Environmental Permitting

It is not unusual for a remediation or site development project to be impacted by one or more of the protective programs administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Division of Land Use Regulation. FEA assists clients in determining which programs apply, if any. We can also help you secure any necessary permits, including a freshwater wetlands permit or a flood hazard area permit.

Freshwater Wetlands
Wetlands are commonly referred to as swamps, marshes, or bogs. It is not possible to be sure if an area is wetlands without gathering detailed information about the site and inspecting the property. If your land has any of the conditions below, you should investigate before going ahead with a project:

• The area often has standing water;
• The area is a low spot that holds water for several days after a heavy rain;
• The water table in the area is not far below the ground surface;
• Your land contains a stream or pond, with gentle banks (you may have a fringe of wetlands along the banks); or
• Your land is located near a river, stream, or lake.

Flood Hazard Area
The rules of NJDEP’s Flood Hazard Control Act, Coastal Permit Program, and Coastal Zone Management are intended to incorporate more stringent standards for development in flood hazard areas and riparian zones adjacent to surface waters. The regulations include a 0% net-fill requirement which applies to all non-tidal flood hazard areas of the state; and, they also expand the preservation of near-stream vegetation by implementing new riparian zones that are 50, 150 or 300 feet in width along each side of surface waters throughout the state. The riparian zone width varies, depending on the
environmental resources being protected.

Whether your issue is wetlands, a flood hazard area, or soil erosion and sediment control, we can help you address any environmental permitting needs so your project can keep moving forward.