For 60 years, Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) has been building and maintaining relationships with the 38 municipalities and 3 counties within the Upper Raritan River watershed to promote protection of water resources. Municipalities face unique challenges as well as opportunities to address a host of environmental pressures. RHA provides support and expertise to our municipal partners who are tasked with managing a number of complex water quality and quantity issues impacting their community.

Raritan Headwaters Community Council

The Raritan Headwaters Community Council (RHCC) is a group of dedicated individuals who serve as champions for clean water in their community. RHCC members work collaboratively with RHA staff and partners to support local, on-the-ground watershed protection initiatives and sound local policy to protect water resources. The Council’s goal is to empower citizens to identify local natural resource issues, develop partnerships, and implement collaborative solutions.

To learn more or to join the Raritan Headwaters Community Council, please email Mara Tippett at mtippett@raritanheadwaters.org.

Watershed Tools for Local Leaders seminars

Sound local and regional policy is supported by a strong scientific foundation and input from knowledgeable stakeholders. Active learning opportunities motivate and inform Community Council members so that they have the knowledge a language to convey information about current science and available resources back to their communities. Local leaders and volunteers who are informed about best practices and watershed protection can serve their communities as advocates for clean water.

RHA provides educational opportunities, tools, and resources for municipal officials faced with addressing issues of environmental concern. RHA’s Watershed Tools for Local Leaders seminars and workshops provide practical guidance on scientific principles, useful tools, government regulations and funding sources for watershed protection. For more information about the Watershed Tools for Local Leaders series, see the schedule of upcoming workshops, and view past presentations, please visit www.raritanheadwaters.org/municipal-tools/.

For more information or to suggest a topic for discussion at a future workshop, please email Mara Tippett at mtippett@raritanheadwaters.org.

Open Funding Opportunities

• Highlands Council Approves $50,000 to Help Municipalities Address Warehousing Concerns– The Highlands Council approved a resolution authorizing up to $50,000 for grants to help municipalities examine local zoning to see where they may be vulnerable to inappropriate development, specifically warehouse siting. www.nj.gov/njhighlands/news/pres/2023/HCRelease_ZoningGrants.pdf
• MURPHY ADMINISTRATION OFFERING $19 MILLION IN GRANTS TO ASSIST MUNICIPALITIES WITH NEW STORMWATER PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS- Full details of the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) will be available at https://nj.gov/dep/wlm/grants/swgrant.html  by March 3. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis through Dec. 31, 2023.
• See all DEP administered active funding opportunities as well as all available DEP grants, loans, and financial programs. 
• See Highlands Council Grants.

Events, Conferences, and Workshops

ANJEC 50TH ENVIRONMENTAL CONGRESS

Friday, October 13th, 9am-5pm, In-Person, The Conference Center at Mercer County. College, West Windsor

Tuesday, October 17th through Thursday, October 19th, Virtual Sessions

Sustainable Jersey and its program partners regularly host trainings and events that support progress toward Sustainable Jersey certification. In general, events posted on the calendar are FREE or of minimal cost. See current list of events here. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Public Comment

• March 7- DEP to Begin Series of Public Engagement Sessions on Next Phase of Climate Pollutant on Reduction Initiative The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will begin a series of public engagement sessions to explore the next phase of Climate Pollutant Reduction (CPR) initiatives. DEP will seek to further reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other climate pollutants that fuel climate change and adversely affect air quality and public health. DEP will launch its public engagement process with a virtual general session on Tuesday, March 7 at 11 a.m. Additional public engagement sessions on the proposed CPR initiatives are planned throughout the spring and summer. Details of these meetings, including meeting links, will be posted on the Department’s website at https://dep.nj.gov/njpact/.