New Jersey Statutes Title 58. Waters and Water Supply 58 § 25-24

The Legislature finds and declares that nonpoint sources of pollution represent a significant environmental problem by contributing greatly to the biological and chemical degradation of coastal and other surface waters of the State; that nonpoint source discharges into stormwater sewers, particularly during and after storms, result in elevated levels of bacteria, which are a cause of 80% to 90% of all beach closings; that combined stormwater and sanitary sewer overflows are another major source of ocean and other surface water pollution; and that an average of 113 million gallons per day of diluted raw sewage flows into the Raritan-Hudson Estuary through approximately 150 authorized outfalls ultimately degrading the coastal waters of the State.

The Legislature declares that such sources of nonpoint and point sources of pollution are a danger to the public and health and safety of the residents of the State; that stormwater sewers and combined stormwater and sewage conveyance facilities discharging wastewaters into the salt waters of the State are major sources of pollution of the State's salt waters; and that public entities responsible for stormwater sewers and combined stormwater and sewage treatment facilities require financial assistance in order to locate and plan for the control  1 these sources of pollution.