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Experts Talk Site Remediation and Planning

EDISON, NJ-The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection outlined several of its plans during a recent NAIOP seminar here.

By Alyson Grala | Updated on June 24, 2009

EDISON, NJ-In May, Gov. Corzine signed into law the Site Remediation Reform Act, which introduces sweeping changes to the administration of site cleanups in New Jersey. Among other changes to existing environmental laws, the Act–as it’s known in New Jersey–introduced a licensed site remediation professional program, which was a point of focus during NAIOP’s “Regulatory Update,” held here at the Pines Manor on Tuesday.

Newly appointed DEP Commissioner Mark Mauriello kicked off the discussion by outlining the department’s future goals, all within a strict budget. Staff cuts, among other pullbacks, have hurt the department over the past 10 years, he said, noting that in 1999 DEP employees numbered 4,000 as compared to today’s 3,000-person staff. The department currently has a three-year hiring freeze in place. “Starting with priorities for 2010, things have changed a lot since December,” Mauriello said. “We’re trying to get through the budget, which will hopefully happen this week.”

In terms of DEP initiatives, “we have a new office of climate and energy and the global warming response act sets some pretty ambitious goals from solar installations across the state to studies of offshore environments for a wind farm in southern New Jersey,” Mauriello said. He went on to add that the Site Remediation Reform Act is also moving quickly. “By November, licensed professionals will be available to do work throughout the state,” said Mauriello, who took over as commissioner six months ago following the departure of Lisa Jackson, who left to serve as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, under President Barack Obama.

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