Increased protections (Category 1 or C1) for key NJ water bodies that drain endangered/threatened species habitat, produce trout, and supply drinking water. Announced on Earth Day 2002 by Governor McGreevey and NJDEP Commissioner Campbell, this plan would upgrade 15 waterways in early 2003, upgrade a much larger set of waterways later in 2003, and beef up enforcement of these protections throughout NJDEP beginning in 2003. Passed the School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Act, which requires private and public schools to adopt IPM polices, reduce toxic pesticide use, and notify parents and staff 72 hours in advance when pesticides are applied. Law takes effect in June 2004. The law was supported by NJEA, the NJ School Boards Association, and the NJ Pest Management Association. Helped secure stronger stormwater rules, that if adopted in 2003 as proposed in 2002, will reduce the volume and contamination of runoff and thereby ensure safer drinking water, reduce sprawl, promote smart growth, and alleviate the ever increasing frequency of floods and droughts. Helped secure NJ DEP budget that makes polluters pay by increasing their fees by $60 million and despite significant budget gaps, staved off funding cuts. Passed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) resolution in Gloucester County bringing the total number of IPM programs policies to date to 87. Ensured “on time” implementation of the Private Well Testing Act. Testing of private wells upon sale of a property and disclosure of results to the buyer is already protecting hundreds of new homeowners from drinking contaminated water. Increased notification for mosquito spraying in Bergen, Burlington, Passaic and Monmouth counties, and decreased statewide pesticide use for West Nile Virus mosquito control by focusing on increased source reduction and larvaciding. Helped stop arsenic “pressure treated” lumber, used to make decks, outdoor furniture and playgrounds, from being sold by Home Depot and Lowe's. Arsenic has been linked to skin, bladder and lung cancer. NJEF's field and phone canvass was able to reach about 144,000 households, generated over 48,000 new individual members and over 20,000 handwritten letters and telewires on water, sprawl, and toxics issues. Orchestrated a statewide media blitz with direct mail pieces and radio ads on the issue of sprawl and its impact on our quality of life.   Helped stop a $15 million horrible precedent setting transfer of Green Acres funds to one of the most notorious polluters, Ciba Geigy, to purchase 750 acres of land in Toms River and adjacent to a Superfund site that Ciba created. NJEF's Clean Water Action Vote Environment (CWAVE) won 8 of 9 congressional races where we made endorsements. Provided organizing assistance to South Camden Citizens in Action and other residents who are facing environmental health injustice from the operation of St. Lawrence Cement, a sewage treatment plant, incinerator, multiple Superfund sites, and lead contaminated drinking water in schools. Staved off the Delaware River Deepening by working together with the Alliance to End the Delaware Deepening, US. Rep. Andrews, US Sen. Torricelli and Corzine, NJ Sen.Matheussen and Sweeney, and NJ Asm. Geist and Bagger. GAO study showed project not economically feasible. Stopped the imminent flow of radioactive wastewater from the GEMS Superfund site through the sewer system of Camden. Called on U.S. EPA to remove the radioactive contaminants at the site and return the cleaned water to groundwater, not the stream or sewers. Continuing to assist newly formed community group CARE to ensure the remedy is protective. Secured an executive order from Governor McGreevey that reinstitutes the solid waste hierarchy that relies more heavily on recycling, reuse, and source reduction and less on disposal such as incineration. Organized support for the NJ DEP drought restrictions that limited water allocation and new construction in areas severely affected by the drought. Representatives from NJEF now serve on several key governmental advisory boards including: Drinking Water Quality Institute, Source Water Assessment Advisory Committee, Clean Water Council, and US EPA Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee. Continually working to improve air quality by reducing car emissions and expand the economy by promoting development of alternative fuel technology. Organized more than two dozen press conferences, resulting in hundreds of newspaper, radio and TV stories.