This bill proposes a supplemental appropriation of $17 million for Fiscal Year 2024 to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to fund grants aimed at the management and maintenance of lakes for recreation and conservation purposes. The DEP is tasked with establishing a program to allocate these funds to qualified entities, which include various commissions, local government units, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to lake management. The bill emphasizes the importance of improving water quality and increasing recreational access, particularly through projects that control nutrient levels to prevent harmful algal blooms.

Additionally, the bill outlines that grants may be utilized for stormwater and nonpoint source pollution management activities that enhance the recreational and conservation value of lakes. The DEP is required to develop criteria for evaluating and ranking grant applications, prioritizing those submitted by entities responsible for publicly accessible lakes. The definition of "qualified entity" is expanded to include specific commissions and organizations involved in lake management, ensuring a broad range of applicants can benefit from the funding.