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There are several steps your EC can take to start incorporating your ERI into your site plan review process. Of course, your municipality first needs to have an adopted ERI. If you do not already have one, you can contact ANJEC and get resources and information on how to create one for your municipality. After the ERI has been adopted, the team who reviews site plans should create a template for the process that includes sections addressing each of the resources identified in the ERI: soil, steep slopes, wetlands, streams, wildlife habitats, recharge areas, etc. Then, when an application comes in for review, this template will allow the review team to make sure that each of the natural resources identified in the ERI has been addressed in the site plan and make suggestions to ensure that those resources are protected. You can find a sample EC site plan review checklist in ANJEC's "Site Plan/ Subdivision Review" resource paper at https://tinyurl.com/yc67vjmh . The ERI as a go-to reference Your EC can establish joint meetings or special meetings to regularly review various sections of the ERI so that those responsible for land use decisions are familiar with the town's unique environmental characteristics and can more efficiently consult the ERI when conducting reviews of site plan applications. While these professionals will routinely look for compliance by the applicant with all regulations from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and local ordinances, they might not be aware of the location of certain endangered species habitats or recharge areas. By working with these professionals, you can ensure that the resources identified in the ERI are included in their reviews as well. Ultimately the goal is to set expectations for the protection of critical environmental resources so that applicants themselves review the ERI and incorporate mitigation efforts into their land use applications from the start. More information For in-depth information about the ERI and site plan review, be sure to attend ANJEC's annual course, Fundamentals for Effective Environmental Commissions, offered each spring. Watch our website (anjec.org) for details to come. An ANJEC resource paper, "The Environmental Resource Inventory," is also available at https://anjec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/ 07/ERI-2013.pdf. *Ed DiFiglia is the Township of Ocean Environmental

e. An ANJEC resource paper, "The Environmental Resource Inventory," is also available at https://anjec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/ 07/ERI-2013.pdf. *Ed DiFiglia is the Township of Ocean Environmental Commission Chair and Planning Board Vice Chair. Jennifer Feltis Cortese works in the Director's Office for the Division of Water Quality at the DEP. Both are ANJEC trustees. Reviewing site plans is part of the curriculum at ANJEC’s Fundamentals for Effective Environmental Commissions course each spring. Credit ANJEC SUSTAINABLY PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER ANJEC REPORT – Autumn 2024 27