A5638

Aligns New Jersey's endangered and threatened species criteria with federal standards.

The bill mandates the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to review and update the lists of endangered wildlife and plant species within one year of enactment and every ten years thereafter. This aligns state standards with federal regulations. The commissioner must establish conservation programs for endangered species, including land acquisition and habitat management. The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a list of endangered plant species based on scientific data.