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New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Expands Effort to Reduce Permit Delays
Environmental restoration projects join a state review initiative as the agency reports a 25% reduction in its cleanup permit backlog.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is expanding its Operation FAST initiative to prioritize permit reviews for environmental restoration projects and shorten processing times.
The agency also reported cutting its backlog of remedial action permit applications by 25%. Those permits govern sites where cleanup has occurred, but remaining contamination exceeds state standards.
Restoration projects entering the initiative include habitat improvements, dam removals, and work that uses natural features to address flooding and other environmental impacts.
To address pending cleanup applications, the department introduced earlier document inspections, expanded peer reviews and revised consultations on technical issues.
The agency also reported a 74% reduction in its backlog of freshwater wetlands determinations. Those determinations establish whether wetlands and surrounding regulated buffers are present before development proceeds.
