Enforcement and Penalties

The DEP regulates virtually all activity in wetlands and most activity in wetland transition areas. Anyone who starts work in either of these areas is subject to severe penalties.  The DEP rules present penalties that include $10,000/day of violation, and restoration of damaged wetlands.  Violating any provision of the state Wetland Act is subject to civil, administrative, and/or criminal penalties, as well as mitigation requirements to compensate for damage to wetlands and/or transition areas. The Borough of Montvale acts on behalf of the state and federal government to ensure the wetland regulations are understood by the community.

The Borough of Montvale and the DEP are very interested in any leads to help identify wetland violations that are taking place. If you suspect work is being performed in wetland, or in the wetland buffer surrounding wetlands you can directly contact the Land Use Regulation Enforcement Hotline at (609) 292-1240. You may request that the DEP enforcement office keep your information anonymous so nobody will know who provided the information to the DEP. Prior to the call you may want to check to ensure the property is located near wetland by using the DEP aerial Mapping program at DEP aerial Mapping program or by calling the DEP Land Use Regulation office at (609) 292-0060. It will be very helpful if you have the block and lot information for the property prior to the call.

Please be aware that it is virtually impossible to fully return wetlands once a disturbance takes place, it's always best to address wetland issues as soon as possible.