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Message from the Chairman of the Board

Message from David Sweeney, Chairman
New Jersey Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board

The Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board first met in November 2010. Since that time, the Board has embarked on an ambitious agenda to carry out its assigned duties under the Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA).

In looking back over the last two years, the Board has accomplished a great deal. With just a few exceptions during the summer months, the Board has met every two weeks without interruption. As of this writing, the Board has held 40 public meetings to conduct its business. Furthermore, the Board's seven standing committees also meet on a regular basis, including convening additional public meetings in order to obtain feedback from interested parties on important issues. Here are some examples of the Board's accomplishments to date:

• On May 14, 2012, 278 individuals sat for the first LSRP examination. 218 passed the exam and on July 9, 2012, the Board took action to make those individuals permanent Licensed Site Remediation Professionals. The establishment of this first group of LSRPs was an important milestone for the Board, and a significant event in the evolution of the LSRP program. The Board's Licensing Committee, with oversight from the Board, has worked diligently to develop and implement a process for transitioning from a temporary LSRP program to a permanent one. The Committee has made recommendations to the Board on important policy matters relating to licensing, application and examination. Additional exams are scheduled for September 2012, November 2012 and January 2013. To learn about the Board approval process and the requirements for becoming a permanent LSRP, visit the Board's Licensing Committee web page at: http://www.nj.gov/lsrpboard/board/licensure/.
• In January 2012, the Board authorized the Audit Committee to commence the LSRP audit process as required by SRRA. The auditing of the submissions and conduct of LSRPs is a means to ensure that LSRPs' highest priority in the performance of professional services is the protection of public health, safety and the environment. The Board is obligated to audit 10 percent of the licensed LSRPs every year. Accordingly, every month, five LSRPs are randomly selected to participate in the audit. Audit recipients are required to respond to a questionnaire aimed at verifying the conduct, quality of work and the credentials of active LSRPs. To learn about the process, view the questionnaire and see the names of those LSRPs whose audits have been deemed complete by the Board, visit the Board's audit web page at: www.nj.gov/lsrpboard/board/audit/.
• The Board charged the Professional Conduct Committee with the task of developing a process for handling complaints about LSRP conduct. The Committee responded with a comprehensive and fair system for handling and investigating complaints. In every instance where the Board finds there are grounds for investigation, a Complaint Review Team is convened to undertake an investigation of the charges. To see the Board's flowchart for handling complaints and to obtain an LSRP Complaint Form, go to the Board's Professional Conduct Committee web page at: www.nj.gov/lsrpboard/board/prof_conduct/. A synopsis of each of the complaints that have been decided on thus far can be found on the Board's home page at: www.nj.gov/lsrpboard/.
• In October 2011, the Board approved the Continuing Education Committee's recommendations relating to continuing education requirements for LSRPs. In that same month, the Board approved the Committee's recommended process for Course Approval Requests. Since that time, the Board has approved 20 course approval requests. Another 50 are under review by the Committee and will be considered by the Board for approval. To see the list of approved courses and to learn more about continuing education requirements, go to: www.nj.gov/lsrpboard/board/education/.
• The Finance Committee created a budget that was approved by the Board for FY 2013. The Committee regularly monitors the Board's expenditures. The Finance Committee has been instrumental in helping the Board plan for future expenditures which will improve Board operations and assist the LSRP community.
• The Outreach Committee with assistance from the Finance and other Board Committees is working to implement an online system for license renewals and tracking of continuing education credits. In April 2012, the Board approved the Committee's outreach policy which is aimed at facilitating public input on procedures, processes, and requirements relating to licensure and performance of LSRPs. The feedback provided will be used to support rule making by the Board and other Board duties. Also, the Board authorized the Committee to work with the DEP to re-design the Board's web site. In the coming months, visitors to the Board's web site will see a new and improved site which will be more user-friendly. You can see the Board's outreach policy by visiting the Committee's outreach web page at http://www.nj.gov/lsrpboard/board/outreach/.
• The Rulemaking Committee is working conscientiously to put in place rules relating to licensing requirements and the performance of LSRPs in New Jersey. As the Board approves drafts of subchapters, those draft sections are posted on the Board's web site for feedback by the public. This informal request for input has provided the Board with feedback that enhances the rulemaking effort. The public will have an additional opportunity to comment during the formal comment period once the rule is proposed. The rules are expected to be proposed in the late Fall/Winter of 2012 and adopted a year later in the Fall/Winter of 2013. To view the draft subchapters, go to: www.nj.gov/lsrpboard/board/rules/.
• Most recently, the Board established an Ad Hoc Committee to explore the issue of confidentiality and the release of information to the public. The Board recognizes that some Committees regularly handle sensitive information and thus, the Board wants to ensure that the processes that are currently in place are consistent and protective of confidential information, while at the same time providing transparency to the public.

The Board plays an essential role in ensuring the integrity and professional standards of the site remediation professionals who are managing remediation projects throughout New Jersey. These site remediation professionals must adhere to the highest standards to protect the environment and public health. Going forward, the Board will continue to make certain that site remediation professionals meet these high standards.

I am extremely pleased and proud of the accomplishments of the Board to date, as well as the level of the public participation at Board meetings and information sessions. The next year will be essential to the future success of the Board, as LSRPs transition from temporary to permanent licenses and the rules overseeing LSRPs are proposed and adopted. I look forward to working with the members of the Board and the public to continue the success of the Licensed Site Remediation Professional Program in New Jersey.

Please remember that the public is always welcome at Board meetings. Board meeting dates are listed on the web site at: www.nj.gov/lsrpboard/meetings/schedule.htm.