New Jersey towns are rated for the wealthiest or the most liveable, but not for the greenest. Green Town would rate the environmental health of New Jersey towns. A yearly award program for "Green Town, U.S.A" would encourage towns to be responsible for the environment in New Jersey. Municipalities would apply for the designation "Green Town, USA" by adopting a master plan in harmony with the environmental elements of the New Jersey State Plan. Green Town applicants would have to focus on:

1. Resource Planning and Management
2. Air Quality
3. Water Resources
4. Open Lands and Natural Systems
5. Waste Management

Towns would complete an application form (with fee) requiring specific documentation from the town's master plan and zoning ordinances identifying "capacities of infrastructure, natural resources and future growth demands." Currently, towns are not working hard for environmental protection. Less than two thirds of NJ municipalities have Environmental Commissions. During municipal elections, environmental issues are rarely debated or even discussed. Many towns act as if the state and federal governments take care of the environment. This just isn't true. Local involvement means a better quality of life in New Jersey. Environmental Education Fund and the NJ Environmental Lobby would assist towns to qualify through access to our staff and our website, njenvironment.org. The website will have links to the NJ State Planning Commission, ANJEC, NJ DEP, US EPA and other environmental links and information. One town, showing outstanding environmental performance, would be especially honored at our yearly Earth Day Celebration as a "Great Green Town."

The Green Town project is a long term environmental awareness undertaking that will grow and change as the State Plan undergoes revision. Green Town will encourage towns to pay attention to open space as well as air and water quality.

Congratulations to the City of Bordentown, Burlington County,
our 2008 Green Town award recipient!