NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Compliance and Enforcement
Office of Local Environmental Management

Notice of Rule Proposal
Noise Control rules,  N.J.A.C. 7:29

Public Notice
Take notice that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is proposing to amend and add a new rule to the Noise Control rules at N.J.A.C. 7:29.  A statement of the substance of the proposal follows:

The Department received a petition for rulemaking from the Township of Teaneck, Bergen County regarding train idling noise on January 5, 2006.  In its Notice of Action in the April 3, 2006 NJ Register, the Department granted a portion of the petition and is now proposing to amend the existing exemption for train noise at N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.4(a)10, so that the exemption no longer pertains to noise from idling train locomotives and rail car coupling.  The Department is proposing a new rule at N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.3 to incorporate by reference the Federal sound level standards for idling train locomotives as well as for rail car coupling.  In addition, the Department is proposing minor amendments to update the rule.

The proposal is scheduled to be published in the New Jersey Register on July 3, 2006. A copy of the proposal(PDF) can be viewed or downloaded from the Department’s website.

A public hearing concerning the proposal is scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, July 18, 2006 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., or
until the close of testimony, whichever occurs earlier
NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Public Hearing Room
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ

Written comments may be submitted by September 8, 2006 (extended from September 1, 2006) to:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Oneida Cuevas, Esq.  Attention: DEP Docket No.  04-06-06/603
Office of Legal Affairs
P.O. Box 402 Trenton, New Jersey 08625