The basics:

• Camden County announces $400M waterway restoration
• Plan targets flood mitigation, water quality, habitat restoration
• Projects span Cooper River, multiple lakes and watersheds
• Officials exploring 1-cent Open Space Tax increase to help fund work

Camden County leaders unveiled an ambitious vision July 14 to transform the region’s waterways through a historic $400 million investment. Officials say the funding will improve water quality, reduce flooding, restore habitats and expand recreational opportunities from Camden City to Winslow Township.

The Camden County Board of Commissioners and the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority lead the effort. The comprehensive initiative will focus on the Cooper River, Kirkwood Lake, Atco Lake, Evans Pond, Wallworth Lake and several other watersheds.

The project aims to make Camden County home to one of the nation’s cleanest urban watersheds. The long-term plan includes investments in:

• Wastewater infrastructure
• Stormwater management
• Habitat restoration
• Sediment remediation
• Recreational improvements

Commissioner Jeffrey Nash serves as the board’s liaison to the CCMUA. He described the effort as the largest investment ever made to improve the county’s waterways. Nash stressed both its environmental significance as well as its lasting impact.

“Protecting and maintaining our waterways is one of the greatest responsibilities we share,” he said. “I am thrilled to have the support of our environmental partners as we embark in the single largest investment in improving our waterways so they can be enjoyed and relied upon for generations to come.”

Protecting and maintaining our waterways is one of the greatest responsibilities we share.
– Jeffrey Nash, Camden County commissioner

Nash said the project seeks to safeguard drinking water resources; preserve recreational waterways; and ensure that lakes, rivers and creeks throughout Camden County remain safe for future generations. He also stressed the commissioners’ commitment to balancing environmental investments with affordability for residents. The board will explore a proposed 1-cent Open Space and Water Quality tax increase – to 3 cents. The adjustment would help fund long-term restoration efforts.

‘An ambitious undertaking’

Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. credited Nash, CCMUA Executive Director Scott Schreiber and agency staff for developing a far-reaching plan that stretches across the county.

“I want to commend Jeff Nash, Scott Schreiber, and the entire team at the CCMUA for their tireless advocacy in establishing a plan that will improve our waterways from Camden to Winslow, and everywhere in between,” said Cappelli. “This is an ambitious undertaking, but through the support of our environmental and legislative partners, it is my hope that one day, Camden County will be nationally ranked for water quality and environmental stewardship.”

U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st District, reflected on how dramatically the Cooper River has changed during his lifetime. He recalled that as a child growing up in Pennsauken, polluted water made recreation impossible.

“[I]t was out of the question to spend time in the Cooper River with the raw sewage flowing freely. It was awful,” said Norcross. “But earlier this summer I was reminded of how much progress we’ve made when I saw an eagle diving for fish in those same waters during a kayak trip.

‘We can’t let our foot off the pedal when it comes to conserving the Cooper River. And I’m glad efforts are being taken to ensure our local waters remain a point of pride.”

After the storm

The announcement came just days after severe flooding impacted Camden City, highlighting the need for stronger stormwater management. Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said the recent flooding underscores why restoring waterways must remain a priority.

“Simply put, water quality matters,” said Carstarphen. “It’s vital to our quality of life and impacts all of us. Just last week the City of Camden and the region experienced terrible flooding conditions. … Not only is this important for the short term but for future generations. This Master Plan is a long-term roadmap to achieve this goal through coordinated investments and strategic improvements.”

The flooding that Camden has dealt with this week is not like anything the city has seen before.

I am incredibly grateful to the first responders who have been working around the clock to keep their communities safe. pic.twitter.com/uhujYIY9pu

— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) July 7, 2026

County officials said implementation will rely on a combination of state and federal funding, county capital investments, municipal partnerships, philanthropic support as well as public-private collaboration.

If voters approve the proposed increase in the county’s Open Space Tax, it would create a dedicated funding source for watershed restoration, environmental preservation, recreational improvements and matching funds to maximize outside grant opportunities.

Officials say the decades-long investment represents a commitment not only to cleaner water, but also to healthier communities, greater resilience against flooding, expanded outdoor recreation and a stronger environmental legacy for future generations.