DEP ANNOUNCES REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR COMPANIES THAT HAUL OR PROCESS SOIL, FILL RECYCLABLE MATERIAL IN NEW JERSEY

(20/P05) TRENTON – Businesses conducting soil and fill recyclable material services that do not already possess an A-901 license have until April 20, 2020, to register with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as a first step to comply with a newly enacted licensing law requiring greater oversight of those activities, Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced today.

Governor Phil Murphy signed the law – known as the “Dirty Dirt Bill” on Jan. 21, which expands the DEP’s oversight of companies that engage in, or provide, soil and fill recycling services including collection, transportation, processing, brokering, storage, purchase, sale or disposition of soil and fill recyclable materials.

“With the passage of this new law as well as the gains made with our Guard Your Backyard campaign, the DEP and our local partners are in a better position to take action to address problematic fill material and companies engaged in these activities,” Commissioner McCabe said. “These new tools will empower the state and local governments to ensure that the soil and fill brought into our communities is clean and safe, while helping us defend against illegal dumping of soil and fill.”

The law also requires affected companies that do not already possess an A-901 license to submit an application and a disclosure statement to the Attorney General’s Office detailing their work with soil and fill material in order to receive a soil and fill recycling license for operations in New Jersey by Oct. 19, 2020. The Attorney General’s Office, New Jersey State Police and DEP will review the disclosure statements in consideration of granting a license.

“Dumping or unacceptable use of soil and fill materials occur too frequently,” Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement Elizabeth Dragon said. “DEP Compliance and Enforcement welcomes this new law to monitor and ensure the businesses involved are legitimate and complying with the new regulations, starting when soil or fill material is picked up until it is placed at a site.”

Businesses that do not register by the deadline or businesses that apply for a license thereafter and do not meet the license review requirements will no longer be allowed to perform soil or fill recycling services work in New Jersey.

Businesses that register may continue their services while awaiting a license. Those who apply for a  license after the deadline will have to wait for the license before continuing soil and fill recycling services. Businesses that believe they may be subject to the new law may review a DEP Compliance Advisory at www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/advisories-date.html.

The new law follows DEP’s recent launch of the Guard Your Backyard campaign, which has a dedicated website offering local guidance and a model ordinance that municipal leaders can download and modify to suit their local needs. Enacting ordinances can give local governments the authority to determine what kind of fill material may be brought into their communities.

The soil and fill recycling materials registration form for the DEP is available at www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/a901/a901frms.htm

To learn more about Guard Your Backyard, visit www.guardyourbackyard.nj.gov

Follow the DEP on Twitter @NewJerseyDEP.

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