Site Remediation & Waste Management Program

The enactment of the Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA) in 2009 established the Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) program and fundamentally changed the process for how sites are remediated in the state of New Jersey. In August 2019, Governor Philip Murphy signed legislation to further improve the effectiveness of the LSRP program.

With the primary goal of reducing the threat of contamination to public health and the environment, the LSRP program has demonstrated success in accelerating the process of returning contaminated properties to productive use. At the end of 2020, the Site Remediation and Waste Management Program (SRWMP) reported 13,841 contaminated sites. Of these sites, 10,735 were active LSRP cases.

Perhaps one of the best measures of reducing the threat of contamination to public health, safety and the environment is the total number of cases closed by issuance of a final remediation document (a No Further Action Letter issued by the Department or a Response Action Outcome issued by an LSRP). Final remediation documents can be issued for areas of concern at a contaminated property (such as removal of an underground storage tank) or for entire commercial and industrial properties. From 2009 to 2020, nearly 56,000 cases were closed.

LSRPs work in phases to complete remediations. As of December 2020, LSRPs have issued more than 16,300 Response Action Outcomes, certifying that a remediation was completed in accordance with New Jersey's statutes and DEP's rules and standards.

Lastly, the Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program closes an average of 3,500 cases per year. In addition, because these cleanups are often associated with a real estate transaction, DEP strives for a quick turnaround time, averaging three to four days after receipt of proper documentation to issue the No Further Action letter.