Connors/Rumpf/Van Pelt Introduce Legislation Requiring Municipal Approval of Transfer Stations

June 18, 2009

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R-9), Senator Christopher J. Connors (R-9)

9th District Delegation’s Action in Direct Response to Transfer Station Proposal in Little Egg Harbor

To provide local residents of a municipality a greater voice in decisions impacting their community, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt have introduced legislation (A-4094) that would require municipal approval of a new solid waste facility, including transfer stations. Under the 9th District Legislators’ initiative, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would be required to reject the application or engineering design of a solid waste facility, including a transfer station, if the prospective home municipality disapproves of the facility’s location.

“This legislation is in direct response to the groundswell of discontentment expressed by local residents furious at the proposed solid waste transfer station in Little Egg Harbor,” said Senator Connors. “After listening to local residents, we came to the understanding that people are more than just concerned over a wide range of issues ranging from possible health issues to declining property values. The people are equally infuriated that they have no say in the process. Under existing State law, municipal governments essentially have their hands tied in the approval process of solid waste facilities. The situation in Little Egg Harbor has exposed the flaw in State law which, in effect, marginalizes the will of the people.”

“As a resident of Little Egg Harbor, it is easy to sense the level of frustration by residents, including individuals living in Tuckerton, who are justifiably protective of their community and feel disenfranchised by this entire process,” said Assemblyman Rumpf. “Simply put, if the people who are most likely to be affected don’t want a transfer station, in spite of potential economic benefits, then the application for such a facility should be rejected outright. By all indications, a significant number of residents are fully acquainted with all the key details of the proposal and have made informed decisions on where they stand on the issue.”

Rumpf further remarked, “After carefully considering all options available to us, we determined that amending State law would be the most appropriate action.”

In October of last year, Connors, Rumpf and Van Pelt wrote to apprise the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of the concerns of local residents, which the Delegation acknowledged that it shared, about the proposed transfer station. Additionally, the Delegation requested a written briefing prepared by the Office of Legislative Services (OLS) as to what the approval process for the solid waste facilities entailed.

Click here to view the briefing memo provided by the Office of Legislative Services.

Assemblyman Van Pelt went on to state that, “Under current law, the will of the people most affected is a non-factor or, at best, a secondary consideration in the approval process involving solid waste facilities, including transfer stations. The key issue here is the possible detrimental impact to residents’ quality-of-life, due to what the operation of these types of facilities sometimes entail, including the amount of trucks on local roadways. Our legislation would empower municipalities to be able to more effectively represent the best interests of their constituents. Local governments could prevent decisions being made for their township by someone who lives outside the community and would not have their own quality-of-life impacted.

Link to Post:

http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/connors/connorsrumpfvan-pelt-introduce-legislation-requiring-municipal-approval-of-transfer-stations/3364