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“ Waiver Rule” and DEP Goals Update As of August 1, 2012 the Waiver Rule is operative

“ Waiver Rule” and DEP Goals Update As of August 1, 2012 the Waiver Rule is operative. Last Updated: October 12, 2012. What is the issue?. 40 years of State statutes and amendments 40 years of State rules and rule revisions developed under multiple administrations

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“ Waiver Rule” and DEP Goals Update As of August 1, 2012 the Waiver Rule is operative

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  1. “Waiver Rule” and DEP GoalsUpdateAs of August 1, 2012 the Waiver Rule is operative Last Updated: October 12, 2012

  2. What is the issue? • 40 years of State statutes and amendments • 40 years of State rules and rule revisions developed under multiple administrations • New statutes and rules every year • Limited ability and time to evaluate all these laws/rules and Federal laws/rules to reconcile conflicts

  3. Maintaining the Department’s Mission A transparent and public process Training for DEP staff to ensure consistency Outreach to the public Assistant Commissioner review of all waiver decisions Commissioner review of all waiver decisions during initial implementation DEP is committed to….

  4. Important Reminders • Waivers will be approved in limitedcircumstances • Applicants should exhaust all other options first • Waivers apply to rule requirements • Waivers do not applyto permit conditions or enforcement actions

  5. There is no time frame for the Department to act on a waiver request Waiver requests will not be processed on a first-come, first-served basis – waivers will be prioritized Prioritization and timeframe may be linked with the number of requests received by the program No “Do-Loops” between applicants and DEP Important Information

  6. Waiver Application Steps • Basis for a Waiver • Restrictions • Evaluation Criteria

  7. Step 1 - Basis for a Waiver: (Must Meet at Least 1 of 4) • Conflict with another DEP, State or Federal agency rule • Be unduly burdensome • Net environmental benefit • Declared public emergency • See Guidance Manual • Available online: www.nj.gov/dep/waiverrule

  8. Step 1 - Basis for a Waiver: (Must Meet at Least 1 of 4) • Conflict with another DEP, State or Federal agency rule • It is impossible or impracticable to simultaneously comply with two or more rules • Applicant should provide information detailing the conflict • Be unduly burdensome • Actual, exceptional hardship, OR • Excessive cost in relation to alternative measure of compliance

  9. Step 1 - Basis for a Waiver: (Must Meet at Least 1 of 4) • Net environmental benefit • Adequate resource and geographic nexus • Mitigation must go beyond what is required in the rule • Declared public emergency • Federal or state official • Waiver request should be limited to within the scope of the emergency

  10. Step 2 – Restrictions on Waiver Requests • The Department cannot granta waiver for… • Requirements or duties imposed by State or Federal statute or Federal rule • Rule provisions that are directly tied to specific Federal requirements for Federally delegated, authorized or assumed programs • A rule that implements a Federally enforceable program pursuant to a State Implementation Plan (SIP)

  11. Step 2 – Restrictions on Waiver Requests • The Department cannot granta waiver for… • The waiver would not be consistent with New Jersey's participation in a multi-state or multi-jurisdiction program • The air emissions trading program • A numeric or narrative standard protective of human health • The designation of rare, threatened, or endangered status of any species or habitat

  12. Step 2 – Restrictions on Waiver Requests The Department cannot granta waiver for… A rule for a remediation funding source, claim, grant, loan or financial assistance A rule for license, certification, or registration for a vehicle, boat, individual, or business A rule providing for a license or approval for hunting, fishing, or trapping

  13. Step 2 – Restrictions on Waiver Applications The Department cannot granta waiver for… A rule providing for public participation, or for notice to interested parties or the public A rule providing for a fee, oversight cost, and/or other Department cost Any provision of this waiver rule

  14. Step 3 - Evaluation Criteria The DEP considers: • The public has sufficient notice in accordance with applicable rules • The DEP has been provided with sufficient information and data to support a waiver • There are circumstances that support the need for a waiver

  15. Step 3 - Evaluation Criteria The DEP considers: • There is a net environmental benefit on the remediation and redevelopment of a contaminated site • The person seeking the waiver may have directly caused or contributed to the circumstances resulting in the rule being unduly burdensome • The waiver would be consistent with DEP’s core missions • The waiver would result in a reasonable and effective response to a public emergency

  16. Since August 1st • 13 requests received (4 are resubmittals) • 8 forwarded to appropriate WCT • 5 rejected as incomplete • lack of public notice (2) • lack of justification (3) • Sites or circumstances historically known to the Department • Mostly Land Use and Site Remediation Program matters, one Water Issue • Unduly Burdensome – most common basis Last updated: October 11, 2012

  17. Requests General Remarks • Public Notice • Need proof of pubic notice consistent with rules which applicant is requesting a waiver • Narrative Description • Accurate and concise narrative description • No “see attached”

  18. DEP’s Waiver Process Application reviewed and accepted as complete by PCER Post waiver request Decision to approve/deny waiver is reviewed by: 1) AC Waiver Consist. Team 2) Assistant Commissioner Forward to AC Waiver Consistency Team(s) Program reviews request Is waiver prohibited (13)? No Commissioner reviews waiver approval/denial Yes Issue/Post waiver approval/denial 18 = Public Notice = Review/approval process 18

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  20. Litigation • Rule challenged by 28 environmental and labor organizations (In re Adoption of N.J.A.C. 7:1B, Docket No. A-3514-11T2) • Appellants argue: • No Legislative authority • No standards, criteria or safeguards to confine discretion • DEP guidance on website amounts to rule-making that must be adopted through APA process

  21. Litigation • The Attorney General’s response: • DEP is entitled to substantial deference because the rule derives from the Legislature’s broad grant of power to DEP • Rule falls within DEP’s expressed and implied authority • Rule has adequate standards and properly guides DEP discretion • Additional Internal procedures ensure consistency and encourages complete waiver submissions

  22. DEP Goals - The Next Generation of Environmental Management • The five goals will ensure the Department looks across all programs and media in a comprehensive regional approach to achieve results valued by the residents and shaped by the characteristics of each region of the state. • Goal 1 – Comprehensive Regional Environmental Management • Goal 2 – Barnegat Bay Restoration • Goal 3 – Overburdened Communities • Goal 4 – Sustainable Parks • Goal 5 – A Clean and Renewable Energy Strategy

  23. Goal 1 – Comprehensive Regional Environmental Management • Alignment of planning, regulatory, enforcement, and property acquisition programs to ensure the Department successfully implements a more comprehensive environmental approach that supports our environmental mission, the State Strategic Plan, community concerns and recognizes a commitment to vibrant regions.

  24. Goal 2 – Barnegat Bay Restoration • Utilize Barnegat Bay Restoration Project as a model to establish watershed based protection and enhancement of all New Jersey’s surface water bodies • Implement Governor’s Ten Point Comprehensive Plan of Action for Barnegat Bay; expand this plan as we discover new issues and solutions so as to address water quality concerns specific to impacted surface water bodies throughout the State.

  25. Goal 3 – Restoration and Enhanced Protection in Environmentally Overburdened Communities • Develop a new paradigm for the protection of communities overburdened by environmental stresses through a multimedia approach focusing on human health and the environmental impacts • Ensure that we work in concert to address issues related to air, water, preservation, acquisition, and affordable access to parks. • Continued development and utilization of the Cumulative Impact Method.

  26. Goal 4 – Sustainable Parks • Establish a financially viable and stable system with dedicated funding sources that sustain our Parks with minimal General Fund reliance. • Expand mission appropriate amenities to enhance visitor experience and generate additional revenue. • Partner with organizations and entities to improve programming and enhance public services. • Establish new directions in strategy, funding and revenue to ensure all parks remain open.

  27. Goal 5 –Clean and Renewable Energy Strategy • Accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. • Promote a diverse portfolio of new, clean, in-State generation. • Capitalize on emerging technologies for transportation and power production; encourage the creation and expansion of clean energy solutions. • Adopt siting policies that minimize impacts to land, water, wildlife and sensitive habitats. Align state incentives to those siting policies. • Coordinate with other state agencies to ensure consistent renewable energy policies throughout state government, including alignment with the Energy Master Plan and the State Strategic Plan.

  28. Questions?

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