[EXTERNAL]: Notice of Proposed Rule Amendments - N.J.A.C. 7:26I

SITE REMEDIATION PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARD

Notice of Proposed Rule Amendments
Take notice that the New Jersey Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board is proposing amendments to the SRPL Board Rules which are found at N.J.A.C. 7:26I - Regulations of the New Jersey Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board ("Board Rules"). Amendments to the Site Remediation Reform Act ("SRRA") (N.J.S.A. 58:10C-1 et seq.) were adopted on August 23, 2019. In light of the amendments to the SRRA, the Board reviewed the existing Board Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:26I for consistency with the amendments. As a result of its review, the Board is proposing to amend the existing Board Rules to be consistent with the amendments to the SRRA. In addition, since the Board Rules were promulgated in January 2016, the Board has identified certain errors and inconsistencies in the existing Board Rules, as well as certain provisions which are not completely clear in intention or meaning, and certain references to Department procedures that need to be modified. The Board is also proposing amendments to correct the identified errors and inconsistencies, clarify the identified provisions and modify the identified procedures.

About the Board
The SRRA established the Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board ("Board"). SRRA established a process for remediating contaminated sites, to be overseen by Licensed Site Remediation Professionals ("LSRPs"). SRRA requires the Board to oversee the licensing and performance of LSRPs, and to promulgate rules necessary for the implementation, administration, and enforcement of SRRA.

About the Board Rules
The existing Board rules were promulgated on January 4, 2016. They encompass the following activities:

1. Licensing of LSRPS, including eligibility requirements and examinations;
2. Fees to be imposed on and collected by the Board including annual fees and licensing fees;
3. Continuing Education of LSRPs, including the continuing education requirements each LSRP must meet and the criteria for approval of Continuing Education Credits for continuing education programs and activities;
4. Auditing of LSRPs by the Board, including how LSRPs shall be selected for audit;
5. The rules of professional conduct that LSRPs must follow;
6. The procedures for disciplinary proceedings including the filing of complaints, investigation of complaints by the Board, actions the Board may take relative to complaints and violations, and hearing requirements;
7. The procedures for adjudicatory proceedings; and
8. The prohibition against retaliatory action

Where to find the Proposal
The proposal and the notice soliciting comment are scheduled to be published in the New Jersey Register dated November 7, 2022. A copy of the proposal and of the notice is available from:

1. DEP website www.nj.gov/dep/rules/notices.html
2. Board website www.nj.gov/lsrpboard/board/rules
3. LexisNexis Customer Service (888)285-3947 or store.lexisnexis.com/
4. Free On-line public access to the New Jersey Administrative Code and the New Jersey Register.

Public Comment Period
The Board welcomes comments on these rule amendments. The public comment period ends on January 6, 2023.

A public hearing on the proposed new rules will be held Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 4:00 PM via Teams. Those wishing to speak at the public hearing should consult the proposal document for details.

Microsoft Teams meeting for Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Amendments to N.J.A.C. 7:26I.

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• Enter meeting ID: 215 141 377 952
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• Dial in phone number: 856-338-7074 and
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Submit written comments by Friday January 6, 2023 electronically to srplboardrulecomments@dep.nj.gov. Each comment should be identified by the applicable N.J.A.C. citation, with the commenter's name and affiliation following the comment. The Department encourages electronic submittal of comments. In the alternative, comments may be submitted on paper to:

Dana Haymes, Esq.
Regulatory Officer
New Jersey Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board
Mail Code 401-06 P.O. Box 420
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is dedicated to protecting New Jersey's environment and public health. The agency prioritizes addressing climate change, protecting New Jersey's water, revitalizing its communities and managing and promoting its natural and historic resources.

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