FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2014
DEP, DOT REACH
AGREEEMENT TO OPTIMIZE PETROLEUM CLEANUP PROGRAM
~Agreement to make
petroleum rehabilitation more efficient and economical reached~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Department of Transportation
(DOT) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding that augments current
collaboration between the two agencies to prioritize environmental assessment
in areas critical to the expansion of vital transportation corridors. The
agreement also ensures taxpayer funds used to remediate petroleum sites located
under state roads are optimally utilized.
The two agencies have
agreed to share knowledge and expertise related to the environmental assessment
and remediation of petroleum sites that are located next to state roads or in
the path of critical road expansions. Both agencies agree to utilize and
leverage existing resources to prioritize the environmental assessment of
petroleum sites located within the right-of-way of DOT’s most important
transportation corridor expansions so DEP can determine the degree of
remediation that may be necessary prior to road construction.
“This agreement is a win
for Florida’s environment, infrastructure and Florida taxpayers,” said DEP
Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “It is great to have Secretary Prasad, who's been an instrumental partner in environmental restoration. We look forward to strengthening our
partnership with DOT and seeing our state continue to grow in an
environmentally responsible way.”
In addition, both agencies
agree certain petroleum sites where contamination lies under a state road may
not require active remediation. In these cases, the road acts as a barrier to
prevent all access to contaminated soil and/or groundwater. The cost savings
achieved by DEP will be put into remediating sites where the potential risk to
human health and the environment is greater.
FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad said, “Today’s announcement
further illustrates the department’s commitment to strengthen our
infrastructure while being good stewards of Florida’s natural resources. Through
the Memorandum of Understanding, both agencies will work together to positively
impact Florida’s transportation and environmental future.”
The agreement comes at a
time when Florida is achieving solid growth rates and future investments in
road expansions are critical to ensure the state’s infrastructure can
accommodate economic growth. This follows the recent revamping by DEP and the
legislature of the state’s Petroleum Restoration Program that funds the
remediation of sites affected by releases of petroleum compounds.
“The new Memorandum of
Understanding marks an important step forward in our ongoing collaboration with
DOT,” said Jorge Caspary, director of DEP’s Division of Waste Management. “We
look forward to working more closely with DOT as we continue efforts to close
more petroleum contamination sites across the state.”
To view the Memorandum of Understanding click HERE.
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