A Team Effort

What the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Can Do

The DEP is providing specifics on how municipalities can coordinate with the department, as well as other agencies; and promotes best practices.

• Reach out to municipal leaders
• Share a model ordinance for municipalities to adopt regulating the deposit of soil and fill materials
• Educate in-state and out-of-state business concerns (including developers, contractors, haulers and landscapers) involved in generating, storing and transporting of soil and fill materials regarding New Jersey’s rules and regulations
• Promote best practices at regulated facilities and among related industry groups and associations
• Develop and maintain advisory materials

When soil/fill material is determined to be solid waste through visual/olfactory evidence or sampling analytics (showing contaminant[s] exist above DEP remediation standards):

• In addition to taking any steps provided for in municipal regulations that apply to a site with such fill, the DEP should be contacted to investigate and initiate enforcement action pursuant to Solid Waste Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:26-1 et. seq.)
• The site is at risk for enforcement and penalties pursuant to established municipal ordinances and, potentially, state laws and regulations

Any fill material determined to contain Resource Conservation and Recovery Act hazardous waste must be reported to – and falls under – the DEP’s authority for control and enforcement.

How to contact the DEP:

• For incidents, to report dumping or immediate environmental concerns, call
  1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337) or the DEP mobile app at WARN NJDEP
• For general information, contact the Bureau of Solid Waste Compliance and Enforcement at 609-292-6305
• For information regarding the beneficial use and/or other approvals of restricted- use fill, contact Site Remediation and Waste Management – Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste at 609-633-1418

What N.J. Municipalities Can Do

Ending municipal dumping of unclean soil begins with local government.

• Enact a municipal ordinance to regulate soil and fill
• Monitor dump truck activity and traffic (i.e., monitoring and enforcing traffic/motor vehicle laws)
• Educate municipal business concerns (including developers, contractors, haulers and landscapers) involved in generating, storing and transporting soil and fill materials about local soil ordinances

What Industry Leaders/Companies Can Do

There are steps that companies, seeking to carry soil into New Jersey municipalities, can take.

• Perform or obtain analytical testing results for soil and fill material under their management
• Maintain site information records for the property that is the source of soil/fill material being used or transported
• Contact local authorities to inquire about and ensure compliance with local requirements

What N.J. Residents Can Do

Notice a pile of dirt and debris on property near your home or another spot in your town? See loaded dump trucks repeatedly visiting secluded locations?

Here’s who to contact:

• Municipal zoning or construction offices
• County soil conservation districts
• County health department
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337), for environmental emergencies
• DEP mobile app at WARN NJDEP, for environmental non-emergencies

Receiving soil/fill from a contractor or landscaper?

• Request information on the origin of the material, as well as assurances, such as analytical testing results, demonstrating that it is not contaminated above established residential soil remediation standards
• Ensure all local codes and ordinances are met prior to accepting the material