Recovery and rebuilding after superstorm Sandy is the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection's No. 1 priority, according to a DEP internal email.
Here is the email from DEP Deputy Commissioner Irene Kropp, and please let me know what you think of it:
-----Original Message-----
From: postmaster
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 3:17 PM
Subject: Recovery and Rebuilding in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy
As we transition from the initial response phase into recovery from
Superstorm Sandy, we find ourselves at a critical point as we move forward with rebuilding our state. Governor Christie's vision for New Jersey is to build a stronger, more resilient state that provides greater protections for our residents, communities, environment, and economy. In support of the Governor's vision, Commissioner Martin has established that the recovery and rebuilding of New Jersey is DEP's number one priority.
Many of you already work closely on recovery and rebuilding issues. Commissioner Martin and his Executive Team would like to thank everyone who has and is taking part in these efforts. During the storm we had a large contingent of staff serving at the Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC), many of whom never served in this role before. We focused on the immediate impacts of Superstorm Sandy in a variety of ways, including coordinating fuel and generator needs to wastewater and water supply facilities, recovering hazardous containers, providing assistance to communities, and minimizing impacts to the environment. After the storm, staff volunteered to become "Points of Contact" (POCs) to establish direct dialogue with impacted municipalities so resources could be more effectively deployed.
One of the largest recovery efforts since the storm is managing removal of debris from our streets and waterways. Led by Jane Kozinski, staff have stepped up from different programs to work to get debris off the streets and properly disposed to ensure towns can begin their recovery and rebuilding as quickly as possible. Our next focus was identifying and removing wet debris from our waterways. Staff volunteers are manning boats to assist in waterway assessments so our recreational waters are safe for boating season and damaged habitats are rehabilitated.
Thank you to all who continue to volunteer and assist in these new initiatives and those of you focused on sustaining our day-to-day operations to protect our environment and the quality of life for those who live in and visit New Jersey.
Governor Christie has established an Office of Recovery and Rebuilding and asked key cabinet members to chair working groups on our rebuilding priorities. Commissioner Martin is chairing three statewide, interagency work groups: Environmental Infrastructure; Natural and Cultural Resources; and Statewide Hazard Mitigation. In the coming weeks and throughout the year ahead, many of you will participate in this rebuilding effort. The Commissioner has named several managers to lead these and other rebuilding efforts:
* Michele Siekerka leads the Environmental Infrastructure Working
Group on issues relating to drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and other critical infrastructure facilities.
* Rich Boornazian and Marilyn Lennon lead the Natural and Cultural Resources Working Group on issues relating to the natural environment, such as wetlands, beaches, and waterways, as well as state parks, historic sites, and boardwalks.
* Scott Brubaker leads the Statewide Hazard Mitigation Working Group that will ensure all rebuilding efforts maximize mitigation strategies-such as elevating or building stronger structures-into all rebuilding projects.
* Bob Marshall and Donna Mahon are coordinating with the Board of Public Utilities and industries on energy issues, and developing protocols to ensure projects comply with necessary environmental and historic preservation reviews.
* Mark Pedersen, Dave Rosenblatt, Scott Brubaker, and John Gray are liaisons to the Governor's Office of Recovery and Rebuilding to coordinate statewide efforts.
* Jane Kozinski and Dave Sweeney lead New Jersey's land-based and waterway debris removal efforts.
* David Barth and Dave Zimmer (NJEIT) lead efforts to prioritize projects for funding, to develop tracking for grant money, and to maximize our access and use of federal money for rebuilding.
Our previous Transformation and Strategic Goals efforts have provided us with tools to effectively manage the new challenges we face. I will continue to meet directly with programs in the upcoming months to expand our transformation, and better prepare us for our continued rebuilding efforts. We need to reevaluate how we use information technology, streamline permitting, eliminate permit backlogs, and use other methods to enable us to maximize our resources. We also are using our comprehensive Barnegat Bay sampling to understand the ecological impacts of Superstorm Sandy to aid in prioritizing restoration work. We continue to use our community engagement tools and partnerships through our Overburdened Communities and Environmental Justice work to reach impacted communities. And we are organizing much of our work under a Comprehensive Regional Environmental Management approach to ensure our decisions are holistic in application.
The Commissioner and I ask for the continued support of all DEP staff as we rebuild a more resilient New Jersey. Again, Commissioner Martin's number one priority is supporting the recovery and rebuilding of our communities, and every effort will be made to put our time, experience, expertise and resources to use in meeting this priority.
Irene Kropp
Deputy Commissioner
