Protected regions and species
The Pinelands and Highlands, endangered and threatened species, habitat and preserved land. What changed, the rules that apply and the dates ahead for projects in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Latest briefings
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey Pinelands towns ban data centers as state commission lets eleven local bans take effect
By the end of September 2026, the Pinelands Commission had cleared data center bans in eleven towns and a moratorium in a twelfth, with more ordinances awaiting review.
- LowHudson County, NJ
New Jersey governor vetoes bill letting Jersey City use open space trust money for its budget
On September 28, 2026 the Governor vetoed S-4513, which would have let Jersey City, the only municipality that qualified, move voter-approved open space, recreation, floodplain protection, farmland and historic preservation money into its budget for fiscal year 2027. The trust fund stays restricted.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey Highlands panel seeks comment by November 18 on possible land and water plan changes
Recommendations on water use, sewer and water extensions, impervious cover and historic review could lead to amendments to the regional plan governing development in the Highlands.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey appeals court upholds Pinelands limits on aquifer water diversions; ruling not approved for publication
On July 15, 2026 the Appellate Division affirmed the Pinelands Commission's amendments to its water management rule, which set a 50,000 gallon-per-day diversion threshold. The opinion is not for publication, and Commission staff have asked that it be published. A data center application in Monroe Township is also before the Commission.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey Pinelands: waivers from before 1992 expire January 5, 2027; pre-2004 filing certificates void
Amendments to the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan effective January 5, 2026 end old waivers of strict compliance on January 5, 2027, void certificates of filing issued before 2004, and put a five-year life on later ones. They also move the Black Run watershed in Evesham to a more protective area.
- LowNew Jersey
Building in New Jersey's Highlands Preservation Area faces strict state limits on paving and septic systems
Major development in the Preservation Area needs a state approval under fixed limits on impervious cover, stream buffers and septic density, so applicability and exemptions should be settled before a parcel is valued.
Rules 5
- Federal · 16 U.S.C. 1536, 1538, 1539; 50 CFR Parts 17 and 402Federal endangered species review, including tree-clearing limits for bats
- New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 13:20-1 et seq.; N.J.A.C. 7:38Highlands region development review
- New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 13:18A-1 et seq.; N.J.A.C. 7:50Pinelands development rules
- New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 48:3-87 et seq.; N.J.A.C. 14:8Solar and energy storage incentive programs
- New Jersey · N.J.S.A. 23:2A; N.J.A.C. 7:25-4; 7:7A; 7:13; 7:50Threatened and endangered species habitat review