NEW TOLL-FREE HOTLINE FOR REPORTING
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
1-877-WARNDEP
New Toll-Free Hotline for Reporting Spills and Emergencies
1-877-WARNDEP
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) has established a new toll-free environmental hotline number for
reporting spills, hazardous discharges and other environmental emergencies.
The number, 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337), is now available
for use and will eventually replace DEP's previous hotline number, 609-292-7172.
The 24-hour hotline is staffed by trained communication operators who
contact the appropriate staff to respond to reported incidents. The
new toll-free number also is available for use from New York, Pennsylvania
and Delaware in the event of discharges into interstate waters or air
releases impacting New Jersey.
"We initiated this toll-free number to help citizens
have a more active role in reporting environmental pollution incidents.
We hope residents will take advantage of this service and call DEP if
they see any discharges that pose potential environmental harm,"
said DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn.
DEP's Discharge Response program will be sending letters
to all counties, municipalities, legislators and other agencies throughout
the state to publicize the new toll-free number.
While directories are updated, the old number will remain
in service. The DEP hotline received more than 22,000 calls last year.
