| DEP
Designates First Cleanup Star Consultants in New Jersey
Program Created to Speed Remedial Work at Contaminated Sites
(04/06) TRENTON --- Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M.
Campbell today announced 243 environmental professionals
representing 103 companies as Cleanup Stars under a state
program to work with developers and responsible parties
to expedite site cleanups and redevelopment.
"This first group of 'Cleanup Stars'
will help the DEP expedite studies and cleanups at low-risk
sites," said Commissioner Campbell. "As part of
New Jersey's brownfield site reuse initiative, DEP established
rigorous training and professional requirements for the
Cleanup Star program that will help reform the role of environmental
consultants."
The Cleanup Star program is designed to
achieve three main goals: facilitate remediation of low-risk
sites; allow DEP case managers to concentrate on high priority
cases; and, upgrade the quality of the environmental consulting
profession. DEP will audit consultants' work to ensure regulatory
compliance.
"The Cleanup Star program will bring
faster relief to neighborhoods blighted by contaminated
sites and improve the quality of life for local residents,"
Commissioner Campbell added. DEP held its first orientation
session for Cleanup Stars today with Commissioner Campbell
providing opening remarks.
The Cleanup Star program will improve the
environmental consulting profession by establishing standards
of excellence for consultants performing remedial work.
Also, DEP case managers will have more time to focus on
sites with greater environmental or public health concerns
by relying on consultants in the Cleanup Star program to
use their expertise at the least contaminated sites.
To spur redevelopment, the Cleanup Star
program will allow uncontaminated or slightly contaminated
property to move quickly through the DEP remedial process,
allowing the properties to be sold or reused for new purposes.
Brownfield redevelopment is a vital component of Governor
McGreevey's efforts toward 'Building a Better New Jersey'
for the economic health of the state's cities and suburban
centers.
The investigation and remediation of Cleanup
Star sites also must be completed in full compliance with
DEP's regulations governing all phases of the site remediation
process.
DEP anticipates that homeowner underground
heating oil storage tank cases, brownfield sites on which
there is no trigger for investigation of ground water contamination,
discrete spills where a discharger is pursuing final cleanup
approval and certain other sites are the types that may
be eligible to proceed through the Cleanup Star program.
To apply, an environmental professional
must hold a bachelor's degree or higher in a physical, chemical
or natural science or related engineering discipline. Applicants
must demonstrate five years of continuous, full-time experience
in the field of hazardous substance remediation and continuous
experience in New Jersey employing the state's Technical
Requirements for Site Remediation during the past five years.
Cleanup Star applicants also must possess a third-party
certification recognized by DEP, and meet additional published
criteria.
DEP will publish a list of pre-qualified
environmental professionals on its web site for individuals
seeking the services of a Cleanup Star. Local, county and
state government environmental professionals are also encouraged
to apply; however, these individuals may not perform Cleanup
Star activities on behalf of any party other than their
government employer.
DEP received 411 applications in response
to the formal announcement of the Cleanup Star program in
September 2003. The application period for individuals seeking
Cleanup Star pre-certification ended November 26, 2003.
Interested parties are invited to apply during the next
application period to be announced this spring.
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