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What is it?

In Summer 2022, DEP began a pilot project for compliance evaluations using a platform called ARInspect. The platform consists of a Mobile Inspection Application (the App) and an Online Portal (the Portal), which are integrated with DEP systems and accessible from anywhere. LTE Tablets and cloud-connectivity allow inspection results to be processed and shared rapidly, minimizing the notification time for non-compliant inspections. This improves time-to-compliance following the discovery of a violation, makes inspection results clear and accessible, and adds efficiency to the inspection process.

The platform provides a one-stop compliance hub for inspectors and regulated businesses to communicate and share information. can be transmitted immediately to the regulated entity where the Department has an appropriate email address on file. Violations are itemized and easy to track, with supporting information on hand, and messaging between DEP Inspectors and Business Representatives only a click away. This approach streamlines the exchange of compliance documents and communication, consolidating several channels into one streamlined interface.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1667834883793{margin-right: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”]

Who is Affected?

Current Inspection Types:

  • TOU – SW/HW Vehicles and Container Inspections; Currently, the Department’s Transportation Oversight Unit is using a newly developed Smart Inspection platform called ARInspect for Solid and Hazardous Waste vehicle and container inspections. Only non-compliant inspections of this type will result in a notification email. As the initiative advances we expect to invite NJ County partners to adopt the platform for their Solid Waste Transportation inspections.
  • NJPDES – Storm Water General Permit Authorization: NJ Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) General Permit inspections were recently added to the smart inspection platform. These permits apply to specific and common classes of wastewater discharge and contain a pre-determined set of permit requirements (as opposed to individual permits). General Permit inspection support is in early stages of field usage, but anticipated to increase after June 2022.

 

What Should I Expect?

Keep an eye out for Notification emails from DEP if you are subject to the inspection types listed above. Following the first inspection completed using the platform, initial “Welcome” emails are sent to email addresses either already on file at DEP or those recorded during the interview portion of an inspection. Notification emails are sent from a dep.nj.gov email address, and contain a link to our portal (hosted by ARInspect). Using the portal, regulated entities or their representatives may confirm registration of their email address as a “compliance contact.” After registration your inspection results can be reviewed, messages can be exchanged, and compliance responses (including attachments) may be submitted. The access link can be shared to facilitate your delegation of duties to compliance officer employees, who may register their own account. The link grants registrants access to the specific compliance hub for a given facility and inspection type.  Compliance contacts will then have access to any inspections, enforcement documents, and follow-up tasks resulting from inspections done on the mobile app. Multiple compliance contacts can be added for each DEP Inspection type, and each compliance contact can be associated to multiple inspection types. This way, you can have backup compliance contacts, and track results from multiple DEP media programs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”202″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1667495641800{margin-right: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1667834910421{margin-right: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”]The “Follow-Up” section of the portal (displayed above) provides a response hub where violations and compliance response submittals may be managed. Adding documentation is as simple as dragging and dropping files, replacing the traditional process of submitting a certified compliance response on paper. There’s also advantages over email, as the hub will allow alternate DEP enforcement staff to access and respond to your questions and compliance response where the need arises. Submittals made on the portal are automatically saved to DEP’s system, and any violation records are updated accordingly. Complete reports of inspection results will also be available (soon to come) and would include any photos or videos recorded during the inspection, helping facility compliance staff identify specific areas of concern.


When is This Happening?

For the Transportation Oversight Unit, over 1,000 Inspections have already been conducted in the first few months of release. For this inspection type, only inspections with Follow-Up assignments will result in notification emails. An “opt-in” feature is in development for those who want to receive notifications for all inspection activities at their facility.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1667576193318{margin-right: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”]

Potential Inspection Types Currently Being Considered for Mobile Inspection App

Additional inspection types will be added as the platform functions can be expanded to other media programs. The DEP has a Smart Inspection Initiative webpage which will be updated for additional inspection types and more information as it becomes available.

  • — Individual Water Permits
  • — Land Use Permit Application Review
  • — Land Use Incident Investigation
  • — Hazardous Waste <10-Day Hazardous Waste Transfer Facilities and <35-Day Used Oil Transfer Facilities

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More Information

DEP will update information on our website as new inspection types are brought online. For those subject to the listed inspection types, be advise that not all inspections of a listed types will be completed using the mobile application, in case of technical or other factors. Regulated Entities are not required to respond to violations cited by DEP using the online portal at this time. Use of the portal is voluntary and is intended to provide convenience and enhanced communication. Traditional lines of communication for compliance response remain open.


Who to Contact

For those with questions related to inspections which have occurred, notification emails, and the online portal, the best option is to contact your inspector directly via the instructions in the notification email.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]