Bill
Bill > A4131
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from approving any dumping of dredge spoils on any portion of a Delaware River island owned or controlled by the State or a political subdivision of the State, including riparian land, located on a Delaware River island controlled in whole or in part by a Board of Island Managers established by the Legislature. This prohibition would not apply if: (1) the DEP petitions each municipality owning land on that island to authorize the dumping of dredge spoils on or around the island; and (2) each municipality petitioned by the DEP adopts an ordinance authorizing the dumping of dredge spoils on or around the island. The bill would be applicable to all dumping of dredge spoils, including any proposed dumping on an existing dredge spoil bank.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which is the state agency responsible for environmental protection, from approving the dumping of "dredge spoils" – which are loose materials like rock, soil, or shells removed during dredging – onto or around islands in the Delaware River that are owned or controlled by the state or local governments, especially those managed by a Board of Island Managers. This restriction applies even to existing piles of dredge spoils. However, the DEP can approve such dumping if it first asks every municipality that owns land on the island for permission, and each of those municipalities then passes a local law, called an ordinance, specifically authorizing the dumping. This measure is intended to prevent the use of islands like Burlington Island, which has a long history of local control and is designated for public recreational and educational use, as a dumping ground for potentially hazardous materials.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4131 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4500/4131_I1.HTM |
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