Hudson County, New Jersey, has received $1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support the Clean Hudson Project.
The program focuses on cleaning local rivers, reducing pollution, and improving the community’s quality of life.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and Congressman Rob Menendez announced the grant at the Bayonne Public Library.
Let’s find out how this project will help!
- Hudson County received $1 million to fund the Clean Hudson Initiative to improve the environment and water quality.
- Partners like Hackensack Riverkeeper, Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA), and Hudson County Community College (HCCC) lead different parts of the project.
- The project aims to cut pollution, teach people about the environment, and create jobs while making the area cleaner and healthier.
Hudson County’s Pollution Problem
Hudson County has a long history of pollution, especially in its waterways.
The Hackensack and Passaic Rivers have been heavily polluted due to years of industrial waste dumping.
Harmful chemicals like chromium and even Agent Orange—a toxic defoliant used during the Vietnam War—were thrown into these rivers.
Oil from old industrial sites sometimes resurfaces in residential areas during floods.
And compared to other parts of New Jersey, Hudson County residents face more pollution and its negative effects.
Thus, at this moment, the Clean Hudson Project is working to fix these problems and ensure that everyone in the county has a clean and safe place to live.
How the $1M Grant Will Be Used
The grant will be shared between Hudson County’s Division of Planning and three main partners: Hackensack Riverkeeper, Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA), and Hudson County Community College (HCCC).
Each group will tackle specific tasks to clean up the environment and spread awareness.
Hackensack Riverkeeper
Hackensack Riverkeeper will use the funds to teach people about “watershed citizenship.”
This means helping residents understand how they can help keep the rivers clean and care for their local environment.
The organization will also focus on raising awareness about pollution and how it affects everyone.
Hudson County Improvement Authority
The Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA) will organize clean-up events to remove litter and trash from public spaces and waterways.
The HCIA will also run a county-wide campaign to teach people about keeping streets and rivers clean.
Cleaner streets and parks will help inspire pride in the community, and the evidence is in the countless counties that have done so in the past.
Hudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will offer training programs that prepare residents for jobs in environmental fields.
This includes learning skills needed for green jobs while also helping to improve water quality.
HCCC students have worked with Hackensack Riverkeeper on clean-up projects for more than a decade, and this new funding will expand those efforts.
Goals of the Clean Hudson Project
The Clean Hudson Project has clear goals:
- Clean the Rivers: Remove pollutants from the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers to restore their health.
- Educate the Community: Teach people about the importance of keeping the environment clean and how they can help.
- Reduce Litter and Waste: Organize clean-ups to remove trash from public spaces and waterways.
- Create Jobs: Offer training programs that lead to green jobs, benefiting the environment and the economy.
Support from the EPA and Local Leaders
The EPA is fully behind Hudson County’s efforts to clean up the environment.
Lisa F. Garcia, the EPA Regional Administrator, praised the Clean Hudson Initiative for addressing big problems like pollution and climate change.
She said this project could be a great example for other communities facing similar issues.
The EPA supports teamwork between local governments and organizations to create real, lasting improvements.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy thanked Congressman Rob Menendez for helping secure the $1 million grant.
He said making Hudson County cleaner and healthier has been a priority since day one.
Guy believes every resident deserves to live, work, and spend time in a clean and safe environment.
Congressman Menendez added that this project will clean up the county, create better public spaces for people to enjoy, and help build a stronger local economy.
A Cleaner, Greener Hudson County
The Clean Hudson Project is a major step forward for Hudson County, addressing serious pollution issues while providing lasting solutions that benefit both the environment and the people who live here.
Essentially, the project aims to make life better for everyone in the county by cleaning polluted rivers, reducing trash, and offering training programs to prepare residents for new green jobs.
With strong support from the EPA and local organizations, Hudson County is leading the way in creating a cleaner, greener future—one that other communities can look to as an example of meaningful change.
