A 126 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes Office of River Maintenance in DEP; repeals P.L.1993, c.376 concerning stream cleaning activities.

This bill creates a new Office of River Maintenance within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to oversee all stream cleaning and bank restoration projects statewide. The office will replace the previous system under P.L.1993, c.376, and must follow strict environmental rules - including protecting "Category one waters" (like trout streams and park-adjacent waters) and coordinating with agencies for endangered species or wetlands. Projects must avoid altering stream beds beyond historical levels, preserve shading vegetation, and comply with existing wetlands and flood control laws. The bill directly affects DEP operations and any entities conducting stream or bank work, requiring all such projects to be managed through this new office.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Al Barlas
Al Barlas
RRepublican
NJ
40