The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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RIDGEWOOD, NJ — After more than four decades of legal back-and-forth, the Village of Ridgewood is preparing to resolve a 42-year parkland transfer dispute with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). A public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Patrick A. Mancuso Senior Center, Ridgewood Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Ave.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — After more than four decades of legal back-and-forth, the Village of Ridgewood is preparing to resolve a 42-year parkland transfer dispute with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). A public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Patrick A. Mancuso Senior Center, Ridgewood Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Ave.
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TRENTON, NJ – In a major environmental victory, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette have announced a record-breaking $2 billion settlement to address widespread contamination from toxic PFAS chemicals and other pollutants. This is the largest environmental settlement ever reached by a single U.S. state.
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Ridgewood, NJ – Ridgewood Public Schools has been awarded a $72,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP), Sustainable Jersey, and The College of New Jersey as part of the Trees for Schools program.
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RIDGEWOOD, NJ – This Monday, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Historic Sites Council will hold a critical public hearing on Ridgewood’s controversial plan to cut down over 180 mature trees to build a large artificial turf field near the Revolutionary War-era Zabriskie-Schedler property.
The proposed site sits adjacent to residential homes and directly above the environmentally sensitive Saddle River, raising serious concerns about historic preservation, environmental impact, and community health.
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Trenton NJ — Just when you thought living in the Garden State couldn’t get any more expensive, Governor Phil Murphy’s administration is proving you wrong.
According to NJBIA Chief Deputy Government Affairs Officer Ray Cantor, the Murphy-run Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is about to drop another “affordability shoe” on residents and businesses alike with its updated Resilient Environments and Landscapes rules. And don’t worry—these new regulations are just as overreaching and costly as you’d expect.
file photo by www.artchickphotography.com
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Ridgewood NJ, Enjoying a walk with your dog on a sunny day? Don’t forget to bring your poop bags.
While the stroll may be pleasant, the cleanup isn’t—but it’s required by law in New Jersey, and for good reason. Leaving pet waste behind isn’t just inconsiderate to your neighbors — it’s a fineable offense that can also pose serious health risks to your community.
Continue reading Clean Up After Your Dog: What New Jersey Law Says and Why It Matters
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Ridgewood NJ, in response to written comments submitted to NJDEP by multiple Ridgewood taxpayers (NOT VILLAGE OFFICIALS) about the appropriateness of NJDEP scheduling a meeting of the Historic Sites Council on Thursday, June 19, a recognized national holiday (Juneteenth), Ms. Elizabeth Dragon, a NJDEP Assistant Commissioner, NJDEP has informed those taxpayers of NJDEP’s plans to reschedule the meeting. “Alternative dates“ are being reviewed right now as per Ms. Dragon.
New Jersey Sees Decline in Bear Encounters This Year, But Officials Urge Continued Caution
file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
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Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey has seen a significant 28.21% decrease in reported black bear incidents in 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). From January 1 to May 21, the state logged 257 bear-related incidents, down from 358 during the same period in 2024.
Continue reading NJ Black Bear Sightings Drop 28% in 2025, But Safety Still Key, Experts Say
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Ridgewood NJ, The critics were right. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Historic Preservation Office has officially deemed Ridgewood’s plan to build a large artificial turf sports field next to the historic Zabriskie-Schedler House an encroachment that fails to meet preservation standards.
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Ridgewood NJ, During a discussion at Wednesday evening’s Village Council public work session, some Council members expressed concern about costs associated with NJDEP-mandated FAQs related to remediation of contaminated soil at the Schedler property.
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Ridgewood NJ, a rather disturbing revelation was made by Ridgewood officials during Tuesday’s Fields Committee meeting.
Continue reading Ridgewood Fields Usage – Another flim-flam in the making?
file photo
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Ridgewood NJ, in response to allegations voiced by some residents during Wednesday night‘s Village Council meeting that Ridgewood officials are engaging in “shady“ activities related to the Schedler property’s future configuration/use, Village Manager Keith Kazmark cited his own definition of “shady.“
Continue reading “Shady” activities at Ridgewood Village Hall? What the heck?
Continue reading Village of Ridgewood Council: “You can keep saying it, but it won’t make it true”
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Ridgewood NJ, as part of the town’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) application, a wetlands assessment is required for the Schedler property. While recent Village Council and Fields Committee meetings have noted on-the-record that wetlands might not exist at Schedler, the final determination lies with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
Continue reading Wetlands Assessment Needed for Schedler Property in Ridgewood
