In New Jersey, the Department of Conservation and Economic Development is reorganized, continued and designated as the Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”)[i].  The office of Commissioner of Conservation and Economic Development is designated as the office of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection[ii].

DEP is a unified major agency that administers aggressive environmental protection and conservation efforts.  The DEP’s core mission is to provide protection of the air, water, land, natural and historic resources of the state in order to ensure continued public benefit.  It also provides effective and balanced implementation and enforcement of environmental laws to protect these resources and the health and safety of the residents.  At the same time, DEP provides a great impact on the state’s economic growth, and also recognizes the interconnection of the health of New Jersey’s environment and its economy.  The DEP continues to protect the environment by playing a key role in positively impacting the economic growth of the state.

The DEP has a new and very clear direction based on a set of realistic priorities that are known to all and managed by strong leadership from the top of the organization. The DEP makes decisions that are in the best interest of the environment as well as all the people of the state.  The DEP puts in place a sustainable structure that enhances the environment and natural resources of the state.  The DEP also makes regulatory process more efficient and take greater advantage of information technology to advance its mission and streamline its business processes. 

The DEP plays a key role in shaping environmental policy for the administration and collaborating with the legislature to create legislation.  At the same time, the DEP regains its status as an innovator and national leader in environmental protection.

DEP considers people as its greatest asset and plays a pivotal role in ensuring achievement of the DEP’s vision and goals.  Management and staff of the DEP functions as a team to create a positive work environment by creating a workplace environment that provides for fair and equitable treatment of all DEP employees.

Department of Environmental Protection 

[i] N.J. Stat. § 13:1D-1.

[ii] Id.