New NJDEP Assistant Commissioner for Site Remediation Named

On Wednesday, August 25, David E. Sweeney was named assistant commissioner for site remediation by New Jersey Department Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. The position has remained vacant since current Deputy Commissioner Irene Kropp was elevated from that position by Martin.  According to njspotlight.com:

As an assistant commissioner for site remediation, Sweeney will be responsible not only for the new privately licensed professional cleanup program but also contaminated areas ranging from large Superfund sites to releases of heating oil and gasoline from underground storage tanks.

The state approved the privately licensed cleanup program despite opposition from many environmental groups because of the slow progress in addressing the numerous problems posed by tens of thousands of contaminated waste sites in New Jersey. Environmentalists worry the licensed professionals will be more responsive to the firms that hire them than concerned with protecting the public interest.

“There are more than 20,000 known contaminated sites in New Jersey,. Cleaning them is a priority of the administration, and we need the right people with the skills to do that,” said Martin, who announced the appointment.

According to a press release from the NJDEP, Assistant Commissioner Sweeney has been with the NJDEP since 1988.  Most recently, he has led multiple stakeholder workgroups focusing on implementation of the Site Remediation Reform Act and the new LSRP program.  These workgroups are responsible for the overhaul of technical regulations required to implement the LSRP program and for development of a series of complementary technical guidance documents.

He also has been NJDEP’s Chief of the Bureau of Emergency Response, which responds to discharges of hazardous materials; headed the group that provides technical support in geology and hydrogeology for cases in the Site Remediation Program; and was a Section Chief and Case Manager overseeing site remediation, including complex cleanups in New Jersey under the Spill Act, CERCLA, RCRA and ISRA.

Prior to the NJDEP, Assistant Commissioner Sweeney managed the environmental programs and laboratory at the Camden County Health Department.  He earned a BS in Natural Sciences from Thomas Edison College.  He has been active in the Fire Service for twenty years and served as an Emergency Medical Technician for thirteen years.

For a copy of the NJDEP press release, click here.

For a link to the Site Remediation home page, click here.

Governor Christie Signs Legislation Creating Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority

On Tuesday, Governor Chris Christie signed legislation designed “to provide investment, continuity and economic growth to the Fort Monmouth region by creating the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA).”  The FMERA replaces the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority and is expected to move forwardwith the reuse and redevelopment plan for economic development, growth and planning, for the Fort Monmouth facility,with a focus on technology-based industries, for the 1,127 acres of real estate at Fort Monmouth following the base closure.

According to release from the Governor’s Office: “With the closure of Fort Monmouth very near on the horizon, it is vital that State and local leaders are prepared with a comprehensive, long-term plan to ensure that economic continuity, stability and growth are maintained for the regions effected by the closure,” said Governor Christie.  “Through the joint efforts of State, county and municipal leaders, Fort Monmouth can and will remain a driver of economic growth for both the region and the State.  By creating the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority to take action on a comprehensive and strong economic development plan, we are ensuring that the municipal, county and State resources and guidance will be employed in partnership to make certain that Fort Monmouth will be a home for job creation and economic growth.”

According to the statement from the Governor’s Office, the Fort Monmouth Reuse and Redevelopment Plan is a “highly collaborative blueprint for action” to:

• Promote, develop, encourage and maintain employment, commerce, economic development, and the public welfare;
• Conserve natural resources; and
• Advance the general prosperity and economic welfare of the people in the affected communities and throughout the state.

Under the new law, FMERA is given a multitude of tools to revitalize and redevelop the Fort Monmouth area and implement the revitalization plan.  Among these are the abilities to undertake redevelopment projects, adopt development and design guidelines and land use regulations in connection with the provision of utilities, streets, roads or other infrastructure required for the implementation of the revitalization plan. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will staff FMERA, which is also authorized under the new law to enter into an agreement with the EDA to act as the designated redeveloper.

According to a Star Ledger report:

Sponsors of the legislation, who gathered with Christie at Fort Monmouth for the bill-signing ceremony, estimate the new development, which would span at least two decades, would generate 4,900 full-time jobs, offer more than 2 million square feet of office space and pump $24.7 million in state wage taxes. The plan also calls for building at least 2,200 housing units for low-to-moderate income families as well as market rate homes.

The nine-member authority would be composed of the mayors of the three host communities, a member of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, a Monmouth County resident appointed by the governor, two other gubernatorial appointees, a member of the governor’s staff and the chairman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Lillian Burry said county and local officials are looking to attract high-tech facilities, such as communications. The county has already expressed interest in taking over the base’s community center, library and bowling alley and has been guaranteed 350 acres for open space, she said.

The legislation gives the Economic Development Authority the ability to secure financing for the development projects and allows the agency to act as a designated redeveloper.

For a copy of the S-917, the enabling legislation, click here.

For the full Star Ledger article, click here.