Copy of permit application and approval including insurance rider for Nov 2023 Wharton State Forest Cleanup
Dear New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,
This is a request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form. Please acknowledge receipt of this message.
Records requested:
I would like a copy of the permit application, approval, and insurance rider (if possible) for the trash cleanup that occurred in November 2023 in Wharton State Forest.
Yours faithfully,
Ben Ruset
Good afternoon,
We have entered your OPRA request into the OPRA system. Please use tracking # 349840 for any correspondence. You will receive a response by 2/14/24..
Trisha Coats
Secretarial Assistant
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Record Access
Tel: 609-341-3121
Fax: 609-292-1177
[email address]
(Do not reply to the sending address of this email as this account is not monitored).
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), has completed processing of your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) record request. The NJDEP response to your request has been attached to this email message.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Record Access at (609) 341-3121, or e-mail at: [NJ DEP request email] The assigned OPRA Record Request Tracking #, identified in the Subject Line of this email, will facilitate communications with our office.
Thank you,
NJDEP - Office of Record Access
Task:
5167538 - End of Seven Day Clock
Dear New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,
I'd like to clarify - I'm looking for permits that were issued for a cleanup that happened in November, 2023 not to see if any permits were issued in November for cleanups that would have happened at any other time.
Yours faithfully,
Ben Ruset
Mr. Ruset:
Do you have a specific date that this clean up took place and any specifics towards the cleanup? Depending on the nature of the cleanup, it may require a permit that would be issued for the specific date it is scheduled for. Again, no permits were issued in 2023. However, this does not necessarily mean there wasn't a clean-up that either didn't need a permit, or was done without one.
Matthew J. Coefer, Chief Records Custodian
NJDEP – Office of Record Access
(609) 633-1339
Dear Coefer, Matt [DEP],
Unfortunately I am not sure of the exact date. I know that REI was involved with the cleanup and there were a decent number of people there.
This might be out of scope for an OPRA request but what is the determining factor for a cleanup requiring a permit vs one that does not?
I really appreciate your help with this!
Yours sincerely,
Ben Ruset
Mr. Ruset:
There was a NJDEP sponsored and authorized clean up through the Watershed Ambassador Program that took place on November 24 in the Company Bogs area of Wharton State Forest. As a NJDEP sponsored event, this did not require a permit.
A Special Use Permit issued by the State Park Service would be required for any outside organized group that may be interested in volunteering on State Park Service land. This gives the department an opportunity to ensure that the activities are not in conflict with any other activities that may be taking place, to ensure appropriate insurance liability coverage, and to determine if any additional internal reviews are required.
Hopefully the above relates to your interest.
Matthew J. Coefer, Chief Records Custodian
NJDEP – Office of Record Access
(609) 633-1339