SWEP is a national non-profit professional association of women involved or interested in environmental law, science, business, and policy. Our Philadelphia Chapter serves as a resource for members in the Philadelphia region, providing opportunities for professional development through educational programming, social events, mentoring, and public service.

FEBRUARY 24, 2010 SPEED NETWORKING AND ORGANIC COCKTAIL TASTING

Come and network with other professionals in the area all while tasting fantastic organic cocktails prepared by ECO-BAR (www.eco-bar.net)!

Fishers Tudor House (free parking available)
1858 Street Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020
Time: 5:30-9pm

$35 for members; 2009 members that renew (and pay) at the event for 2010 will receive a SWEP Reusable Tote Bag.
$45 for non-members or FREE if non-member registers (and pays) for a SWEP 2010 Membership!  This bargain is for Brand New SWEP Members Only as a part of our 2010 membership drive.

RSVP, Kathleen Freeman, kfreeman@terranovaes.com or 609-439-1829 by February 23, 2010.

2010 SWEP of Greater Philadelphia Grant Program Announced

The Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) of Greater Philadelphia is announcing the opening of its 2010 Environmental Grant Program.  The Grant is intended to help fund organizations or programs that creatively address a locally defined need to create, enhance, restore, or protect the natural environment or to provide environmental awareness through educational sessions with particular emphasis on encouraging girls and/or women in the sciences, engineering, or environmental fields.  For 2010, the available funds are between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on project need.  Grant applications will be accepted between February 1, 2010 and March 24, 2010 and the Grant Award will be announced Earth Day April 22, 2010.

Additional information, Grant Program Guidelines, and the Grant Application can be found on the on the Grant page.  These documents can also be requested from SWEP of Greater Philadelphia Grant Committee Chair, Beth Hyde at BHyde@Rouxinc.com.

SUMMARY OF THE JANUARY 28, 2010 LSRP STRATEGY AND UPDATE PANEL DISCUSSION

A panel discussion on the recently enacted New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA), the role of the Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP), and the Administrative Requirements for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites (ARRCS) was held on January 28, 2010.  The panel discussion was held at Flaster Greenberg, P.C. in Philadelphia and included the following panelists:

Kathi Stetser, Principal Geologist, LSRP, Roux Associates
Irene Kropp, Assistant Commissioner of Site Remediation and Waste Management, NJDEP
Marty Judge, Esquire, Flaster Greenberg, PC
Robin Kelliher, Senior Vice President, Willis Group Holdings
Sue Boyle, GEI Consultants, and Licensed Site Remediation Professional Association (LSRPA)

With the moderation of Franklin J. Riesenburger, Esquire, of Flaster Greenberg, PC the panelists discussed the SRRA which took effect May 7, 2009 (N.J.S.A. 58:10C-1 et seq) and established a LSRP program and licensing requirement.  The panel also discussed the ARRCS Rule (N.J.A.C. 7:26C) which was enacted on November 4, 2009.  After discussing the new rules and responsibilities there was a question and answer session.

SRRA establishes a program for the licensing of LSRPs who will have responsibility for oversight of environmental investigation and cleanup, subject to the exceptions set forth in the SRRA and discussed briefly by Ms. Kropp; for example, NJDEP is authorized to establish presumptive remedies for residential development, schools, and childcare facilities and can deny any alternative remedies.  The LSRP must adhere to a Code of Conduct and the SRRA which clearly indicates that the LSRP is responsible for protecting human health and the environment.  This responsibility is the reason an LSRP cannot be anything other than an LSRP and is required to report immediate environmental concerns even for projects they are not the LSRP of record.

The SRRA imposes an affirmative obligation on persons to remediate any discharge for which they would be liable pursuant to the Spill Compensation Control Act.  Based on the panel discussion there are no entities exempt from this obligation.  Additionally, the SRRA establishes mandatory and regulatory time frames that if missed will put the project into direct oversight.

It was also stated that all new cases with LSRPs will be in an audit review process for the next two years.  The NJDEP will look at the cover forms as they come in to see if there are any “triggers” that would require a more detailed review.  If the NJDEP decides more information is needed they are not going to issue a notice of deficiency as previously done, but will call the LSRP of record to discuss project.

The panelists explained that the NJDEP has provided guidance documents, forms, and notices of seminars on its website.  It was suggested that everyone potentially involved with the new law register for the NJDEP SRRA list-serve at www.nj.gov/dep/srp/srra.  It was also recommended that LSRPs and non-LSRPs get involved in the NJDEP Steering Committees to help evaluate and progress the new rule.  The four committees Irene mentioned are: (1) short term administrative advice; (2) measures of success; (3) technical regulations; and (4) guidance documents. 

Check out the LSRPA website (www.lsrpa.org) for future programs and discussion sessions regarding the hot topics and issues facing LSRPs.

Prepared By:

Sarah B. Silver, Esquire
Langsam Stevens & Silver LLP

and

Angela Powley
Environmental Standards, Inc
Chair of Program Committee