NJDEP's New Vision

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Douglas I. Eilender

On July 16, 2010, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) Commissioner, Bob Martin, published a List of Policy Priorities and a Vision Statement (see links below) in written form that will serve as a guide for the NJDEP to be more efficient and consumer friendly. The goals of these two documents are to define the strategic vision of the NJDEP for the next four years and to provide the foundation for structural changes that will make the NJDEP an effective organization in the future. For persons who are involved in the investigation or remediation of contaminated sites in New Jersey, they are familiar with the NJDEP’s administrative processes, which sometimes can be unacceptably long. With the implementation of New Jersey’s License Site Remediation Professional (“LSRP”) program, which we have detailed in prior posts, NJDEP attempted to expedite the site remediation regulatory process. As the LSRP Program is extremely new, NJDEP seems to be auditing a high percentage of the cases within this program. However, the 2010 Vision Statement and Priorities List spans the entire NJDEP, not just the Site Remediation Program. Although Commissioner Martin acknowledged NJDEP’s core mission of protecting the environment, he emphasized the importance to be much more effective and institute a balanced implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. Commissioner Martin commented on the importance of understanding and appreciating the impact NJDEP’s actions have on economic growth and environmental protection in New Jersey. Commissioner Martin stated that “protecting the environment should drive economic growth, not impede it.” In addition, he suggested the introduction of a “new culture” within NJDEP, with customer service, flexibility and effective use of performance metrics as key components. The Vision Statement recognizes NJDEP staff as its most important asset, while simultaneously requiring them to change how they perform their functions.

NJDEP staff have been instructed to base its decisions on science, facts and data with a focus on cost/benefit analyses. NJDEP will be utilizing new technologies to streamline operations and improve service. The communication between NJDEP and the regulated community must be constant and transparent, so that decisions are fully and clearly understood. To bolster the commissioner’s claims that NJDEP will work more closely and effectively with the regulated community, on August 17, 2010, NJDEP established a process to allow LSRPs and remediating parties to meet with experienced NJDEP staff to ask site specific technical questions. This service is being offered for new cases (initiated after November 4, 2009) that have opted into the LSRP Program. The technical consultation sessions will be held in face to face meetings to discuss technical issues related to a remediation of a site. This new service is part of NJDEP’s “compliance assistance” approach and will allow LSRPs and remediating parties to move forward with confidence. Although the Commissioner’s efforts to reform the NJDEP are commendable, time will tell whether NJDEP will recognize the real world impacts its decisions have on the regulated community and whether NJDEP will truly modify its behavior.

Click on the below links to view the List of Priorities and the Vision Statement.
http://www.nj.gov/dep/commissioner/vision.pdf and http://www.nj.gov/dep/commissioner/priorities.pdf
 

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NJ Proposes A Licensed Site Professional Program

Posted on March 5, 2009 by Douglas I. Eilender

On June 5, 2008, new legislation was introduced to address the overburdened New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”)’s current staff and budget constraints by expediting its report review process. Introduction of the Bill, sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, followed hearings before the State Senate Environment Committee and Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee at which the DEP recommended many of the proposed reforms set out in the Bill. An updated version of the Bill was issued on January 26, 2009, which was considered by the State Senate Environment Committee on February 2, 2009. The Bill proposes changes to the DEP Site Remediation Program that include the creation of a Licensed Site Professional (“LSP”) program. The LSPs are environmental consultants with specified education and experience who perform investigations and remediation at sites in New Jersey.

The Bill identifies who may become LSPs, establishes their qualifications, licensing procedures, a code of conduct and defines their role in the remediation process. In addition, the Bill establishes a separate Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board (“Board”), which is tasked with creating standards for education, training and experience that will be required of any person who applies for a license or a license renewal. The Board conducts examinations to certify that an applicant possesses sufficient knowledge of the state regulations, standards and requirements applicable to site remediation and the applicant is qualified to obtain a license or a license renewal. 

Since it will take some time for this legislation to be fully developed and implemented, after enactment of the Bill, it will provide for temporary licensing of LSPs . The Bill anticipates the applications for temporary LSP licenses will be submitted to the DEP within three (3) months of its effective date. Those seeking a temporary LSP license must have the same qualifications as a full LSP, as well as one of several professional certifications (i.e., certified hazardous materials manager from the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, a certified groundwater professional from the National Groundwater Association, a licensed professional engineer from the National Council of Examiners for Engineers). Further, an applicant for a temporary LSP license must show that they have existing current site remediation experience. 

Within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the Bill, any submissions concerning the remediation of a contaminated site must be signed and certified by an LSP. The LSP certification required under the Bill will state that the work was performed, that the LSP managed, supervised or performed the work and that the work and submission conform to the Technical Requirements for Site Remediation, N.J.A.C. 7:26E-1 et seq. 

The level of coordination between the LSP and the DEP depends on the ranking of the individual site. The Bill establishes a 4-tier classification system for remediation sites. 

Tier-1: A responsible party has been recalcitrant and has failed to complete the remedial investigation after an extended period of time. DEP would review and approve/disapprove all LSP submissions and select the remedial action. Financial assurance would be required in the form of a trust fund, with DEP to pre-approve any payments out of the trust fund.  

Tier-2: High priority sites for economic development; or within brownfield development areas (commercial or industrial sites that are vacant or underutilized and contaminated) or other economic development priority areas; or posing significant detrimental impact on the public or the environment; or effecting sensitive populations such as child care or school facilities; or subject of federal oversight. DEP would review and approve/disapprove all LSP submissions. 

Tier-3: Sites that are not Tier-1, Tier-2 or Tier-4 sites. DEP would review screening documents and certifications submitted by the LSP. 

Tier-4: Leaking unregulated heating oil tanks provided there are no immediate concerns such as impact on drinking water wells or vapor intrusion risks. DEP would review required checklists and certifications.

As Tier-1, Tier-2 and Tier-3 sites are more complex, they require the involvement of LSPs, while a Tier-4 site could also be managed by a person certified to perform services at a site of an underground storage tank such as a subsurface evaluator. However, any responsible party would be allowed to submit a Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation for sites where a no further action letter is sought from DEP based on a showing that no contamination above prevailing standards exists. 

The proposed Bill is designed to streamline the DEP’s review of environmental reports, so that transactions are not delayed due to the lack of responsiveness from the DEP. We shall see whether New Jersey can join states like Connecticut and Massachusetts, where effective LSP programs are run. 

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