GARDEN STATE ENVIRONEWS 981114
Phil Reynolds
GARDEN STATE ENVIRONEWS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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<*> CLEARING THE AIR - NOVEMBER 1998
<*> SOLVING STORMWATER & NPS PROBLEMS - DEC 14 & 15
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CLEARING THE AIR - NOVEMBER 1998
Date: 981113
From: NJ Department of Transportation
YOU MAY HAVE TRAVELED THIS ROAD BEFORE
NJDOT `road recycling' program conserves resources
Governor Christie Whitman has proclaimed November 15 as "New Jersey
Recycles Day" to coincide with the second annual "America Recycles
Day" celebration.
Since 1987, when the New Jersey Legislature mandated the recycling of
glass, aluminum, plastics and paper statewide, the New Jersey
Department of Transportation has been an active participant in the
program. But we do more than recycle our trash. We recycle our roads.
A little known fact is that the 1987 statute directed the
Commissioner of Transportation to review and modify road paving
specifications to encourage the use of recycled materials.
NJDOT road crews use recycled products, and all contractors engaged
by the Department have the option to do so as well. Many seize the
opportunity because it saves money.
In 1997 alone, 175,657 tons of recycled asphalt pavement were used on
New Jersey roads and highways. Most is generated by milling project
sites.
NJ DOT construction specifications permit up to 50 percent recycled
asphalt pavement to be used in new bituminous pavement projects.
Before the recycling effort was launched, this material was routinely
dumped at landfills.
Asphalt isn't the only recycled product used in paving. Last year
4,477 tons of broken glass were added to hot mix asphalt to give New
Jersey road surfaces a reflective sparkle.
In addition, the Department permits the use of crushed concrete
obtained from road waste and demolition sites in the paving process.
Fly ash produced by coal-fired electric generating plants can also be
used as an additive to concrete or as a mineral filler in hot mix
asphalt.
Rubber crumbs from used tires, crushed vitreous china and
petroleum-contaminated soil that has been processed and rendered
non-hazardous may also may be used as ingredients in paving.
The NJ DOT is researching additional ways these products - and others
- can be used to conserve resources and save the taxpayers dollars by
giving them a new lease on life.
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TRUCK EMISSION TESTING PROGRAM PAYS DIVIDENDS
New Jersey has stopped and checked diesel exhaust emissions on more
than 60,000 trucks since starting the nation's first roadside testing
program on April I.
Nearly 5,000 truck operators have been cited and issued summonses
because their vehicles were emitting excessive levels of pollutants.
"As New Jersey proceeds with implementing the enhanced emissions test
for cars, residents should be aware that we are already addressing
pollution from trucks," said Transportation Commissioner John J. Haley
Jr.
"As a heavily-traveled corridor state, we must ensure that the trucks
traveling through New Jersey are operating properly and not emitting
excessive levels of pollutants into our air."
Haley noted that air pollutants can aggravate respiratory illnesses
and ailments. More than one million New Jersey residents suffer from
chronic respiratory disease, according to the American Lung
Association.
Since April 1, 10 teams have been conducting random roadside
emissions testing of heavy-duty diesel trucks throughout the state.
Both New Jersey-registered and out-of-state trucks are stopped and
tested.
From April 1 through September 25, a total of 61,598 trucks were
stopped by the roadside emissions teams. Of this total, 51,805 trucks
were released after passing a visual pre-screening process. During
this step, inspectors look at the exhaust and determine if it looks
too dark be cause of soot and other pollutants.
The remaining 9,793 trucks were given the emissions test after being
selected during the pre-screening process. Of the 9,793 trucks tested,
4,931 passed and 4,862 failed.
Upon failing the emissions test, the vehicle operators were issued
summonses. The first offense fine is $700, with a reduction to $150
upon proof that the vehicle has been repaired. The second offense fine
is $1,300, with a reduction to $500 upon proof of repair.
"The focus of the program is getting vehicles repaired so truck
exhausts are as clean as possible," said C. Richard Kamin, Director of
the Division of Motor Vehicles.
In addition to random roadside testing, an annual diesel emissions
test has been required since July 1 for all New Jersey registered
trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 18,000 pounds or more.
The state has licensed more than 200 Diesel Emissions Inspection
Centers to perform the test.
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CLEAN AIR COALITION FORMED
The state's new enhanced emissions testing program is supported by
the Coalition For Clean Air, a cross-section of health-care,
environmental, business and labor organizations.
"Air pollution aggravates the respiratory illnesses that currently
affect more than one million of New Jersey's residents," said Dr. Greg
Sachs, president of the New Jersey Medical Society.
"Our youngest residents and our senior citizens are most at risk. The
efforts we are making to clean the air, such as the enhanced emissions
testing program, will produce benefits for all of New Jersey's
residents."
Joan Verplanck, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, said
the enhanced emissions test will complement the actions that
businesses are taking to improve air quality.
"A tailpipe is smaller than a factory smokestack, but in the air
quality war it is as much the villain," Verplanck said.
"In the last 10 years industry has spent millions of dollars to
install state of the art equipment to clean our air. The enhanced
emissions system is so important because it complements this effort,
targeting another significant source of pollution."
Haley noted that New Jersey was allowed to revise its vehicle
inspection process because it is implementing the enhanced testing
procedure.
"Better emissions testing is allowing the 5.8 million licensed
drivers in New Jersey to have their vehicles inspected once every two
years instead of every year," Haley said.
"Governor Whitman negotiated with the federal Environmental
Protection Agency to have an emissions inspection program tailored to
the needs of New Jersey, and biennial inspection is one positive
aspect resulting from her efforts."
The biennial inspection cycle is designed as a customer convenience
to avoid long lines as the state's 35 inspection stations are
converted to perform the enhanced emission test.
The two-year inspection cycle began on October 1 and will remain in
place when the enhanced emissions program is fully implemented by
December 1999.
New Jersey motorists also will continue to have the option of going
to a state-licensed, privately-owned garage for inspection, under the
state's agreement with the EPA.
More than 2,700 of the 3,700 licensed private inspection centers have
applied to continue in operation and offer the enhanced emissions
test.
Owners of private inspection centers have until March 31, 1999 to
either have the enhanced emissions testing equipment installed or on
order.
The Division of Motor Vehicles hosted three equipment expos for the
private inspection center owners this summer to give them the
opportunity to see the hardware and speak with the equipment
manufacturers.
"Motorists will continue to have a choice in where to get their
vehicles inspected, under the enhanced emissions program," said C.
Richard Kamin, DMV Director. "We're pleased that the majority of
licensed private inspection centers have decided to continue in the
program"
State Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Shinn noted that over
the past 10 years New Jersey's air quality has improved by every
measure.
"This past summer, New Jersey exceeded the federal regulatory
standard for ozone just four times, compared to 45 exceedances in
1988," he said.
"There has not been an exceedance of the carbon monoxide standard
since January of 1995. Nonetheless, we have a lot of work remaining
before we meet all the standards for air quality. The enhanced
inspection and maintenance system is a crucial step in meeting that
goal."
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS TOP PRIORITY
The word has been given: any attempt to give construction items a
higher priority than environmental concerns is unacceptable to the
NJDOT.
The message was driven home by senior managers attending the
quarterly meeting of the Construction Industry Advancement Program
(CIAP) of New Jersey and followed up with a Construction Instructional
Bulletin issued to all resident engineers.
They were informed the NJDOT's procedure manual has been revised to
emphasize the priority of environmental concerns.
The engineers were directed to shut down work on a construction
project, if necessary, when a contractor fails to adhere to
environmental safeguards.
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YOU CAN MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN A BETTER FUTURE
The Division of Motor Vehicle Services has several ways for you to
make an investment in a cleaner environment and a better quality of
life.
Motorists have the ability to purchase specialty license plates for
their cars that can make a real difference.
The purchase of a Treasure Our Trees plate will provide funds to
support New Jersey's Shade Tree and Community Forestry Program. Shade
trees make our environment healthier and add beauty to communities.
They convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and release oxygen into
the atmosphere.
Money from the sale of these attractive plates will fund tree
planting projects, improve wildlife habitats, promote clean air and
water, reduce energy costs in cities, finance hometown beautification
projects and underwrite the cost of educational programs.
A Pinelands plate raises funds to preserve and expand this unique and
environmentally-sensitive landscape that covers a million acres in
seven southern counties.
The region is crisscrossed by winding streams and rivers with some of
the purest drinking water available. It contains unbroken forests of
pine, oak and cedar and the most extensive pygmy pine forest in the
country.
Proceeds from the sale of Shore to Please plates are used to clean
one of New Jersey's precious natural resources - our beaches. Funds
are also used to fight litter and improve ocean water quality.
Funds from Conserve Wildlife plates are use to help restore
endangered wildlife and create a statewide network of wildlife viewing
areas.
By purchasing a Discover NJ History plate, you will help save
priceless historic buildings, artifacts and documents. You will also
be supporting New Jersey's historic sites and aiding historical
research.
Any of these plates can be obtained by paying a one-time $50 fee and
an $10 annual renewal. They are available at any motor vehicle agency,
or you can call 1-888-486-3339 to order by mail.
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PEDAL POWER
Rutgers University will install 86 new bicycle racks with funding
from a NJDOT program that is designed to reduce urban traffic
congestion by encouraging bicycle use.
The project is part of a university plan to develop a bikeway system
linking the New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses.
The new equipment, to be installed by December, will be located near
student centers, classroom buildings, libraries and residence halls.
The $99,200 project will be funded by the NJDOT under the federal
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act.
The Busch campus will receive the largest share of the storage racks,
with 25 due for installation, followed by the College Avenue campus,
which will get 21. Each rack can accommodate up to 10 bicycles.
The Cook/Douglass campus will gain 19 racks and the Livingston
campus, 11. Plans call for the installation of six racks on the Newark
campus and four on the Camden campus.
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HOT AIR & ILL WINDS
A dollar is a dollar...
When attention turns to transportation projects, most taxpayers don't
care how much of the cost is paid by the state or federal government.
The reason is simple: they know all the money comes out of the same
pocket - theirs!
What they want to know is how much the projects cost and is the cost
justified.
So we were surprised by criticism from some members of the
environmental community of an analysis that appeared in last month's
issue of "Clearing The Air."
The analysis showed how New Jersey Department of Transportation
spends less than 10 percent of the federal and state aid at its
disposal on new road projects. It underscored the NJDOT's belief that
better management is the most effective way to deal with traffic
congestion.
But critics claimed it was inappropriate for us to mix federal and
state dollars. We think this is the only way taxpayers can get a true
picture of where their money goes.
Not only is the NJDOT concerned about spending tax dollars wisely,
the Department strives to use tax dollars efficiently, regardless of
their source.
Some also questioned why we would include $550 million in NJ TRANSIT
funds in our calculations.
We believe it is important for the public to know New Jersey spends
more on public transit than it does on new road construction.
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VISIT OUR WEB SITES
http://www.state.nj.us/transport
http://www.state.nj.us/mvs
http://www.cleanairnj.org
Past issues of Clearing the Air can be viewed on the NJDOT web site.
Just click on Environmental News.
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SOLVING STORMWATER & NPS PROBLEMS - DEC 14 & 15
Date: 981114
From: oc...@aesop.rutgers.edu
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Cook College Continuing Professional Education Programs
SOLVING STORMWATER AND NPS POLLUTION MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN NJ
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF THE NJDEP'S BMP MANUAL
December 14 & 15, 1998
New Brunswick, New Jersey
In cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection & Cook College Office of Continuing Professional Education
-=*=-
Many professionals who design, maintain and review plans for
stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP's) know how to get the job
done by following the guidelines in the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection's Stormwater and Nonpoint Source Pollution
Control Best Management Practices Manual. But do you know that you can
save time and money while preventing future headaches if you plan your
projects well from the beginning?
Protecting our valuable water resources can be a real challenge, and
to do the job correctly takes more than just following guidelines - it
is an art that is based on experience, foresight and intelligent
planning. If your job includes the design, maintenance or planning of
stormwater control devices, "Solving Stormwater and NPS Pollution
Management Problems in New Jersey" is for you!
This advanced workshop, designed by experts in the field for
professionals, will tackle the more difficult stormwater BMP designs
and will focus on the best techniques for successfully protecting New
Jersey's streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and groundwater from low-
quality stormwater runoff. Specific real life examples will be
presented throughout the program. You will learn how to avoid common
pitfalls and solve your stormwater runoff problems while saving money,
time and resources by getting the job right the first time.
You will learn about:
* The effects of watershed development on stormwater quantity and
quality;
* Pollutant load modeling;
* The NJDEP regulations that pertain to stormwater management;
* Designing water quality swales;
* Designing created wetlands;
* Maintaining stormwater quality BMP's.
-=*=-
PROGRAM TOPICS:
December 14, 1998 9:00am-3:30pm
* Effects of Watershed Development on Stormwater Quantity and Quality
* Review of NJDEP Regulations Concerning Stormwater Quality
Management
* SCS Soil Erosion Best Management Practices And Their Relevancy To
Stormwater Quality Management
* Quantifying the Problem - Hydrology
* Quantifying the Problem - Pollutant Load Modeling
* Recap and Review (Q & A)
December 15, 1998 8:30am-1:00pm
* An Overview of NPS Pollution Management Techniques
* Design Of Water Quality Swales
* Design Of Created Wetlands
* Design Of Sand Filters
* Maintenance of Stormwater Quality BMP's
* Recap and Review (Q & A)
-=*=-
INSTRUCTORS
Our instructors have direct field experience in implementing BMP
techniques. The program will be taught by a team of professionals
from industry, the consulting business, state and local governments.
Dr. Stephen Souza, President
Princeton Hydro, LLC
Joseph Skupien, Princeton Hydraulic Engineer
Somerset County Engineering Department
Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E. Program Director of Engineering
Princeton Hydro, LLC
Hunter Birckhead, P.E. Erosion Control Engineer
New Jersey Department of Agriculture
Liz Rosenblatt
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The tuition fee for "Solving Stormwater and NPS Pollution Management
Problems in New Jersey" is $75. This includes course materials,
breakfasts, lunch on December 14 and breaks. Registrations are
accepted by phone, FAX, mail or in person. Payment may be made by
Mastercard, Visa, check, money order or purchase order. Please make
checks payable to "Rutgers, the State University". Payments must be
made prior to the course to be admitted to the program.
We offer three convenient ways to register:
* Phone: 732-932-9271, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Please
have your Mastercard or Visa number ready.
* FAX: 732-932-8726, 24 hours. Please include credit card information
or a copy of your check, money order or purchase order.
* Mailing Address:
Registration Desk
Cook College, OCPE
102 Ryders Lane
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
To request more information or additional brochures via the internet:
* Email: oc...@aesop.rutgers.edu
Visit our home page at http://www.cook.rutgers.edu./~ocpe
Location: This course will be held on the Douglass College Campus,
Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. A map with written
directions will be included with your confirmation of registration.
Cancellation Policy: You may withdraw from this course with a full
refund less a $25 processing fee provided our office is notified at
least seventy-two hours prior to the start of the course. Beyond that
time, you may be responsible for the full registration fee if you
register but do not attend. Substitutions are permitted.
REGISTRATION FORM
Please register me for:
Stormwater and NPS Pollution Management Problems in New Jersey:
Practical Applications of the NJDEP's BMP Manual
December 14 & 15, 1998
____ $75 (Lunch Included) (EW03C11298)
Name _________________________________________________________________
Social Security # ____________________________________________________
First Name for Nametag _______________________________________________
Job Title ____________________________________________________________
Employer _____________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip _______________________________________________________
Tel/Fax/Email ________________________________________________________
____ Check, money order or purchase order enclosed for $ _____________
____ Charge to my credit card ____ MasterCard ____ VISA
Card # _________________________________ Exp. Date ___________________
Signature of Cardholder ______________________________________________
-=*=-
DON'T MISS THESE NEW COURSES!
PROTECTING WATERSHEDS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY
January 26, 1999, Toms River, NJ
Tuition fee: $75
If the "Solving Stormwater and NPS Pollution Management Problems in
New Jersey" program seems too technical but you still need to have an
understanding of watershed management, this program is for you!
Nationally recognized instructors from The Center for Watershed
Protection will guide you through watershed protection as it relates
to communities situated on New Jersey's coastal plains. Topics of
focus include:
* The Impacts of Development on Water Systems
* Stream Protection Approaches
* The Protection of Sensitive Areas
* Reducing Impervious Cover
This program is appropriate for all levels of expertise and watershed
involvement, and environmental commission members, planners,
developers, engineers and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN GEOMATICS
The "Rutgers University Professional Geomatics Certificate Program"
will provide you with the skills necessary to advance in your current
position or to enter this growing field for the first time. Our
certificate program is a joint effort between Rutgers University's
Grant F. Walton Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis
(CRSSA), the Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR) / Bloustein
School of Planning and Public Policy, and the Cook College Office of
Continuing Professional Education (OCPE).
For a current schedule of courses, check out our web page at:
http://www.crssa.rutgers.edu/profcert, or call 732-932-9271 ext.
616 for more information.
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Back issues of the Garden State EnviroNews are available at
http://www.gsenet.org/library/11gsn/11gsn.htm
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