Publications for Local Protection

State & local laws, regulations and land use tools for protecting land use, open space, and natural resources

Many ANJEC publications are available online in PDF format (). Just click the title to view online or download using your right mouse button. PDF files require Adobe Reader, available for free. Use the online form to order paper copies.

Acting Locally: Municipal Tools for Environmental Protection. 2002. 148 Pages. $10.00. A comprehensive collection of rationales and methods for protecting ground water, lakes, steep slopes, trees, streams and other natural resources through better local land use policy. Includes examples of practical, specific techniques including ordinances, development standards, data collection and public education. Order paper copy.

Environmental Commissioners' Handbook. 2007. 100 pages. $12. The fifth edition is filled with information commissions need to get the job done in their communities. View the Handbook's Table of Contents, ( 21KB), Order paper copy.

The Environmental Manual for Municipal Officials. 1998, Second Edition, 178 Pages, CD only, $5.00. A unique reference designed to help municipal officials understand the increasingly complex body of environmental laws. Features the legal and environmental roles local boards and commissions play in protecting New Jersey's environment. It includes state environmental laws and programs, grouped by subject area. Extensive information resources, applicable laws and court cases. An index makes the Manual easy to use. Order CD.

The Environmental Resource Inventory: ERI ( 290kb). Order paper copy. 2013 update. 12 pages. $1.00. Legal basis, elements and uses of this important database of natural resources and environmental characteristics. How to put an ERI together, types of information to include, sample tables of contents.

Freshwater Wetlands Protection in New Jersey: A Manual for Local Officials. Order paper copy. 2004. Third Edition. 52 pages. $10.00. By Abigail Fair. Covering amendments through 2001, the manual explains the provisions of the NJ Freshwater Wetlands Regulations. It also offers techniques municipalities can use in the land use planning and application process to complement the state program. The manual is intended to help members of municipal environmental commissions, planning boards, boards of adjustment, boards of health and interested citizens to take steps at the local level to protect wetlands.

Major State Programs Affecting Land Use ( 151kb), 2009. 8 pages, $1.00.
Describes programs impacting land use that the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) administers - Water Quality Management Planning, Freshwater Wetlands Protection, Flood Hazard Area Protection, Water Quality Standards and Coastal Protection. The paper explains how environmental commissions can comment effectively on development proposals that require state permits and state regulation proposals. Environmental commission comments can alert municipal board to applicant's need for state permits and can provide NJ DEP with information critical to comprehensive review.

Municipal Environmental Commissions in New Jersey (241kb). Order paper copy. 2011. 12 pages. $1.00. Enabling legislation, commissions’ roles and benefits to municipalities, opportunities for training, examples of successful commission projects in raising awareness of wetlands and wildlife, reducing pesticide use, reviewing site plans, monitoring water quality, reducing non-point source pollution and use computer mapping.

The New Jersey Highlands Water Protection & Planning Act (

798kb). Order paper copy. 2005. 12 pages. Free. This booklet was produced to aid municipal officials and residents in the Highlands region in understanding the Act and how it relates to them.

Open Space Plan ( 306kb). Order paper copy. 2011.12 pages. $1.00. Putting an open space plan together, with outline of subjects required for Green Acres Planning Incentive Program, suggestions for funding, sources of information, factors for ranking lands for preservation, and action plan elements.

Pathways for the Garden State: A Local Government Guide to Planning Walkable, Bikeable Communities. ( 1.02mb). Order paper copy. 2004. 38 pages. $8.00. Counter-attacking suburban sprawl by helping people get out of their cars and onto their feet and bicycles. A practical handbook to help environmental commissions, park and recreation departments, planning boards and citizen associations plan and design walking and bicycle routes along paths, sidewalks and roadways and through greenways. Includes information on evaluating your community, mobilizing support, putting together and implementing a plan in urban, suburban and rural areas, case studies and a resource list.

Remediating and Redeveloping Brownfields in New Jersey: A Guide for Municipalities and Community Organizations. ( 827kb) 2006. 24 pages. $3.00. Explains New Jersey’s multiple brownfields programs, redevelopment issues and approaches concerned citizens and municipalities can use to identify and remediate contaminated sites. Appendices cover state and federal brownfields legal provisions and key government and non-profit contacts.

Sample Ordinances for Protecting Significant Coastal Habitats.(550kb) Order paper copy. 2007. 29 pages. $2.50. Provides tools and techniques for protecting coastal habitat for migratory birds.

Site Plan and Subdivions Review: Environmental Analysis.(226kb) Order paper copy. 2010. 12 pages. $1.00. Legal authority and procedures for environmental review of subdivisions and/or site plans. Approaches to evaluating environmental impacts, guidelines for site inspections and sample format for environmental commission reports to planning and zoning boards.

Smart Growth Survival Kit. Order paper copy. 2003. 42 pages. $5.00. A collection of papers on local growth-management strategies to protect important natural resources and make the best use of existing infrastructure. Includes success stories, outlines of specific implementation strategies, contacts, references to specific laws, plans and background documents.

A Vision Statement -A Must for All Communities
The Environmental Resource Inventory ( 230kb) -ANJEC Resource Paper
Planning -Build-Out & Capacity Analysis
Open Space Plan ( 192kb)-ANJEC Resource Paper
The Master Plan -Smart Growth, The Master Plan & Environmental Protection
Ordinances -Using Ordinances to Protect Local Natural Resources

Solar Siting and Sustainable Land Use, white paper (707kb), Order paper copy. 2012. 16 pages. $1.00. With growing pressure to build large-scale solar facilities on farmland, open space, forests and environmentally sensitive areas, this paper will help municipalities navigate the new and complex issues around solar development, especially as it affects sound land use planning.

CD-ROM, Stormwater Management for Municipalities, 2004, $5.00 Order copy of CD. It includes

Two full presentations (more than 90 Power Point slides) on stormwater management for developed and developing communities;
Sample fliers and background information to help municipalities and others conduct educational programs; and
A model Stormwater Management Plan that could be applied to both Tier A towns (those with at least 1,000 people per square mile and a population of at least 10,000) and Tier B towns (those with less than 1,000 people per square mile and a population less than 10,000) towns.

Preview condensed version - Developed Communities ( 664kb)

Preview condensed version - Developing Communities ( 279kb).

Transfer of Development Rights: A Market-Driven Planning Tool ( 613kb). Order paper copy. 2007. 12 pages, $1.00. Explains the benefits and requirements of a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program and provides a summary of New Jersey's municipal TDR law. Suggests eight steps to develop a local TDR program and consistency with the State Plan. Describes how Chesterfield (Burlington) participated in the county's pilot TDR project, including use of both base-zoning and environmental factors to allocate credits to development potentials.

Urban Environmental Commissions ( 987kb). Order paper copy. 2003. 12 pages. FREE. Full of color photographs, this booklet illustrates how active environmental commissions can help protect health and the environment in NJ’s urban and developed communities. Their work on open space, green infrastructure, recycling and litter, health issues, wildlife habitat restoration, energy, pedestrian and transportation, land use planning, education and community outreach makes a difference.

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