NJDEP-News Release 03/76 - DEP Orders Shut Down of Unlawful Solid Waste Facility in Newark
DEP Orders Shut Down of Unlawful Solid Waste Facility in Newark
(03/76) TRENTON  The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today ordered Hi Tech Trans, LLC and its chief executive, David Stoller, to shut down its unlawful solid waste transfer operations and to cease the illegal charging of fees to accept and transfer solid waste at its Essex County facility within 20 calendar days.
"We have significant environmental concerns regarding the unlawful, unpermitted activities occurring at Hi Tech," said DEP Assistant Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson. "Its operation entirely flouts our environmental laws designed to protect public health and safety."
The facility is located on Bay Street at the Oak Island Rail Yard in Newark.
Based on an inspection conducted by DEP enforcement officers, the DEP has issued an Administrative Order to Hi Tech Trans that includes a cease and desist directive for the unlawful operation of a solid waste facility and for charging solid waste haulers a fee to accept and transfer solid waste without obtaining a DEP-issued Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. New Jersey law mandates that all solid waste operations obtain a site-specific engineering design, a solid waste facility permit, and a county solid waste management plan approval prior to commencing operations.
Hi Tech has not submitted any application to the DEP for review of its operations and has evaded the required DEP engineering review of its operation, increasing the potential for environmental violations and harm.
To ensure that current environmental control and safety standards are met, DEP regulations require that waste processing facilities conduct all waste activities within the confines of an enclosed building equipped with air pollution control technology, and implement approved stormwater control measures to prevent rainwater from coming into contact with solid waste and potential pollutants. In addition, waste processing facilities must have an approved fire and safety plan and complete a noise and traffic impact analysis.
During inspections, the DEP observed High Techs facility accepting hundreds of tons of construction and demolition waste, dumping solid waste loads into a roofless tipping area, and transferring waste using a grapple loader into rail cars.
Violation of the DEP-issued Administrative Order carries potential penalties of up to $50,000 per day, per violation.
A copy of the DEP-issued Administrative Order is available upon request.
Administrative Order to Hi Tech Trans (PDF)