It is a reflection of the central underpinnings of our cleanup program. Seif noted that the multi-site agreement features mutual incentives, joint planning, the use of innovative technology, public participation and the sharing of resources to streamline the state and federal relationship, and eliminate the potential for uncoordinated activities. Since finalizing our work, we have been contacted by New Jersey and several other states to use our agreement. I am currently president of the Environmental Council of States, an organization that exists so states can learn from each other. Pennsylvania has taken the lead today in tackling the huge challenge of cleaning up defense facilities.
New Jersey is happy to be the first to learn from Pennsylvania's example.
All sites are to be evaluated and cleanups begun by September 30, 2010. Long-term monitoring at some sites may continue beyond 2010. A second multi-site agreement was signed with Penn Fuel Gas Inc. in 1996 to clean up 20 former manufactured gas plant sites and 340 abandoned natural gas production wells.