In May, New Jersey became the third state in the nation to privatize the cleanup of contaminated sites. The Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA) established a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) program whereby LSRPs, rather than the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), primarily oversee and issue final approvals for most site remediations. With more than 19,000 sites in various stages of environmental investigation and remediation, SRRA supporters hope the privatized system will expedite site cleanup and save money.
The new law presents a significant opportunity for clients to have a greater role in the management of their contaminated sites. However, it also comes with a number of significant risks that must be carefully navigated before the rewards of an LSRP business can be realized. A comprehensive consideration of LSRP responsibilities, potential liabilities and conflicts, as well as risk management, will allow individuals and companies to succeed in the new role.