What is a baseline ecological evaluation?
A critical part of every site investigation is the baseline ecological evaluation required in N.J.A.C. 7:26E-3.11.16 The Technical Requirements for Site Remediation require each person conducting the remediation of a contaminated site or area of concern to conduct a baseline ecological evaluation as part of the process to ensure that the resulting remedy is protective of the environment. The Department uses the information that the person is already required to collect in the baseline ecological evaluation as the first step in determining whether or not natural resource injuries potentially exist as a result of a discharge at a site. In the baseline ecological evaluation, the person responsible for conducting the remediation must determine whether or not any natural resources may have been injured by a discharge.
