NJDEP hearing May 5 on proposed standard for PFNA


Kristina Scala Nasuti reports for the Burlington County Times:
If the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection approves a proposed groundwater limit for perfluorononanoic acid, it would be the first time the state’s environmental regulator has formally adopted a final groundwater standard for an unregulated chemical found in firefighting foam that has tainted several sites on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Earlier this month, the department announced that its seeking public input for a recommendation that would permanently establish a level of 10 parts per trillion of perfluorononanoic acid, or PFNA, that is allowed in groundwater.
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See our video interview with Kristina Scala Nasuti  and
Kyle Bagenstose  who are covering the developing story
of groundwater pollution at regional military bases–
pollution that threatens nearby public drinking water 
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The proposed limit mimics an interim standard that was established by the department in 2015 to regulate how much of the chemical can exist in groundwater before it becomes hazardous to human health.
The DEP is also recommending that the chemical be placed on a list of hazardous substances under the Spill Act, which would require owners and operators of facilities that handle chemicals with PFNA to be responsible for discharge prevention and discharge control.
In its proposal, the department is also looking to amend the Groundwater Quality Standards to set interim standards for 23 chemical components found in groundwater.
Before a decision is made, the department has 60 days from the time the recommendation was posted on April 3 to collect and review public comments. They have another 30 days to adopt it.
A public hearing is set for Friday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to noon in the state’s public hearing room on the first floor at 401 E. State St. in Trenton.
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How cool, A jet plane that needs no runway or fuel

Have you heard about vertical take off and landing jets?


Until now, they’ve been more theoretical than practical.
No longer.


A company in Bavaria has conducted successful flights of
its Lilium Jet.

It takes off straight up, like a helicopter. Then it hovers, then moves forward like any other plane. It also lands vertically, again like a helicopter. And it’s electric. No pollution.


Stop reading. Click on the company’s dramatic video above.
It’s very cool. 


The Lilium is a beautiful aircraft that is guaranteed to shake things up.


Best of all, until they figure out how to get it to hold more than two people, there’s little danger of airline enforcers dragging you out of your seat, claiming the fight is overbooked.


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EP Podcast: #20 – Toxics in tap water of military neighbors

Episode #20 is the first of a two-part podcast in which we interview  Kyle Bagenstose and Kristina Nasuti, investigative reporters for the Bucks County Courier-Times and the Burlington County Times.

They are part of a team that has been researching and reporting on toxic groundwater pollution at military bases in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that now threatens public drinking water supplies.

If you have a history with Air Force and Naval bases in Warminster and Horsham, Pa or Fort Dix, McGuire or Lakehurst in New Jersey, you should listen to this and the forthcoming episode.

Click to hear Episode 20  
Click to hear Episode 21


You can subscribe to our podcast for fee on:
iTunes (Podcast App on  your iPad, iPhone)
Stitcher (Android)
Player FM
MixCloud
and other popular podcast services.

It’s easy to do and you’ll never miss a future episode.

Hear all previous episodes 

Questions? Email: frankbrilljr@gmail.com or 609-577-9017

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Editorial : Swallow sewage at the Shore? Thank Trump

feet in water While we spend zillions on security at Mar-a-Lago and shuttling Trump children around the world and leaving Melania’s son in private school in Manhattan, the President is cutting money to check if we’re all swimming in fecal swamps.
 
Yes, his budget would eliminate the funding that pays to test the water at our beaches every week for nasty bacteria. Namely, “enterococcus,” the sign of fecal contamination – causing maladies from gastrointestinal illness to ugly rashes.
 
This is the result of raw sewage overflows that are the worst after heavy rain. Last summer, our beaches were either under advisory or closed 134 times for that reason, the Asbury Park Press reports. It was the worst season in five years.
 
One week of testing found 19 beaches in Monmouth and Ocean counties had water teeming with so much bacteria, it wasn’t safe to swim in. Read the full Star-Ledger editorial Like this? Use form in upper right to receive free updates
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Amidst dispute, NJDEP proposes forest stewardship rules

State agency hopes to preserve critical tracts of privately owned woodlands by requiring professional stewardship for program participants

Tom Johnson reports for NJ Spotlight:

forest

The state is proposing broad new rules governing stewardship of privately owned forested land, a measure aimed at keeping more of New Jersey’s woodlands intact.
The program, mandated by a law passed in 2009, encourages the conservation of privately held land as forests, tracts viewed as critical to protecting water supplies, preserving critical habitat for wildlife, and providing recreational opportunities for residents.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is proposing the forest stewardship program at a time when there is an ongoing dispute over management of state-owned land and other forests and whether those activities are enhancing the natural resources there.

Read the full story


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