MCKEON: TOXIC AND CONTAMINATED SITES POSE THREAT TO HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT, MEASURE WOULD REFORM DEEPLY FLAWED SITE REMEDIATION

MCKEON: TOXIC AND CONTAMINATED SITES POSE A THREAT TO HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT, MEASURE WOULD REFORM DEEPLY FLAWED SITE REMEDIATION Assembly Environment Chair Welcomes Unanimous Support by Joint Panel; DEP Gratified by Advancing of Measure after Two Years of Effort (TRENTON) – Assemblyman John F. McKeon today announced that toxic sites pose a serious threat to public health and the environment and the site remediation legislation he sponsored is a significant effort to help reform the clean-up of over 20,000 contaminated sites in New Jersey. The measure was unanimously released in Thursday’s joint Senate and Assembly Environment panel. “The current system for site remediation is deeply flawed as demonstrated by the massive backlogs, long bureaucratic delays and the lack of screening of consultants that work on site remediation,” said McKeon, Chairman of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. “Something had to be done to address the problems with the system. This measure does that.” “It has taken over two years of tireless effort for this measure to evolve to what it is now – a significant reform initiative to reduce the backlog of contaminated sites in New Jersey and empower the DEP to enforce higher standards for its oversight of clean-up,” said McKeon (D-Essex). The measure (A-2962) would establish a new 13-member licensing board in, but not of, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) empowered to certify License Site Remediation Professionals (LSRP) to work on site remediation cases, giving the new licensing board the power to approve their work. The DEP would continue direct oversight of the most hazardous cases. “For the first time in our state, there would be a review and screening process to ensure that environmental consultants selected to work on site remediation are qualified professionals held to high standards,” McKeon said. “The License 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.” Acting DEP Commissioner Mark Mauriello has acknowledged his full support of the site remediation reform measures addressed in Thursday’s joint Senate and Assembly panels. Asst. DEP Commissioner Irene Kropp, who testified in favor of the legislation at the hearing, said the measure is crucial to the environment and the economy. “Former DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson and I began this reform initiative over two years ago when we realized that critical change was needed to the site remediation program,” Kropp said. The legislation builds additional safeguards such as tightening of DEP guidelines and regulations when the development is planned for a school, child care facility or residential housing. McKeon welcomed Thursday’s unanimous yes vote in the joint Senate and Assembly Environment panels. “I also welcome the spirited discussion and sharing of diverse points of view. We will continue to address concerns and incorporate valuable input as the legislation advances.” The joint Senate and Assembly panels released the measure in a unanimous 6-0 and 7-0 vote. It is now poised for a floor vote by the full Assembly. – 30 – Contact: Assemblyman John F. McKeon (973) 275-1113 Gita Bajaj (973) 224-4851 Cellular