Tag: NJDEP

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Demolition Halted at Former Cigna Site in Franklin Lakes Over Permit Issues

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Borough Issues Stop-Work Order on Cigna Property, But Asbestos Cleanup Continues Under Agency Watch

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The controversial demolition and redevelopment of the former Cigna corporate campus off Parsons Pond Road in Franklin Lakes has hit a major roadblock. The borough has issued a stop-work order to the developer, SHG LLC, alleging that the demolition work exceeded the scope of the permits granted.

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Are New Jersey’s LSRPs working for Environment Protection or for the Landlords?

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When Oversight Fails: How a New Jersey Town’s Park Dispute Raised Questions About Environmental Independence, Political Influence, and the Integrity of LSRP Decision-Making

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In 2008, the Village of Ridgewood, New Jersey, purchased a seven-acre property along Route 17 North with a straightforward civic goal: convert it into a public park for a neighborhood with almost no access to green space. Early plans included walking paths, a small playground, and a modest athletic field—features aimed at serving children, seniors, and local families who had long requested a safe, accessible recreational area.

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Zabriskie-Schedler Soil Remediation Plan Unveiled Next Week

Schedler Community Meeting

Ridgewood Community Meeting Set for NJDEP-Submitted Cleanup Plan Details

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood residents, mark your calendars! The highly anticipated soil remediation plan for the controversial Zabriskie-Schedler property is officially finalized and ready for public review.

Matrix New World Engineering, the firm tasked with the cleanup, has completed its detailed plan and submitted it to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Now, the community gets its chance to see exactly how this critical piece of Ridgewood land will be made safe.

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New Complaint Alleges NJDEP Overruled Their Own Preservation Experts to Approve Artificial Turf at National Register Historic Site in Ridgewood

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, residents in Ridgewood have filed a verified complaint against both the Village and the New Jersey Dept of Environmental Protection.

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Ridgewood to Host Sept. 9 Hearing on 42-Year Parkland Dispute With NJDEP: Proposed Land Swap Could Finally End Saga

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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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Ridgewood to Host Sept. 9 Hearing on 42-Year Parkland Dispute With NJDEP: Proposed Land Swap Could Finally End Saga

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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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New Jersey Secures Historic $2 Billion Settlement Over PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Contamination

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

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 Public Schools Awarded $72,000 DEP Grant to Plant Trees and Combat Climate Change

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

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’s Controversial Plan to Cut 180 Trees for Artificial Turf Near Historic Zabriskie-Schedler Property Faces Hearing

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

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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Murphy Administration Pushes Costly Flood Zone Rules – Because What’s Another Hit to New Jersey Affordability?

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

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.

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Clean Up After Your Dog: What New Jersey Law Says and Why It Matters

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

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.

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Despite “full steam ahead” proclamation from Village, NJDEP puts brakes on Schedler project review scheduled for Juneteenth

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the staff of the Ridgewood Blog

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.

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NJ Black Bear Sightings Drop 28% in 2025, But Safety Still Key, Experts Say

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New Jersey Sees Decline in Bear Encounters This Year, But Officials Urge Continued Caution

file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

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.

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Told You So: NJ Says Ridgewood’s Turf Field Plan ‘Encroaches’ on Historic Schedler House

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

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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Village Council Members Balk about Costs Associated with Answering Taxpayers’ Questions

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

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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