Everything YOU need to know about what is happening in the Barnegat Bay Watershed!
These Urgent Challenges are the frontlines of the battles Save Barnegat Bay fights every day ranging from over development projects and illegal dumping, to superfund and toxic sites in our community’s backyard.
The good news is that while it’s true that there is no shortage of threat to face in our home waters, it’s also true that there is no shortage of people willing to stand up for their natural spaces and get involved. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be hard to identify these threats and figure out what is or isn’t urgent and that’s where our Urgent Challenges page comes in! This page is your one stop shop to get informed on and empowered to fight the most pressing and urgent threats facing our home waters.
Know of a concerning issue you think we may have missed? Click below to check out our Watershed Watch Page and submit a report!
Stavola Asphalt Plant Expansion
Picture from Shorebeat.com click link to read an article about the proposed expansion. Written in Nov. 2025
The proposed expansion of the Stavola Asphalt facility in Brick Township raises serious and immediate concerns for the Barnegat Bay watershed. This site is already heavily regulated under multiple NJDEP programs and has a documented history of compliance issues, including air emissions violations, operational failures, and reporting deficiencies. Expanding industrial activity at this location—adjacent to sensitive waterways that flow directly into the Metedeconk River and ultimately Barnegat Bay—introduces increased risks of petroleum hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and stormwater contamination entering the ecosystem. Of particular concern is the proximity to the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority (BTMUA) drinking water intake on the Metedeconk River, where any increase in pollutant loading could pose a risk to a critical public water supply. These pollutants contribute to declining water quality, habitat degradation, and potential public health impacts. At a time when the Bay is already under stress from nutrient pollution, flooding, and climate impacts, this proposal represents a step in the wrong direction. Save Barnegat Bay is advocating for a careful, science-based review to ensure that any decision fully accounts for cumulative impacts, compliance history, and long-term risks to the watershed. The next Board of Adjustment meeting on this application will take place on Earth Day—April 22 at 7:00 PM at Brick Township Town Hall—offering an important opportunity for the public to stay informed and engaged.
Over Development in Little Egg Harbor
Little Egg Harbor is facing unprecedented development pressure. Multiple large projects are advancing at once, making public awareness and participation critical to ensuring smart, lawful planning.
As development pressure intensifies across the region, community members are being asked to navigate complex proposals with long-term consequences. Public participation helps ensure that planning decisions reflect local priorities, protect shared resources, and account for cumulative impacts — not just individual projects.
Planning decisions made today will shape this community for generations.
For more info, please check out our blog post below!
