"We can’t have bureaucrats using junk science armed
with a Sharpie marker and aerial maps playing God," Zangari said.
"When you don’t have predictability and certainty
and transparency, that is a recipe for absolute paralysis."
– Ted Zangari
SOURCE: "N.J. clean water rules in jeopardy
as environmentalists and developers battle over
lame-duck bill," Star-Ledger, Sunday, December 18, 2011
Grow New Jersey
Legislation creating a powerful new business attraction and retention incentive program (summarized in an earlier e-alert) is awaiting enactment by Governor Christie. Last Thursday, the full Senate approved the measure unanimously and the full Assembly overwhelming approved the legislation (60-2-4).
Click here to view the legislation.
Wastewater Management Planning
Legislation providing relief from existing rules regarding Wastewater Management Plans (WMPs) was unanimously approved in an amended form last Thursday by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. A slightly different version of the bill was passed unanimously by the Senate Economic Growth Committee earlier last week.
WMPs specify what areas can be served by sewers (sewer service areas or SSAs). Under the current regulations many WMPs are subject to being been voided, effectively precluding any new connections to sewer lines. As a result the viability of developments throughout most of New Jersey is threatened. The proposed legislation would provide additional time for WMPs to be updated and extended.
Other key provisions of the bill include:
- An extension of the validity of all WMPs (and SSAs) for a period of two years.
- Allowing DEP to approve portions of revised WMPs as they are completed rather than delay DEP review until the entire revised WMP has been completed.
- Authorization for DEP to approve SSAs based on planned expansions of capacity rather than "assured" capacity..
- Permitting greater ability to use of septics where an area is not serviced by sewers.
- Authorization to DEP to approve "site specific" amendments to WMPs for certain new projects.
The Assembly committee removed a provision that would have permitted approval of site specific amendments that did not fully comply with DEP’s rules if a "net environmental benefit" was shown
A copy of the bill as introduced is accessible by clicking here.
Permit Extension
Legislation extending the Permit Extension Act of 2008 a second time, to 2014, was unanimously approved by the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee on December 8th. On the same day, an identical companion bill (S3165) was introduced in State Senate. We are optimistic that we will have a bill on Governor Christie's desk in early January.
Click here to view the legislation.
Please feel free to return to this blog for updates as these legislative initiatives proceed through State House in the coming weeks.
