DRAFT SOIL CLEANUP STANDARDS RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
DEP Asking for Public Input Before Making a Formal Proposal
(04/86) TRENTON — Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell announced the start of a public comment period on soil cleanup standards for use at contaminated site remediation projects across the state.
"We are seeking public input early in the process to help us develop a formal proposal of soil cleanup standards that will ensure the protection of public health," said Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "Our goal is to have clear standards, incorporating the latest health risk data, for developers reviving brownfield sites, companies cleaning contamination from past industrial operations and even homeowners working to replace leaking fuel tanks."
DEP's proposal includes soil cleanup standards for 140 contaminants. The draft soil standards take into account the risk of exposure to contamination from ingestion, skin contact and inhalation based on residential and nonresidential settings. DEP also is proposing to apply residential standards to children's day-care and school properties.
The draft soil standards also measure how soil contamination impacts ground water quality based on the protection of aquifers suitable for use as a drinking water source. Impact to ground water soil standards for aquifers of special ecological significance and aquifers not suitable as a drinking water source (low yield and saline aquifers) will continue to be developed on a site-by-site basis.
When adopted, the soil standards will replace DEP's soil cleanup criteria guidance. The soil standards will be used in concert with DEP's Technical Requirements for Site Remediation that outline specific actions necessary to investigate and clean up a contaminated site.
Also, DEP can develop interim soil cleanup standards for contaminants not included in this proposal on a case specific basis. A recently formed DEP workgroup will develop chromium soil cleanup standards as part of a separate process to incorporate at a later date.
The draft soil standards and how to provide comments to DEP on or before September 17, 2004 are available on DEP's Web site at http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/regs/srs/.
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