Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
Search

New Jersey DEP Announces Plans to Reclassify Rivers in Sussex County

Posted on 3/22/2019 by Lauren Scott

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced earlier this month a plan to upgrade the classification and regulations related to hundreds of miles of rivers and streams in Sussex County and beyond.
 
In a statement on March, 4, DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe unveiled a proposal to reclassify parts of several major rivers and their tributaries to Category One. The Category One designation requires stringent water quality standards for any waste water discharged to the waterways. These areas will also be given 300-foot development buffers as part of the Flood Hazard Area Control Act to protect threatened and endangered wildlife in the area.
 
This reclassification includes parts of Wallkill, Paulinskill, and Pequest Rivers in Sussex and Warren Counties as well as other rivers throughout the state. In total, the DEP proposes to upgrade 734 waterway miles for their “exceptional ecological value” and 53 miles for their “exceptional fishery resources” with 38 miles overlapping in both categories. These changes will serve as amendments to the Surface Water Quality Standards Rule.
 
The new designations will also benefit many tributaries and streams feeding to the reclassified portions of the rivers, including a Wallkill River tributary in nearby Sparta, NJ, according to the rule proposal published in the New Jersey Register.
 
The classification system began in 1985 in order to protect bodies of water integral to wildlife habitats and trout production. The last time NJ waterways were reclassified was back in 2008, when the state designated 686 miles of rivers and streams to Category One.
 

Let Your Voice Be Heard

The reclassification poses more stringent regulations for companies that dispose wastewater in these areas. In fact, the Category 1 status prevents any degradation in water quality for the rivers, streams, and tributaries affected by the reclassification.
The DEP will hold a public hearing on April 8 at 1 p.m. in the NJ Forensic Science Technology Center Auditorium to discuss the changes. The period for public comments is open from now until May 3.
 

Environmental Training in Sparta, NJ 

Join Lion Technology in Sparta, NJ for expert-led training to simplify environmental and hazardous materials compliance. Reserve your seat now and take part in interactive workshops now approved for continuing education credits for Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRPs).

Network with professionals from a wide range of industries who know the challenges you face. You will develop a step-by-step approach to identify and comply with the hazmat transportation and EPA hazardous waste, air, water, and chemical regulations that impact your facility.  Join us for one of our other upcoming courses and stay up to date on the latest regulations while learning close to home.  
See the full schedule of workshops at Lion.com/Sparta.
 

Tags: DEP, environment, New Jersey, NJ, river, Sussex County

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Excellent course. Very interactive. Explanations are great whether you get the questions wrong or right.

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

The instructor clearly enjoys his job and transmits that enthusiasm. He made a dry subject very interesting and fun.

Teresa Arellanes

EHS Manager

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Your hazmat paperwork is the first thing a DOT inspector will ask for during an inspection. From hazmat training records to special permits, make sure your hazmat documents are in order.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.