Many commercial and industrial operations are subject to environmental permits issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Compliance requires ongoing attention to permit conditions, monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, and operational practices.

What are the most common permit violations?

Common issues include missed reporting deadlines, failure to comply with permit conditions, inadequate inspections, poor recordkeeping, unauthorized operational changes, stormwater deficiencies, air emissions violations, and failure to maintain required monitoring equipment.

How can businesses avoid violations?

Develop written compliance procedures, assign responsibility for permit management, conduct routine internal audits, train employees, maintain organized records, and promptly address deficiencies identified during inspections.

Why is documentation important?

Accurate documentation helps demonstrate compliance and may include permits, monitoring reports, inspection logs, maintenance records, employee training records, corrective action reports, and correspondence with regulatory agencies.

What role do internal audits play?

Periodic audits can identify compliance gaps before they become enforcement matters, allowing businesses to correct issues and improve environmental management systems.

Common misconceptions

Receiving an environmental permit does not end compliance obligations. Businesses must continue to meet permit conditions throughout the life of the permit and evaluate whether operational changes require additional approvals.

Key Takeaways

  • Understand every permit condition.
  • Maintain complete compliance records.
  • Conduct routine internal audits.
  • Train employees on environmental responsibilities.
  • Correct deficiencies promptly.

When should you contact an attorney?

Consult an environmental attorney when responding to alleged permit violations, NJDEP investigations, enforcement actions, permit disputes, or complex compliance issues.

Contact The Law Office of Alan S. Ashkinaze

The Law Office of Alan S. Ashkinaze advises commercial and industrial businesses throughout New Jersey on environmental permitting, compliance programs, regulatory counseling, enforcement defense, and environmental risk management.