A New Approach to Protect Our Waterways "These enforcement teams will have greater access to inspect our major waterways and will strengthen our efforts to protect our water resources statewide." - Bradley M. Campbell, DEP Commissioner

To help ensure New Jersey residents have cleaner, safer waterways, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched a new approach to protect our waterways and enable environmental inspectors to travel the state's rivers and bays by boat and identify pollution problems at the source.

The DEP initiative known as WET - Waterway Enforcement Teams - includes two groups of experienced environmental inspectors who will organize boat surveillances along major water bodies looking for water and land-use violations.

"These enforcement teams will have greater access to inspect our major waterways and will strengthen our efforts to protect our water resources statewide," said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell.

WET was initiated after Bill Sheehan, executive director of the Hackensack Riverkeeper, invited Commissioner Campbell and other DEP officials to tour the Hackensack River and discuss new ways to enforce water protection laws more effectively. The goal of WET enforcement efforts is threefold. Working in cooperation with local citizens and organizations like New Jersey's riverkeeper and baykeepers, DEP inspectors will follow-up on tips of harmful activities occurring along the state's waterways. In addition to facility inspections, enforcement officers also will conduct routine boat surveys and offer assistance programs to improve environmental compliance for businesses. WET inspectors also will serve as points of contact for future DEP watershed multi-media inspections.

The Northern and Southern Waterway Enforcement teams are being led by DEP's inspector John Zuzeck, an enforcement officer in the Northern Region Office of the Water Compliance Bureau. Zuzeck is a recent recipient of a Hackensack Riverkeeper award, which recognizes individuals who have worked with the advocacy group in their efforts to protect the Hackensack River. Ten DEP inspectors with backgrounds in water compliance, land-use and solid waste enforcement are assigned to WETs. The boats used during the inspections are being supplied by the state Attorney General's office.