MEDIA ADVISORY - THURSDAY - JT. SENATE & ASSEMBLY PANEL TO CONSIDER MEASURE TO REFORM SITE REMEDIATION, ESTABLISH LSRP PROGRAM

MEDIA ADVISORY -- THURSDAY -- JT. SENATE & ASSEMBLY PANEL TO CONSIDER REVISED MEASURE TO REFORM SITE REMEDIATION, ESTABLISH LSRP PROGRAM (TRENTON) - A joint panel of the Senate Environment and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committees will hold a Thursday afternoon hearing to consider a revised bill that provides for far-reaching reform in the site remediation process by expediting the clean-up of over 20,000 contaminated sites in New Jersey that pose a hazard to public health and the environment. The Senate and Assembly measures (S1897/A2962) would spur the redevelopment of contaminated sites, freeing up precious land resources in the nation's most densely populated state. The legislation would establish a new licensing board in, but not of, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) empowered to approve Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRPs) that would work on site remediation cases. "The massive backlog of contaminated sites in our state that continue to escalate at an alarming rate calls for immediate action," said Sen. Smith (D-Middlesex, Somerset), prime sponsor of S-1897 and Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. "This measure would help remove the backlog of nearly 20,000 lower risk cases, allowing the DEP to focus on the most hazardous cases." "The new Licensed Site Remediation Professionals Program would provide the DEP with an incredible force of professionals qualified to help clean-up New Jersey without incurring the cost of additional state hiring," said McKeon, prime sponsor of A-2962 and Chairman of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. "It also provides more stringent guidelines for oversight by the DEP of site remediation, thereby safeguarding public health and the environment." The legislation would tighten DEP guidelines and regulations to oversee site remediation in sensitive areas such as schools, child care facilities and residential housing. The Jt. Hearing of the Senate and Assembly Environment panels is scheduled to be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 in Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex, West State Street, Trenton. In addition to addressing a myriad of environmental concerns, the program would also serve as an important economic engine by speeding up the transformation of idle properties into productive uses that generate new tax ratables. Both chairmen said the revised versions of the legislation being considered Thursday address many of the issues raised by concerned parties in the recent weeks and they look forward to continuing to incorporate valuable input as the legislation advances. - 30 - Contact: Chairman Smith (732) 752-0770 Jenn Sciortino (609)292-6215 Chairman McKeon (973) 275-1113 Gita Bajaj (973) 224-4851 Cellular