New Jersey Responds to
Incoming Trash From New York

"Throughout my administration the environment has been a focus of many of our efforts," said Gov. Whitman. "I will continue to demand that clean air, water and beaches remain a priority and in pledging that, I am stepping up the monitoring of truck emissions in the areas impacted by the trash relocation, and also I want to make sure that our "trash net" program is actively monitoring trucks in Essex, Hudson and Union Counties."

"While the Supreme Court has indicated that we are unable to prevent the shipping of trash into our state, we do have the right to ensure that it does not place a burden on the quality of life of our citizens and our living environment," said the Governor. "I will do everything in my power to make sure that New Jerseyans continue to reap the benefits of living in New Jersey, where so much progress has been made in quality of life issues."

"New York should not place an unfair burden of its solid waste responsibilities on the shoulders of New Jerseyans. I will be active in holding New York to its commitment for a three-year short term plan and beyond that want to emphasize that the majority of New York's trash should be handled in the Empire State," the Governor continued. "I will continue to work with local authorities and county environmental health agencies to actively champion the interest of New Jerseyans."

In response to New York's short term plan to truck solid waste to four disposal site in New Jersey, the Governor has asked for the expansion of clean air tests and safety inspections to the areas where trucks will be traveling. Governor Whitman also pledged to secure the least disruptive routes and hours of transport for New York's intended trash shipments. The Governor is also asking that the focus of regulatory and enforcement efforts be on transfer and disposal facilities to ensure that the operations comply with permit standards and public health, safety and environmental protection regulations are being met.

New Jersey's "trash net" program is coordinated through the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation and the NJ State Police. The program was initiated to heighten and focus safety and regulatory inspection of the solid waste trucking industry. State officials check vehicle registration, safety, driver's "hours of operations" limitations and DEP reporting, record keeping and decaling requirements.

Emissions will be strictly monitored through the efforts of the heavy-duty diesel inspection program. The program was initiated last year and is conducted at mobile inspection stations run by the Division of Motor Vehicles and the NJ State Police.