NJ A6093

DEP must develop within one year a process to identify "critical headwaters" that provide drinking water to at least 1,000,000 New Jersey residents and designate those municipalities as "headwater guardians"

Within 30 days of establishing the designation process, DEP must publish a list of headwater guardian municipalities on its website and update it as necessary

Within six months of designation, DEP must determine if environmental protections are needed, which may include enhanced stormwater management, groundwater recharge standards, impervious cover limits, or vegetative buffer requirements

Headwater guardian designation becomes a material planning factor under the Municipal Land Use Law and State Development and Redevelopment Plan

DEP must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature starting two years after enactment, covering designations, required protections, interagency coordination recommendations, and measurable outcomes like pollutant reductions or flood damage avoided