FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/27/02
02/47

Contact: Elaine Makatura
609-292-9289

DEP Awards Grants to County Health Agencies for Local Environmental Protection and Enforcement

(02/47) TRENTON - The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded 19 county health agencies a total of $2,597,998 to administer local environmental programs on behalf of DEP. These programs include solid waste, air pollution, noise control, water pollution, safe drinking water, coastal monitoring, and hazardous materials emergency response.

"The county health agencies are key partners in achieving New Jersey's environmental goals, particularly in the areas of compliance and enforcement," said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "Our long-standing partnership with the county health agencies was highlighted in our joint emergency response in the aftermath of September 11 and to the anthrax threat to New Jersey residents and businesses."

DEP's Office of Local Environmental Management (OLEM) provides matching grants to assist the 19 county health agencies to conduct compliance monitoring inspections, investigate complaints, collect water samples, and provide education and outreach to businesses and residents in their respective counties. Some funds are used to support special environmental projects such as inspecting underground storage tanks, inspecting commercial pesticide applicators, sampling potable water supplies at migrant farm camps, and surface water sampling projects.

County health agencies are certified by DEP under the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA) program. Since the program's inception, over $40 million has been awarded to county health agencies statewide. Grants range from $103,000 to $160,000 and applicants must match at least 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

For more information on the CEHA program, contact OLEM at 609 292-1305, or visit the web site at www.state.nj.us/dep/enforcement/pcp.

See grant listing below.

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