Spring eNewsletter

Happy Spring! It's March already and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow meaning a short winter. So why are we getting so much snow and cold now? Can't put the shovels and snow melt away just yet. Guess winter's going out with a big bang. 

How many of you know that it is Women's History Month? It has been celebrated since 1987. It is being celebrated in the UK, Australia, and the US this month and in Canada in October 2019. Other "holidays" include Dr. Seuss Day on March 2, and Pi Day on March 14, 2019.  3.1415 is about as far as I can go. How about you?

Bob Jackson, Managing Director

NJDEP LSRP Program Deadlines

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has released notices regarding Regulatory and Mandatory time frames for remedial investigation and remediation. The following mass submission regulatory and mandatory time frames for remedial investigations, remedial actions, and response action outcomes are due either March 1, 2019 or May 7, 2019, as indicated.

Please note that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is also updating the "Summary of Regulatory and Mandatory Time frames for Remediation" Quick Reference Guide.

* March 1, 2019 - Mandatory time frame for completion of the remedial investigation and submission of the Remedial Investigation Report for UST and ISRA cases with contamination in soil and/or any other media. (Assumes no lengthening provisions were applied, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26E-4.10, to the March 1, 2017 remedial investigation regulatory time frame)

Triggering events between May 7, 1999 and March 1, 2010.

* May 7, 2019 - Regulatory time frame for completion of the remedial action and submission of the Remedial Action Report and Response Action Outcome for cases with contamination in soil and/or any other media.

Triggering events prior to May 7, 1999, where the person responsible for conducting remediation did not apply for or obtain a statutory time frame extension to complete the remedial investigation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 58:10C-27.1.a.

* May 7, 2019 - Mandatory time frame for completion of the remedial action and submission of the Remedial Action Report and Response Action Outcome for cases with contamination in soil only.

Triggering events prior to May 7, 1999, where the person responsible for conducting remediation applied for, obtained, and maintained a statutory time frame extension to complete the remedial investigation by May 7, 2016 pursuant to N.J.S.A. 58:10C-27.1.a

Should you have any questions, please contact Chris Langewisch 973-527-7451, ext. 201

Source: NJDEP listserve, February 2019

New Jersey Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Regulations

On February 26, 2019 Equity's team of Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRPs) and Subsurface Evaluators (SSEs) attended the NJDEP Site Remediation and Waste Management Program webinar on Heating Oil Tank System (HOTS) Remediation Rule updates. The webinar provided a refresher on key definitions, components, common errors, types of submittals needed, and example case scenarios to get tank owners through the HOTS program in a timely and efficient manner. Important information to know:

1. As of August 6, 2018, the HOTS Remediation Rules N.J.A.C 7:26F are in full effect. All remediations started after August 6, 2018 must comply with the new HOTS Remediation Rules N.J.A.C 7:26F.
2. The HOTS Remediation Rules were updated to be:
   1. More prescriptive rules for more consistency, 
   2. Focused on more timely and less costly cleanups, 
   3. Include detailed sampling and analytical requirements, and Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH) soil remediation criterion,
   4. Contain specific regulatory time frames, 
   5. Contain specific sampling requirements for both soil and groundwater, and 
   6. Data requirements within the application process for UST Fund grants and loans.
3. The Bureau of Field Operations (BFO) will be actively completing onsite audits. Firms will be selected randomly form the incident module. Once selected, the BFO inspector will contact applicable firm to obtain the HOT removal schedule. The DEP requires all applicable certifications to be available onsite while they are observing remedial activities. Upon completion of the field audit, copies of the inspection reports can be requested by the contractor. Common issues found in these audits include:
   1. Sampling protocols not being followed,
   2. Certifications not onsite to complete/oversee the remediation (i.e. SSE, LSRP, or Closure Cert),
   3. The 3-week notification does not occur,
   4. Not following proper health and safety protocols, and 
   5. Local inspections are not occurring.       

New York Limits for PFOA and PFAS

The New York State Drinking Water Quality Council (DWQC) has recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for emerging contaminants PFOA and PFOS at 10 parts per trillion and 1 part per billion for 1,4-Dioxane.  Currently these are the most stringent recommended levels across the country.  The following link is the full article from WAMC Radio.  

https://www.wamc.org/post/nys-drinking-water-council-recommends-regulation-levels-three-contaminants 

New Employees

Equity is pleased to announce the addition of two new employees who started on March 11, 2019; Zachary Landis/Junior Engineer and Asrah Khadr/Junior Planner.

Mr. Landis, who is starting as a Junior Engineer, holds a B.S. degree in Earth and Environmental Science from Virginia Wesleyan and a Masters in Environmental Engineering from Old Dominion University. in Norfolk, VA. During his studies he worked for Virginia Tech's stormwater monitoring program in the Hampton Roads area, assisting in studies for local governments.

Ms. Khadr, who is starting as a Junior Planner, holds a B.S. degree in Environmental Engineering from Drexel University.  Before joining equity environmental, she had several years of experience with the U.S. EPA specializing in air quality and transportation. 

They will both be working out of our Mt. Olive, New Jersey office and we wish them great success as they begin and continue their careers respectively.

Events

Equity staff have attended or will be attending the following events:

• Merry Berrieres - Performance Management - Moving From Feedback to Coach Webinar January 16, 2019
• Faron Moser - Lakehurst Small Business Roundtable Meeting - Tuesday, February 5
• Peter Jaran, Faron Moser, Bob Jackson - NJDEP Unregulated Heating Oil Tank System Remediation Rule (HOTSR) webinar - Tuesday, February 26
• Chris Langewisch - LSRP Practitioners Forum - Wednesday, February 27
• Rob Greene/Gene Bove - A New Vision for MapPLUTO, Wednesday March 6
• Bob Jackson/Faron Moser - New York District Army Corp. of Engineers Small Business Day March 14
• Bob Jackson - CIANJ Environmental Business Council March 27
• Zachary Landis/Asrah Khadr - Montclair State University Due Diligence 3/22
• Peter Jaran/Faron Moser - Design and Construction at Hazardous Waste Sites - Philadelphia 4/8 - 4/10