Environmental Requirements for Child Care Center Licensing in New Jersey

Child Care Center (CCC) Licensing in New Jersey is much more complicated and costly than other states due to environmental requirements needing to be fulfilled. Two (2) New Jersey Agencies regulate the environment issues, namely 1) the Site Remediation Program (SRP) in the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and 2) the Environmental and Occupational… Read more »

Wetland Considerations When Developing Raw/Undeveloped Land

Wetlands can greatly restrict the development capability of a raw or undeveloped site. These natural or man-made features are regulated under Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. Section 1344). In New Jersey, the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)… Read more »

Do’s and Don’ts Prior to Indoor Air Sampling at Child Care Centers

Whenever we prepare for sampling or monitoring of Indoor Air including for a Child Care Center or any inhabited space in fact, we notify the staff/occupants verbally and in writing, of certain actions or inactions that we strongly suggest they undertake. For Child Care Centers: “Your staff is to show up for work without wearing… Read more »

Rubber Chips Playgrounds A Health Hazard to Children and the Environment?

Recently, we sampled the soils in a child care center’s playground area, much of whose surface was covered with rubber chips. What we found was exceedance of New Jersey’s Residential and Non-residential Site Remediation Standards (RSRS/NSRS) and Default Impact to Ground Water Screening Levels (DIGWSL). Specifically, PCB’s below the chips, exceeded RSRS and DIGWSL by… Read more »

A Brief History Of David Poling and Professional Environmental Associates, LLC.

Since 1977, the issue of ecological impact especially to wetlands, has been totally associated with filling and/or development, with little concern for the issue of contamination until August 2011 when the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP’s) published its Ecological Evaluation Guidance Manual. However, David L. Poling, President of Professional Environmental Associates, LLC began… Read more »

Wetlands Associated With Site Remediation

One of the most important issues in the ecological evaluation of any site included those which are contaminated is addressing the wetlands , be they freshwater or tidal. The wetlands issue is always a tough thing to tackle since there is  a special methodology required to identify what is or is not a wetlands and… Read more »

NO FURTHER ACTION LETTERS (NFAS) Vs. RESPONSE ACTION OUTCOMES (RAOs)

In May 2009, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) signed into law the New Jersey Site Remediation Act (SRRA).  As of May 7, 1012, all owners or operators of a contaminated site (Responsible Parties) must hire an LSRP, who proceeds with site investigations and remediation, without prior NJDEP approval. The LSRP program drastically… Read more »

The Differences Between An LSRP And Indoor Environmental Consultant

  In the State of New Jersey, there is a significant difference between a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) and an Indoor Environmental Consultant (IEC), both in license and responsibility/capabilities.   An LSRP and an IEC  have different licenses. The State Of New Jersey Department Of Health and Senior Services (NJDH&SS) issues licenses to IEC’s…. Read more »

The Potential Environmental Dangers of CCA Pressure Treated: Concern for Our Children’s Playgrounds

  We have seen the extensive  use of pressure treated wood and lacquer on wood exposed to the elements around our homes, playgrounds, schools, child care centers and parking lots.   As we have experienced countless time, use of chemicals has unanticipated side effects including negatively impacting our environment and health.   Wood that has been… Read more »

The LSRP Program: A Shift in Roles

  As of May 7, 2012,  the phase-in period for implementing the Site Remediation Reform Act, N.J.S.A. 58:10C-1 et seq. (SRRA), and related amendments to the Brownfield and Contaminated Sites Act (Brownfield Act), the Spill Compensation and Control Act, and the Industrial Site Recovery Act has ended.  As of that date, “all remediations in the State… Read more »