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Air Emissions

EPA Proposes Stronger Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide (posted 11/24/09)

New standard to protect millions of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens

WASHINGTON – For the first time in nearly 40 years, EPA is proposing to strengthen the nation’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) air quality standard to protect public health. Power plants and other industrial facilities emit SO2 directly into the air. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma, cause respiratory difficulties, and result in emergency room visits and hospitalization. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to SO2’s effects.

“Short-term exposures to peak SO2 levels can have significant health effects – especially for children and the elderly – and leave our families and taxpayers saddled with high health care costs,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We’re strengthening clean air standards, stepping up monitoring and reporting in communities most in need, and providing the American people with protections they rightly deserve.”


EPA is taking comment on a proposal to establish a new national one-hour SO2 standard, between 50 and 100 parts per billion (ppb). This standard is designed to protect against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours. Because the revised standards would be more protective, EPA is proposing to revoke the current 24-hour and annual SO2 health standards.

EPA also is proposing changes to monitoring and reporting requirements for SO2. Monitors would be placed in areas with high SO2 emission levels as well as in urban areas. The proposal also would change the Air Quality Index to reflect the revised SO2 standards. This change would improve states’ ability to alert the public when short-term SO2 levels may affect their health.

The proposal addresses only the SO2 primary standards, which are designed to protect public health. EPA will address the secondary standard – designed to protect the public welfare, including the environment – as part of a separate proposal in 2011.

EPA first set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for SO2 in 1971, establishing both a primary standard to protect health and a secondary standard to protect the public welfare. Annual average SO2 concentrations have decreased by more than 71 percent since 1980.

The public comment period will be open for 60 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The agency will hold a public hearing on Jan. 5, 2010 in Atlanta. EPA must issue final standards by June 2, 2010. 

More information about the proposal:
http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide

 

EPA expected to act in regulating carbon dioxide (posted 2/25/09)
By John M. Broder
Thursday, February 19, 2009 International Herald Tribune

WASHINGTON: The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to act for the first time to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that scientists blame for the warming of the planet, according to top Obama administration officials.

The decision, which most likely would play out in stages over a period of months, would have a profound impact on transportation, manufacturing costs and how utilities generate power. It could accelerate the progress of energy and climate change legislation in Congress and form a basis for the United States' negotiating position at United Nations climate talks set for December in Copenhagen.

The environmental agency is under order from the Supreme Court to make a determination whether carbon dioxide is a pollutant that endangers public health and welfare, an order that the Bush administration essentially ignored despite near-unanimous belief among agency experts that research points inexorably to such a finding.

Lisa Jackson, the new EPA administrator, said in an interview that she had asked her staff to review the latest scientific evidence and prepare the documentation for a so-called endangerment finding. Jackson said she had not decided to issue such a finding but she pointedly noted that the second anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Massachusetts v. EPA, is April 2, and there is the wide expectation that she will act by then. Click here for the story.

EPA Sued by 14 States (Posted 5/30/08)

The public interest law firm Earthjustice filed a lawsuit on May 27, 2008 challenging the U.S. EPA regarding smog regulations. In addition, fourteen states have also challenged the EPA smog standards, saying smog regulations issued in March watered-down standards for ground-level ozone and air pollution. The states — New York, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — were joined by New York City and the District of Columbia.

A copy of the lawsuit filed by Earthjustice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit can be found here: www.earthjustice.org/library/legal_docs/petition-for-review.pdf.

 

 

On October 29, 2007, the NJDEP submitted its State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision to implement the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) to the USEPA. The core of this SIP revision is the State's demonstration that its two multi-state 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas will attain the 8-hour ozone NAAQS by their mandatory attainment date of June 15, 2010. The remainder of the SIP revision addresses the other mandatory SIP elements for 8-hour ozone (with the exception of a Reasonable Available Control Technology (RACT) analysis, which the Department submitted final to the USEPA on August 1, 2007) and other related issues. (Posted 11/15/07)

 

 

Utility Energy Efficiency Vision Can Save Billions of Dollars While Fighting Climate Change (Posted 11/15/07)

More than 60 organizations have collaborated on an EPA report that could save Americans more than $500 billion in energy costs over 25 years. This report, the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency Vision for 2025, provides a framework for states, utilities and other stakeholders to consider when seeking policies and programs to achieve all cost effective energy efficiency measures. http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/actionplan/resources.htm

A recently released French study which concluded that biomethane transport fuel was the highest and best use of organic wastes. The study can be downloaded here (posted 10/17/07):
http://www.ngvglobal.com/technology/biogas-for-transport-best-use-of-organic-waste-french-study.html

New Record Keeping Requirements and Rule for Emergency Generators (Posted 3/7/07)Any facility which operates an emergency generator with a rated capacity larger then 37 kilowatts
(Kw) is affected by these changes even if no air pollution permit is required.
As an example, a 37
Kw generator is equivalent to 50 horsepower and is typically used as emergency back up power at
small businesses.

CO2 Rule Adoption (Posted 11/21/05)
Click here for a copy


 

 

Biosolids


NBP Releases 2006-2007 Annual Report

(posted 1/31/07)

The National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) announced on January 16 the release of its 2006-2007 Annual Report. The Report includes an overview of the NBP environmental management system (EMS) program, 2006 accomplishments, 2007 action plan, listing and geographical locations of participating EMS agencies, testimonials from participating EMS agencies, NBP EMS program offerings, platinum level program recipients, financial summary, listing of volunteer contributors, and more. Hard copies of the Annual Report will be distributed to a broad list of individuals over the next several weeks. Electronic copies are posted in several locations on the NBP web page, www.biosolids.org.  To view the NBP 2006-2007 Annual Report, visit: http://www.biosolids.org/docs/
NBP_2006_2007_AnnualReport.pdf

Columbus Water Works, GA and City of Raleigh, NC Public Utilities Receive NBP EMS Certification (Posted 1/16/07)
The National Biosolids Partnership is pleased to recognize the Columbus, GA Water Works and City of Raleigh, NC Public Utilities Department as the newest wastewater agencies in the nation to be certified and admitted to the Partnership’s environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program. The Columbus Water Works and City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department are among 92 wastewater agencies currently participating in the NBP EMS program. Columbus Water Works was certified on November 15, 2006 and City of Raleigh on December 19, 2006. There are now 15 NBP EMS certified wastewater agencies.  For more information, visit the NBP web page –
www.biosolids.org. (SJH)

Knowing poplar's DNA is expected to yield biofuel advances and more (Posted 9/28/06)

Looking for innovative ideas for water reuse?  Try this site: http://www.watereuse.org

NBP Releases Biosolids EMS Success Stories Brochure
The National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) has just published a 12-page publication entitled “Biosolids Environmental Management System (EMS) Success Stories.”  The brochure provides summaries of how the NBP EMS program has benefited the first six wastewater agencies that have successfully achieved NBP certification after meeting verification requirements by independent audit firms.  The brochure also includes testimonials from several other EMS participating agencies along with instructions for other wastewater agencies to participate in the program.  To view the NBP Biosolids EMS Success Stories, visit the Partnership’s web page: www.biosolids.org or http://biosolids.org/docs/nbp_biosolids_ems_ success_stories_2005.pdf

New Jersey Biosolids Beneficial Use Practices

Competitiveness


Contracting

Changes to Contract Compliance and Equal Opportunity Employment in Public Contracting Procedures (Posted 10/30/08)

Beginning July 1, 2008, the funding of NJ Build will be exclusively provided by state government agencies.  Local government agencies will no longer be required to include the ½ of 1% training allocation for their construction projects.  Instead, the new requirements for the ½ of 1% training fund allocation applies only to State agencies.   Although local government agencies are no longer required to make a funding commitment, they may voluntarily contribute to the construction trades training program.  Contact the DCC for information on making voluntary contributions.

Even though the training allocation was eliminated, local government agencies are still subject to EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) requirements in public contracting.  Mandatory language for goods and services, including professional services, bid specifications/contracts and mandatory language for construction bid specifications/contracts (see yellow book) are still required in all bid specifications. 

The DCC published a rule proposal in the New Jersey Register on June 16, 2008.  40 N.J.R. 3339-3772 would amend N.J.A.C. 17:27 to implement the provisions of the FY 2009 Appropriations Act and other changes to existing procedures.

If you have questions or require additional information, please contact the Division of Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunity in Public Contracts at 609-292-5473 or submit a question at www.nj.gov/treasury/contract_compliance/ccmail.shtml.

Contracts Law Amendments (Posted 1/11/06)
Two recent laws amended the Local Public Contracts Law and the Public School Contracts Law. The number of days for advertisement of bid specifications and addenda was made a standard 7 days and the LPCL now requires contracts for third party Uniform Construction Code inspection services to be publicly bid. Details are found in Local Finance Notice 2005-33 at http://www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/lfns/05lfns/2005-33.doc.

Chapter 19 Pay-to-Play Law Update: Local Finance Notice 2005-32 was issued to provide updated guidance on Pay-to-Play issues. Additional information on the Pay-to-Play law is on the Division's web site at www.nj.gov/dca/lgs/p2p.

Recent Changes to the Local Unit Contracting Laws New Standards for Notice of Changes or Addenda to Bid Specifications (Posted 1/4/06)
The Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40:11-23) and Public School Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-21) have been amended to change the minimum number of days for notice of changes or addenda to bid documents. Chapter 191, of the Laws of 2005 amended the laws pertaining to advertisements for bid changes.

The period for notice of change or revisions to advertisements or bid documents was made uniform at seven days prior to the date for acceptance of bids, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. The seven days requirement applies to all construction contracts, solid waste disposal and collection contracts, and all other types of contracts.

The amendment took affect on November 16, 2005.

Contracting for Uniform Construction Code Inspection Services by Private Agencies (Posted 1/4/06)
As of November 1, 2005, contracting procedures for building, electric, elevator, fire and plumbing subcode services are no longer subject to the provisions of N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.5A concerning the selection of private on-site inspection and plan review agencies. This process provided for a “2-envelope” procedure for obtaining proposals and awarding contracts. That process has been eliminated.

The law (P.L. 2005, c. 212) now makes contracts between private inspection firms and municipalities for inspections completed pursuant to the State Uniform Construction Code Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.) subject to the bidding and other requirements of the Local Public Contracts Law.

Previously, such contracts were subject to separate regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. Instead, a contract for municipal code compliance or plan review is now subject to the receipt of bids as a public contract under the Local Public Contracts Law. (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-124.3)

If a municipality or potential service contractor has a technical question regarding subcode services as part of the specification the Office of Regulatory Affairs’ Onsite Agencies Unit should be contacted. Further, copies of contracts will still be filed with the Office of Regulatory Affairs.

The Division of Local Government Services is in the process of updating a handbook on how to bid third party contracts. This is expected to be available in mid-January.

 


Cooperative Purchasing

Cooperative Purchasing
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/coop_agency.shtml 



 

 

DEP Archive
 

·         Launch of New Jersey Water Blog!
Share your thoughts and expertise! Visit NJ Water Blog at http://njwrri.blogspot.com.

 

Energy

Solar Energy presentations by NJBPU Office of Clean Energy (Posted 4/24/10):

Funding Cycle 2 Existing Application Modification

 

 

 

 

Energy Links
Click here for Local Finance Notices and other pertinent info regarding renewable energy

Updated Reporting Year 2010 NJ SREC Trading prices as of 2/28/10 
Effective in Reporting Year 2010, the Cumulative Weighted Average Price per MWh is based upon Reporting Year 2010 trades reported on the PJM GATS trading platform only. Please note the number of trades may exceed the number of SRECs issued because the SRECs may be traded multiple times before they are retired. 
SREC Trading Prices RY2010 updated 022810
NJ SREC Trades RY 2010

 

Energy pricing information sites:

 

Main Site Location - http://www.eia.doe.gov/

 

Gasoline & Diesel Fuel Update - http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp

 

This Week In Petroleum - http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/twip/twip.asp

 

U.S. Retail Gasoline Prices - http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/wrgp/mogas_home_page.html

 

Natural Gas Weekly Update - http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/ngw/ngupdate.asp

 

Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report - http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/natural_gas/ngs/ngs.html

(This is a very valuable report that comes out every Thursday. The higher the stock levels compared to the 5-yr avg directly impacts gas prices)

 

Electric Power Monthly - http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/epm_sum.html

 

Short Term Energy Outlook - http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html

 

Renewable and Alternative Fuels - http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelrenewable.html

 
Energy Information resources

Important information recently presented at Energy Programs

http://www.njcleanenergy.com/files/file/CPI/4_15ESIP%20General%20Presentation.pdf

Energy Saving Improvement Programs aka: ESIP; ESCO; P.L. 2009, c. 4; A-1185

 Marc Pfeiffer DCA

http://www.njcleanenergy.com/main/clean-energy-council-committees/communitiy-partner-initiative-committee-meeting-notes-archive

 

Local Government Energy Savings Meeting handouts, April 15, 2009
Meeting Agenda

 Local Government Energy Audit Program and BPU Energy Savings Initiatives
 
Energy Savings Improvement Program Legislation
 
Power Purchase Agreements for Renewables
 
Guidelines and Competitive Contracting
 
Introduction to Sustainable Jersey
 
BPU CleanPower Community Partners  

 

Sign up for the BPU Clean Energy Newsletter

 

Stay current on programs and ways to fund green energy projects by receiving the Clean Energy Newsletter

 

http://www.njcleanenergy.com/main/public-reports-and-library/program-newsletter/program-newsletter

 

 

PMK (Birdsall Services Group) Energy Market Update (Report updated 8/28/09)

Click here for the report. (pdf)

Energy Update  posted 7/21/09
The SACP value for SRECs generated in Energy Year 2009 is $711.  As of December 2008, the Weighted Average Price per MWh is based upon trades reported on the Clean Power Markets and PJM GATS trading platforms.  Please note the number of trades may exceed the number of SRECs issued because the SRECs may be traded multiple times before they are retired. Click here for for the issues page.   Click the energy heading.

 

Energy information   (posted 2/25/09)
2008-20 (www.nj.gov/dca/lgs/lfns/08lfns/2008-20.doc)  "Contracting for Renewable Energy Services - P.L. 2008, c. 83" covers important public contracting and implementation issues of this new law that promotes local government use of solar and related renewable energy activities. It also references the new Local Government Energy Audit program administered by the BPU as a preliminary step to implementing solar programs.

Local Government Energy Audit Grant Program: The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has announced the launch of a new program aimed at assisting local governments in identifying opportunities for energy efficiency. The Local Government Energy Audit Program is open to public buildings owned by local government agencies and will provide funding for investment-grade energy audits from one of five pre-qualified energy auditing firms. All local governments located within the service territory of at least one of New Jersey's public utility companies are eligible.

Details and examples outlining the incentive payment process are provided on the New Jersey Clean Energy Program Web site at www.NJCleanEnergy.com/ssb

Local Government Energy Audit
(posted 11/17/08)

The NJBPU is introducing the new Local Government Energy Audit, the first step in identifying cost-justified energy efficiency measures for local government-owned buildings including offices, courtroom, town halls, police and fire stations, sanitation buildings, transportation structures, schools and community centers. Contact our program representatives and we'll review eligibility requirements and assist you in creating a preliminary scope of work. 
http://www.njcleanenergy.com/commercial-industrial/programs/local-government-energy-audit/local-government-energy-audit

 

 

Governor's Offshore Wind Energy Panel Releases Final Report Recommends Intensive Study and Test Project of Offshore Wind (Posted 5/5/06)
Click here for the story.

Saving energy saves money
Water utilities spend a high percentage of their operating budgets on energy. As summer approaches, a new AWWA Research Foundation report, Best Practices for Energy Management, outlines how utilities can reduce energy costs. 

The study documents best practices gathered from 24 participating utilities that have all achieved significant savings with their improved energy management practices.

The book and CD-ROM version identify common areas where opportunities exist for money savings and provide best practices illustrated with case studies.

 

 

EPA Archive

·         EPA Pushes States to Adopt Numeric Water Quality Standards for Nutrients
On May 25, EPA released a memo urging states to develop and adopt numeric water quality standards for nutrients. Categorizing nutrient pollution as a “national problem,” EPA urged states to speed up their efforts and strongly recommended that priority waters, those water bodies at the greatest risk of nutrient pollution, be addressed first. According to EPA, numeric standards will lead to easier and faster development of TMDLs, quantitative targets to support trading programs, increased effectiveness in evaluating the success of nutrient runoff minimization programs, and measurable, objective water quality baselines. Benjamin Grumbles, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, sent the memo, which describes the Agency’s “commitment to accelerating the pace for progress,” to directors of state water programs; programs covering water bodies such as the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay; and to authorized tribal water quality programs.
Click here for the memo. (pdf)

·         EPA Announces New Human Health Research Web Site

·         EPA Announces Decision Not to Regulate SSIs Under OSWI

·         EPA Announces Revised Aquatic Life Ambient Freshwater Criteria for Copper

Court Rules EPA Failure to Regulate Stormwater at Construction Sites Violates CWA

 

 

Finance

Deals for government purchasing
http://www.govdeals.com

 

Surfing for money

Grants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for Federal government grants. There are over 1,000 grant programs offered by all Federal grant making agencies. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is proud to be the managing partner for Grants.gov, an initiative that is having an unparalleled impact on the grant community. Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for more than $400 billion in Federal grants. http://www.grants.gov/
(posted 4/16/07)

 


 

 
Health Issues

Link to water/ww Pandemic Flu Guideline

http://amwa.net/galleries/default-file/Annex Water.pdf

 

CDCs Guidance on Seasonal Flu 2009-2010
The CDC is releasing new guidance that recommends actions that non-healthcare employers should take now to decrease the spread of seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu in the workplace and to help maintain business continuity during the 2009-2010 flu season. Click here for the document.
(posted 8/31/09)

 
 
 
Infrastructure Financing

2007 Report Card for NJ Infrastructure (posted 10/10/08)
http://sections.asce.org/newjersey/nj-reportcard-study.pdf

2007 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment Report (posted 4/9/09)
A recent drinking water needs survey will help EPA determine the distribution formula for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) grants for the fiscal years 2010 through 2013 budgets. The assessment documents anticipated costs for repairs and replacement of transmission and distribution pipes, storage and treatment equipment, and projects that are necessary to deliver safe supplies of drinking water. The Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, which is done every four years, reflects data collected in 2007 from states. According to the survey results, the nation’s water utilities will need to invest an estimated $334.8 billion over the next 20 years to deal with aging infrastructure.

Results from the assessment are used to develop a formula to distribute the agency’s annual DWSRF grants. The Safe Drinking Water Act established the DWSRF to help states provide grants to drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. Since the DWSRF program began in 1997, states have provided more than $15 billion in funding to utilities for infrastructure projects. To view the 2007 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment report (March 2009), visit: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/needsurvey.

 

 

 

 

Labor

Laws and regulations about the Prevailing Wage Act are found at http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/wagehour/lawregs/prevailing_wage_law.html.

 

Application forms for Paid Family leave available
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/fli/applictn/fli_application_landing_page.html

 

Mapping

Want to know about NJ Maps?

See this web site for ways to get copies of maps, and for information on reading county and local maps. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/faq.shtm

 

 

NJPDES

Everything you wanted to know about the Permit Extension Act (posted 10/7/08)
The DEP started a new Web site in an effort to help us make sense of the Permit Extension Act, which was signed into law on September 6, 2008.

The site has information covering, the act itself, affected permits, exempted permits, determining if an activity is in an environmentally sensitive area, frequently asked questions and DEP contacts for Permit Extension Act questions.

A link to the Web site is below: newhttp://www.state.nj.us/dep/
opppc/extension.htm
 

The NJDEP Permit Efficiency Task Force (posted 9/23/08)
The Permit Efficiency Review Task Force has issued its report which can be found here or at: http://nj.gov/dep/permittf/documents.html

 

NACWA's Recommendations For A Viable And Vital 21st Century Clean Water Policy (Posted 1/7/08)In the 35 years since the Clean Water Act was passed, clean water agencies have contributed significantly to improvements in the quality of the nation's waters. Despite these and other improvements from point-source discharges and the significant reductions in the concentrations of pollutants that have been achieved in our lakes, rivers and streams, the incremental rate of water quality improvement has slowed significantly.

Increasing amounts of resources are now being spent to curtail end-of-pipe discharges, but a proportionate return on investment is not being seen in improved water quality. NACWA's clean water agency members remain on the frontlines of protecting and restoring our nation's waters. They continue to upgrade their treatment processes and have increased their overall environmental protection capabilities, but they are also increasingly aware of the disconnect between current management, monitoring and implementation practices and what is needed to achieve the goals of the Clean Water Act.

In March 2007, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) formed a Strategic Watershed Task Force to investigate if the concept of a "watershed approach" may still prove to be the path forward to improve the quality of the nation's waters further. The Task Force was charged with identifying the obstacles to achieving a true watershed approach and the changes that need to be made for it to succeed.

Framed by a discussion of the opportunities provided by a meaningful and effective watershed approach, as well as the current obstacles to implementing such an approach, the Task Force developed several key short and long-term recommendations. NACWA's Recommendations For A Viable And Vital 21st Century Clean Water Policy can be downloaded by clicking here.

NJDEP's most recent NJPDES Monitoring Report Form Reference Manual is available for download here. (Posted 7/25/07)

The USEPA has issued a final MUR that revises the list of the approved analysis and sampling procedures in wastewater regulations. It can be downloaded here. (Posted 7/25/07)

DEP Easy Access lists DEP Staff Members. 
http://www.nj.gov/dep/easyaccess/

EPA Proposes Short-Term Regulatory Revisions
and Clarifications of Lead and Copper Rule

(Posted 7/21/06)


Ocean

An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century
Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Released by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy on September 20, 2004, An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century contains the Commission's findings and recommendations for a new, coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher to open this document. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free.

 

 

 

Open Public Records Act

The Government Records Council recently issued Advisory Opinion No. 2006-01 entitled "What Constitutes a Valid Open Public Records Request". This important Opinion concluded that OPRA "requires all requestors to submit OPRA requests on an agency's official OPRA records request form." All Records Custodians and legal advisors should review this Opinion at www.state.nj.us/grc/pdf/AdvisoryOpinionNo2006-01.pdf  

Government Records Council web site

Open Public Records Act and the Destruction of Public Records Act
Edward Kondracki, Esq.

Sample Open Public Records Act public notice

Sample Open Public Records form

 

Phosphorus Update

 
 

 

Security Information for AEA members

A new critical infrastructure Website: www.dhs.gov/criticalinfrastructure -- launched to provide partners and the public with an easy point of entry for information about critical infrastructure protection and what individuals can do to help with the mission.

CIKR Resource Center: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS860a/CIKR/index.htm> - an interactive site that provides a centralized location to find sector plans, training modules, activities, achievements, relevant links, and other sector and cross sector resources.

The website will be updated frequently with new postings including the new "Webisodes" featuring profiles of men and women who work to protect the nation's CIKR.

ICS-CERT - Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (posted 1/14/10)
Click here for further info

Our nation depends on the continuous and reliable performance of a vast and interconnected critical

infrastructure to sustain our way of life. This infrastructure, the majority of which is owned by the private sector, is comprised of critical infrastructures and key resources (CIKR), such as Energy, Chemical, Banking and Finance, Dams, Water Treatment Systems, Postal and Shipping, Information Technology Telecommunications, Commercial Nuclear Reactors, and many more.
 

With cyber threats to these computer systems on the rise, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

(DHS) is working to better protect control systems and the nation’s critical infrastructure.

 

Protecting Personal Information:Federal Trade Commission, A Guide for Business

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/idtheft/bus69.pdf

 

 

 

The National Security Alert is

NJ ALERT (posted 10/26/09)
The NJ Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness (NJ OHS&P) and the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (NJ DHSS) invite you to join the "NJ Private Sector H1N1 Info" group on the State's Emergency Alert System.

This NJ ALERT user group will enable a bi-directional information sharing capability between NJ state officials and the private sector. NJ OHS&P will coordinate with NJ DHSS and alert the private sector of any information regarding H1N1 that will be of interest to you. It will also enable you to request additional information from the state and/or share information with other members of the group through the established forums. The alerts will be received as text messages on your cell phone and also as an email to your email address.

This NJ ALERT user group is for the sole purpose of alerts and information sharing regarding H1N1 and related topics.

Please identify the staff within your company who is/are responsible for business continuity/H1N1 coordination and have them sign up to this user group. Additionally, when signing up, please use a work email address.

The following link provides step-by-step directions on joining NJ ALERT and the NJ Private Sector H1N1 Info group: http://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov

 

Red Flag Policy (posted 6/19/09)
Click here for further info

 

Homegrown Plots-New York 2009 and Fort Dix (posted 6/1/09)
Click here for further info

Cyber Security Advisories (posted 8/25/08)
Click here for the latest update

Recent Phishing Activity

WaterIsac Basic, is a service of the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), electronically disseminates bulletins and advisories issued by the US EPA and US Department of Homeland Security.
www.waterisac.org

Department of Homeland Security
www.dhs.gov/index.shtm

State Police Office of Emergency Management
http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/

Find Planning resources for Emergency Management at
portal01.state.nj.us/http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/plan/local-officials.html

New Jersey Requires Background Checks for Independent Contractors in Certain Industries.  Click here for further details.  (Posted 1/4/07)

Preparedness reminder
For one stop shopping for all the latest manuals, and materials for water and wastewater preparedness and NIMS training information go this web site:

http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/
watersecurity/home.cfm?program_id=8

Incident Command Training Required for Public Utility Workers
Did you know that Acting Governor Codey signed Executive Order # 50 requiring all local agencies to follow the National Incident Command System with regard to responding to emergencies? As such, you will need training in this system which is available through the NJ State Police and many local emergency management agencies . You may recall that this ICS was referenced in the Best Security Practices for wastewater and water.

Authorities will need to train their employees with a basic knowledge of the ICS and of counterterrorism. The AEA Preparedness Committee has completed a PowerPoint program that can be used along with a module prepared by the NJ Office of Counterterrorism to train employees. In April, the association will hold a train the trainer session for all members to familiarize you with the program and help you plan your own site specific program.

In the meantime, you may wish to get someone trained in the Incident Command System.   Click here for a copy of the Incident Command System Information.

Link of the Week (Posted 12/21/05)
CREATE Homeland Security Center
www.usc.edu/create/ 
CREATE is an interdisciplinary national research center based at the University of Southern California and funded by the Department of Homeland Security. The Center comprises a team of experts from across the country, including partnerships with New York University and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Maintaining Critical Wastewater Services
Ten Steps to Maintain Critical Wastewater Services and Protect Public Health in an Emergency
Ten Steps to Maintain Critical Wastewater Services and Protect Public Health in an Emergency (in color)
Ten Steps to Maintain Critical Wastewater Services and Protect Public Health in an Emergency (poster)

Security Training Modules for Water Utilities

For more security resources check the WEF Security page
http://www.wef.org/watersecurity/

N.J. Office of Emergency Management

www,state,nj.us/njoem/about/association.html  


FEMA

EPA Water Infrastructure Security page

EPA National Homeland Security Research Center

EPA "Guidance for water utility response, recovery and remediation"

 

Stormwater

 

DEP Report Shows Municipalities are making good progress meeting stormwater pollution control requirements. (Posted 2/19/08)

 

Stormwater News
Sandy Blick reports that NJDEP has revised the storm water rules regarding bioretention basins. For a copy go to: www.njstormwater.org

 

New Jersey Stream Buffers Cut Back by Senior Environment Official Environmental News Service (posted 2/14/08)

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2008/2008-02-11-096.asp  

TRENTON, New Jersey, February 11, 2008 (ENS) - The commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has revoked her own order issued little more than a year ago protecting stream buffers. These strips of grass, shrubs, and trees beside streams provide cooling shade and act to remove pollutants in urban stormwater, reduce erosion and stabilize stream banks.  Click here for more information

DEP Wins Legal Challenge to Stormwater Regulations

Guidebook Details Control Of Urban Runoff Pollution (Posted 12/15/05)
12/13/2005 Washington, D.C. — The Environmental Protection Agency has released a guidebook on managing runoff pollution caused by urban activities. National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas is an information source for states and cities to use in their pollution-management programs for protecting waterways.

The guidebook is free and available at: http://www.epa.gov/nps/urbanmm/

More information about nonpoint source pollution and urban runoff is at: http://www.epa.gov/nps


Check out this web site for an update on products and info on stormwater

www.wateronline.com


New EPA Web Site Shares Section 319 Nonpoint Source Success Stories
(Posted 9/20/05)

EPA launched a new web site sharing Section 319 Nonpoint Source Success Stories. The Web site features projects receiving grant funds from the Clean Water Act section 319 Nonpoint Source Program that have achieved documented water quality improvements, including the achievement of water quality standards and removal from state section 303(d) lists of impaired waters. The Web site includes 18 stories, and 10 more will be posted in the next several weeks.  The web address is http://www.epa.gov/nps/success/

Wisconsin Study Reveals Fertilizers More Harmful Than Previously Thought
A Wisconsin
study found that farmer’s routine application of chemical fertilizers and manure to the land poses a far greater environmental problem to freshwater lakes than previously thought, potentially polluting water for hundreds of years.  The paper is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.  The paper concludes that phosphorus in fertilizers builds up in soils and will slowly end up in many lakes where nutrients lead to plant and algae growth and to eutrophication, a phenomenon that turns pristine lakes into smelly, weed-filled swamps.  (PS)

Stormwater information from the Assn. of Environmental Commissions (Posted 7/12/05)
Municipal options for stormwater management
http://www.anjec.org/html/papers.htm#waterresource

EPA Releases Improved Storm Water Management Model (Posted 5/10/05)

EPA Issues Request for Proposals for Watershed Protection Grants 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds issued a request for initial proposals for Asse21t and Watershed Protection Program Grants (AWPPG). The main goals of the AWPPGs include supporting a watershed approach to better address water quality problems in the U.S. and building the capacity of all levels of government to develop and implement effective, comprehensive programs for watershed protection, restoration, and management. States and local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, territories of the U.S., public or private nonprofit, nongovernmental institutions, and individuals are eligible to apply. Initial proposals are due June 21. The request for proposals is posted on EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/owow/funding.html. (SRT)


For the latest copy of stormwater rules, guidance documents, general permits, and applications please downloads items from the DEP website
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dwq/
mrsp-.html

 

 

Wastewater

Treatment Systems – Cat K2
(posted 7/27/07)
The Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control has issued a draft NJPDES General Permit to regulate those who discharge wastewater to the ground water from new or existing dental facilities using individual subsurface sewage disposal systems, i.e. “septic systems”, or Class V Underground Injection Control (UIC) wells. Examples of these systems include septic tanks with seepage pits, disposal fields, leach or tile fields (or an equivalent distribution mechanism); cesspools; dry wells; injection wells and infiltration galleries. This permit was developed to remove dental amalgam prior to entering the waste stream by requiring dental facilities that generate amalgam waste to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) and install an amalgam separator.

Click here for a copy of the K2 - Dental Facilities Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (GP).

 

Water Quality

Proposed Revisions to the Safe Drinking Water Rules (posted 3/19/09)
Below are 'bullets' from Michele Putnam related to the upcoming proposed revisions to the Safe Drinking Water Rules.  The current rules can be found from the DEP website at
http://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/sdwarule.pdf

With regard to the Licensing rules, N.J.A.C. 7:10A-1.12 which addresses operator "Duties, records and reports" here is a website that might help answer the question raised by Dan Van Abs. The link is
http://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/NJAC7_10A.pdf
Michele Putnam's Bullets

Final Rule on Lead and Copper in Drinking Water
EPA issued a final rule intended to improve requirements in the areas of monitoring, customer awareness, and lead service line replacement In the Oct. 10 Federal Register.  The final rule makes several targeted regulatory revisions to the existing national primary drinking water regulations for lead and copper (see related story in Sept. 28 issue).  The final rule is effective on Dec. 10.  A copy of the rule and more information on lead in drinking water are available at: www.epa.gov/safewater/lcrmr/index.html.   

Fuss about Drugs in Drinking Water Unnecessary, Scientists Say
http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/572522.html

Hearing on the Integrated WQ Report July 24th
Please also be advised that the
Draft 2008 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Methods Document (Methods Document) is now available for public review and comment. The Methods Document is intended to provide a description of the methodology to be used to develop the 2008 303(d) List of Impaired Waterbodies, a key component of the 2008 Integrated Report. A public notice announcing the availability of the draft Methods Document for review and comment was published in the New Jersey Register on July 2, 2007  (see 39 N.J.R. 2548(a).).
 (posted 7/16/07)

Authorities no longer will prepare
WMPs under proposed rule
(posted 5/23/07)

Water Quality Management Planning rules, N.J.A.C. 7:15
Proposal Date: 5/21/2007
Comment Period closed: 8/20/2007
View copy of the proposal
(PDF)

The rule amendments will affect New Jersey Authorities, Municipalities and Counties and propose the following: click here

EPA To Implement Expedited Approval of SDWA Test Procedures for the Analysis of Contaminants
EPA announced in the April 10 Federal Register its intent to implement an expedited process for approving alternative testing methods for existing regulations for drinking water contaminants.  The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes EPA to approve the use of alternative testing methods through publication of a notice in the Federal Register instead of through rulemaking procedures.  EPA plans to use this streamlined authority to make additional methods available for analyzing drinking water compliance and unregulated contaminant monitoring samples. This expedited approach will provide public water systems, laboratories, and primacy agencies with more timely access to new measurement techniques and greater flexibility in the selection of analytical methods.  Comments on implementation aspects of the expedited method approval process were due June 11.  To view the notice, visit
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2007/April/Day-10/w6726.htm

DEP Releases Results of Drinking-Water Study (Posted 2/20/07)
PFOA is used to make fluropolymers-substances with special properties used in many industrial applications, including the manufacture of consumer products such as non-stick cookware and all-weather clothing.

To view DEP's occurrence study and the report establishing a guidance level,
visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/pfoa.htm

Public can instantly learn Progress of Permit Applications through new feature on DEP Web Site
(Posted 2/20/07)
To use the new Permit Progress Report, visit: http://datamine.state.nj.us/DEP_OPRA/OpraMain/report?report=Pending+Permit+Progress+Report

Revised Rule Proposed for Lead in Drinking Water (Posted 7/10/06)

Draft Guidance for Implementing the Methylmercury Water Quality Criterion  (posted 8/15/06)
In January 2001, EPA published ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) recommendations for methylmercury for the protection of people who eat fish and shellfish. This criterion, 0.3 mg methylmercury/kg fish tissue wet weight, marks EPA's first issuance of a water quality criterion expressed as a fish and shellfish tissue value rather than as an ambient water column value.

This document provides technical guidance to states and authorized tribes exercising responsibility under section CWA 303(c) on how to use the new fish tissue-based criterion recommendation as they develop their own water quality standards for methylmercury.

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/methylmercury/guidance-draft.html

 

The report regarding pesticides in the nation's streams and ground water is out and can be downloaded for free.  Go to either: www.usgs.gov   (Posted 3/6/06)

CADDIS: Helping Scientists Identify the Causes of Biological Impairments
EPA site to help with impaired water bodies. http://cfpub.epa.gov/caddis/  
(Posted 1/27/06)

Surface Water Quality Comments - Final (posted 3/1/06)
Final AEA Comments (pdf)
December 14 Supplemental Comments


Click below for a copy of the presentations from the September 26, 2005 Permittees Meeting held at the Middlesex County UA.
Debra Hammond's Slides        John Hall's Slides


 

EPA Releases Draft Metals Risk Assessment Framework (Posted 1/5/05)
The Draft Framework for Inorganic Metals Risk Assessment, designed to provide guidance to scientists in assessing 
the human health and ecological risks associated with inorganic metals and metal compounds, is available for public 
comment through Jan. 18, 2005.  Many EPA programs make decisions on whether and how to regulate metals, 
particularly controlling releases to the environment and establishing acceptable levels in air, water, land and other 
media. The framework presents recommendations for conducting metals risk assessment; including tools, methods
and data for conducting human exposure and health assessments. The draft is available at: 
http://cfpub2.epa.gov/ncea/raf/recordisplay.cfm?deid=88903


TMDL Report for PCBs in the Delaware River now available
The stage 1 TMDL, an executive summary , and associated reports are available on EPA Region III website via the following link: http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/tmdl/index.htm


EPA's National Water Program Strategic Plan, 2004-2008

Phosphorus:  Marvel or Menace?
Diane Alexander, Maraziti, Falcon & Healey

All NJPDES permit holders and water purveyors  
Please note the site below for a new Supreme Court Ruling which prohibits lesser quality waters to be discharged into C1 designated water bodies. You may recall that AEA raised this issue with our comments to DEP regarding the last listings of water bodies that were raised to C1.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/08
mar20041130/www.supremecourtus.gov/o
pinions/03pdf/02-626.pdf.


USGS Releases Water Quality Reports

To read more information about the reports go to
http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/fs/2004/3045/

Water Supply


New Jersey Drinking Water Running Out
(Posted 10/25/07)
Click here

Water Is Life, and Infrastructure Makes It Happen™ (Posted 2/21/07) is a program to help communities build, maintain and improve life-sustaining water and wastewater systems. A toolkit including PowerPoint presentations, media releases and other materials is available to assist you in educating the community – visit www.WaterIsLife.Net to find these and other tools:

After 60 years, debate over fluoride still rages

USGS Releases First Annual Streamflow Summary (Posted 1/31/07)
Streamflow conditions last year reached record-breaking highs in the Northeast and
near-record lows in other areas of the country, according to a new report from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), “Streamflow of 2006 – Water Year Summary.  ”The report compares changes in streamflow conditions over the course of 2006 to conditions over the past 75 years.  “Despite these regional highs and lows, however, streamflow conditions nationwide were relatively typical,” says Harry Lins, hydrologist with the USGS surface-water program. “We expect in any given year that one percent of streamgages will experience a new all-time record high or all-time record low streamflow. In 2006, two percent of streamgages reported new record high streamflow, most of which were in New England, and one percent of streamgages experienced new record lows.”  Below normal conditions were prevalent in Texas and other states in the central and southern Great Plains, parts of the Southeast, and Alaska.  USGS plans to provide similar summaries every year and collects data from more than 7,400 streamgages.  The summary report is available at
http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/2006summary/.

U.S. National Academies Launches Water Information Center on the Web (Posted 9/12/05)
The U.S. National Academies this week announced the launch of its web-based
Water Information Center, containing more than 100 peer-reviewed reports from the National Academies on water-related issues. The goal of the Center is to assist the work of water scientists, engineers, managers, policy-makers, and students throughout the world by providing reports that represent independent and objective consensus among experts from academia, industry, and other entities.  The website features the following major topics: Water Supply and Sanitation, Water and Soil Remediation, Hydrologic Hazards, Water Quality in the Natural Environment, River Basin Systems Management, Environmental Assessment, Management, and Restoration, and Water Science and Research.  All of the reports are free on-line and summaries can be downloaded as PDF documents.  The web address is
http://water.nationalacademies.org

After 60 years, debate over fluoride still rages

EPA Releases Report on Source Water Assessment Program Obstacles (Posted 4/6/05)
On March 28 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General (EPA OIG) released a report reviewing the Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) and Source Water Protection Program (SWPP).  Although some states are using these programs to improve their drinking water protection programs and to prioritize efforts and resources, assessment use is limited at the local level, according to OIG.  In the report, OIG points to a lack of consistent funding as a program weakness and stresses the need for more collaborative partnerships “to leverage human and financial resources, technical assistance, and outreach to utilities and communities.”  OIG recommended that EPA provide additional guidance to States on how to leverage resources and to improve cooperation and coordination between States and EPA.  A copy of the report is available at http://www.epa.gov/oig/reports/2005/20050328-2005-P-00013.pdf

EPA Published List of Contaminants for Possible Future Drinking Water Regulations (Posted 3/2/05)
In February 2008, EPA announced the draft third Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 3) and described the process and rationale used to develop the list.

Looking for innovative ideas for water reuse?  Try this site: http://www.watereuse.org



 

Watershed

Watershed Tool of the Month
Enviromapper for Water
(Posted 3/19/07)
Enviromapper for Water (http://map8.epa.gov/enviromapper/) is a GIS based application that allows users to visualize and display geographic water information, including a wealth of information stored in EPA’s databases (e.g. Water Quality Standards, Impaired Waters/TMDLs, Waterbody Assessments, Water Quality Monitoring, and Point Source Information).  To learn more about EPA’s tools, sign up for the March 28th Webcast on Key EPA Tools for Watershed Management (see below).

 

The latest Wanaque Report now available (Posted 6/30/05)
Click here to view the report (pdf)

New federal guidelines for 319 grant program funding

New Jersey Watershed Management Areas
Detailed maps showing specific watershed management areas by county, provided by the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Watershed Management.

Purdue's "Know Your Watershed" Site  
http://www2.ctic.purdue.edu/KYW/Brochures/GetToKnow.html