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 SRP Publications Annual Reports 1998
Dear
New Jersey Resident,Progress in brownfields redevelopment occurred last year in many cities
and towns across the state as numerous industrial and commercial properties
were cleaned up and transformed for productive reuse. In the first year
of implementing the Brownfield and Contaminated Site Remediation Act signed
into law in January 1998, the number of voluntary cleanups conducted by
private parties increased 29 percent and included many innovative brownfield
projects. The Department's involvement in some of these endeavors is highlighted
in a special eight-page update included as part of this year's Site Remediation
Program Annual Report. Dedicating resources to stimulate environmental
investigation and cleanup at these tainted sites will help local economies
grow and protect public health. It is a very exciting time for many local
governments as they mesh local planning decisions with the powerful tools
available to facilitate brownfield projects. The Department reinforced in 1998 the importance of upgrading underground
storage tank systems through a series of new inspection and enforcement
measures. Because of the serious threat to ground water supplies, all
owners and operators must adhere to state and federal requirements to
implement leak detection and other measures designed to prevent contamination
problems with underground storage tank systems. Continued enforcement
of these critical regulations will remain a priority in 1999.
Planning for the April 1999 Environmental Exposition in Atlantic City
also has been a satisfying experience. This event focuses on the state's
growing use of environmental technologies to help us solve pollution problems
and share this information with other states, the business community and
the public. Check the Site Remediation Program's web page for the latest
discussion on topics such as electronic data exchange, technology verification
and innovative environmental technologies.
As we move towards the next century, completing ongoing remedial activities
and spurring new investigations and cleanups remain a priority for the
Department. As evidenced by the data in the cleanup progress section of
this report, we are meeting this challenge with the help of numerous community
leaders, local and county officials, private developers, the regulated
community and the state Legislature. I look forward to working with you
in the coming year to continue our efforts to protect New Jersey's environment
and to encourage economic growth.
| | Sincerely, |
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| |
Robert C. Shinn, Jr.
Commissioner |
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