Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm News

NJ Appellate Court: No Grandfathering of NFA Letters

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: January 3, 2017

Key Contacts

Back
A new Appellate Division decision holds that there is no grandfathering of NFA Letters previously issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

 A new Appellate Division decision, Drytech, Inc. v. State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Docket No. A-5619-14T4 (App. Div. December 29, 2016) has held that there is no grandfathering of No Further Action (NFA) Letters previously issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and that there can be no waiver of the requirement that a remediating party retain a New Jersey Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) and investigate areas of concern (AOCs) at a contaminated site.   In the case, the Plaintiff, Drytech, sought a declaration from the New Jersey Superior Court that it did not have to comply with remediation obligations under the Site Remediation Reform Act (“SRRA”) when it triggered ISRA at its site in 2013. Plaintiff’s argument was that it had previously complied with ISRA in connection with three NFA Letters NJDEP had issued for the site and Plaintiff asked NJDEP to waive the requirement that it retain an LSRP to investigate the AOCs at the site and issue a Response Action Outcome (RAO) in light of the previously issued NFA Letters. The Court held that SRRA did not contain any provision which permitted NJDEP to waive a remediating party’s obligation to retain an LSRP following an ISRA triggering event and that NJDEP’s issuance of prior NFAs did not excuse Plaintiff’s obligation to hire an LSRP, as required by SRRA, and SRAA’s requirement that the LSRP exercise professional judgment to determine the remedial action plan for the site.

While this is an unpublished decision, this Appellate Division ruling lays to rest any lingering idea that prior NFA approvals at a site are “grandfathered” and confirms (i) the obligation of a remediating party to hire an LSRP, and (ii) the LSRP’s exercise of independent professional judgment to determine the remedial action plan for a site.

 We would be pleased to answer any questions relating to this decision and its effect upon your remediation obligations or cases. If you have any questions contact, John Scagnelli.

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Christopher D. Warren Appointed to NJ Ethics Committee post image

Christopher D. Warren Appointed to NJ Ethics Committee

Scarinci Hollenbeck Partner Christopher D. Warren Named to New Jersey Supreme Court District VI Ethics Committee Little Falls, NJ — September 5, 2025 — Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC is proud to announce that Christopher D. Warren, Partner, has been appointed to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court District VI Ethics Committee for the term 2025–2029. Mr. Warren brings more than […]

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Link to post with title - "Christopher D. Warren Appointed to NJ Ethics Committee"
Scarinci Hollenbeck Awards Inaugural Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship for Environmental Law post image

Scarinci Hollenbeck Awards Inaugural Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship for Environmental Law

Scarinci Hollenbeck Congratulates Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship Recipient Adrienne Aiken Little Falls, NJ — July 21, 2025 — Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC established the Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship for Environmental Law to recognize the contributions of retired partner Theodore “Ted” Schwartz and support the next generation of environmental lawyers. Adrienne Aiken, the recipient of the 2025 […]

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Link to post with title - "Scarinci Hollenbeck Awards Inaugural Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship for Environmental Law"
Scarinci Hollenbeck Attorneys Recognized as 2026 Best Lawyers in America® post image

Scarinci Hollenbeck Attorneys Recognized as 2026 Best Lawyers in America®

Ten Scarinci Hollenbeck Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers in America© Little Falls NJ – August 28, 2025 – Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC is pleased to announce that ten attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. First published in 1983, Best Lawyers is universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. […]

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Link to post with title - "Scarinci Hollenbeck Attorneys Recognized as 2026 Best Lawyers in America®"
Donald M. Pepe Named GlobeSt. Influencer in Industrial Real Estate post image

Donald M. Pepe Named GlobeSt. Influencer in Industrial Real Estate

Scarinci Hollenbeck Partner Recognized for Continued Impact on Industrial Real Estate Industry Little Falls, NJ — July 25, 2025 — Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC Partner Donald “Don” Pepe was recently recognized as a 2025 Influencer in Industrial Real Estate by GlobeSt, a leading commercial real estate publication. The GlobeSt award recognizes the professionals, teams, and companies […]

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Link to post with title - "Donald M. Pepe Named GlobeSt. Influencer in Industrial Real Estate"
Scarinci Hollenbeck Expands NYC Real Estate and Litigation Practices ADDING Four Litigators post image

Scarinci Hollenbeck Expands NYC Real Estate and Litigation Practices ADDING Four Litigators

NYC Real Estate and Litigation Attorney Ryan O. Miller and Team Join Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC New York City, NY – August 13, 2025 – Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC has strengthened its Real Estate and Litigation practices with the addition of four New York City-based attorneys. Ryan Miller, who joins as a partner, is well known for […]

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Link to post with title - "Scarinci Hollenbeck Expands NYC Real Estate and Litigation Practices ADDING Four Litigators"
Bloomberg Law Podcast Discusses Shaquille O’Neil FTX Settlement With Ron Bienstock post image

Bloomberg Law Podcast Discusses Shaquille O’Neil FTX Settlement With Ron Bienstock

Bloomberg Law Podcast Discusses Shaquille O’Neil FTX Settlement With Ron Bienstock Little Falls, NJ – June 24, 2025 – Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC Partner and Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Entertainment & Media departments Ronald S. Bienstock recently joined the Bloomberg Law podcast to discuss Shaquille O’Neal settling a class-action lawsuit over his FTX endorsement. […]

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Link to post with title - "Bloomberg Law Podcast Discusses Shaquille O’Neil FTX Settlement With Ron Bienstock"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!