Committee examines proposed budget for N.J. DEP

    Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed budget for New Jersey’s Environmental Protection Department includes cuts to pollution prevention and toxic chemical reporting programs and more money for forests and parks.

    The Assembly Budget Committee on Monday reviewed the proposal, which would take effect July 1. The cuts include 37 percent to a pollution prevention program and 35 percent to a toxic chemical use, storage and release program.
    State funding for forest resource management would increase 34 percent and parks management would get 20 percent more. Those funds replace non-state money used in the previous budget.

    The budget appears to include significant cuts to other programs, but DEP officials say that’s due to shifting funds and federal funding discrepancies.

    State funding would increase about $30 million or 9 percent under the proposal.

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