View the entire newsletter for more articles: 2024 – NJAC County Biz – December
by Christopher R. Schmitt, LSRP, CHMM, ENV-SP, Senior Consultant-Sustainable Communities, GZA
A few years ago, my son came to me and asked what I do in my job. This was a real eye-opener for me, because, as I’d been an environmental consultant for over thirty years, so I just assumed he knew. Over the next several years I endeavored to sharpen my focus on the reality of his question and to ensure my work was important in creating a future for him. Now, as the Senior Consultant for Sustainable Communities at GZA GeoEnvironmental, I have my young adult son interning with me. Although it’s been challenging to find compromise in the best ways to balance climate adaptation and mitigation needs with economic realities, we have succeeded by addressing the combined cultural, social, environmental and financial needs of the communities we serve. This win-win of working with my son takes the meaningful collaboration of today and helps us work toward a sustainable future.
It seems like I’m not alone in thinking about the future. NJDEP recently enacted new requirements for the Discharge Prevention Containment and Countermeasure plan (DPCC). The regulations at N.J.A.C. 7:1E now require that Major Facilities prepare a Climate Resiliency Plan. Generally, Major Facilities store large quantities of hazardous and/or petroleum products. The Climate Resiliency plan must address the facility’s ability to withstand the adverse effects of climate change, such as increased precipitation, flooding, sea level rise, extreme cold, heat, and wind. County officials need to be aware of the Climate Resiliency plan requirement so that the regulations can be enforced, that businesses increase their resiliency against climate change and that constituents are safeguarded from potential harm caused by climate adversely affecting a Major Facility.
I have prepared Climate Resiliency plans for oil refineries and bulk oil storage terminals and the results have been comprehensive contingencies to protect workers, neighbors and communities from the adverse effects of climate change. Planned changes to facilities have included greater stormwater storage capacity, redundant electrical systems, increased berm heights to protect against flooding, and meaningful public participation to keep communities informed and engaged. Climate Resiliency plans maximize a corporation’s ability to keep their business operating, keep their workers employed, stay profitable, and be a good corporate neighbor in their communities.
In looking at the recent work I have done in preparing Climate Resiliency plans, I realized that my son’s question from years ago, in essence, was that he was asking me what my resiliency plan was. I could see the parallel of how New Jersey counties could work with their Major Facilities to ensure a successful future for their constituents through creating Climate Resiliency plans, and the direct benefit of a Climate Resiliency plan that can keep business operating successfully, now and in the future for everyone’s benefit.
Christopher Schmitt, LSRP, CHMM, ENV SP is an environmental scientist and senior consultant for sustainable communities at GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. in Hammonton, NJ.