Straight answers on what an LSRP engagement costs in New Jersey and how long each SRRA milestone takes — before you fill out anything.
How much does an LSRP cost in New Jersey?
Most NJ LSRP engagements fall into three tiers: a Preliminary Assessment / limited oversight runs roughly $3,500–$8,500; a full Site Investigation with a handful of soil and groundwater sampling points typically lands between $12,000 and $35,000; and Remedial Investigation through Response Action Outcome on a mid-sized commercial or industrial site generally ranges from $40,000 to $150,000+. Envicon quotes a fixed scope-based fee after reviewing the Preliminary Assessment findings — no open-ended hourly billing.
Are LSRP fees billed hourly or as a fixed fee?
NJDEP does not set LSRP rates. Hourly rates in NJ typically run $175–$275/hr for the LSRP of record, but Envicon prefers fixed, scope-based fees tied to defined SRRA deliverables (PA report, SI report, RIR, RAO) so property owners, lenders, and buyers can underwrite the cleanup with predictable numbers.
How much does a Response Action Outcome (RAO) cost?
The RAO itself is a signed document, not a line item — the cost is driven by everything that had to happen to earn it. For an Unrestricted Use RAO on a clean-closed UST or small spill, all-in costs commonly run $15,000–$45,000. Restricted Use RAOs with a Deed Notice or engineering controls typically fall between $60,000 and $200,000+ depending on media impacted and remedy selected.
How long does it take to get an RAO in NJ?
Simple, well-defined sites (single UST removal, limited soil impact) can reach an Unrestricted Use RAO in 6–12 months. Sites requiring Remedial Investigation, groundwater delineation, or a remedial action plan generally take 2–4 years. SRRA hard deadlines cap most milestones — PA within 1 year, SI within 2, RI within 5 of the trigger date — so an experienced LSRP sequences work to hit those checkpoints.
What NJDEP fees do I pay on top of LSRP fees?
Owners are responsible for NJDEP's annual remediation fee (currently $560 per case), Deed Notice filing fees where applicable, form-specific submission fees on the NJDEP portal, and — if Direct Oversight is triggered — a Remediation Funding Source (typically a surety bond, letter of credit, or 10% cash trust of estimated remediation cost). Envicon lists these separately on every proposal.
Can I close a NJ UST case faster with an LSRP?
Yes. Since SRRA, LSRPs issue the closure directly instead of waiting on NJDEP case-manager review, which historically added 12–24 months. A straightforward heating-oil UST removal with clean post-excavation sampling can be RAO-closed within 60–120 days of fieldwork when the LSRP is engaged before the tank is pulled.
Do I need an LSRP for an ISRA transaction and how long does it take?
Yes — ISRA (Industrial Site Recovery Act) applies to the sale, transfer, or closure of certain industrial establishments and requires an LSRP-signed submission. A General Information Notice and Remediation Certification can be filed within 30–45 days of engagement, allowing the transaction to close while remediation continues under an LSRP-supervised Remediation Cost Review and Remediation Funding Source.
What drives the biggest cost swings on an NJ cleanup?
Four factors dominate: (1) groundwater impact vs. soil-only, (2) whether historic fill is present and how it's characterized, (3) proximity to sensitive receptors like wetlands, surface water, or vapor-intrusion targets, and (4) remedy selection — excavation and off-site disposal is faster but expensive, while in-situ treatment or capping with a Deed Notice is cheaper but leaves institutional controls on title.
