Professor of Professional Practice for Water, Society and the Environment (retired)
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Department of Human Ecology
Professional Experience: 43 years of public and non-profit sector professional and management experience developing and implementing highly recognized programs in watershed protection, water supply management, water quality pollution control, open space planning, land use management and wastewater management. Rutgers University faculty member (retired June 2024) addressing water resources, water infrastructure, environmental policy, and regional environmental management. Many projects have involved wide-ranging cooperative efforts with government, non-profit, for-profit, and public interests, with funding from foundations and government. Frequent public speaker on water and watershed policy, planning and management issues.
Education & Professional Accreditation: Strong educational background in both environment policy and management and the natural and earth sciences, with a specialty in regional environmental management. Licensed NJ professional planner.
Related Activities: Numerous publications, conference presentations, guest lectures at NJ universities. Extensive professional involvement on State advisory boards, and volunteer leadership in non-profit organizations. Current responsibilities include:
Complete Professional Experience
2012 to 2024 Professor (2021), Associate Professor (2012-2021) of Professional Practice for Water, Society and Environment, Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Human Ecology.
2016 to 2024 Affiliated Graduate Faculty in the Department of Landscape Architecture, Rutgers University.
2007 to 2012 Senior Director for Planning & Science, Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council (NJ). Responsible for managing staff in the development and implementation of the Highlands Regional Master Plan. Final three months as Acting Deputy and Executive Director.
1999 to 2007 Director of Watershed Protection Programs, New Jersey Water Supply Authority. Created source water protection program; managed development of the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Plan and subsequent implementation projects.
1993 to 1998 Assistant Administrator, Office of Environmental Planning, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Responsible for management of water supply and water quality planning, including ground and surface water quality standards, Statewide Water Supply Plan, wastewater management planning, and watershed management planning program.
1986 to 1992 Principal Planner and Environmental Scientist (supervisory positions), NJDEP. Responsible for ground water quality standards, wellhead protection program and ground water strategy.
1982 to 1986 Technical Director, Passaic River Coalition. Responsible for ground water research, water supply planning and riverfront parks and restoration projects, among others.
1977 to 1978 Assistant Director, Youth Environmental Society. Statewide youth leadership training programs.
Complete Public Service
Boards, Councils and Commissions
2020 to present Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, Governor’s appointment
2020 to present Princeton Flood & Stormwater Commission
2015 to 2020 Jersey Water Works, Steering Committee
2014 to 2020 The Watershed Institute, Board of Trustees, 1992-98, 2014-2020
2013 to present Passaic River Coalition, Board of Trustees, Treasurer. Chair, Technical Committee
2005 to 2020 New Jersey Clean Water Council, Governor’s appointment. Vice Chair, 2010-13; Chair, 2014-15.
2005 to 2014 South Brunswick Environmental Commission. Vice Chair 2008, Chairman 2009-2012.
2001 to 2020 New Jersey Water Supply Advisory Council, Technical Advisor
1993 to 1999 State Soil Conservation Committee, NJDEP representative
1974 to 1994 Youth Environmental Society, Co-founder, Board of Directors member, Treasurer, President
Advisory Committees
2020 to 2025 Delaware River Basin Commission: Watershed Management Advisory Committee
2020 to 2021 American Water Works Association: Expert Panel on SDWA Affordability
2018 to present New Jersey Future: Lead in Drinking Water Task Force
2016 to 2023 Water Research Foundation: Academic Council
2016 to present The Nature Conservancy-New Jersey Chapter: Conservancy Council.
2015 to 2018 American Planning Association: Water Working Group
2015 to present Sustainable Jersey: Natural Resources Committee. (Prior: Gold Certification Standards Committee, Water Gold Committee)
2015 to 2017 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission: Municipal Technical Assistance Advisory Panel
2015 to 2016 River Network: Delaware River Basin Policy Advisory Group
2015 to 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers-NJ Chapter: Water Supply and Wastewater Infrastructure Evaluation for the NJ Scorecard Project
2014 to 2025 Open Space Institute: Delaware River Water Protection Fund Advisory Committee
2014 to 2015 Academy of Natural Science (Drexel University): Delaware River Watershed Initiative,
Research Agenda Development Committee
2002 to 2005 Hunterdon County Environmental Toolbox Committee, Water Resources Chair.
Research Grants and Professional Practice Contracts (Ongoing)2021 to 2023 Co-Principal Investigator (with Karen O’Neill). Estimating Public Investments for the Delaware River Watershed. William Penn Foundation. Contract $ 313,266.
2014 to present Principal Investigator. Urban Water Infrastructure Project. New Jersey Future. Water infrastructure metrics and management, household affordability for water utilities, etc.
Publications, Papers and Video Productions
2024 New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan (Public Draft). Contributor to plan, primary author of Appendices D, E, F, G and I.
2023 “Work Together or Fail Separately: Facing the ongoing challenges of managing water infrastructure services.” NJ Municipalities, December 2023, pp.24-27
2023 The Passaic River Basin in Maps. Co-author: Jenna Myers. Completed as part of NSF SRS RN Track 2 Proposal 2115367, "Aligning upstream and downstream: increasing equity in watershed management with and for underrepresented communities"
2022 “Assessing statewide water utility affordability at the census tract scale”. Co-authors: Tim Evans and Kimberley Irby. AWWA Water Science, http://doi.org/10.1002/aws2.1287. Certified as within top 10% of downloaded articles during first 12 months after publication.
2021 A New Jersey Affordability Methodology and Assessment for Drinking Water and Sewer Utility Costs. Co-authors: Tim Evans and Kimberley Irby. New Jersey Future. https://www.jerseywaterworks.org/resource/a-new-jersey-affordability-methodology-and-assessment-for-drinking-water-and-sewer-utility-costs/
2021 Estimating Public Investments in Landscape Preservation and Water Quality Best Management Practices in the Delaware River Basin. Co-authors: K.M. O’Neill, S.J. Malone, K. Keys and A. Parker. Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey for the William Penn Foundation. https://williampennfoundation.org/what-we-are-learning/estimating-public-investments-landscape-preservation-and-water-quality-best
2020 Recommendations for Water Supply Conservation and Efficiency Requirements in New York State. Rockland Water Coalition. https://www.danvanabs.com/recent-projects.html
2020 A New Jersey Assessment Methodology for Water and Sewer Utility Costs: A White Paper for Jersey Water Works. New Jersey Future.
2020 Assessing the Affordability of Water and Sewer Utility Costs in New Jersey: Phase 2 Report: Conceptual Issues for a New Jersey Affordability Assessment Methodology. New Jersey Future.
2019 “Stormwater Utilities In New Jersey: Coming to a Town Near You?” NJ Municipalities, May 2019. New Jersey League of Municipalities, Trenton, NJ.
2019 Latham, R.E., L. Craig, D.J. Van Abs. “Land Stewardship and Freshwater Outcomes: An Overview of Practice and Results.” Natural Areas Journal, Volume 39(1), pp. 6-21.
2018 Assessing the Affordability of Water and Sewer Utility Costs in New Jersey: Phase 1 Report: Methodology Review and Preliminary Assessment. Co-author: Tim Evans. New Jersey Future. https://www.jerseywaterworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Van-Abs-and-Evans-2018.09.26-Phase-1-Assessing-Water-Sewer-Utility-Costs-2.pdf
2018 “Utilities at the Crossroads.” NJ Municipalities, February 2018. New Jersey League of Municipalities, Trenton, NJ.
2018 Water Needs through 2040 for New Jersey Public Community Water Supply Systems. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Co-authors: Jiayi Ding and Eric Pierson. https://www.danvanabs.com/recent-projects.html
2017 Preliminary Assessment of the Ramapo and Hackensack Watersheds in Rockland and Orange Counties. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Co-authors: Jennifer Ryan and Mukta Ramola. https://www.danvanabs.com/recent-projects.html
2017 “Appendix A: Recommendations for Improved Comprehensive Plan Guidance for Water Resources Planning.” In Cesanek, William, Vicki Elmer and Jennifer Graeff. Planners and Water, PAS Report 588. American Planning Association, Chicago, IL.
2016 Protection of Ecological Resources: Practice and Case Studies in the New York Metropolitan Area. Prepared for the Wuhan Planning and Design Institute, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, through the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
2016 Climate Change Adaptation in the Water Supply Sector. Prepared for the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance, New Brunswick, NJ. Available from: http://njadapt.rutgers.edu/
2016 Evaluation of the Suez Water-New York, Rockland County Water Supply. Prepared for the Rockland Water Coalition, NY. https://www.danvanabs.com/recent-projects.html
2016 Karen O’Neill and Daniel Van Abs (editors). Van Abs, Chapter 12: “Water Utilities: Storm Preparedness and Restoration.” Taking Chances: The Coast after Hurricane Sandy. Rutgers University Press. Available from: https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/taking-chances/9780813573793
2016 “A Flood of Choices: Considering Privatization of Water Utilities.” NJ Municipalities Magazine. New Jersey State League of Municipalities, February 2016, pp. 22-26. (Reprinted with permission in Renewable Resources Journal, 2017, 30:3, pp. 10-12, https://rnrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RRJV30N3.pdf)
2015 “Can We Depend on Our Water Infrastructure.” With Christine Sturm. NJ Municipalities Magazine. New Jersey State League of Municipalities, February 2015, pp. 66-68.
2015 A River for the People: A Public Access Plan for the Lower Passaic River. Passaic River Coalition, Morristown, NJ. Co-authors: Yuling Gao, Jiayi Ding and Samantha Saydak. https://passaicriver.org/ariverforthepeople2015-webcopy/
2014 “Water Systems to be Major Challenge in Years Ahead.” Estuary News, Volume 24, Issue 4, Summer 2014. Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. Available from: https://s3.amazonaws.com/delawareestuary/pdf/EstuaryNews/2014/SummerNews14.pdf
2014 Effects of Land Development on Water Resources of the Pinelands Region. With Oliver Stringham, Yuling Gao and Tim Evans. Prepared for New Jersey Future. Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. New Brunswick, NJ. Available from: www.njfuture.org/research-publications/research-reports/growing-smart-water-wise/
2014 Water Infrastructure in New Jersey’s CSO Cities: Elevating the Importance of Upgrading New Jersey’s Urban Water Systems. With Alexander McClean, Ioanna Tsoulou, Yuling Gao and Tim Evans. A Report for New Jersey Future. Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. New Brunswick, NJ. Available from: www.njfuture.org/2014/05/06/new-report-water-infrastructure/
2014 “Hydrologically Sensitive Areas, Land Use Controls and Protection of Healthy Watersheds.” Qiu, Zeyuan; Christine Hall; Donna Drewes; Grace Messinger; Tony Prato; Kathy Hale; Dan Van Abs. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. Ms. No. WRENG-1122R2
2013 Water Resources Baseline Assessment Report. Prepared for New Jersey Future on behalf of the North Jersey Sustainable Communities Consortium. Trenton, NJ. Available from: http://togethernorthjersey.com/?page_id=19971
2011 "Chapter 5: Water Supply Resources” in The Highlands: Treasured Landscapes, Critical Resources. Richard Lathrop, Jr., editor. Rutgers University Press.
2011 “New Recommendations for Water Utility Asset Management and Accounting” with Jessica Rittler Sanchez. Pipeline, Winter 2011. American Water Works Association, New Jersey Chapter.
2011 “Protecting Our Water Infrastructure: Will We Manage for Success or Run to Failure?” New Jersey Municipalities Magazine, February 2011. New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
2006-08 Highlands Regional Master Plan. Editing, co-author and staff manager for Regional Master Plan, Policy Guidance Documents and Technical Reports. New Jersey Highlands Council, Chester, NJ. www.highlands.state.nj.us/njhighlands/master/index.html
2006 “Raritan Basin Targeted Watersheds Grant: Creating the Basis for Successful Implementation,” in Watershed Update Vol.4, No. 2, American Water Resources Association Hydrology and Watershed Management Technical Committee, www.awra.org/committees/techcom/watershed/watershed.html
2005 Preservation of Critical Areas in the Manasquan River Watershed. (with Y. Zhen), NJ Water Supply Authority, Clinton, NJ. Available from: https://www.raritanbasin.org/s/manasquanCriticalArea.pdf
2005 Peifer, David, Donald Einhorn and Daniel J. Van Abs. Municipal Master Plan Guidance and Model Municipal Environmental Ordinances: Abstracts. New Jersey Water Supply Authority, Clinton, NJ.
2004 “The Highlands Rediscovered,” featured interview. New Jersey Network. Available from: http://aptonline.org/catalog.nsf/vLinkTitle/HIGHLANDS+REDISCOVERED+THE.
2004 “Raritan Basin Targeted Watersheds Grant: Update on the First Year,” in Watershed Update Vol. 2, No. 2, American Water Resources Association Hydrology and Watershed Management Technical Committee, www.awra.org/committees/techcom/watershed/watershed.html
2003 “Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project (New Jersey),” in Regional Update, American Water Resources Association Hydrology and Watershed Management Technical Committee
2003 Raritan Basin Watershed Management Plan. Co-author and project manager, NJ Water Supply Authority, Clinton, NJ. Available from: www.raritanbasin.org
2002 Preservation of Critical Areas in the Spruce Run Reservoir Watersheds: A Report of the Spruce Run Initiative (with T. Stanuikynas). NJ Water Supply Authority. Available from: www.raritanbasin.org
2000 Water Budget in the Raritan Basin: A Technical Report for the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project (with T. Stanuikynas). NJ Water Supply Authority. Available from: www.raritanbasin.org/reports
2000 Water Supply Availability in the Raritan Basin: A Technical Report for the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project (w T. Stanuikynas). NJ Water Supply Authority. Available from: www.raritanbasin.org/reports
1997 Water Quality Management Planning Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:15-6 (303d List) and 7 (TMDLs). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, NJ.
1996 Water For The 21st Century: The Vital Resource: New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan. Co-author, co-editor and project manager. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
1993 Ground Water Quality Standards, N.J.A.C. 7:9-6. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
1991 Well Head Protection Program Plan. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
1990 "Principles of a Ground Water Strategy" (with W. Whipple). Journal of Water Resources Mgt & Planning, Vol. 116, No.4, July/August. ASCE.
1989 "Principles of a Ground Water Strategy." (With W. Whipple.) Conference paper for the American Society of Civil Engineers, 1989 Water Resources Planning and Management Division Specialty Conference, Sacramento, California, May 20.
1989 A Ground Water Strategy for New Jersey (with W. Whipple). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
1986 Buried Valley Aquifer Systems: Resources and Contamination. Passaic River Coalition, Basking Ridge, NJ.
1985 Regional Environmental Management in the Pinelands National Reserve. Doctoral dissertation. SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY.
1984 The Raritan-Passaic Pipeline: Analysis and Recommendations. Passaic River Coalition
1984 Preliminary Debris Survey: Lower Passaic River. Passaic River Coalition
1983 The Hydrogeology of the Buried Valley Aquifer System. Passaic River Coalition
1984 Passaic River Restoration Master Plan for East Rutherford and Wallington. Passaic River Coalition
1978 New Jersey Environmental Directory, 1978-79. Editor. Youth Environmental Society. Cranbury, NJ.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Department of Human Ecology
Professional Experience: 43 years of public and non-profit sector professional and management experience developing and implementing highly recognized programs in watershed protection, water supply management, water quality pollution control, open space planning, land use management and wastewater management. Rutgers University faculty member (retired June 2024) addressing water resources, water infrastructure, environmental policy, and regional environmental management. Many projects have involved wide-ranging cooperative efforts with government, non-profit, for-profit, and public interests, with funding from foundations and government. Frequent public speaker on water and watershed policy, planning and management issues.
Education & Professional Accreditation: Strong educational background in both environment policy and management and the natural and earth sciences, with a specialty in regional environmental management. Licensed NJ professional planner.
- PhD, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry in association with Syracuse University, Graduate Program in Environmental Science (Environmental Policy Option)
- BS in Environmental Studies with high honors, Cook College, Rutgers University
- Licensed Professional Planner, State of New Jersey, LI#005637
- College of Fellows, American Institute of Certified Planners (2020)
- Certified Public Manager, Rutgers University and the NJ Department of Personnel
Related Activities: Numerous publications, conference presentations, guest lectures at NJ universities. Extensive professional involvement on State advisory boards, and volunteer leadership in non-profit organizations. Current responsibilities include:
- Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, Governor’s appointment. Chair of Audit Evaluation Committee; member of Plan Conformance Committee, Regional Master Plan Amendment Committee, and Highlands Development Credit Bank Board
- Passaic River Coalition, Board of Trustees and Treasurer
- Water Research Foundation, Academic Council
- Open Space Institute, Delaware River Water Protection Fund Advisory Committee
Complete Professional Experience
2012 to 2024 Professor (2021), Associate Professor (2012-2021) of Professional Practice for Water, Society and Environment, Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Human Ecology.
2016 to 2024 Affiliated Graduate Faculty in the Department of Landscape Architecture, Rutgers University.
2007 to 2012 Senior Director for Planning & Science, Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council (NJ). Responsible for managing staff in the development and implementation of the Highlands Regional Master Plan. Final three months as Acting Deputy and Executive Director.
1999 to 2007 Director of Watershed Protection Programs, New Jersey Water Supply Authority. Created source water protection program; managed development of the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Plan and subsequent implementation projects.
1993 to 1998 Assistant Administrator, Office of Environmental Planning, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Responsible for management of water supply and water quality planning, including ground and surface water quality standards, Statewide Water Supply Plan, wastewater management planning, and watershed management planning program.
1986 to 1992 Principal Planner and Environmental Scientist (supervisory positions), NJDEP. Responsible for ground water quality standards, wellhead protection program and ground water strategy.
1982 to 1986 Technical Director, Passaic River Coalition. Responsible for ground water research, water supply planning and riverfront parks and restoration projects, among others.
1977 to 1978 Assistant Director, Youth Environmental Society. Statewide youth leadership training programs.
Complete Public Service
Boards, Councils and Commissions
2020 to present Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, Governor’s appointment
2020 to present Princeton Flood & Stormwater Commission
2015 to 2020 Jersey Water Works, Steering Committee
2014 to 2020 The Watershed Institute, Board of Trustees, 1992-98, 2014-2020
2013 to present Passaic River Coalition, Board of Trustees, Treasurer. Chair, Technical Committee
2005 to 2020 New Jersey Clean Water Council, Governor’s appointment. Vice Chair, 2010-13; Chair, 2014-15.
2005 to 2014 South Brunswick Environmental Commission. Vice Chair 2008, Chairman 2009-2012.
2001 to 2020 New Jersey Water Supply Advisory Council, Technical Advisor
1993 to 1999 State Soil Conservation Committee, NJDEP representative
1974 to 1994 Youth Environmental Society, Co-founder, Board of Directors member, Treasurer, President
Advisory Committees
2020 to 2025 Delaware River Basin Commission: Watershed Management Advisory Committee
2020 to 2021 American Water Works Association: Expert Panel on SDWA Affordability
2018 to present New Jersey Future: Lead in Drinking Water Task Force
2016 to 2023 Water Research Foundation: Academic Council
2016 to present The Nature Conservancy-New Jersey Chapter: Conservancy Council.
2015 to 2018 American Planning Association: Water Working Group
2015 to present Sustainable Jersey: Natural Resources Committee. (Prior: Gold Certification Standards Committee, Water Gold Committee)
2015 to 2017 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission: Municipal Technical Assistance Advisory Panel
2015 to 2016 River Network: Delaware River Basin Policy Advisory Group
2015 to 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers-NJ Chapter: Water Supply and Wastewater Infrastructure Evaluation for the NJ Scorecard Project
2014 to 2025 Open Space Institute: Delaware River Water Protection Fund Advisory Committee
2014 to 2015 Academy of Natural Science (Drexel University): Delaware River Watershed Initiative,
Research Agenda Development Committee
2002 to 2005 Hunterdon County Environmental Toolbox Committee, Water Resources Chair.
Research Grants and Professional Practice Contracts (Ongoing)2021 to 2023 Co-Principal Investigator (with Karen O’Neill). Estimating Public Investments for the Delaware River Watershed. William Penn Foundation. Contract $ 313,266.
2014 to present Principal Investigator. Urban Water Infrastructure Project. New Jersey Future. Water infrastructure metrics and management, household affordability for water utilities, etc.
Publications, Papers and Video Productions
2024 New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan (Public Draft). Contributor to plan, primary author of Appendices D, E, F, G and I.
2023 “Work Together or Fail Separately: Facing the ongoing challenges of managing water infrastructure services.” NJ Municipalities, December 2023, pp.24-27
2023 The Passaic River Basin in Maps. Co-author: Jenna Myers. Completed as part of NSF SRS RN Track 2 Proposal 2115367, "Aligning upstream and downstream: increasing equity in watershed management with and for underrepresented communities"
2022 “Assessing statewide water utility affordability at the census tract scale”. Co-authors: Tim Evans and Kimberley Irby. AWWA Water Science, http://doi.org/10.1002/aws2.1287. Certified as within top 10% of downloaded articles during first 12 months after publication.
2021 A New Jersey Affordability Methodology and Assessment for Drinking Water and Sewer Utility Costs. Co-authors: Tim Evans and Kimberley Irby. New Jersey Future. https://www.jerseywaterworks.org/resource/a-new-jersey-affordability-methodology-and-assessment-for-drinking-water-and-sewer-utility-costs/
2021 Estimating Public Investments in Landscape Preservation and Water Quality Best Management Practices in the Delaware River Basin. Co-authors: K.M. O’Neill, S.J. Malone, K. Keys and A. Parker. Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey for the William Penn Foundation. https://williampennfoundation.org/what-we-are-learning/estimating-public-investments-landscape-preservation-and-water-quality-best
2020 Recommendations for Water Supply Conservation and Efficiency Requirements in New York State. Rockland Water Coalition. https://www.danvanabs.com/recent-projects.html
2020 A New Jersey Assessment Methodology for Water and Sewer Utility Costs: A White Paper for Jersey Water Works. New Jersey Future.
2020 Assessing the Affordability of Water and Sewer Utility Costs in New Jersey: Phase 2 Report: Conceptual Issues for a New Jersey Affordability Assessment Methodology. New Jersey Future.
2019 “Stormwater Utilities In New Jersey: Coming to a Town Near You?” NJ Municipalities, May 2019. New Jersey League of Municipalities, Trenton, NJ.
2019 Latham, R.E., L. Craig, D.J. Van Abs. “Land Stewardship and Freshwater Outcomes: An Overview of Practice and Results.” Natural Areas Journal, Volume 39(1), pp. 6-21.
2018 Assessing the Affordability of Water and Sewer Utility Costs in New Jersey: Phase 1 Report: Methodology Review and Preliminary Assessment. Co-author: Tim Evans. New Jersey Future. https://www.jerseywaterworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Van-Abs-and-Evans-2018.09.26-Phase-1-Assessing-Water-Sewer-Utility-Costs-2.pdf
2018 “Utilities at the Crossroads.” NJ Municipalities, February 2018. New Jersey League of Municipalities, Trenton, NJ.
2018 Water Needs through 2040 for New Jersey Public Community Water Supply Systems. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Co-authors: Jiayi Ding and Eric Pierson. https://www.danvanabs.com/recent-projects.html
2017 Preliminary Assessment of the Ramapo and Hackensack Watersheds in Rockland and Orange Counties. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Co-authors: Jennifer Ryan and Mukta Ramola. https://www.danvanabs.com/recent-projects.html
2017 “Appendix A: Recommendations for Improved Comprehensive Plan Guidance for Water Resources Planning.” In Cesanek, William, Vicki Elmer and Jennifer Graeff. Planners and Water, PAS Report 588. American Planning Association, Chicago, IL.
2016 Protection of Ecological Resources: Practice and Case Studies in the New York Metropolitan Area. Prepared for the Wuhan Planning and Design Institute, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, through the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
2016 Climate Change Adaptation in the Water Supply Sector. Prepared for the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance, New Brunswick, NJ. Available from: http://njadapt.rutgers.edu/
2016 Evaluation of the Suez Water-New York, Rockland County Water Supply. Prepared for the Rockland Water Coalition, NY. https://www.danvanabs.com/recent-projects.html
2016 Karen O’Neill and Daniel Van Abs (editors). Van Abs, Chapter 12: “Water Utilities: Storm Preparedness and Restoration.” Taking Chances: The Coast after Hurricane Sandy. Rutgers University Press. Available from: https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/taking-chances/9780813573793
2016 “A Flood of Choices: Considering Privatization of Water Utilities.” NJ Municipalities Magazine. New Jersey State League of Municipalities, February 2016, pp. 22-26. (Reprinted with permission in Renewable Resources Journal, 2017, 30:3, pp. 10-12, https://rnrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RRJV30N3.pdf)
2015 “Can We Depend on Our Water Infrastructure.” With Christine Sturm. NJ Municipalities Magazine. New Jersey State League of Municipalities, February 2015, pp. 66-68.
2015 A River for the People: A Public Access Plan for the Lower Passaic River. Passaic River Coalition, Morristown, NJ. Co-authors: Yuling Gao, Jiayi Ding and Samantha Saydak. https://passaicriver.org/ariverforthepeople2015-webcopy/
2014 “Water Systems to be Major Challenge in Years Ahead.” Estuary News, Volume 24, Issue 4, Summer 2014. Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. Available from: https://s3.amazonaws.com/delawareestuary/pdf/EstuaryNews/2014/SummerNews14.pdf
2014 Effects of Land Development on Water Resources of the Pinelands Region. With Oliver Stringham, Yuling Gao and Tim Evans. Prepared for New Jersey Future. Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. New Brunswick, NJ. Available from: www.njfuture.org/research-publications/research-reports/growing-smart-water-wise/
2014 Water Infrastructure in New Jersey’s CSO Cities: Elevating the Importance of Upgrading New Jersey’s Urban Water Systems. With Alexander McClean, Ioanna Tsoulou, Yuling Gao and Tim Evans. A Report for New Jersey Future. Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. New Brunswick, NJ. Available from: www.njfuture.org/2014/05/06/new-report-water-infrastructure/
2014 “Hydrologically Sensitive Areas, Land Use Controls and Protection of Healthy Watersheds.” Qiu, Zeyuan; Christine Hall; Donna Drewes; Grace Messinger; Tony Prato; Kathy Hale; Dan Van Abs. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. Ms. No. WRENG-1122R2
2013 Water Resources Baseline Assessment Report. Prepared for New Jersey Future on behalf of the North Jersey Sustainable Communities Consortium. Trenton, NJ. Available from: http://togethernorthjersey.com/?page_id=19971
2011 "Chapter 5: Water Supply Resources” in The Highlands: Treasured Landscapes, Critical Resources. Richard Lathrop, Jr., editor. Rutgers University Press.
2011 “New Recommendations for Water Utility Asset Management and Accounting” with Jessica Rittler Sanchez. Pipeline, Winter 2011. American Water Works Association, New Jersey Chapter.
2011 “Protecting Our Water Infrastructure: Will We Manage for Success or Run to Failure?” New Jersey Municipalities Magazine, February 2011. New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
2006-08 Highlands Regional Master Plan. Editing, co-author and staff manager for Regional Master Plan, Policy Guidance Documents and Technical Reports. New Jersey Highlands Council, Chester, NJ. www.highlands.state.nj.us/njhighlands/master/index.html
2006 “Raritan Basin Targeted Watersheds Grant: Creating the Basis for Successful Implementation,” in Watershed Update Vol.4, No. 2, American Water Resources Association Hydrology and Watershed Management Technical Committee, www.awra.org/committees/techcom/watershed/watershed.html
2005 Preservation of Critical Areas in the Manasquan River Watershed. (with Y. Zhen), NJ Water Supply Authority, Clinton, NJ. Available from: https://www.raritanbasin.org/s/manasquanCriticalArea.pdf
2005 Peifer, David, Donald Einhorn and Daniel J. Van Abs. Municipal Master Plan Guidance and Model Municipal Environmental Ordinances: Abstracts. New Jersey Water Supply Authority, Clinton, NJ.
2004 “The Highlands Rediscovered,” featured interview. New Jersey Network. Available from: http://aptonline.org/catalog.nsf/vLinkTitle/HIGHLANDS+REDISCOVERED+THE.
2004 “Raritan Basin Targeted Watersheds Grant: Update on the First Year,” in Watershed Update Vol. 2, No. 2, American Water Resources Association Hydrology and Watershed Management Technical Committee, www.awra.org/committees/techcom/watershed/watershed.html
2003 “Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project (New Jersey),” in Regional Update, American Water Resources Association Hydrology and Watershed Management Technical Committee
2003 Raritan Basin Watershed Management Plan. Co-author and project manager, NJ Water Supply Authority, Clinton, NJ. Available from: www.raritanbasin.org
2002 Preservation of Critical Areas in the Spruce Run Reservoir Watersheds: A Report of the Spruce Run Initiative (with T. Stanuikynas). NJ Water Supply Authority. Available from: www.raritanbasin.org
2000 Water Budget in the Raritan Basin: A Technical Report for the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project (with T. Stanuikynas). NJ Water Supply Authority. Available from: www.raritanbasin.org/reports
2000 Water Supply Availability in the Raritan Basin: A Technical Report for the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project (w T. Stanuikynas). NJ Water Supply Authority. Available from: www.raritanbasin.org/reports
1997 Water Quality Management Planning Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:15-6 (303d List) and 7 (TMDLs). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, NJ.
1996 Water For The 21st Century: The Vital Resource: New Jersey Statewide Water Supply Plan. Co-author, co-editor and project manager. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
1993 Ground Water Quality Standards, N.J.A.C. 7:9-6. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
1991 Well Head Protection Program Plan. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
1990 "Principles of a Ground Water Strategy" (with W. Whipple). Journal of Water Resources Mgt & Planning, Vol. 116, No.4, July/August. ASCE.
1989 "Principles of a Ground Water Strategy." (With W. Whipple.) Conference paper for the American Society of Civil Engineers, 1989 Water Resources Planning and Management Division Specialty Conference, Sacramento, California, May 20.
1989 A Ground Water Strategy for New Jersey (with W. Whipple). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
1986 Buried Valley Aquifer Systems: Resources and Contamination. Passaic River Coalition, Basking Ridge, NJ.
1985 Regional Environmental Management in the Pinelands National Reserve. Doctoral dissertation. SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY.
1984 The Raritan-Passaic Pipeline: Analysis and Recommendations. Passaic River Coalition
1984 Preliminary Debris Survey: Lower Passaic River. Passaic River Coalition
1983 The Hydrogeology of the Buried Valley Aquifer System. Passaic River Coalition
1984 Passaic River Restoration Master Plan for East Rutherford and Wallington. Passaic River Coalition
1978 New Jersey Environmental Directory, 1978-79. Editor. Youth Environmental Society. Cranbury, NJ.
