quality, and supporting green jobs and local economies. Funded projects will enhance efforts made through New York’s 25 Million Trees Initiative to restore and sustain the state’s natural landscapes.

For Round 5 of this grant opportunity, DEC’s goal is to support underserved landowners and priority projects. A portion of the grant funds will be reserved until March 10, 2026, for landowners and projects that meet the following criteria:

Landowners:

  • active or veteran military landowners;
  • first-time landowners (owned property less than 10 years); and
  • State or federally recognized Indian Nations or Tribes.

Or projects dedicated to:

  • Improving the health of significantly degraded forests due to an insect pest or disease outbreak; and
  • Large-scale planting projects (greater than 5 acres).

Private landowners planning to restore or establish five or more acres of forest land in New York State may apply for grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $1 million. A 10 percent match is required. A portion of the funding for projects in this round will be available upfront to assist with the high costs associated with these practices. Eligible projects include:

  • planting trees to restore or create new forests;
  • Creating young forest habitat to initiate natural regeneration and improve wildlife habitat;
  • Thinning to remove unhealthy or close-growing trees to promote forest health or regrowth;
  • removing competing or invasive vegetation that would interfere with seedling establishment and growth; and
  • Installing tree protection to prevent deer browsing of young tree seedlings.

Applicants must work with a forester or a qualified natural resource professional to develop their project.

A portion of the grant funds will be reserved for priority landowners and projects until Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Any remaining funds will then be made available to all qualified applicants. Applications will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on August 31, 2026, in SFS Grants Management. Grant funds will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted or the August 31 deadline.

Expanded funding for the fifth Round of Regenerate NY is supported by the USDA Forest Landowner Support Grant, the Environmental Protection Fund, and the Arbor Day Foundation.

For more details about the grant opportunity including application criteria, visit DEC’s website. For more information, read the January 16 press release.

Learn more about Regenerate NY

If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it. Try it free for a whole month

‘Regenerate NY’ Forestry Cost Share Grants Now Open! Read More »