Remedial Priority System - What is the Remedial Priority System?

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Department) Site Remediation Program (SRP) has developed an automated, data driven, relative ranking modeling system known as the Remedial Priority System (RPS). RPS was mandated pursuant to The Spill Compensation and Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.16) as amended in section 39 of P.L. 2009, c.60 of the Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA) which states “…the department shall establish a ranking system that establishes categories in which to rank sites based upon the level of risk to the public health, safety, or the environment, the length of time the site has been undergoing remediation, the economic impact of the contaminated site on the municipality and on surrounding property, and any other factors deemed relevant by the department.”

RPS is a computerized model that is designed to help the Department categorize contaminated sites based on potential risk to public health, safety or the environment as well as other considerations. The RPS model utilizes multiple geographic data bases and layers, receptor information, and site specific ground water, and soil sampling data in determining a site score. Simply put, the RPS Score = Site Condition Score x Pathway Score x Receptor Score. The Site Condition Score is represented by the type and extent of contaminants present at a site and the Receptor Score is determined by the proximity of receptors to a site based upon the existence of a pathway between the contamination and the receptors. The Pathway Score is a "1" or "0" value based on a pathway that allows contaminants to be transmitted to the receptor (1) or not (0). Once the RPS Score is determined it is catalogued for relative ranking with sites with similar scores and placed into Categories 1 through 5. Category 1 represents the lowest score and thus the least potential risk through Category 5 which represents the highest score and thus the greatest potential risk.

It is important to note that the score does NOT reflect compliance. Therefore, the Category 5 sites represent a potentially greater risk to public health and safety and the environment based on information available to the Department and due to factors attributed to the site and/or its surroundings, but are NOT automatically placed into Department oversight. The Department can then use the RPS information to help determine whether appropriate remedial measures are being implemented at a given site or direct Department oversight and resources are needed.

Bureau of Information System (BIS)
609-292-9418