By:  Al Moffit, Director

Receptor Evaluations are just one of a myriad of technical requirements with regulatory and mandatory timeframes that are part of compliance with the new Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA).   Due to the number of cases undergoing remediation and the limited amount of available Department resources, NJDEP is notifying responsible parties there will no longer be an assigned case manager and should consider retaining a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP).  These letters also highlight the regulatory and mandatory timeframes that are part of Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA), including the Initial Receptor Evaluation (RE) timeframe deadline of November 26, 2010.  The Department has granted a one year extension to the November 2010 Receptor Evaluation deadline, but is encouraging submission of interim information by the November 2010 deadline.

The Department has repeatedly emphasized the need to submit the Initial RE before the November deadline in order to stay compliant with the new regulations.  However NJDEP published a “Notice of Proposed Rule Changes Concerning Site Remediation Compliance Timeframes and Vapor IEC Requirements” October 4, 2010.  These rules propose to extend the timeframes contained in the current rule for RE’s by up to one year.  EWMA recommends submitting even partial initial RE work by the November 26th deadline and then submitting additional information as it is obtained because some of the regulatory timeframes in the current rule may run before the new rule can
be adopted.

The initial RE is a set of remediation requirements to ensure that people and ecological receptors are protected from potential exposure to hazardous substances at or near contaminated sites.  The RE focuses on four areas:

• Land use within 200 feet of the site boundary;
• A receptor evaluation of groundwater via a well search;
• A receptor evaluation of potential vapor intrusion; and
• A Baseline Ecological Evaluation (BEE).

If you are or may be responsible for a site requiring remediation in New Jersey please contact EWMA professionals to advise you of the impact of this and other current and changing compliance requirements for remediation of contaminated sites.

Mr. Moffit is a Director for EWMA in the Parsippany, NJ office.  For more information, please call 800-969-3159 ext. 144.  EWMA is a full-service environmental consulting and remediation firm.  EWMA’s regional offices in New York City and New Jersey ensure our clients have prompt access to staff and other resources needed to meet their environmental needs.