COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN for the LOWER PASSAIC RIVER
JULY 2017
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN for the LOWER PASSAIC RIVER
JULY 2017
Prepared by:
LOUIS BERGER 412 MOUNT KEMBLE AVENUE MORRISTOWN, NJ 07962-1946 +1.973.407.1000 TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... IV COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ...... 20 INTRODUCTION ...... 2 3.1 Highlights of Community Involvement to Date ...... 20 OVERVIEW 4 3.2 Timeline of Major Community 1.1 Purpose of the Community Involvement Activities ...... 21 Involvement Plan ...... 4 3.3 Overview of 2016 Community 1.2 Scope of the Community Interview Process ...... 22 Involvement Plan ...... 5 3.4 Key Community Concerns ...... 22 1.3 Agency Partnerships and 3.4.1 Superfund Cleanup Activity Concerns 22 Legal Authorities ...... 6 3.4.2 Redevelopment and River Access Concerns 23 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...... 8 3.4.3 Health and Quality of Life Concerns 23 3.4.4 Outreach Concerns and Suggestions 23 2.1 History of Contamination ...... 8 2.2 Description of Project Area ...... 10 2.3 Project Activities ...... 12 COMMUNITY PROFILE ...... 24 2.4 The Cleanup Plan for the Lower 8.3 Miles 14 4.1 Land Use Characteristics and 2.5 Next Steps ...... 15 Infrastructure ...... 24 4.1.1 Redevelopment 25 2.6 Remedial Design (RD) and Remedial Action (RA) ...... 16 4.1.2 Transportation Infrastructure 25 2.7 Long-term Monitoring and Maintenance .18 4.1.3 Drinking Water, Sewers and Power 25 4.1.4 Flood Control 26 2.8 Local Workforce Participation During Construction . . . 19 4.1.5 Recreation 26 4.2 Population and Demographics . . . . .26 4.2.1 Population 27 4.2.2 Age 27 4.2.3 Household Income 27 4.2.4 Race and Ethnicity 28 4.2.5 Immigrant and Minority Population and Linguistic Trends 28 4.2.6 Environmental Justice 29 4.2.7 Education 29
iv COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 5.2.14 Public Meetings and ACTION PLAN ...... 30 Public Information Sessions 38 5.2.15 Public Notices 38 5.1 Communication Goals ...... 31 5.2.16 Public Service Announcements (PSAs) 39 Goal 1: Be Appropriate 31 5.2.17 Project Site Visits/Tours 39 Goal 2: Be Understandable 31 5.2.18 Project Roadmap 39 Goal 3: Be Responsive 31 5.2.19 Project Websites 40 Goal 4: Be Accurate 31 5.2.20 School/Educational Outreach 40 5.2 Community Involvement Tools 5.2.21 Social Media 40 and Outreach ...... 32 5.2.22 Superfund Jobs Training Initiative 5.2.1 Community Advisory Group (CAG) 34 (Super JTI) 41 5.2.2 Community Events 34 5.2.23 Surveys/Focus Groups 41 5.2.3 Coordination with Local Government 5.2.24 Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) 41 and Other Agencies 34 5.2.25 Technical Assistance Services for 5.2.4 Door-to-Door Notifications 35 Communities (TASC) Program 42 5.2.5 Email 35 5.2.26 Toll-free Hotline 42 5.2.6 Fact Sheets 35 5.3 Evaluation of Outreach ...... 43 5.2.7 Field Notifications 36 5.2.8 Information Repositories 36 5.2.9 Maps and Visual Aids 36 5.2.10 Media Notification/Media Events 37 5.2.11 Newsletters 37 5.2.12 Public Comment Period 37 5.2.13 Public Input 38
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER v LIST OF TABLES APPENDICES
Table 1 Agency Missions 6 Appendix 1 Abbreviations and Acronyms A-2 Table 2 Relevant Federal Legal Authorities 7 Appendix 2 Glossary A-4 Table 3 Contaminants of Concern 9 Appendix 3 Partner Agency Contacts A-10 Table 4 Diamond Alkali Superfund Appendix 4 Community Advisory Group A-12 Site Project Activities 12 Appendix 5 Elected Officials: Federal A-14 Table 5 Steps in the Superfund Process 15 Appendix 6 Elected Officials: State A-16 Table 6 Timeline of Remedial Design for Appendix 7 Elected Officials: Local A-18 Lower 8.3 Miles of Lower Passaic River 16 Appendix 8 Cooperating Parties A-20 Table 7 Major Community Involvement Activities 21 Appendix 9 Regional Authorities Contacts A-22 Table 8 Demographic Summary Statistics 28 Appendix 10 Stakeholder Groups A-24 Table 9 Keys Tools 32 Appendix 11 Potential Meeting Locations A-28 Appendix 12 Information Repositories A-30 Appendix 13 Media List A-32 Appendix 14 Seasonal Events and Activities A-34 LIST OF FIGURES Appendix 15 Fish and Shellfish Advisories A-36 Appendix 16 Community Interview Questions Figure 1 Project Location Map 2 (2005, 2016) and Interview Summary (2014) A-42 Figure 2 The Lower 8.3 Mile Cleanup Area 11 Appendix 17 Example Fact Sheets A-52 Figure 3 Examples of Caps 14 Appendix 18 Legal Authorities A-58 Figure 4 Race in the Eight Municipalities 27 Appendix 19 Works Consulted A-62
vi COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Newark, NJ nighttime skyline on the Passaic River
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 1 INTRODUCTION
In March 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency In March 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a cleanup plan for the lower 8.3 miles of (EPA) finalized a cleanup plan the Passaic River. This project is part of a comprehensive for the lower 8.3 miles of the strategy to clean up the 17-mile stretch of the Lower Passaic River. This project is part of a comprehensive strategy to Passaic River, from Dundee Dam to Newark Bay. clean up the 17-mile stretch of the Lower Passaic River, from Dundee Dam to Newark Bay. The Lower Passaic River and Newark Bay are part of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site. Under Superfund law and EPA policy and practice, people whose lives are impacted by hazardous waste sites have a voice in the cleanup process. The agency is committed to involving the public and providing opportunities for participation so that people have a say in what happens in their communities.
This Community Involvement Plan (CIP) is the latest effort in the ongoing public outreach about the Passaic River cleanup. The first CIP for the 17-mile Lower Passaic Restoration Project and Newark Bay Study was released in 2006 and addressed outreach for the entire project area. As the project enters the design and construction phase for the lower 8.3-mile cleanup, the agency recognizes the need for a more targeted CIP. Although the plan’s Figure 1: Project Location Map
2 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER INTRODUCTION
recommendations may apply for interviews with residents, elected Acronyms are spelled out upon future cleanup of other portions officials, agency representatives first reference, and a full list is of the river and Newark Bay, this and other stakeholders in the provided in Appendix 1. The document is focused on outreach Lower Passaic River communities, Appendices are designed to for the lower 8.3 miles of the combined with feedback received serve as a resource guide for Passaic River, which extends during the multi-year site both the EPA and the community. from Newark Bay to the border investigation process and during Specific sections include EPA between the City of Newark and the public comment period on the and other agency contacts, local Belleville Township. EPA’s proposed cleanup plan. government contacts, where to find additional documents, As the EPA works on the details The CIP serves as a roadmap for a glossary of terms, and other of the design and implementation the EPA in providing opportunities relevant project background of the cleanup, the agency is for public information and input information. A Works Consulted committed to involving the public during the cleanup of the Passaic is listed in Appendix 19, as and keeping the community River. The CIP is an evolving individual citations are not informed about cleanup activities document and will be updated included in this CIP. Please note and how these activities may or revised as needed to ensure that bolded terms appear in impact them. In keeping with that opportunities for public Appendix 2 - Glossary. that commitment, this CIP has participation continue throughout been developed to facilitate the cleanup process. two-way dialogue between the communities affected by the This CIP contains the following Passaic River cleanup and the sections: EPA to encourage community 1. Overview involvement in site activities. 2. Project Background Specifically, the CIP provides an 3. Community Feedback overview of the outreach tools and 4. Community Profile techniques that the EPA uses to 5. Community Involvement share information and to inform Action Plan and involve the public during Sections may be read the cleanup process. It is based independently of each other. on several rounds of community Newark, NJ skyline on the Passaic River
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 3 OVERVIEW The EPA collaborated with a broad cross-section of stakeholders to The following section describes the purpose and scope gather their input on designing of the Community Involvement Plan (CIP) as well as a successful community involvement and outreach applicable legal authorities. program. This plan is based on the following information:
will periodically review, select, • Community interviews 1.1 (2005, 2014, and 2016) with and prioritize which tools and Purpose of the local residents, officials, Community activities to implement, based representatives from Involvement Plan on input from stakeholders and environmental and community in consideration of a number organizations and other This CIP is the foundation for of project management and interested parties. See the EPA’s Superfund Community community factors. Appendix 16. Involvement Program for the Historical information and records Lower Passaic River, from Dundee The plan’s purpose is to outline pertaining to community concerns Dam to Newark Bay. Based upon actions and activities that the (i.e., land use, redevelopment and the 2006 CIP, the plan has been EPA may undertake to encourage environmental justice). updated and revised to focus meaningful public engagement on the cleanup of the lower 8.3 during cleanup and restoration • The previous CIP for the miles of the Passaic River, from activities in the Lower Passaic Lower Passaic River/Newark Newark Bay to the Newark/ River. It is also designed to Bay (2006) and community Belleville border. It describes a assist the communities and involvement activities related to the Diamond Alkali site, which range of community involvement other stakeholders throughout was added to the National the project area to become more and outreach tools and activities Priorities List (NPL) in 1984 that EPA uses to communicate informed and involved in the with the community (described in project, especially with regard • Feedback received during the 2014 public comment period Section 5.1). Not all of the tools to the design and construction on the proposed cleanup for phase of the lower 8.3 miles of and activities will necessarily be the lower 8.3 miles of the river implemented. Rather, the EPA the river. and public meetings held during that time.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT GOALS • The EPA’s ongoing dialogue and communication with the • Provide the public with accurate, • Respect and give full Passaic River Community timely and understandable consideration to community input Advisory Group (CAG). information; and provide feedback to the public on how their concerns are • Facilitate opportunities for the addressed. public to give informed and meaningful input;
4 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER OVERVIEW
1.2 • The U.S. Army Corps of This plan offers options for Scope of the Engineers’ (Corps) federal community involvement mission areas, including Community and outreach, rather than a Involvement Plan ›› Restoration (i.e., the prescriptive approach. The overall Hudson-Raritan suggested outreach activities As discussed further in Section Estuary [HRE] Ecosystem and tools in the following pages 2, the EPA recognizes the Restoration Feasibility are flexible in nature and were unique nature of this project, Study), designed to appeal to multiple which affects a number of large ›› Water Resources audiences. The EPA recognizes communities. Given the Passaic Development Act (WRDA)- that not all outreach activities and River’s proximity to large, diverse authorized and Clean tools are suited for all groups. population centers and the Water Act (CWA)-regulated geographical extent of sediment navigation program Where possible, the CIP attempts contamination, a plan with activities to lay out a sequence of project broad-based public involvement ›› Dredged material activities. The EPA does not goals was developed. The tools management currently have the information and activities in this CIP are necessary to identify the precise • The NY/NJ Harbor Estuary not specifically targeted toward timing of all activities and Program (HEP) other state and federal cleanup opportunities for community and restoration efforts planned • State agency-run site cleanups involvement and outreach. or underway within the project on the industrial waterfront and Therefore, this CIP will remain a other relevant locations study area; however, this CIP is living document that will reviewed consistent and compatible with • Other EPA Superfund work in and updated as needed. Specific related efforts and initiatives, the study area time-line information on the major such as: project documents, decisions and All watershed-based improvement activities will be provided to the activities are best understood public through fact sheets, project as interrelated, with due website updates and email. consideration given to other efforts in the study area. Lower Passaic River Community Advisory Group (CAG)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 5 1.3 number of activities. See Table 1 was specifically authorized by Agency Partnerships for an overview of their individual a resolution of the Committee and Legal Authorities missions. For further discussion, on Transportation and refer to Appendix 18 – Legal Infrastructure of the U.S. House In 2003, the EPA formed a Authorities. of Representatives dated April partnership with the Corps, the 15, 1999. At a minimum, federal State of New Jersey, the National The study, remediation and agencies are required to conduct Oceanic and Atmospheric restoration activities of the public meetings to facilitate and Administration (NOAA) and the Lower Passaic River are being encourage public participation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted under a number of with regard to decisions that (USFWS) to conduct a joint federal laws and regulations, affect the quality of the human study that would bring each most notably the Comprehensive environment and cleanup. Please agency’s authorities to bear Environmental Response, see Table 2 below for a brief on the complex environmental Compensation, and Liability summary of relevant federal legal problems of the Lower Passaic Act of 1980 (CERCLA, commonly authorities. More comprehensive River. These agencies, referred known as Superfund) and the descriptions are provided in Water Resource Development Act to as “the Partner Agencies” Appendix 18. continue to collaborate on a (WRDA). The restoration study
Table 1: Agency Missions
AGENCY DESCRIPTION
U.S. Environmental To protect human health and the environment - air, water and land. EPA, state, local and tribal Protection Agency agencies work together to ensure compliance with environmental laws passed by Congress, state legislatures and tribal governments. EPA oversees numerous programs, including Superfund.
U.S. Army Corps of To provide vital public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen our Nation’s security, Engineers (Corps) energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters. Corps environmental cleanup programs focus on reducing risk and protecting human health and the environment in a timely and cost- effective manner. Corps focuses on three primary Civil Works Missions: 1) navigation; 2) flood risk management and 3) ecosystem restoration.
National Oceanic To understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans and coasts, to share that and Atmospheric knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine Administration (NOAA) ecosystems and resources.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife To conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing Service (USFWS) benefit of the American people.
New Jersey To protect the air, waters, land and natural and historic resources of the State of New Jersey to Department of ensure continued public benefit. The Department’s mission is advanced through effective and Environmental balanced implementation and enforcement of environmental laws to protect these resources and Protection (NJDEP) the health and safety of New Jersey’s residents.
6 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER OVERVIEW
Table 2: Relevant Federal Legal Authorities
LEGAL AUTHORITY LEAD AGENCY DESCRIPTION
The Comprehensive Environmental EPA leads the CERCLA or Superfund provides federal funding to clean Response, Compensation, and cleanup; Natural up hazardous waste sites as well as accidents, spills Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), Resource Trustees and other emergency releases of contaminants into the as amended by the Superfund lead the natural environment. Through CERCLA, the EPA is given authority Amendments and Reauthorization Act resource restoration to find the parties responsible for any release and assure (SARA), commonly called Superfund their cooperation in the cleanup. The regulation follows the “polluter pays principle,” which states that the parties who caused the pollution should ultimately pay for the cleanup, not the general public. Natural Resource Trustees are designated under CERCLA’s regulations to recover compensatory damages for injury to natural resources as well as reasonable costs of assessing injury.
The Water Resources Development The Corps WRDA is a piece of legislation that provides authorization Act (WRDA) for water resource projects to be studied, planned and developed by the Corps.
The National Environmental Policy All federal agencies NEPA requires federal agencies to integrate environmental Act (NEPA) values into their decision-making processes by considering the environmental impacts of, and reasonable alternatives to, their proposed actions.
Executive Order 12898: Federal All federal agencies This order directs federal agencies to address Actions to Address Environmental environmental and human health conditions in Justice in Minority Populations and minority and low-income communities to avoid the Low-Income Populations disproportionate placement of any adverse effects from federal policies and actions on these populations.
Old brick power generating station at the Passaic River and Paterson, NJ
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 7 PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Diamond Alkali Superfund Site is being cleaned up in phases. The site includes the former Diamond Alkali facility at 80-120 Lister Avenue in Newark; the 17-mile Lower Passaic River Study Area (including the lower 8.3 miles of the river); and the Newark Bay Study Area. The following section describes the history of the Lower Passaic River cleanup and the scientific issues it addresses.
2.1 authorized navigation channel During the study of the 17-mile History of from the river’s mouth at Newark Lower Passaic River, the EPA Contamination Bay to Wallington. By the end of determined that the sediments the nineteenth century, a multitude of the lower 8.3 miles of the The Passaic River was one of the of industrial operations, such as Lower Passaic River pose an major centers of the American manufactured gas plants, paper unacceptable risk to human industrial revolution starting two manufacturing and recycling health and the environment due centuries ago. The Dundee Dam, facilities, petroleum refineries, to the presence of a variety of constructed in the mid-nineteenth shipping, tanneries, creosote contaminants, most of which century, was originally conceived wood preservers, metal recyclers stay in the environment for a to provide water power to nearby and manufacturers of materials long time and bioaccumulate in businesses, supporting further such as rubber, rope, textiles, fish and crab. Table 3 describes industrialization along the banks paints and dyes, pharmaceuticals eight contaminants that pose the of the river. Along with the Dundee and chemicals, had located greatest potential risks to human Dam, another defining component along the river’s banks as cities and environmental health in the of the development and such as Newark and Paterson lower 8.3 miles. Therefore, the urbanization of the Lower Passaic grew. Industrial operations and EPA made a decision on a final River was the construction of a municipalities used the river for cleanup plan for the sediments navigable channel for commercial wastewater disposal. To date, of the lower 8.3 miles of the river, vessels. Between 1884 and 1915, over 100 industrial facilities have while the 17-mile Lower Passaic dredging projects authorized by been identified as potentially River study is ongoing. Congress and constructed by responsible for discharging the Corps created a federally contaminants into the river, including the contaminants of concern listed in Table 3.
8 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER PROJECT BACKGROUND
Table 3: Contaminants of Concern
AGENCY DESCRIPTION
Copper (Cu) Copper is a metal that enters the environment through releases from factories that make or use copper metal or compounds, leachate from landfills, combustion of fossil fuels, wood processing, fertilizer production and natural sources such as dust from soils, volcanoes and forest fires. Although copper is an essential dietary element at low levels for organisms, at higher levels it is highly toxic in aquatic environments and builds up in fish and shellfish. Copper can cause adverse effects in fish, invertebrates and amphibians. Copper also impacts growth, development and causes organ problems in birds and mammals.
DDT DDT is a pesticide that was banned for use in the U.S. in 1972. It was used widely to control insects on crops and to control mosquitoes that spread malaria. DDT and its breakdown products build up in fish and shellfish and can cause adverse reproductive effects such as eggshell thinning in birds.
Dieldrin Dieldrin is a pesticide that is no longer produced or used, but was once used extensively as an insecticide on crops or to control termites. It builds up in fish and shellfish. Dieldrin is highly toxic to aquatic crustaceans and fish. Dieldrin also causes liver damage, central nervous system effects, suppression of the immune system in mammals, and eggshell thinning in birds.
Dioxins and These chemicals are by-products of chemical manufacturing, combustion (either in natural or industrial Furans settings), metal processing and paper manufacturing. The dioxin compound known as 2,3,7,8-TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; the most toxic form) and others were byproducts in the manufacture of herbicides, including “Agent Orange,” a defoliant used in the Vietnam War. Dioxins build up in fish and shellfish. Toxic effects in humans include reproductive problems, problems in fetal development or early childhood, immune system damage and cancer. In fish and wildlife, effects include developmental and reproductive problems, hemorrhaging and immune system problems.
Lead (Pb) Lead occurs naturally in the environment, but most of the higher levels found in the environment come from mining or factories that use lead compounds. Lead is also released into the air during burning of coal, oil or waste. Lead does not build up in fish and shellfish. Lead can cause muscular and neurological effects in fish. It is also toxic to invertebrates and can cause damage to the nervous system in birds and mammals.
Mercury (Hg) Mercury is a metal that comes from a variety of sources, including metals processing, burning of coal, improper disposal of medical and other wastes, industrial effluent discharge and atmospheric deposition. Exposure to methylmercury (one type of mercury) most commonly occurs when people eat fish and shellfish that have high levels of methylmercury in their tissues. Mercury builds up in fish and shellfish. Toxic effects in humans include developmental and reproductive problems, and effects on the brain, nervous system and kidneys. In birds and mammals, mercury can cause effects in the central nervous system.
PAHs Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals that are a major component of petroleum products, and are formed during incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, wood or other substances. PAH molecules are composed of two or more carbon and hydrogen rings. There are more than 100 different PAHs, which generally occur as complex mixtures. PAHs do not build up in fish and shellfish. PAHs are toxic to invertebrates and cause inhibited reproduction, delayed emergence, sediment avoidance and mortality. In fish, PAHs cause liver abnormalities and impairment of the immune system. PAHs can cause adverse effects on reproduction, development and immunity in birds and mammals.
PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are manufactured chemicals that were used widely as coolants in transformer oils, and also in the manufacture of paints, caulking and building material until they were banned in the late 1970s. PCBs are mixtures of up to 209 compounds (or congeners). Some commercial PCB mixtures are known in the U.S. by their industrial trade name, Aroclor. PCBs build up in fish and shellfish. Children exposed to PCBs may develop learning and behavioral problems later in life. PCBs are known to adversely impact the immune system and may cause cancer in people who have been exposed to them over a long time. In birds and mammals, PCBs can cause various health effects, including: anemia; liver, stomach and thyroid gland injuries; and immune system, behavioral and reproductive problems.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 9 2.2 isolates the Upper Passaic River Description of from the tidal mixing of sediments Project Area that influences the lower portion of the river, and at the lower end The Lower Passaic River Study by the confluence of the Lower Area in northeastern New Jersey Passaic River and Newark Bay. is the 17-mile, tidal portion of the Passaic River, from the river’s This CIP focuses on the lower confluence with Newark Bay at 8.3 miles of the Lower Passaic River Mile (RM) 0 to Dundee Dam River, which extend from RM 0 to at RM 17.4, and its watershed, RM 8.3 near the border between including the Saddle River (RM the City of Newark and Belleville 15.6), Third River (RM 11.3), and Township. Second River (RM 8.1). This area is bounded at the upper end by the Dundee Dam, which physically
Passaic River at 1st Street, Newark, NJ
10 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Figure 2: The Lower 8.3 Mile Cleanup Area
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 11 2.3 Table 4 lists project activities within the Lower Passaic River Study Area Project Activities to provide context for the lower 8.3-mile cleanup.
Table 4: Diamond Alkali Superfund Site Project Activities
DATE ACTIVITY
1940s Manufacturing facility located at 80 Lister Avenue, Newark, NJ begins producing DDT and phenoxy herbicides.
1951- The Diamond Alkali Company (subsequently known as the Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Company) owns and 1969 operates a pesticides manufacturing facility at 80 Lister Avenue. In 1960, an explosion destroys several plant processes; also in 1960, production limited to herbicides, including those used in the formulation of the defoliant “Agent Orange’’. Diamond Alkali Company ceases operations in 1969.
1970- 80 Lister Avenue goes through a series of new ownerships and production processes. 1983
1976 Congress authorizes the Corps to begin flood control study for the Passaic River Basin under the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA).
1982 NJDEP releases fishing advisories for reduced consumption of white perch and white catfish in the Passaic River. A portion of the river abutting 80 Lister Avenue is closed for commercial fishing of American eel and striped bass.
1983 NJDEP and the EPA collect samples; high levels of dioxin are detected in the Passaic River and at/around the 80 Lister Avenue property. Diamond Alkali site proposed by the EPA to the Superfund NPL. Fish advisories begin for the Passaic River and Newark Bay.
1984 NJDEP signs an agreement with the Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Company to perform an investigation of 80 Lister Avenue. Site finalized on the Superfund NPL. Site investigation of 80 Lister Avenue begins. NJDEP signs an agreement with Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Company to perform cleanup of select dioxin-contaminated properties and to perform an investigation of 120 Lister Avenue.
1985- NJDEP releases investigation results and cleanup options for 80 and 120 Lister Avenue properties to the public. 1986
1987 The EPA and NJDEP hold public meeting to discuss the Proposed Plan for cleanup. EPA selects an interim cleanup plan (Record of Decision [ROD]) for the 80 and 120 Lister Avenue portion of the Diamond Alkali Superfund site, requiring the containment of contaminated materials.
1990 The federal court approves an agreement among Occidental Chemical Corporation, as successor to Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Company, and Chemical Land Holdings, Inc. (now known as Tierra Solutions, Inc.) and EPA and NJDEP to implement the 1987 interim cleanup plan. Corps receives Congressional WRDA authorization for the Joseph G. Minish Passaic Waterfront Park and Historic Area flood control study as an element of the Passaic River Flood Damage Reduction Project.
1993 The Passaic River portion of the Diamond Alkali Superfund site transferred from state lead under NJDEP to federal lead under the EPA.
1994 The EPA posts trilingual fishing advisory signs along the banks of the Passaic River near the former Diamond Alkali facility. The EPA and Occidental Chemical Corporation sign an agreement for the company to investigate the lower six-mile stretch of the Passaic River under EPA oversight. Demolition of buildings at 80 Lister Avenue is completed.
1996- The EPA, at the request of the local community, explores the potential for implementing an alternative to the interim 1999 cleanup plan selected in 1987. Alternative plan not found. EPA reviews and approves design of the 1987 interim cleanup plan.
12 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER PROJECT BACKGROUND
DATE ACTIVITY
1999 NJDEP releases investigation results and cleanup options for 80 and 120 Lister Avenue properties to the public.
2000 The Corps initiates a Reconnaissance Study for the HRE Study Area and identifies the Lower Passaic River as a priority site. Under EPA oversight, interim cleanup begins at the 80-120 Lister Avenue portion of Diamond Alkali Superfund site, which includes installation of a cap, slurry wall and flood wall around the properties and groundwater pumping and treatment.
2001 Interim cleanup plan is completed at the 80-120 Lister Avenue portion of Diamond Alkali Superfund site, under EPA oversight. The Corps completes the Reconnaissance Study for the HRE.
2002 The Urban Rivers Restoration Initiative is launched; the EPA and Corps sign a National Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of coordinating the planning and execution of urban river cleanup and restoration.
2003 The six-mile study of Lower Passaic River is expanded to include the extent of contamination in the lower 17-miles of the Lower Passaic River. State and federal trustees sign a Memorandum of Agreement for NRDA and Restoration for the Diamond Alkali Superfund site and environs. The EPA, the Corps, and the State of New Jersey sign a Project Management Plan for the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project. A feasibility cost sharing agreement is signed by the Corps and the State of New Jersey. The Passaic River is selected as one of eight national pilot projects of the Urban Rivers Restoration Initiative.
2004 The EPA enters into an agreement with 31 potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to fund the Superfund portion of the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project (the 17-mile Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study). Additional PRPs added to the agreement in 2005 and 2007, resulting in a group of over 70 PRPs named the Cooperating Parties Group (CPG). The EPA and Occidental Chemical Corporation enter into an agreement for the company to conduct a multi-year study of contamination in the Newark Bay Study Area with EPA oversight.
2007 The EPA enters into another agreement with the CPG for them to take over performing the 17-mile Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study under EPA oversight.
2008 An agreement among the EPA, Occidental Chemical Corporation and Tierra is signed under which Occidental Chemical Corporation agrees to remove, in two phases, a total of 200,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the portion of the river directly in front of the former Diamond Alkali facility in downtown Newark (action known as the Tierra Removal).
2012 Phase I of the Tierra Removal is completed. The EPA and the CPG sign an agreement for a time-critical removal action at a mudflat in Lyndhurst to address the risks posed by high concentrations of dioxins, PCBs and other contaminants (action known as the River Mile 10.9 Removal).
2013 The Passaic River becomes one of the new locations selected for the Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP). This partnership will reconnect urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts to improve our nation’s water systems and promote their economic, environmental and social benefits. The EPA and Corps are co-leads for the Lower Passaic River UWFP location.
2014 Dredging and capping for the River Mile 10.9 Removal are completed (except for where water supply line runs under river). The comprehensive site investigation reports and proposed cleanup plan for the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River are released to the public for comment.
2016 The EPA selects a final cleanup plan (in a Record of Decision) for the sediments of the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River. The EPA signs an agreement with Occidental Chemical Corporation for the company to perform the remedial design of the lower 8.3-mile cleanup, with EPA oversight.
2017 The HRE Draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment was released recommending up to 33 restoration sites in the NY/NJ Harbor including five sites within the Lower Passaic River.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 13 2.4 The Cleanup Plan for the Lower 8.3 Miles In March 2016, the EPA selected a final cleanup plan for the sediments of the lower 8.3 miles of the river. The selected plan was based on the Proposed Plan and consideration of the comments received during the public comment period.
The major components of the $1.38 billion cleanup plan include the following:
• Capping the entire lower 8.3 miles of the river bank-to-bank to isolate the contamination in the sediment and prevent it from entering the food chain.
• Dredging 3.5 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment to prevent the cap from making flooding worse and to allow continued commercial use of the navigation channel in the 1.7 miles closest to Newark Bay.
• Barging or pumping dredged materials for dewatering to a sediment processing facility in the vicinity of the Lower Passaic River/Newark Bay shoreline.
• Transporting dewatered materials from the sediment processing facility to permitted treatment facilities and landfills in the U.S. and Canada.
• Long-term monitoring and maintenance of the engineered Figure 3: cap. Long-term monitoring Examples of Caps of fish, crab, river water and sediment quality. Enhanced outreach to improve awareness of fish and crab consumption advisories.
14 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER PROJECT BACKGROUND
2.5 Next Steps
Table 5 below describes steps in the Superfund cleanup process. The cleanup of the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River is at Step 6. Steps 7, 8 and 9 are forthcoming.
Table 5: Steps in the Superfund Process
STEP NAME DESCRIPTION
1 Preliminary The PA/SI involves a records review, site visits and limited soil and groundwater Assessment/ Site sampling to determine whether the site warrants further investigation. Investigation (PA/SI)
2 National Priorities List The NPL is a federal list of the most serious sites identified for long-term cleanup. (NPL) Listing When the EPA proposes to add a site to the NPL, the agency publishes a public notice about its intention in the Federal Register and issues a public notice through the local media to notify the community.
3 Remedial The RI/FS involves more comprehensive sampling to identify the nature and extent Investigation and of contamination at the site. The remedial investigation helps to determine the need Feasibility Study (RI/ for and extent of cleanup that might be required. The feasibility study identifies, FS) describes and evaluates various alternatives for cleaning up the site. For complex sites, the EPA may do a Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) as part of an early action PAST to achieve significant risk reduction quickly or expedite the completion of total site cleanup.
4 EPA Proposed Plan The Proposed Plan identifies the EPA’s preferred alternative for cleanup and and Public Comment describes the other alternatives considered. Public meetings are held and Period comments are solicited and recorded.
5 Record of Decision The ROD documents the selected cleanup remedy and includes a response to (ROD) public comments.
6 Remedial Design During RD, the specific engineering aspects of the remedy selected in the ROD are (RD) designed, including land use controls, etc.
7 Remedial Action (RA) The RA is the actual construction or implementation phase of Superfund site cleanup.
8 Long term operation Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the remedy ensure that the cleanup and maintenance remains effective in protecting human health and the environment in the long-term.
9 Deletion from the A site may be deleted from the NPL when the final ROD requirements are attained FUTURE NPL (the remedial objectives) and the site is fully protective of human health and the environment.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 15 2.6 HOW TO GET INVOLVED DURING THE Remedial Design (RD) and CLEANUP DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Remedial Action (RA) • Learn about the design for the cleanup by Remedial design (RD) is the phase in Superfund site attending public events or reading the information cleanup where the technical specifications for the the EPA distributes. cleanup are designed. During this phase, the EPA will consider community preferences expressed during • Review the Timeline of Remedial Design for Lower 8.3 Miles of Lower Passaic River. the public comment period for the Proposed Plan and input gathered during additional public outreach in • Work through the Community Advisory Group the design. (CAG), the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) recipient or Technical Assistance Services for Remedial action (RA) follows the remedial design Communities (TASC) Program provider to stay phase. It involves the actual construction or informed about the progress of the cleanup. implementation of Superfund site cleanup. The RD/RA Contact the EPA’s Community Involvement Coordinator with questions or comments. is based on the specifications described in the Record of Decision (ROD) and remedial design.
Table 6: Timeline of Remedial Design for Lower 8.3 Miles of Lower Passaic River
This timeline was developed by the EPA at the request of the Passaic River Community Advisory Group (CAG). This is a summary of the dates and documents associated with the design. For official dates and full descriptions of the design requirements, please see the Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Remedial Design, CERCLA Docket No. 02-2016-2021. After the EPA comments are incorporated into or after the EPA approves these documents, they will be made publicly available and the EPA will brief the CAG about them.
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION (SUMMARY)
Project Strategy to complete the Remedial Design and Remedial Action successfully, including, but not Management Plan limited to:
• Overall management strategy for performing design • Proposed approach to contracting and general approach to Remedial Action • Communication strategy during design • Schedule
Remedial Design Plans and technical approaches to performing design Work Plan • Description of data gaps/anticipated problems • Descriptions of how each major component in design will be approached and implemented • Emergency Response Plan
Pre-Design Sampling plan to gather information needed for the design, including Health and Safety Plan, and Investigation (PDI) Quality Assurance Project Plan. Work Plan
Pre-Design Sampling scheduled for at least one year. This is the report on the results of the sampling. Investigation Evaluation Report
16 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER PROJECT BACKGROUND
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION (SUMMARY)
Site Wide Sampling plan to gather information on the extent of contamination 1) now, as a baseline; 2) Monitoring Plan during construction; 3) for the long-term after construction.
Site Selection and Plan to identify and select a site or sites for the sediment handling station(s) and processing Evaluation Work Plan facility.
Site Selection and Report on the results of the work done to select a site or sites for the sediment processing facility. Evaluation Report
Treatability Study Work Plan to evaluate capping technologies, sediment processing technologies and habitat Plan reconstruction techniques
Treatability Study Report on the results of the treatability studies Evaluation Report
Preliminary (30%) Preliminary draft of the design, including but not limited to: Remedial Design • Outline of specifications • Lists of drawings and schematics • Draft schedule for construction • Transportation and Off-Site Disposal Plan
Intermediate (60%) Second draft of the design, including but not limited to: Remedial Design • Draft specifications • Drawings and schematics • Unit price lists • Updated draft schedule for construction
Value Engineering Results of systematic study to identify and reduce unjustifiably high project costs without Study Results sacrificing reliability or efficiency
Pre-final (95%) Third draft of the design, including but not limited to: Remedial Design • Complete set of construction drawings/specifications • Construction Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan • Operations and Maintenance Plan • Institutional Controls Implementation Plan
Final (100%) Remedial Final design Design
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 17 2.7 Opportunities for community involvement related to long-term DECISIONS TO BE MADE Long-term Monitoring DURING THE DESIGN and Maintenance monitoring and maintenance PHASE OF CLEANUP include: During construction, monitoring • Exact volume of sediment to of water and air will be conducted • Working through the CAG be dredged. to evaluate whether the cleanup or TAG to participate in and review the results of regular activities are being managed most • Selection of dredging site evaluations. technology – either hydraulic efficiently to reduce potential or mechanical. releases of contaminants to • Visiting the river. the environment. In instances • Sediment processing facility • Inviting the EPA’s Community location. in which water or air quality Involvement Coordinator to standards are exceeded, the community events to discuss • Transportation routes to move related construction activity will results of the five-year review. dredged materials for treatment be evaluated and additional and disposal. • Planning an event to celebrate protective measures implemented major milestones in the • Sediment disposal and where appropriate. During and cleanup of the site. treatment locations. after construction, enhanced community outreach will be • Engineered cap thickness conducted regarding New Jersey’s and composition. fish and crab consumption • Engineering performance advisories to improve awareness. standards.
After project completion, • Quality of life performance monitoring of contaminant levels standards such as air quality standards, noise and odor in fish, water and sediment will be monitoring. conducted to determine progress toward meeting cleanup goals. Monitoring and maintenance of the engineered cap will be required both on a regular basis and after significant storms. Controls prohibiting disturbance of the engineered cap by river users will be necessary to maintain cap integrity. A review of site conditions will be conducted at least once every five years, as required by federal law.
18 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER PROJECT BACKGROUND
2.8 At the beginning of the Local Workforce construction phase of cleanup, Participation during the EPA will work closely with the Construction companies that are performing the cleanup and their contractors The EPA expects that hundreds to encourage local hiring and use of workers will be involved in the of local support services to the cleanup of the lower 8.3 miles of maximum extent possible. The the Passaic River. It is possible EPA will work closely with the that many of those jobs will come Passaic River CAG, local officials, from New Jersey, and some and other stakeholders to spread could include local workers from the word and provide contact the affected communities along information for those interested the Passaic River. In addition to in applying for jobs. The EPA will these workers, numerous local broadly disseminate information vendors (including sign makers, on potential jobs and job training concrete suppliers, fuel suppliers, programs through a variety of food service companies, steel ways, including community fabricators, etc.) will be needed to groups, local officials, and on EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, David support the cleanup. the Web. Kluesner (far right) assists with an environmental job training course in Newark, NJ.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 19 COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
The following section describes the history of community groups) in February 2011 to share views about remedial alternatives, involvement in the broader Lower Passaic River Study Area. discussing recreational uses of the river below Dundee Dam with 3.1 study of the lower 8.3 miles. rowing clubs, and consulting with Highlights of In 2011, PDT meetings were the Corps on current and future replaced by CAG meetings. uses of the federally authorized Community navigation channel. The EPA’s Involvement to Date In 2009, the EPA facilitated the Region 2 office also consulted The Diamond Alkali Site has formation of a CAG, comprised of with the EPA’s Contaminated generated a high level of stakeholders with a broad range Sediments Technical Advisory public interest since it was first of interests. Representatives of Group (CSTAG) and National identified in the 1980s. The EPA, NJDEP and the other Partner Remedy Review Board (NRRB), EPA’s early outreach efforts Agencies routinely attend CAG each of which provided an on the Lower Passaic River meetings, which are open to the opportunity for community included alerting the public public and generally held every participation in 2008 and 2012. about New Jersey’s prohibitions month or every other month, at Then, in 2014, during the public and advisories on fish and crab which any stakeholder may be comment period for the lower consumption for the Lower invited by the CAG chairs to share 8.3-mile Proposed Plan, the EPA Passaic River and Newark Bay. Passaic River-related information with the community. held a series of public meetings In order to foster community in Newark, Kearny and Belleville involvement in the Lower Passaic For the lower 8.3 miles, the to present the findings of the RI, River cleanup, beginning in 2004, EPA published an early draft the FFS and the EPA’s Proposed the EPA convened quarterly FFS on its website in June Plan to the public, including local meetings with stakeholders 2007, inviting comment from all residents and officials, those including the Partner Agencies, stakeholders. Further outreach who use the river for recreational municipalities, PRPs and other efforts included convening PDT or commercial purposes, and interested parties and members of workgroup meetings to discuss any other interested parties. The the public called Project Delivery formulating cleanup options, EPA also participated in various Team (PDT) meetings. At the PDT discussing current and future public forums and meetings meetings, the EPA reported on uses of the river with the CAG, sponsored by stakeholders to progress on various aspects of the convening a meeting of a broad present information and answer Lower Passaic River investigation range of stakeholders (from questions about the RI/FFS and and cleanup work that was PRPs to municipal officials to Proposed Plan. underway, including the focused environmental and community
20 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
3.2 Table 7 lists major community Timeline of involvement activities associated Major Community with the cleanup of the Lower Involvement Activities Passaic River.
Table 7: Major Community Involvement Activities
DATE ACTIVITY
2004 Quarterly meetings of the Project Delivery Team (PDT) convened to report on the various aspects of the Lower Passaic River investigation, including the focused study of the lower 8.3 miles of the river.
2004 Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) awarded to the Passaic River Coalition (PRC). PRC uses this grant to assist the community in interpreting technical documents associated with the study of the Lower Passaic River.
2004- The EPA conducts community interviews with more than 50 individuals across a broad spectrum of interests and in a 2005 variety of locations in NJ from Monmouth County, Keyport, and Sandy Hook to Newark, Rutherford, Clifton, and New York City.
2006 Community Involvement Plan for the Lower Passaic River and Newark Bay published.
2007 Draft Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) released on the EPA’s website, inviting comment from all stakeholders.
2008 Eight stakeholder groups associated with the site are invited to present their views to the EPA’s Contaminated Sediments Technical Advisory Group (CSTAG).
2009 Community Advisory Group (CAG) specific to the Lower Passaic River cleanup is formed.
CAG meetings are open to the public and are held monthly or every other month.
2011 The EPA convenes a meeting with a broad range of stakeholders to share views about cleanup options for the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River.
2012 The EPA provides a summary of the RI/FFS to CAG and stakeholders, so that they can provide input on the cleanup of the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River to the National Remedy Review Board (NRRB) and CSTAG.
Written comments are submitted by a variety of environmental organizations, the CAG, PRPs, federal and state agencies, and the Ironbound Community Corporation.
2013 A Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) is awarded to the NY/NJ Baykeeper.
2014 At the request of the CAG, the EPA provides them with a Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) contractor to respond to technical questions related to the lower 8.3 mile RI/FFS. The RI and FFS Reports are released for the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River, along with its Proposed Plan for remediation. The EPA solicits public comment on these documents, which are made available at local information repositories as well as on www. ourpassaic.org.
The EPA holds a series of public meetings in Newark, Kearny and Belleville to present the RI/FFS and the Proposed Plan to the public. Fact sheets summarizing the Proposed Plan and the various cleanup options are produced in English, Spanish and Portuguese and distributed at meetings and online.
The EPA conducts additional community interviews.
2016 The EPA conducts a third round of community interviews to assess the concerns, knowledge level, and needs of the community as related to the lower 8.3-mile ROD.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 21 3.3 were targeted to the towns of 3.4 Overview of 2016 Belleville, Kearny and Newark’s Key Community Community Interview North Ward. Approximately 12 Concerns Process individuals were interviewed from local civic, ethnic and The lists below highlight key Three separate rounds of social organizations, as well concerns communicated to community interviews were as representatives of local the EPA during the third round conducted for the Lower government, educators and of community interviews. Passaic River project. The first coaches from local schools, Community concerns associated interviews were conducted in recreational users of the river, with the first round of interviews 2004-2005; the second round and community members living may be found in the 2006 CIP, was conducted in 2014; and the near the Lower Passaic River. accessible at www.ourpassaic. third round in 2016 for a total of org. Concerns raised in the 85 interviews. In each round, a A series of questions were second round may be found in series of questions were asked asked to ascertain the public’s Appendix 16. across a variety of subjects, and knowledge of the recent EPA SUPERFUND CLEANUP interviewees were encouraged to decision on the cleanup of the ACTIVITY CONCERNS share their opinions, concerns, lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic suggestions and criticisms in River; to uncover gaps in the • Concerns were raised about an honest and straightforward knowledge base and develop the legal process potentially manner and fully engage with the efficient means to close them; to taking a long time and the EPA (and Partner Agencies). identify key concerns about the cleanup being dragged out. The majority of interviewees cleanup and its impacts to local In June and July of 2016, expressed a desire for the land and business development, cleanup to commence as soon the EPA (with contractual river access and health issues. as possible. support from the Louis Berger Information gathered during Group) conducted a round of these conversations was • Cleanup activities should take into consideration river traffic, community interviews to assess incorporated into this CIP. A the concerns, knowledge level especially the groups who row copy of the community interview regularly on the river. and needs of the community questions may be found in as related to the lower 8.3- Appendix 16. • Questions and concerns mile ROD signed in March about the dredging included: 2016. In order to expand upon how it will affect wildlife, how the dredged material will be the information gathered from transported and where it will previous interviews, interviews go.
• One recommendation was to produce more information about the dewatering process and dredged materials management in general.
• Several concerns were raised about quality of life issues such as air quality, noise and odor concerns during work.
22 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
• Some interviewees mentioned HEALTH AND QUALITY OF • Information should be provided trucking route concerns and LIFE CONCERNS in different languages to reach potential impacts on local people who may not speak residents and businesses, as • There was general knowledge English (see Section 4.2). well as the need to take into of anglers fishing along the Information should be provided account traffic and bridge Lower Passaic River, though to local ethnic publications, closures. interviewees lacked information especially in Spanish and about fish consumption. Portuguese. • The EPA should coordinate early with local municipalities • Some people expressed • For elderly residents, before cleanup activities on the concerns about the homeless direct postal mailings river begin. population along the river were recommended as the and potential consumption most effective method of • Important that jobs are created of contaminated fish, though communication as well as locally. Employment, training none had witnessed homeless continued outreach to senior and local hires were highly people fishing first-hand. groups. recommended. In addition, transparency of the contracting • Rowers are concerned about • There was some awareness process was recommended. debris and trash in the water of the CAG by interviewees, as well as general water quality but few participants attend REDEVELOPMENT AND concerns since they may come regularly and some do not RIVER ACCESS CONCERNS into contact with the water. attend at all. There was an additional concern expressed • Most interviewees expressed OUTREACH CONCERNS about the need to recruit a desire for as much park and AND SUGGESTIONS residents from mid-river and open space as possible along other towns to join the CAG. the river. • A majority of interviewees indicated a preference for • Most respondents believed • Waterfront access was cited as informal meetings held in that fact sheets are helpful, but a significant factor in economic the evening. One person felt that the EPA should use development of the cities along suggested a combination of illustrations and graphics to the river. formal and informal meeting explain technical issues. formats and several mentioned • Nearly all interviewees that small group interaction is • Few interviewees were aware stated that public input is key. of www.ourpassaic.org. essential regarding economic Others recommended that it be development issues. • Suggestions for increased more user-friendly. outreach included: cell phone • Overall, nearly all interviewees text messaging, door-to-door • Few interviewees had were interested in economic visits, posters and banners, familiarity with the Proposed development and the role including information with Plan. the river cleanup can play; utility bills, public access TV some expressed concerns • In general, increased public and radio stations, posting about the potential impacts of education about the Lower information to town websites, gentrification. Passaic River was strongly and attending community recommended. Suggestions festivals as well as community were made that the EPA build board meetings and other capacity with local groups and groups’ meetings. thought leaders to conduct and • The EPA should make use of expand outreach. social media (Instagram, Snap Chat, Facebook, Twitter) to disseminate project-related information.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 23 COMMUNITY PROFILE
The following section describes the current physical, social, and economic conditions of the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River. Information presented below was retrieved from the U.S. Census, NJ GIS, county websites, and municipal websites, among other sources. Some topics are presented at a county-specific level, while other topics such as population and demographics are discussed in finer detail.
4.1 and dense urban residential Land Use development. Near river mile Characteristics and seven, there are marinas and boat Infrastructure launches along with park land surrounded by more suburban The lower 8.3 miles of the residential neighborhoods. Passaic River are located in a Hard shorelines, such as highly developed urban area. bulkhead and riprap (some with At the mouth of the river and overhanging vegetation) make up around Newark Bay, the near- approximately 95 percent of the shore land uses are commercial banks of the lower 8.3 miles, while and industrial, in part to take aquatic vegetation predominates advantage of the transportation along about 5 percent of the infrastructure (rail, air and marine). banks. Approximately 100 acres About four miles upriver from of the lower 8.3 miles consist of Newark Bay, commercial uses of mudflats. Intertidal mudflats and near-shore properties begin to the associated shallow-water be mixed with more residential subtidal areas are important and recreational uses as well. habitats for estuarine organisms, There are narrow bands of park providing valuable foraging habitat and open space along the river, for fish, blue crab and water birds. surrounded by commercial Aerial view of Port Newark, Newark Bay, in Bayonne, NJ
24 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER COMMUNITY PROFILE
4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 REDEVELOPMENT TRANSPORTATION DRINKING WATER, INFRASTRUCTURE SEWERS AND POWER Since the mid-1990s, portions of the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic Cities and towns throughout the The Lower Passaic River is not River have experienced significant study area are linked by a variety used as a source of drinking real estate investment, including: of major highways, including the water. Drinking water is supplied the redevelopment of Brownfields, New Jersey Turnpike (I-95), the by a number of water companies, construction of new residential Phillipsburg–Newark Expressway including the Passaic Valley housing units, increased multi- and the Newark Bay Extension of Water Commission, United Water, modal transportation options, the New Jersey Turnpike (I-78), and Newark Water. It is derived complete street improvements, the Garden State Parkway, I-80, from a variety of reservoirs enhanced open spaces, and the and I-287. The entire area is including, but not limited to the provision of public walkways. served by public transportation in Oradell Reservoir, the Boonton According to an August 2016 the form of bus, train, and light rail Reservoir, and the Wanaque article in the New York Times service, and there is ferry service Reservoir. Power is provided by (that cites the City of Newark’s to and from New York City. Two PSE&G. The sewer system is Department of Economic and heavily used transit systems within operated by the Passaic Valley Housing Development) about the study area are NJ TRANSIT Sewerage Commission (PVSC), in $2 billion in commercial and and the Port Authority Trans- conjunction with the municipalities residential development is Hudson (PATH). Newark-Liberty that operate certain portions of currently underway, 1,500 units of International Airport, one of the the system. housing are under construction, nation’s busiest international travel and another 4,000 are planned. hubs, is located two miles south Notable investments in Harrison of downtown Newark. include the Red Bull Arena, a 25,000-capacity stadium that serves as the home of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls. The first phase of Newark Riverfront Park was completed in August 2013 and now connects downtown Newark and the Ironbound to the Passaic River. The park has been widely praised as an oasis of active and passive recreation between the river and THE NORTH JERSEY Raymond Boulevard. In October TRANSPORTATION 2016, construction crews began PLANNING AUTHORITY (NJTPA) the third phase of development, which will add four more acres is the federally authorized of park land along the Passaic Metropolitan Planning River. A signature feature of the Organization for all counties in expansion will be the Horizon the lower 8.3 miles. Wellness Trail.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 25 4.1.4 4.1.5 4.2 FLOOD CONTROL RECREATION Population and Demographics The Passaic River Basin has been There is a long tradition of rowing recognized by hydrologic experts on the Passaic River, beginning The following description of the as one of the most flood-prone with regattas held annually since population in the project area river systems in the United States. the late 1800s. That tradition includes the eight municipalities On April 23, 2010, Governor survives in the form of the Passaic that are most likely to be Christie signed Executive Order River Rowing Association and affected by the lower 8.3-mile 23, establishing the Passaic River the Nereid Boat Club, along cleanup, depending on where Basin Flood Advisory Commission with several high school rowing the sediment processing facility to develop and recommend programs. These organizations is located. Subsections 4.2.1 solutions to the chronic flooding sponsor regular rowing practice through 4.2.4 and 4.2.7 are problems that plague New Jersey and events on the Passaic and discussed based upon statistical residents. In addition, the Corps promote stewardship of the analysis of American Community signed an agreement with NJEDP Passaic River environment. Survey (ACS) data of the eight in 2014 to evaluate a potential Rowing associations and boating city area. The ACS provides coastal storm risk management groups use the Passaic River from cross-sectional data on social, project in and surrounding tidal the spring to the late fall, which economic, demographic and portions of the Passaic River. includes hosting and participating housing characteristics of the U.S. In the aftermath of Superstorm in regattas and races. Other types population at various geographic Sandy, a number of communities of recreational boating occur levels (nation, region, state, in the Passaic River Basin are throughout the Lower Passaic congressional district, census pursuing flood risk reduction River. For a list of seasonal tract). In general, ACS estimates changes to their master plans, events and activities related to are period estimates that describe zoning ordinances, and flood the Passaic River, please see the average characteristics of prevention ordinances, to guide Appendix 14. population and housing over future development away from a period of data collection. floodplains or prevent future The 2010-2014 ACS five-year development in flood-prone areas. estimates represent the period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2014. Multiyear PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS LOCATED estimates cannot be used to say NEAR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER what is going on in any particular year in the period, only what the • Dundee Preserve, Clifton • Pulaski Park, Passaic average value is over the full • Glotzbach Memorial Park, Nutley • Riverfront Park, Newark period.
• Great Falls National Park, • Riverside County Park, Lyndhurst Paterson • Rutherford Memorial Park, • Hatheway Park, Wallington Rutherford
• Kearny River Bank Park, Kearny • Van Winkle Park, Rutherford
• Minish Park, Newark • Waterfront Park, Wallington
• Pennington Park, Paterson • Westside Park, Paterson
26 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER COMMUNITY PROFILE
4.2.1 4.2.3 The poverty rate for the category POPULATION HOUSEHOLD INCOME “all families” living in the eight municipalities was approximately According to ACS five-year Median income is the amount 15 percent, on average, during estimates, the total population that divides the income this time period. Newark had the for the eight municipalities that distribution of a population into highest poverty rate for all families are most likely to be affected by two equal groups, half having at approximately 27 percent. the lower 8.3-mile cleanup was income above that amount and For the purposes of statistical approximately 821,090 people half having income below that analysis, a family consists of a for the period between 2010 and amount. The median household householder and one or more 2014. The largest population was income of residents in the eight other people living in the same concentrated in Newark, which municipalities, on average, was household who are related to the included 278,750 people on $53,523 based on ACS five-year householder by birth, marriage average between 2010 and 2014. estimates for the period of 2010- or adoption. Unmarried couple 2014. Based on data for the households can be family or 4.2.2 period 2010-2014, residents of nonfamily households depending AGE Newark had the lowest median on the relationship of others in the Median age represents the household income of $34,012, household to the householder. midpoint of the population. Half while residents of Belleville had of the population is older than the highest median household income of $65,462. the median age, and half of the COMMUNITIES MOST population is younger. Based on The U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED a five-year average, the median statistics represent the number of BY THE CLEANUP OF age in the eight municipalities people below the bureau’s poverty THE LOWER 8.3 MILES was approximately 35 years for thresholds. Poverty thresholds OF THE PASSAIC RIVER the period of 2010-2014. The vary by family size, number of • Belleville, Essex County lowest median ages were found in children, household units (single Newark (~32) and Elizabeth (~33). vs. multi-family), and whether or • Bayonne, Hudson County The highest median ages were in not respondents are elderly. Belleville and Bayonne (~38). • East Newark, Hudson County • Elizabeth, Union County
Figure 4: Race in the Eight Municipalities • Harrison, Hudson County
• Jersey City, Hudson County
• Kearny, Hudson County
• Newark, Essex County
Source: U.S. Census, ACS 5-Year Estimates 2010-2014. Data reflects respondents who claimed only one race. For the purposes of this analysis, a statistically insignificant number self-identify as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone. Because Table 3 presents 5-year estimates, the percentages do not equal 100 percent. For further information on statistical standards and the computation and use of standard errors, refer to the Census Bureau’s Demographic Statistical Methods Division.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 27 4.2.4 4.2.5 foreign born populations come RACE AND ETHNICITY IMMIGRANT AND MINORITY from India (10 percent), Mexico POPULATION AND (6.7 percent), and the Philippines Within the eight municipalities, LINGUISTIC TRENDS (4.9 percent). The most densely the vast majority of the population settled areas of New Jersey (e.g., (97 percent) identified as one No single statistic or set of Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, race during the period of 2010- statistics can capture the complex and Paterson) are likewise high- 2014 (see Figure 3). Among population mix and levels of density centers of immigrant these individuals, 15.1 percent integration in urban America. populations. For example, Jersey self-identify as Black or African Consequently, this section City has the second highest Asian American alone; 0.3 percent self- discuses communities broadly. Indian population in the state. identify as American Indian and New Jersey is recognized as one Alaskan Native alone; 9.1 percent of the most racially and ethnically Within the eight municipalities self-identify as Asian alone; and diverse states in the nation. most likely to be affected by the 31.5 percent self-identify as white According to data compiled by cleanup of the lower 8.3 miles of alone. The U.S. Census does not Rutgers University, the state’s the Passaic River, a number of have an estimate for Hispanic or immigrant population has risen languages other than English are Latino alone; 42.9 percent self- significantly – from 967,000 spoken at home. Spanish is the identify as Hispanic or Latino of people in 1990 to more than 1.8 second most spoken language any race. million in 2013. The state’s largest in New Jersey with more than
Table 8: Demographic Summary Statistics
CITY OR STATISTICAL AREA COMBINED AREA
Bayonne Belleville East Elizabeth Harrison Jersey Kearny Newark Total Average Twnship Newark City (Rounded to Nearest Whole)
County Hudson Essex Hudson Union Hudson Hudson Hudson Essex
Total 64,763 36,201 2,577 126,964 14,436 255,861 41,538 278,750 821,090 Population
Median Age 38 38.3 32.8 32.5 34.5 33.5 36.7 32.1 35 (Years)
Median $55,224 $65,462 $53,750 $43,966 $53,772 $58,907 $63,093 $34,012 $53,520 Household Income (Dollars)
Poverty 13.0% 7.1% 16.6% 17.0% 12.0% 16.2% 8.4% 26.9% 15% Rate for All Families
% of the 88.1% 86.3% 79.0% 73.2% 76.1% 84.9% 81.5% 71.4% 80% population aged 25+ with a least a high school diploma or equivalent
28 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER COMMUNITY PROFILE
1 million speakers in the state. 4.2.6 4.2.7 Chinese (including Mandarin, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EDUCATION Cantonese, and other dialects) is spoken by 111,000 people in On February 11, 1994, President Within the eight municipalities New Jersey. Clinton issued Executive most likely to be affected by the Order 12898. This order cleanup of the lower 8.3 miles of According to a 2015 article by directs agencies to address the Passaic River, approximately NJ Spotlight that relies on U.S. environmental and human health 80 percent of the population, on Census data, three of the “top conditions in minority and low- average, aged 25 years and older 10 multilingual municipalities” in income communities to avoid the possessed at least a high school New Jersey are located within disproportionate placement of diploma or equivalent for the the communities potentially any adverse effects from federal period 2010-2014. Municipalities impacted by cleanup of the policies and actions on these with the lowest percentage of lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic populations. The EPA defines individuals possessing this level River. They include Jersey City, environmental justice as the of education or higher include Newark, and Elizabeth. Among fair treatment and meaningful Newark (71.4 percent) and residents of Newark, there are involvement of all people Elizabeth (73.2 percent). an estimated 80,000 Spanish- regardless of race, color, national speakers, 21,000 Portuguese origin or income with respect to and Portuguese Creole speakers, the development, implementation 2,600 French Creole speakers and and enforcement of environmental THERE ARE SEVERAL nearly 5,000 speakers of various laws, regulations and policies. LARGE UNIVERSITIES African languages. Among the IN THE LOWER 8.3 MILE 67,000 Spanish speakers in Conditions giving rise to STUDY AREA: Elizabeth, significant majorities environmental justice concerns are of Colombian, Ecuadoran, are specific to individual • Rutgers University – Newark communities and their histories. Salvadoran, Dominican, • St. Peter’s University Cuban and/or Peruvian Contributing factors may not decent. Additionally, there are be related to the cleanup of the • The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) approximately 8,000 Portuguese Lower Passaic River, but are speakers and 3,600 French relevant to its impact on the • The University of Medicine & Creole speakers. health of the community. Urban Dentistry of New Jersey communities typically face higher levels of pollution from TOP 10 LANGUAGES multiple sources, including toxic BESIDES ENGLISH waste sites, industrial plants SPOKEN AT HOME IN NJ and heavy city and port traffic. (2009-2013): Environmental justice populations may also struggle with economic 1. Spanish 6. Korean divestment, aging infrastructure 2. Chinese 7. Gujarati and Brownfields. Economic Dialects divestment is the reduction of 8. Polish assets within a community or the 3. Portuguese 9. Hindi opposite of investment. 4. Tagalog 10. Arabic 5. Italian
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 29 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTION PLAN
The following section discusses specific community outreach tools and activities that the EPA has used successfully. Not all of the tools listed will necessarily be used during the cleanup of the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River. In addition, the EPA may develop other activities to inform the community of the project and encourage community participation.
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5.1 GOAL 1: BE APPROPRIATE or who closely identify with the Communication Goals cleanup or restoration efforts The EPA aims to use the most associated with the Lower Passaic The EPA is committed to involving appropriate communication River. The stakeholders that the public in all stages of the methods and tools for each constitute the “public” within the Lower Passaic River cleanup. segment of the public because project areas include: Four major goals will guide the one size does not fit all. community involvement and • Community members, outreach process: GOAL 2: BE including homeless populations UNDERSTANDABLE • Elected officials The EPA endeavors to use • Environmental organizations clear, consistent language when communicating with the public. • Academia Technical aspects of the cleanup • Science foundations and decision-making processes will be explained using everyday • Business/Economic language. development organizations
GOAL 3: BE RESPONSIVE • Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The EPA will respond to • Local, state, and federal community questions and agencies concerns and will solicit feedback from community members • Civic/community groups throughout the cleanup process. • Local media Every effort will be made to respond in a timely manner. • Sports/recreational clubs
GOAL 4: BE ACCURATE The EPA will seek to use state and local officials to assist The EPA strives to provide in community outreach and the public with accurate and involvement in order to increase timely information. When new the frequency and consistency information is available, it will of communications. The agency continue to be shared through the will routinely coordinate with most appropriate methods. and brief local officials to ensure they are informed about all major To attain these goals, the EPA aspects of the project and to will reach out to and seek to provide opportunities for input into involve the public in the broadest decision-making. sense – those community members, interest groups and other organizations or institutions located in the project areas who are potentially affected by the project or problems being addressed through the project,
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 31 5.2 Table 9 lists key tools that the Community EPA may use to communicate Involvement Tools with stakeholders. Subsequent and Outreach sub-sections discuss tools and outreach in further detail.
Table 9: Key Tools
TOOL METHOD
Coordination with Local Coordinate with local government and other state and federal agencies to keep them Government and Other informed about project activities and will schedule briefing meetings as needed to discuss Agencies the progress of cleanup.
Community Advisory Group Provide information to the CAG.
Community Events Attend community events such as fairs, festivals, boating regattas and races, and cultural festivities to distribute information and answer questions.
Community Involvement Return calls or respond to email in a timely manner. Coordinator
Email Continue to maintain an email group list to quickly provide the public with timely information on project developments and news.
Fact Sheets Produce fact sheets throughout the life of the project to keep the public informed and educated on it and the decision-making process. Dissemination to the public through direct mailings, Web postings and at public forums will continue.
Fish and Crab Consumption Work with NJDEP to educate communities about the potential dangers of eating Advisories contaminated fish and crab.
Health and Safety Share information pertaining to health and safety with the community during scheduled Information public meetings and in informational materials created for the site. Anticipated topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Trucking and transportation routes • Work hours • Worker protection • Community safeguards • Environmental monitoring • Emergency response • River use restrictions
Information Repositories Update information repositories with copies (either electronic or paper) of major site documents, fact sheets, and other relevant items as they become available.
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TOOL METHOD
Maps and Visual Aids Include maps, photographs, and other visual aids in documents and fact sheets, at public sessions, and on the website.
Media Notification/Media Provide presentations on site-related topics such as the design and cleanup process and Events monitoring and sampling techniques.
Presentations Provide presentations on site-related topics such as the design and cleanup process and monitoring and sampling techniques.
Press Releases Disseminate press releases to local area media.
Project Website Post relevant project documents to the website, including new fact sheets, final technical www.ourpassaic.org documents, meeting announcements, etc.
Public Comment Period Solicit public comment at key milestones and as required by law.
Public Input Accept informal public input throughout the cleanup process.
Public Meetings EPA will announce public meetings via a variety of methods such as: newspapers, the project website, town websites and the email list.
Public Notices Announce public comment periods and public meetings via formal public notices in local publications and via the project website.
School/Education Outreach Provide project information to local schools and academic institutions and will work with existing educational programs to “piggyback” project information and identify additional opportunities for environmental education.
Social Media Post public announcements, meeting reminders and other relevant information to the EPA’s social media accounts such as Twitter and Facebook.
Technical Assistance Respond to community requests for technical assistance to understand the cleanup. Services
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 33 5.2.1 5.2.2 5.2.3 COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMUNITY EVENTS COORDINATION WITH GROUP (CAG) LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND DESCRIPTION: The EPA will OTHER AGENCIES DESCRIPTION: A CAG is made attend community events such as up of representatives of diverse fairs, festivals, boating regattas DESCRIPTION: The EPA will community interests who serve and races and cultural festivities coordinate with local government as liaisons for their communities to distribute information and and other state and federal and constituents. A CAG can answer questions. agencies to keep them informed assist the EPA in making better of project activities and obtain decisions on how to clean up a GOAL: Community events provide feedback on their concerns. site. It offers a unique opportunity the EPA with the opportunity Communication with these to hear—and seriously consider— to build and maintain positive representatives will continue community preferences for site relationships with residents. These through the life of the project. cleanup and restoration. The events also allow the agency to existence of a CAG, however, understand and appreciate the GOAL: To ensure that local does not eliminate the need for variety of events and activities government officials and other the EPA to keep the community that are important and enjoyed by state and federal agencies informed about plans and community members. Community are kept informed of project decisions throughout the cleanup events also serve to enhance activities and issues that may and restoration process. awareness about environmental impact their constituencies. justice issues and allow the EPA Ongoing coordination with local GOAL: Provide a public forum for to interact directly with community governments and other agencies community members to present members who might not typically will address communities’ and discuss their needs and attend EPA meetings. concerns that may be associated concerns related to the decision- with the project. Coordination will making process. This tool will METHOD: The EPA will continue also foster consistency among also provide the community with to supply staff and provide local health advisories and clarify an arena to raise issues already information at a booth or table the roles played by various voiced as key concerns. at appropriate events. Refer to governmental entities. Appendix 14 for a list of seasonal METHOD: The EPA will continue events and activities. METHOD: The EPA will continue to communicate regularly with the to brief local government officials CAG. The EPA will attend public and other state and federal CAG meetings and planning agencies on the cleanup progress sessions. The EPA will present throughout the life of the project. regular updates to the CAG and provide the CAG opportunities to provide comments on key aspects of the project and cleanup progress. In addition, the EPA will provide presentations on topics of interest as requested.
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5.2.4 5.2.5 5.2.6 DOOR-TO-DOOR EMAIL FACT SHEETS NOTIFICATIONS DESCRIPTION: Electronic mail DESCRIPTION: Fact sheets, DESCRIPTION: When the EPA can be used to contact agency also called project updates, or its contractors are working in representatives for information are brief documents written in the field or in the river, the agency or to ask questions and receive plain language, often containing may provide notices or solicit answers about the projects. Email user-friendly graphics, to help feedback from residents and addresses and links are provided the public understand highly businesses through door-to-door on the project website at www. technical reports, concepts, and notifications. In person outreach ourpassaic.org, and email contact information. will also be attempted with any information is included in all homeless population in the area. outreach materials. GOAL: Provide information about the cleanup in an easy-to- GOAL: To communicate specific GOAL: Email provides another understand format. information regarding active method to assist the public in field work or construction and providing input or requesting METHOD: Fact sheets will convey pertinent health or safety information. continue to be produced information that may impact local throughout the life of the project residents or businesses. METHOD: The EPA maintains to keep the public informed an email list to provide the public on cleanup progress and the METHOD: When the EPA or its with news and timely information decision-making process. contractors will be performing on project developments. Dissemination to the public work that may impact nearby through email, Web postings, and residences or businesses, at public forums will continue. representatives of the agency As needed, the EPA will provide may make personal visits to those translation of fact sheets and immediately affected to ensure project updates into Spanish that they are properly notified. and/or Portuguese. Please see Appendix 17 for examples of fact sheets. TO SIGN UP FOR EPA EMAILS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Sophia Rini, Community Involvement Coordinator [email protected]
Alice Yeh, Project Manager [email protected]
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 35 5.2.7 5.2.8 5.2.9 FIELD NOTIFICATIONS INFORMATION MAPS AND VISUAL AIDS REPOSITORIES DESCRIPTION: This type of DESCRIPTION: Maps and visual information consists of advisories, DESCRIPTION: Information aids help people understand restrictions and explanatory signs repositories are located in local the geography of the site and posted to clearly mark for the public buildings such as libraries, locations of activities and public any project work areas and universities or government offices resources, especially in relation to access restrictions. where site-related and supporting where they live, work, and attend documents are available for public school. GOAL: These notifications are review. Information repositories intended to keep the public for the Lower Passaic River GOAL: To communicate complex informed of project field activities Restoration Project and Newark issues simply and effectively. and maintain public safety. They Bay Study are located at the will address the specific key METHOD: Inclusion of maps, EPA Records Center, Newark photographs, and other visual public concern of the potential Public Library, and Elizabeth health issues related to the Lower aids in documents and fact Public Library (see Appendix Passaic River, such New Jersey’s sheets, at public sessions, and 12). The documents in the prohibitions against eating fish on the website www.ourpassaic. information repositories (called the org. and crab due to contamination. Administrative Record) are also METHOD: All advisories, signs available on the EPA’s website. and restrictions to access or (https://semspub.epa.gov/src/ project work areas will continue collection/02/AR63167) to be clearly posted and may be GOAL: Provide accessible public translated into languages other locations at which residents can than English. Health and Safety read and copy official documents. Plans will also be used to inform Provide a website where and maintain a safe environment stakeholders can download and for both the public and project read documents. workers. METHOD: The EPA will continue to maintain the information repositories, adding documents and information as they become available.
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5.2.10 5.2.11 5.2.12 MEDIA NOTIFICATION/ NEWSLETTERS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD MEDIA EVENTS DESCRIPTION: Newsletters use DESCRIPTION: This is a formal DESCRIPTION: The EPA will clear, understandable language, opportunity for community continue to provide updates and are more community-oriented, members to review and comment information to local newspapers, and may include articles, columns on various agency documents or radio and television outlets. and photographs. actions. Comment periods are legally required for, among other GOAL: To reach a large audience GOAL: To keep the public things, proposed plans, consent quickly and reinforce important informed and up to date, and decrees and the addition to or messages and information related regularly provide information. deletion of a site from the NPL. to the project. Newsletters will serve to enhance the public knowledge base on GOAL: Provides an opportunity METHOD: The EPA will issues regarding project status for the public to give meaningful continue to coordinate with key and information. input in the decision-making stakeholders to ascertain the best process. media outlets to reach the target METHOD: If newsletters are audience, ensuring that the entire created in the future, the EPA METHOD: The EPA has project area is covered by those intends to distribute them via announced each comment outlets and that the information email and post them to www. period through one or more of presented is concise and ourpassaic.org. Print copies the following methods: public understandable. See Appendix will be made available at public notices in local newspapers, 13 – Media List. meetings and forums on the email notifications and fact project and will be provided sheets to ensure that the public to stakeholder organizations, has sufficient opportunity which will help achieve a broader to understand what is being reach. At other Superfund sites, presented, when comments newsletters have been mailed, will be accepted, how long the on a limited basis, to those on a comment period will be open and postal mailing list. The EPA may how to submit comments. periodically review the efficiency and effectiveness of mailing newsletters on this project and will consult with stakeholders in deciding how this tool would be implemented.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 37 5.2.13 5.2.14 5.2.15 PUBLIC INPUT PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC INFORMATION DESCRIPTION: Written SESSIONS DESCRIPTION: Widely communications and informal distributed announcements of discussions with agency staff DESCRIPTION: Public meetings public comment periods, public are just some of the ways that are structured, formal meetings, meetings and major project the EPA can be reached to often required by law, that are milestones. communicate about project- open to the general public, related information. This open line featuring a presentation and GOAL: Communicate an of communication is important interaction with the public. Public important announcement to as to gain better understanding of meetings may feature the use of a many people as possible. the public’s concerns and needs, court reporter and the issuance of METHOD: Public notices have so that they can be addressed meeting transcripts. Other types been released to announce public efficiently and effectively. of meetings are less formal and comment periods and public may be held in a variety of formats meetings using a wide variety of GOAL: Verbal comments including small group discussions, places and methods, such as: and letters provide continued informal open-house style opportunity for the public to email notices, project website information sessions and poster announcements, press releases give input and allow the EPA presentations. to recognize trends in issues and newspaper display ads. The EPA has also reached out of public concern and identify GOAL: To provide personal areas that require information and contact with agency to stakeholder and community clarification. representatives, update the groups to request their assistance community on site developments in getting out the word. METHOD: Informal comments and address community concerns, can be offered at any time, such ideas, questions and comments. as during availability sessions, open houses, community visits, METHOD: At various stages and workshops. See Appendix throughout the project, the EPA 3 for agency contact information. will hold meetings to keep the Written comments may be public informed, answer questions submitted via mail or email. and further explain the cleanup process. Each meeting will be structured to fit its purpose by using different formats (e.g. open houses, informal discussions, PowerPoint presentations, etc.).
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5.2.16 5.2.17 5.2.18 PUBLIC SERVICE PROJECT SITE PROJECT ROADMAP ANNOUNCEMENTS (PSAS) VISITS/TOURS DESCRIPTION: Over the course DESCRIPTION: Radio PSAs may DESCRIPTION: Small groups of the Lower Passaic River be used to announce project news can be given guided tours to view Study, a significant amount of and provide basic information project activities when such tours technical work will continue to be about upcoming public meetings are appropriate, feasible and safe. performed, and many technical and forums being held by the documents will continue to be EPA on the project. Local public GOAL: Site visits and developed, providing a basis for access television is also a medium demonstrations provide the cleanup decisions. The roadmap that may be used as appropriate. public with a good, working will describe the major project understanding of project work activities and include a listing of GOAL: To distribute project and conditions. Bringing the the reports that will be prepared information to a broad audience, public to the project areas and by the EPA. The roadmap will including non-English speakers. demonstrating and/or discussing contain a description of the major project activities in the field will issues addressed in each report METHOD: The EPA may provide project updates and produce PSAs, and working and highlight some of the planned address community concerns that public involvement activities. with appropriate local media, surround the Lower Passaic River ensure that the announcements and Newark Bay. GOAL: The intent of the roadmap are delivered to as wide an is to illustrate the general audience as possible. PSAs will METHOD: The EPA may conduct sequence of events that takes incorporate a reminder message, tours within the project areas to place over the period of time where feasible and appropriate, explain field activities and why leading up to and including the regarding fish and crab they are important to the project. decision-making process for the consumption advisories in effect There may be activity or location- Lower Passaic River and Newark for the Newark Bay and Lower specific circumstances however, Bay Study Areas. The roadmap Passaic River study areas. where the EPA will have to limit functions as an important tool to activities or areas visited given assist the public in understanding health and safety requirements. the flow of the projects, as well as the various types of documents that are part of the process. By illustrating the project in “installments,” the roadmap aids in addressing the public concern of how to best communicate the project over time.
METHOD: The EPA may create the project roadmap as a stand- alone document that will be periodically updated as work progresses.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 39 5.2.19 5.2.20 5.2.21 PROJECT WEBSITES SCHOOL/EDUCATIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH DESCRIPTION: Electronic DESCRIPTION: The EPA may versions of technical reports, DESCRIPTION: The EPA will use social media (such as Twitter progress reports and updates provide project information to and Facebook) to post updates on the Lower Passaic River local schools and academic about the project and announce cleanup are available on www. institutions and will work with major project milestones. ourpassaic.org and via the EPA’s existing educational programs To reach more people Diamond Alkali Superfund to “piggyback” project GOAL: and provide another method for website. (https://cumulis. information and identify additional sharing information. epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/ opportunities for environmental csitinfo.cfm?id=0200613) The education. METHOD: The EPA has used websites also provide links to the Twitter and Facebook to share websites of the Partner Agencies GOAL: Educational outreach helps bring project awareness press releases, send out CAG and to other related sources of meeting reminders, etc. and information. to new audiences and builds bridges between the agencies may continue to write and post social media content regarding GOAL: The www.ourpassaic.org and various constituencies website provides key resources within the community. Engaging announcements and major project for accessing both general and students and teachers will milestones. specific information about the assist in addressing a number of project, the Partner Agencies, and community concerns such as: public outreach activities. Access sharing important information to the website is available through about fish and crab consumption home and public computers at advisories, raising awareness libraries throughout the project of environmental justice issues area. and encouraging environmental stewardship. METHOD: The EPA will continue to post project updates, notices METHOD: Educators and and technical documents in a students may request a visit to timely manner. The website is their school by EPA staff. Agency updated and enhanced regularly. staff will also maintain an open Moving forward, the EPA may line of communication with periodically solicit input from groups that provide environmental the public at public forums and education to local schools workgroup meetings on how and partner with them when to make the website more fun, appropriate. interesting and useful. Feedback to the website contacts is encouraged.
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5.2.22 5.2.23 5.2.24 SUPERFUND JOBS SURVEYS/FOCUS GROUPS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TRAINING INITIATIVE GRANT (TAG) (SUPER JTI) DESCRIPTION: The EPA will consider conducting print or DESCRIPTION: A TAG provides DESCRIPTION: Super JTI is telephone surveys to solicit public money to community groups so an environmental cleanup job feedback. The EPA will also they can hire technical advisors readiness program that provides consider conducting focus groups to interpret and explain technical free job training and employment on public concerns, issues and reports, site conditions and the opportunities for citizens living feedback regarding the project or EPA’s cleanup proposals and in communities affected by specific issues within the project. decisions at Superfund sites. Superfund sites. An initial TAG of up to $50,000 GOAL: Surveys and focus groups is available for any Superfund GOAL: To assist communities allow the EPA to continue to site that is on the EPA’s NPL or in the development of job identify and address community proposed for listing on the NPL opportunities and partnerships concerns and issues related where a response action has that remain long after a Superfund to the project. They also serve begun. As specified in Section site is cleaned up, especially in as a “snapshot in time” of 117(e) of the Superfund law, there communities facing environmental the effectiveness of agency can be only one TAG for each justice challenges. communication with the public Superfund site. When the grant and the establishment of recipient changes, however, (e.g. METHOD: The EPA offers meaningful dialogue. The EPA SuperJTI training through its when the EPA or the recipient may also use this tool to gauge terminates the original TAG), the Technical Assistance Services public concern/opinions about for Communities (TASC) Program process of applying for a TAG various key issues that have been starts over. (see 5.2.24) and is subject to raised, such as communications funding availability. SuperJTI and the relationship between GOAL: The goal of a TAG is to combines classroom instruction the public, agencies, and the help improve a community’s with hands-on training exercises PRPs, as well as land use and understanding of the for each participant. Program redevelopment issues. environmental conditions and graduates gain the technical skills cleanup activities at Superfund necessary to work on a broad METHOD: Surveys may be sites. range of projects in environmental used as necessary, particularly in remediation and construction communities that have questions METHOD: The EPA will continue fields. Positions may include and concerns about the project, to provide TAG support. From dump truck drivers, environmental but may not have had much 2013 to the present, the TAG technicians, general production access to other community has been held by the NY/NJ operators, material handlers and involvement and outreach Baykeeper. (See Appendix 10 – heavy equipment operators. activities. Focus groups may be Stakeholder Groups for contact helpful in assisting the agency to information.) ascertain public awareness and feelings about specific issues within the project scope, such as fish consumption advisories, environmental justice issues, and specific populations of concern.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 41 5.2.25 METHOD: Communities in the 5.2.26 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE project areas may contact the TOLL-FREE HOTLINE SERVICES FOR EPA Region 2 TASC Coordinator. COMMUNITIES (TASC) Requests are evaluated against DESCRIPTION: The EPA may PROGRAM a number of criteria to determine establish a toll-free hotline with if technical assistance can be recorded project information in DESCRIPTION: The national provided. More information both English and Spanish. The Technical Assistance Services on the TASC program and line will also provide connection for Communities (TASC) program the criteria used to evaluate to the appropriate agency provides independent assistance requests are available at EPA’s representative. through an EPA contract to help website. (https://www.epa.gov/ GOAL: To provide the public with communities better understand superfund/technical-assistance- the science, regulations and a direct method of communication services-communities-tasc- with the EPA, which is particularly policies of environmental issues program#map) and EPA actions. Under the important for those individuals TASC contract, a contractor who may not have reliable Internet provides scientists, engineers access. and other professionals to EPA REGION 2 TASC METHOD: A toll-free hotline was review and explain information COORDINATOR created for the Tierra Removal to communities. The services are with language options in English, determined on a project-specific Wanda Ayala Spanish, and Portuguese that basis and provided at no cost to (212) 637-3676 is no longer in service The EPA communities. [email protected] currently has a general Public Information Hotline that may be GOAL: To support community efforts to become more involved accessed toll-free at and work productively with the 1-877-251-4575. EPA to address environmental issues. The TASC program benefits communities by explaining technical findings and answering community questions, helping them understand complex environmental issues and supporting their active roles in protecting healthy communities and advancing environmental protection. The TASC program can also provide opportunities for environmental education, bring diverse groups together and help them get more involved and offer training and support environmental employment opportunities through the Superfund Job Training Initiative.
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5.3 Evaluation of Outreach In order to assess the effectiveness of the community involvement and outreach efforts, the EPA may employ several tools to periodically evaluate messages, modes of communication, tools and outreach activities. Evaluations allow understanding of successes and weaknesses and enable the agency to retool strategies to better serve the public. This CIP will be reviewed and revised as necessary to reflect project progress and changes to community needs, concerns, issues and contacts.
Following interactive activities like public forums and poster sessions, the EPA may conduct a basic internal analysis, which involves assessing the ease of logistics, the number and representation of attendees and the appropriateness of information (i.e., was it sufficient to answer questions). The agency may also employ surveys and interviews to gauge public perceptions at various stages of cleanup. These may be conducted in person, via the Internet or over the phone.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 43 APPENDIX 1: ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS
ACS American Community Survey AOC Administrative Order on Consent CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CIP Community Involvement Plan cm Centimeter COPCs Contaminants of Potential Concern CORPS United States Army Corps of Engineers CPG Cooperating Parties Group CSO Combined Sewer Overflow CSTAG Contaminated Sediments Technical Advisory Group cy Cubic yard DDD Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane DDE Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane DDX Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane D/F Dioxins/Furans EJ Environmental Justice EPA Environmental Protection Agency ERA Ecological Risk Assessment FAQs Frequently Asked Questions FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FFS Focused Feasibility Study
A-2 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER FS Feasibility Study ft Feet HRE Hudson-Raritan Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study HSRC Hazardous Substance Research Centers JTI Jobs Training Initiative NRDA Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDAR Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration NJDEP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDOT New Jersey Department of Transportation NJPDES New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPL National Priorities List NRRB National Remedy Review Board OMB Office of Management and Budget PAH Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon PANYNJ Port Authority of New York and New Jersey PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyl PCDD/F Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins and Furans PDT Project Delivery Team PRPs Potentially Responsible Parties PSA Public Service Announcement RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act RI Remedial Investigation RI/FS Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study RM River Mile ROD Record of Decision TAG Technical Assistance Grant TASC Technical Assistance Services for Communities USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service UWFP Urban Waters Federal Partnership WRDA Water Resources Development Act
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-3 APPENDIX 2: GLOSSARY
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD: BROWNFIELDS: Abandoned, The body of documents that idled or under-used industrial “forms the basis” for the selection and commercial properties where of a particular response at a expansion or redevelopment is Superfund site. For example, the complicated by real or perceived Administrative Record for remedy environmental contamination. selection includes all documents that were “considered or relied CAPPING: A technology to upon” to select the remedy address contaminated sediment through the record of decision. which places clean sand or gravel over the contaminated sediment ADVISORY: State-generated to isolate the contaminants from health warning regarding the the surrounding environment. consumption of contaminated animals (e.g., fish, waterfowl). CLEANUP: Actions taken to These advisories include advice deal with a release or threat of on how to reduce exposures to release of a hazardous substance chemical contaminants in fish and that could affect humans and/ game by avoiding or reducing or the environment. The term consumption and by the use of “cleanup” is sometimes used filleting/trimming and cooking interchangeably with the terms techniques to further reduce “remedial action,” “remediation,” contaminant levels. NJDEP issues “removal action,” “response the fish consumption advisories action,” or “corrective action.” in NJ. COMMUNITY: An interacting BIOACCUMULATION: The population of various types process by which the chemical of individuals (or species) in a concentration in an aquatic common location; a neighborhood organism achieves a level that or specific area where people live. exceeds that in the water, as a result of chemical uptake through all possible routes of exposure.
A-4 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER COMMUNITY ADVISORY perform the work, or take legal CLEAN WATER ACT (CWA): GROUP (CAG): A committee, action to force parties responsible A 1972 law that established the task force or board made up for site contamination to clean basic structure for regulating of residents affected by a up the site or repay the federal discharges of pollutants into the Superfund or other hazardous government for the cleanup cost. waters of the United States and waste site. A CAG provides a regulates quality standards for CONSENT DECREE: A legal way for representatives of diverse surface waters. document, approved by a judge, community interests to present that formalizes an agreement CONTAMINANT: Any physical, and discuss their needs and reached between parties. chemical, biological or radiological concerns related to the site and For example, the EPA and substance or matter that has an the site cleanup process. CAGs potentially responsible parties adverse effect on air, water or soil. are a community initiative and (PRPs) may sign a consent responsibility. They function decree through which PRPs DREDGING: The removal of independently of the EPA and the will conduct all or part of a material from the bottom of lakes, other partner agencies. cleanup action at a Superfund rivers, harbors and other bodies of water. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT site; cease or correct actions or processes that are polluting AND OUTREACH: The term ECOSYSTEM: The complex of a used to identify the process the environment; reimburse the community and its environment for engaging in dialogue and EPA for monies expended in the functioning as an ecological unit collaboration with communities. course of an EPA-performed in nature. Community involvement is cleanup or otherwise comply founded on the belief that people with EPA-initiated regulatory ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: have a right to know what the enforcement actions to resolve the The fair treatment and meaningful government is doing in their contamination at the Superfund involvement of all people community and to have a say in it. site involved. The trustees may regardless of race, color, national Its purpose is to give people the sign a consent decree with the origin, culture, education or opportunity to become involved in PRPs regarding natural resource income with respect to the the government’s activities and to damages at a site. Or, the trustees development, implementation, help shape the decisions that are and the EPA may sign one and enforcement of environmental made. consent decree with the PRPs to laws, regulations and policies. resolve all the issues at the site. Implies that no population of COMPREHENSIVE The consent decree describes the people should be forced to ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, actions PRPs will take, is subject shoulder a disproportionate share COMPENSATION, AND to a public comment period prior of negative environmental impacts LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA): to its approval by a judge, and is of pollution or environmental Commonly known as Superfund, enforceable as a final judgment by hazard due to a lack of political or CERCLA is intended to a court. economic strength levels. protect human health and the environment by investigating and cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. Under the program, the EPA either can pay for a site cleanup when parties responsible for the contamination cannot be located or are unwilling or unable to
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-5 FEASIBILITY STUDY (FS): HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE: HUDSON-RARITAN Evaluation of alternatives for (1) Any material that poses a ESTUARY (HRE) Ecosystem cleanup and restoration, including threat to human health and/or the Restoration Feasibility Study: A overall protection of human health environment. Typical hazardous comprehensive program to restore and the environment, ability substances are toxic, corrosive, and protect lost or degraded to be implemented, and cost ignitable, explosive or chemically aquatic, wetland and terrestrial effectiveness, among others. reactive. (2) Any substance habitats within the HRE study designated by the EPA to be area. These activities will be FLOODPLAIN: Low-lying lands reported if a designated quantity accomplished by implementing near rivers that are submerged of the substance is spilled into various site-specific ecosystem when the river overflows its banks. the waters of the United States restoration projects formulated HABITAT: A place where a plant or is otherwise released into the within the context of an overall or animal species naturally exists environment. strategic plan.
HARBOR ESTUARY PROGRAM HAZARDOUS WASTE: By- INFORMATION REPOSITORY: A (HEP): A multi-year effort to products of society that can pose file containing current information, develop and implement a plan a substantial or potential hazard to technical reports and reference to protect, conserve and restore human health or the environment documents regarding a site. The the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary. The when improperly handled. These information repository usually NY/NJ Harbor Estuary includes wastes possess at least one of the is located in a public building the waters of New York Harbor following characteristics: toxicity, convenient for local residents and the tidally influenced corrosivity, ignitability or reactivity. such as a public school, town hall portions of all rivers and streams or library. See Appendix 12 for HUDSON-RARITAN ESTUARY that empty into the harbor, locations. (HRE): An area within the including the Passaic River and boundaries of the Port District of MEMORANDUM OF Newark Bay. Participants in the New York and New Jersey, and AGREEMENT: A Memorandum program include representatives situated within a 25-mile radius of Agreement (“MOA”), also from local, state, and federal of the Statue of Liberty National known as a memorandum environmental agencies, Monument. The HRE study area of understanding, is a formal scientists, citizens, business includes eight planning regions: business document used to interests, environmentalists and outline an agreement made others. The EPA is coordinating 1. Jamaica Bay; between two separate entities, with HEP participants to ensure 2. Lower Bay; groups or individuals. An MOA that actions taken at the Lower 3. Lower Raritan River; usually precedes a more detailed Passaic River Restoration Project 4. Arthur Kill/Kill Van Kull; contract or agreement between and Newark Bay Study consider 5. Newark Bay, Hackensack the parties. the broader ecosystem and River Passaic River; consider the results of HEP’s 6. Lower Hudson River; modeling/monitoring efforts when selecting cleanup plans. For more 7. Harlem River, East River, and information on HEP, please visit Western Long Island Sound; and www.harborestuary.org. 8. Upper Bay.
A-6 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER MEMORANDUM OF NATURAL RESOURCE POTENTIALLY RESPONSIBLE UNDERSTANDING: See DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND PARTY (PRP): An individual, definition for Memorandum of RESTORATION (NRDAR): The company or other entity (i.e., Agreement. process of collecting, compiling, owners, operators, transporters and analyzing information, or generators of hazardous waste) MONITORING: Periodic or statistics or data to determine potentially responsible for, or continuous surveillance or damages for injuries to and contributing to, the contamination testing to determine the level restoration of natural resources. problems at a Superfund site. of compliance with statutory Natural Resources: Land, fish, When possible, the EPA requires requirements and/or pollutant wildlife, air, water, groundwater, a PRP, through administrative levels in various media or in drinking water supplies, and and legal actions, to clean up humans, plants and animals. other such resources belonging hazardous waste sites that it has NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL to, managed by, or controlled contaminated. POLICY ACT (NEPA) OF 1969: by the United States, a state or PROPOSED PLAN: A plan for A law that requires federal local government, any foreign a Superfund site cleanup that agencies to integrate government, any Indian Nation or is available to the public for environmental values into their any member of an Indian Nation. comment. decision-making processes by PARTNER AGENCIES: The considering the environmental U.S. Environmental Protection PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: A impacts of, and reasonable Agency (EPA), U.S. Army Corps formal opportunity for community alternatives to, their proposed of Engineers (Corps), the State of members to review and contribute actions. New Jersey, the National Oceanic written comments on various documents or actions. NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST and Atmospheric Administration (NPL): EPA’s list of serious (NOAA), and the U.S. Fish and RECORD OF DECISION (ROD): uncontrolled or abandoned Wildlife Service (USFWS). A decision document through hazardous waste sites identified PESTICIDE: Substances or which a cleanup is selected. It is for possible long-term cleanup mixture thereof intended for often referred to in the context of under Superfund. The list is based preventing, destroying, repelling Superfund sites, however, records primarily on the score a site or mitigating any pest. Also, any of decision are also used at receives from the Hazard Ranking substance or mixture for use as restoration sites under WRDA. System. The EPA is required to a plant regulator, defoliant or update the NPL at least once a desiccant. year. POLLUTION: Generally, the NATIONAL RESPONSE presence of matter or energy CENTER: The federal operations whose nature, location or quantity center that receives notifications produces undesired environmental of all releases of oil and hazardous effects that adversely affect the substances. usefulness of a resource or the health of humans, animals or ecosystems.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-7 REMEDIAL ACTION (RA): and compensatory. Primary TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The actual construction or restoration encompasses actions GRANT (TAG): A TAG provides implementation phase that taken by trustees to accelerate the money for activities that help follows the remedial design of a recovery of an injured resource communities participate in Superfund site. Also referred to as to its baseline. Natural recovery decision-making at eligible site cleanup. is considered in the analysis of Superfund sites. An initial grant options for primary restoration. up to $50,000 is available for any REMEDIAL DESIGN (RD): The Compensatory restoration Superfund site that is on the EPA’s phase that follows the remedial compensates for the interim loss NPL or proposed for listing on the investigation/feasibility study (RI/ of resources from the time the NPL and where a response action FS) and the Record of Decision injury occurs until restoration is has begun. Additional funding and includes development complete. may be provided by the EPA at of engineering drawings and complex sites. specifications for a Superfund site SEDIMENT: Topsoil, sand and cleanup. minerals washed from the land TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE into water, usually after rain or SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION snow melt. Also used to indicate (TASC): The national TASC (RI): An in-depth study designed the material that forms the bottom program provides independent to gather data needed to of a waterbody, such as a river. assistance through an EPA determine the nature and extent contract to help communities of contamination at a Superfund STAKEHOLDER: People, interest better understand the science, site, identify human health and groups and other organizations or regulations, and policies of ecological risks, and establish institutions that live in the project environmental issues and EPA preliminary site cleanup criteria. areas or closely identify with the actions. Under the TASC contract, The remedial investigation is issues associated with the project. a contractor provides scientists, usually concurrent with the SUPERFUND: The program engineers and other professionals feasibility study. Together they are to review and explain information usually referred to as the “RI/FS.” operated under the legislative authority of CERCLA that funds, to communities. : Cleanup or oversees and carries out EPA REMEDIATION TOXICITY: A relative property other methods used to remove or solid waste emergency and long- of a chemical that refers to contain a toxic spill or hazardous term cleanup activities. These its potential to have a harmful materials from a Superfund site. activities include establishing effect on a living organism. It is a the National Priorities List, function of the concentration of RESTORATION: Actions investigating sites for inclusion undertaken to return an the chemical and the duration of on the list, determining their exposure. injured resource to its baseline priority for evaluation, and condition, that is the condition conducting and/or supervising a of the resource had the release remedial investigation/feasibility of hazardous substances not study, cleanup and other occurred. Restoration consists remedial actions. of two types of activities: primary
A-8 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER URBAN WATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP (UWFP): A partnership to reconnect urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts to improve our nation’s water systems and promote their economic, environmental and social benefits. The EPA and Corps are co-leads for the Lower Passaic River UWFP location.
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT (WRDA): A biennial piece of legislation that is the main vehicle for authorizing water resource projects to be studied, planned and developed by the Corps. It is also the legislative vehicle for implementing policy changes with respect to the Corps’ water resource projects and programs.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-9 APPENDIX 3: PARTNER AGENCY CONTACTS
Neried Boat Club launch along the Lower Passaic Credit: Louis Berger, Inc.
A-10 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER U .S . ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL OCEANIC PROTECTION AGENCY AND ATMOSPHERIC Sophia Rini ADMINISTRATION Community Affairs Team Lead Reyhan Mehran 290 Broadway National Ocean Service-Office of New York, NY 10007-1866 Response and Restoration Phone: 212-637-3670 290 Broadway Email: [email protected] New York, NY 10007-1866 Phone: 212-637-3257 Email: [email protected] U .S . ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Alice Yeh U .S . FISH AND WILDLIFE Project Manager – Lower 8.3 SERVICE Miles of the Lower Passaic River Clay Stern 290 Broadway 4 East Jimmie Leeds Road New York, NY 10007-1866 Galloway, NJ 08205 Phone: 212-637-4427 Phone: 609-382-5280 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT U .S . ARMY CORPS OF OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS PROTECTION Lisa Baron Jay Nickerson Programs and Project Site Remediation Program Management Division Mail Code 401-05F 26 Federal Plaza – Room 2119 P.O. Box 420 New York, NY 10278-0900 Trenton, NJ 08625-0420 Phone: 917-790-8306 Phone: 609-633-1448 Email: Lisa.A.Baron@usace. Email: Jay.Nickerson@dep. army.mil nj.gov
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-11 APPENDIX 4: COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP
ANA I . BAPTISTA, PH.D. SCOTT DVORAK CYNTHIA MELLON CAG Co-Chair The Trust for Public Land Newark Environmental The New School, NYC and Commission Newark Resident ROGER ELLIS [email protected] Heavy and General Construction HARVEY MORGINSTIN, PE Laborers Local 472 (retired) DEBBIE MANS Passaic River Boat Club CAG Co-Chair MASSIEL MEDINA FERRARA, NY/NJ Baykeeper PP/AICP JOSEPH NARDONE [email protected] Hudson County Division of Newark, NJ Resident Planning KIRK R . BARRETT, PHD. JORGE C . SANTOS Manhattan College MOLLY GREENBERG Newark Community Economic Ironbound Community Development Corporation ARNOLD COHEN Corporation Newark Housing and LEONARD THOMAS Community Development MARIBEL JUSINO- Newark, NJ Resident ITURRALDE BEN DELISLE The New Jersey Historical DAVID YENNIOR Passaic River Rowing Society Sierra Club, NJ Chapter Association JAMES MACK MARCY S . DEPINA New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark Riverfront Revival JAY MEEGODA ROBIN DOUGHERTY New Jersey Institute of Greater Newark Conservancy Technology
A-12 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER The Riverkeeper at the mouth of the Passaic River
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-13 APPENDIX 5: ELECTED OFFICIALS: FEDERAL
U .S . Senate BARRINGTON DISTRICT REP . BILL PASCRELL, JR . OFFICE (9 C .D ). SENATOR CORY BOOKER 208 White Horse Pike Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson Washington, D.C. Office Suite 18 Counties 359 Dirksen Senate Office Barrington, NJ 08007 Washington, D.C. Office Building Phone: 856-757-5353 2320 Rayburn House Office Washington, DC 20510 Fax: 856-757-1526 Building Phone: 202- 224-3224 Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-5751 Fax: 202 -224-8378 U .S . House of Email: www.booker.senate.gov Fax: 202-225-5782 Representatives Website: https://pascrell.house. CAMDEN DISTRICT OFFICE gov/ One Port Center REP . RODNEY 2 Riverside Drive, Suite 505 FRELINGHUYSEN (11 CD) PASSAIC DISTRICT OFFICE Camden, NJ 08101 Morris, Passaic, Essex, and 30 Schuyler Place, 2nd floor Phone: 856-338-8922 Sussex Counties Morristown, NJ 07960 Fax: 856- 338-8936 Washington, D.C. Office Phone: 973-984-0711 2306 Rayburn House Office SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ Building PATERSON DISTRICT OFFICE Washington, D.C. Office Washington, DC 20515-3011 200 Federal Plaza 528 Senate Hart Office Building Phone: 202-225-5034 Suite 500 Washington, DC 20510 Website: https://frelinghuysen. Robert A. Roe Federal Building Phone: 202-224-4744 house.gov/ Paterson, NJ 07505 Fax: 202-228-2197 Phone: 973-523-5152 Email: www.menendez.senate. DISTRICT OFFICE Fax: 973-523-0637 gov 30 Schuyler Place, 2nd floor Morristown, NJ 07960 NEWARK DISTRICT OFFICE Phone: 973-984-0711 One Gateway Center Suite 1100 Newark, NJ 07102 Phone: 973-645-3030 Fax: 973-645-0502
A-14 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER REP . DONALD M . PAYNE, JR . ELIZABETH DISTRICT JERSEY CITY DISTRICT (10 C .D .) OFFICE OFFICE Essex, Union, and Hudson 800 Anna Street 121 Newark Avenue, Suite 200 Counties Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Jersey City, NJ 07302 Washington, DC Office Phone: 908-820-0692 Phone: 201-309-0301 103 Cannon House Office Fax: 908-820-0694 Fax: 201-309-0384 Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-3436 Fax: 202-225-4169 Website: https://payne.house. gov/
JERSEY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE 252 Martin Luther King Drive Jersey City, NJ 07305 Phone: 201-369-0399 Fax: 201-369-0395
NEWARK DISTRICT OFFICE 60 Nelson Place, 14th Floor LeRoy F. Smith Jr. Public Safety Building Newark, NJ 07102 Phone: 973-645-3213 Fax: 973-645-5902
REP . ALBIO SIRES (8 C .D .) Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties Washington, DC Office 2342 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-7919 Fax: 202-226-0792 Website: https://sires.house.gov/
U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-15 APPENDIX 6: ELECTED OFFICIALS: STATE
NJ State Senate DISTRICT 31 DISTRICT 36 Senator Sandra B. Senator Paul A. Sarlo DISTRICT 20 Cunningham 496 Columbia Blvd., 1st floor Senator Raymond J. Lesniak 1738 Kennedy Blvd. Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075 985 Stuyvesant Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07305 Phone: 201-804-8118 Union, NJ 07083 Phone: 201-451-5100 Phone: 908-624 0880 Fax: 201-451-0867 OR 65 Jefferson Ave., Suite B DISTRICT 32 Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Phone: 908-327-9119 Senator Nicholas J. Sacco 9060 Palisade Ave. North Bergen, NJ 07047 DISTRICT 28 Phone: 201-295-0200 Senator Ronald L. Rice 1044 S. Orange Ave. DISTRICT 33 Newark, NJ 07106 Phone: 973-371-5665 Senator Brian P. Stack 411 Palisades Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07307 DISTRICT 29 Phone: 201 721-5263
Senator M. Teresa Ruiz 166 Bloomfield Ave. DISTRICT 34 Newark, NJ 07104 Senator Nia H. Gill, Esquire Phone: 973-484-1000 39 South Fullerton Ave., 2nd floor Montclair, NJ 07047 Phone: 973-509-0388
A-16 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Dome of the New Jersey Statehouse Building, Trenton, NJ NJ State Assembly Assemblywoman Blonnie R. Assemblyman Raj Mukherji Watson 433 Palisade Ave. DISTRICT 20 223 Hawthorne Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07307 Newark, NJ 07112 Phone: 201-626-4000 Assemblyman Jamel C. Holley Phone: 973-624-1730 Fax: 201-626-4001 985 Stuyvesant Ave. Union, NJ 07083 DISTRICT 34 Phone: 908-624-0880 DISTRICT 31 Fax: 908-624-0587 Assemblyman Nicholas Assemblyman Thomas P. OR Chiaravalloti Gibilen 65 Jefferson Ave., Ste. B 836 Broadway 1333 Broad St. Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Bayonne, NJ 07002 Clifton, NJ 07013 Phone: 908-327-9119 Phone: 201-471-2347 Phone: 973-779-3125
Assemblywoman Annette Assemblywoman Angela V. Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Quijano McKnight Oliver 65 Jefferson Ave., Ste. B 2324 JFK Blvd. 15-33 Halstead St., Ste. 202 Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Jersey City, NJ 07304 E. Orange, NJ 07018 Phone: 908-327-9119 Phone: 201-360-2502 Phone: 973-395-1166 OR 985 Stuyvesant Ave. DISTRICT 32 DISTRICT 36 Union, NJ 07083 Phone: 908-624-0880 Assemblywoman Angela M. Assemblywoman Marlene Jimenez Caride 613 Bergen Blvd. DISTRICT 28 5600 Kennedy Blvd., Ste. 104 West New York, NJ 07093 Ridgefield, NJ 07657 Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo Phone: 201-223-4247 Phone: 201-943-0615 148-152 Franklin St. Fax: 201-943-0984 Belleville, NJ 07109 Assemblyman Vincent Prieto Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer Phone: 973-450-0484 121 Newark Avenue, Suite 200 Jersey City, NJ 07302 1 Howe Ave., Ste. 401 Assemblywoman Cleopatra G. Phone: 201-309-0301 Passaic, NJ 07055 Tucker Fax: 201-309-0384 Phone: 973-249-3665 400 Lyons Ave. Newark, NJ 07112 DISTRICT 33 Phone: 973-926-4320 Assemblywoman Annette DISTRICT 29 Chaparo 80 River St., 2nd floor Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Hoboken, NJ 07030 Marin Phone: 201-683-7917 263 Lafayette St., 1st floor Fax: 201-683-7920 Newark, NJ 07105 Phone: 973-589-0713 Fax: 201-369-0395
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-17 APPENDIX 7: ELECTED OFFICIALS: LOCAL
County Contacts PASSAIC COUNTY BELLEVILLE Anthony DeNova, County Mauro Tucci, Township Mgr. BERGEN COUNTY Administrator Belleville Town Hall James Tedesco III, County Administration Building 152 Washington Ave. Executive 401 Grand St. Belleville, NJ 07109 One Bergen County Plaza Paterson, NJ 07505 Phone: 973-450-3322 Floor 5, Room 580 Phone: 973-881-4000 Fax: 973-759-8022 Hackensack, NJ 07601 Fax: 973-881-2853 Phone: 201-336-7300 Website: EAST NEWARK Website: www.co.bergen.nj.us www.passaiccountynj.org Joseph R. Smith, Mayor 34 Sherman Ave. ESSEX COUNTY UNION COUNTY East Newark, NJ 07029 Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., County Alfred Faella, County Manager Phone: 973-481-2902 Executive 10 Elizabethtown Plaza Fax: 973-481-0627 425 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Blvd. Phone: 908-527-4200 ELIZABETH Room 405 Fax: 908-289-0180 J. Christian Bollwage, Mayor Newark, NJ 07102 Email: [email protected] City Hall Phone: 973-621-4400 50 Winfield Scott Plaza Fax: 973-621-6343 Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Email: joedi@admin. Phone: 908-820-4170 ssexcountynj.org Municipal Contacts Fax: 908-820-8624 BAYONNE HUDSON COUNTY Jimmy Davis, Mayor HARRISON Thomas DeGise, County City of Bayonne James A. Fife, Mayor Executive 630 Avenue C 318 Harrison Ave.Harrison, NJ 583 Newark Ave. Bayonne, NJ 07002 07029 Jersey City, NJ 07306 Phone: 201-858-6010 Phone: 973-268-2444 Phone: 201-795-6000 Email: [email protected]
A-18 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER JERSEY CITY KEARNY NEWARK Steven M. Fulop, Mayor Alberto G. Santos, Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Mayor City Hall Kearny Town Hall Mayor’s Office 280 Grove St. 402 Kearny Ave. Newark City Hall Jersey City, NJ 07302 Kearny, NJ 07032 920 Broad St., Room 200 Phone 201- 547-5200 Phone: 201-955-7979 Newark, NJ 07102 Fax: 201-547-4288 Fax: 201-998-6069 Phone: 973-733-6400 E-Mail: [email protected]
Passaic River near Dundee Dam
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-19 APPENDIX 8: COOPERATING PARTIES
Information obtained from http://www.lowerpassaiccpg.com/ web site, as of June 13, 2017.
1 . Arkema Inc. 11 .DII Industries, LLC 21 .Goodrich Corporation on behalf of itself and Kalama 2 . Atlantic Richfield Company 12 .DiLorenzo Properties Specialty Chemicals, Inc. Company on behalf of itself BASF Corporation, on its own 3 . and the Goldman /Goldman/ 22 .Hess Corporation, on its behalf and on behalf of BASF DiLorenzo Properties own behalf and on behalf of Catalysts LLC Partnerships Atlantic Richfield Company Belleville Industrial Center 4 . 13 .E. I. du Pont de Nemours and 23 .Hexcel Corporation Celanese Ltd. Company 5 . 24 .Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. on its 6 . Chevron Environmental 14 .Elan Chemical Company own behalf, and on behalf of Management Company, for its affiliate Roche Diagnostics 15 .EPEC Polymers, Inc. on itself and on behalf of Texaco, behalf of itself and EPEC Oil 25 .Honeywell International Inc. Inc. and TRMI –H LLC Company Liquidating Trust 26 .Kao USA Inc. Coats & Clark, Inc. 7 . 16 .Essex Chemical Corporation 27 .Leemilt’s Petroleum, Inc. Coltec Industries 8 . 17 .Essex County Improvement (successor to Power Test 9 . Conopco, Inc. d/b/a Unilever Authority of New Jersey, Inc.), on (as successor to CPC/ its behalf and on behalf of 18 .Flexon Industries Corp. Bestfoods, former parent Power Test Realty Company of the Penick Corporation 19 .Franklin-Burlington Plastics, Limited Partnership and Getty [facility located at 540 New Inc. Properties Corp., the General York Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ]) Partner of Power Test Realty 20 .Garfield Molding Co., Inc. Company Limited Partnership 10 .Cooper Industries LLC 28 .Legacy Vulcan Corp.
A-20 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 29 .Linde LLC on behalf of The 36 .PPG Industries, Inc. 43 .Sun Chemical Corporation BOC Group Inc. 37 .Public Service Electric and 44 .Teva Pharmaceuticals 30 .Lucent Technologies Inc. now Gas Company USA, Inc. (f/k/a Biocraft known as Alcatel-Lucent USA Laboratories, Inc.) Inc. 38 .Purdue Pharma Technologies, Inc. 45 .Textron Inc. 31 .Newell Rubbermaid Inc., on behalf of itself and its wholly- 39 .Quality Carriers, Inc. as 46 .The Hartz Consumer Group, owned subsidiaries Goody successor to Chemical Inc., on behalf of The Hartz Products, Inc. and Berol Leaman Tank Lines, Inc. Mountain Corporation and Quality Carriers, Inc.’s Corporation (as successor 47 .The Newark Group by merger to Faber-Castell corporate affiliates and Corporation) parents 48 .The Sherwin-Williams Revere Smelting and Refining Company 32 .Novelis Corporation (f/k/a 40 . Alcan Aluminum Corporation) Corporation 49 .Twenty-First Century Fox Safety-Kleen Envirosystems America (successor to Chris- 33 .Otis Elevator Company 41 . Company by McKesson, and Craft Industries) 34 .Pfizer, Inc. McKesson Corporation for 50 .Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. itself 35 .Pharmacia Corporation (f/k/a 51 .Tiffany and Company Monsanto Company) 42 .STWB Inc. 52 .Wyeth, on behalf of Shulton, Inc.
Scientists surveying the Passaic Credit: CDMSmith
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-21 APPENDIX 9: REGIONAL AUTHORITIES
PASSAIC VALLEY SEWERAGE COMMISSIONERS (PVSC) Brian Davenport, River Restoration Manager 600 Wilson Avenue Newark, NJ 07105 Phone: 973-466-2714
Bridget McKenna, Chief Operating Officer, Plant Operations Phone: 973-817-5782
PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ 4 World Trade Center 150 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 Phone: 212-435-7000
NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY HARBOR & ESTUARY PROGRAM 17 Battery Place, Suite 915 New York, NY 10004 Phone: 212-483-7667 Email: [email protected]
A-22 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Boating at the mouth of the Passaic River
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-23 APPENDIX 10: STAKEHOLDER GROUPS
AMERICAN LITTORAL CLEAN WATER ACTION ESSEX COUNTY SOCIETY 559 Bloomfield Avenue ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER Tim Dillingham, Executive Montclair, NJ 07042 621-B Eagle Rock Avenue Director, Sandy Hook Office Phone: 973-744-3005 Roseland, NJ 07068 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite #1 Email: [email protected] Phone: 973-228-8776 Highlands, NJ 07732 Fax: 973-228-3793 Phone: 732-291-0055 COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY Website: https://www. Association of New Jersey Email: [email protected] essexcountyparks.org/facilities/ 61 South Paramus Road environmental-center ASSOCIATION OF NEW Mack-Cali Centre IV JERSEY Paramus, NJ 07652 ESSEX COUNTY Environmental Commissioners Phone: 201-368-2100 ENVIRONMENTAL Jennifer Coffey Website: www.cianj.org COMMISSION PO Box 157 Tara M Casella, Essex County Mendham, NJ 07945 ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Liaison/Environmental Coordinator Phone: 973-539-7547 FUND Phone: 973-228-8776 Jim Tripp Email: [email protected] Email: tcasella@parks. New York Headquarters essexcountynj.org CLEAN OCEAN ACTION 257 Park Avenue South Cindy Zipf, Exec. Director New York, NY 10010 FAIR LAWN ENVIRONMENTAL 18 Hartshorn Dr. Phone: 212-505-2100 COMMISSION PO Box 505 Fax: 212-505-2375 Wendy Dabney, Chairperson Sandy Hook, NJ 07732 Website: www.edf.org P.O. Box 376 Phone: 732-872-0111 Fair Lawn, NJ 07410-0376 Email: info@CleanOceanAction. Phone: 201-398-0225 org
A-24 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER FUTURE CITY, INC. HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER INTEGRATED BENEFITS Michele McBean, Exec. Director Bill Sheehan RESOURCES, LLC 1139 East Jersey St. 231 Main St. 333 Sylvan Avenue Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Hackensack, NJ 07601 Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Phone: 908-659-0689 Phone: 201-968-0808 Phone: 201-541-1180 Fax: 908-353-1511 Fax: 201-968-0336 Fax: 201-541-1183 Email: [email protected] Email: info@ Email: www.inbenresources.com hackensackriverkeeper.org GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED IRONBOUND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HUDSON COUNTY CHAMBER CORPORATION Sally Rubin, Executive Director OF COMMERCE Joseph Della Fave, Executive 568 Tempe Wick Road 857 Bergen Avenue, 3rd Floor Director Morristown, NJ 07960 Jersey City, NJ 07306 317 Elm St. Phone: 973-538-3500 Phone: 201-386-0699 Newark, NJ 07105 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 973-465-0555 Fax: 973-465-0505 GREEN FAITH HUDSON RIVER FISHERMAN’S Website: www.ironboundcc.org Rev. Fletcher Harper, Exec. ASSOCIATION Director Website: http://hrfanj.org/ JERSEY COAST ANGLERS 101 South Third Ave., #12 Tom Fote Highland Park, NJ 08904 HUDSON RIVER FOUNDATION 1594 Lakewood R. Phone: 732-565-7740 Dennis Suszkowski Unit 13 Fax: 732-565-7790 1 Battery Place, Ste. 915 Toms River, NJ 08755 Email: [email protected] New York, NY 10004 Phone: 732-506-6565 Phone: 212-483-7667 Email: [email protected] GREATER NEWARK Fax: 212-924-8325 CONSERVANCY Email: [email protected] LABORERS’ INTERNATIONAL Robin L. Dougherty, Exec. Director UNION OF NORTH AMERICA 32 Prince St. IMMIGRATION & AMERICAN 905 16th Street, Northwest Newark, NJ 07103 Citizenship Organization (IACO) Washington, DC 20006 Phone: 973-642-4646 647 Main Ave., Ste. 205 Phone: 202-737-8320 Fax: 973-642-2218 Passaic, NJ 07024 Website: www.citybloom.org Phone: 973-472-4648 LA CASA DE DON PEDRO Fax: 973-472-4889 Raymond Ocasio Email: info@iacoimmigration@ 75 Park Ave. msn.com Newark, NJ Phone: 973-482-8312 Fax: 973-482-1883 Website: www.lacasanwk.org
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-25 METROPOLITAN NEREID BOAT CLUB NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF REASSERTION COMMUNITY 3350 Riverside Ave. TECHNOLOGY (NJIT) DEVELOPMENT Rutherford, NJ 07070 Jay N. Meegoda, Ph.D., P.E. CORPORATION Phone: 201-438-3995 Department of Civil & 149 Springfield Avenue Email: [email protected] Environmental Newark, NJ 07102 Engineering Phone: 973-642-2267 NEWARK COMMUNITY Newark, NJ 07102 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Phone: 973-596-2464 METROPOLITAN CORPORATION Fax: 973-596-5790 111 Mulberry Street, Lower Lobby WATERFRONT ALLIANCE Email: [email protected] 241 Water Street, 3rd Flood Newark, NJ 07102 New York, NY 10038 Phone: 973-273-1040 NEW JERSEY STATE Phone: 212-935-9831 Fax: 973-273-1070 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Mt. Prospect Partnership Website: www.newarkcedc.org/ 216 West State Street Mike Sheehan location Trenton, NJ 08608 643 Mt. Prospect Ave. Phone: 609-989-7888 Newark, NJ 07104 NEWARK RIVERFRONT Website: www.NJChamber.com Phone: 201-981-2667 REVIVAL Marcy S. DePina, Program NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Director HARBOR & ESTUARY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF 920 Broad Street, Room 113 PROGRAM COLORED PEOPLE Newark, NJ 07102 17 Battery Place, Suite 915 Oranges and Maplewood Unit Phone: (201) 341-8311 New York, NY 10004 Tom Puryear, President Website: www.newarkriverfront. Phone: 212-483-7667 P.O. Box 1127 org Website: www.harborestuary.org East Orange, NJ 07019 Phone: 973-675-5325 NEW JERSEY ALLIANCE FOR NORTH SHORE WATER Email: President@ ACTION, INC. CONSERVANCY OF STATEN P.O. Box 6438 OrangesMaplewoodNAACP.org ISLAND Raritan Plaza II P.O. Box 140502 NATURAL RESOURCES Edison, NJ 08818-6438 Staten Island, NY 10314 DEFENSE COUNCIL Phone: 732-225-1180 Phone: 718-447-6880 Brad Sewell Website: www.allianceforaction. Website: www.nswcsi.org 40 W. 20 St. com New York, NY 10011 Phone: 212-727-2700 Email: [email protected]
A-26 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER NY/NJ BAYKEEPER PASSAIC RIVER ROWING SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY Debbie Mans, Exec. Director ASSOCIATION DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 52 West Front St. PO Box 440 900 Route 168 Keyport, NJ 07735 Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 Turnersville, NJ 08012 Phone: 732-888-9870 Website: http://prra.org/ Email: [email protected] Fax: 732-888-9873 Email: debbie@nynjbaykeeper. PASSAIC VALLEY SEWERAGE STEVENS INSTITUTE OF org COMMISSIONERS (PVSC) TECHNOLOGY Brian Davenport, River Dr. K. Nadia Dimou PASSAIC RIVER BOAT CLUB Restoration Research Professor 56 Hyde Road Program Manager Hoboken, NJ 07030 Bloomfield, NJ 07003 600 Wilson Ave. Phone: 201-216-8551 Phone: 973-338-6408 Newark, NJ 07105 Email: kdimou@stevens-tech. Website: www. Phone: 973-466-2714 edu passaicriverboatclub.org Email: [email protected] WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PASSAIC RIVER COALITION RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AREA-4 Laurie Howard, Chair BOB CHANT Watershed Ambassador 330 Speedwell Ave. Institute of Marine & Coastal PVSC Morristown, NJ 07960 Studies Phone: 973-817-5784 Phone: 973-532-9830 New Brunswick, NJ 08903 Email: [email protected] Fax: 973-889-9172 Phone: 908-932-6555, x644 Website: www.passaicriver.org Email: [email protected]. edu PASSAIC RIVER INSTITUTE (PRI) SIERRA CLUB, NEW JERSEY Montclair State University GATEWAY GROUP Meiyin S. Wu, Exec. Director David Yennior, Chair Montclair State University 145 West Hanover Street Montclair, NJ Trenton, NJ 08618 Phone: 973-655-7117 Phone: 609-656-7612 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.sierraclub. org/new-jersey/gateway
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-27 APPENDIX 11: POTENTIAL MEETING LOCATIONS
Belleville, NJ Jersey City, NJ Kearny, NJ BELLEVILLE SENIOR CITIZENS BOYS CLUB OF JERSEY CITY AMERICAN LEGION KEARNY CENTER 1 Canal St. FROBISHER 125 Franklin Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07302 Post 99 Belleville, NJ 07109 Phone: 201-333-4100 314 Belgrove Drive Phone: 973-450-3430 Kearny, NJ 07032 FRIENDSHIP MASONIC LODGE Phone: 201-991-6360 78 Summit Ave. ELKS BPO LODGE 1050 Elizabeth, NJ Jersey City, NJ 07304 Phone: 201-451-4604 KEARNY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF 601 Elm St. ELIZABETH Kearny, NJ 07032 513 Richmond St. Phone: 201-991-6360 Elizabeth, NJ 07202 FRANKLIN SCHOOL Phone: 908-351-3344 100 Davis Ave. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Kearny, NJ 07032 328 Union Ave. Phone: 201-955-5020 Elizabeth, NJ 07208 PRESBYTERIAN BOYS AND Phone: 908-355-2253 GIRLS CLUB ST. ANTHONY’S YOUTH 663 Kearny Ave. CENTER Kearny, NJ 07032 219 High St. Phone: 201-991-9841 Elizabeth, NJ 07202 YMCA OF KEARNY Phone: 908-353-0177 728 Kearny Ave. Kearny, NJ 07032 Phone: 201-997-4651
A-28 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER IRONBOUND COMMUNITY SOCIETY HILL COMMUNITY Newark, NJ CENTER CENTER 1 432 Lafayette St. 1 Cornerstone Lane BARRINGER HIGH SCHOOL Newark, NJ 07105 Newark, NJ 07103 90 Parker St. Phone: 973-465-0947 Phone: 973-622-0256 Newark, NJ 07014 Phone: 973-268-5125 NORTH JERSEY ST. LUCY’S COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING CENTER EAST NEWARK PUBLIC AUTHORITY (NJTPA) 106 S. 7th St. 501-11 N. Third St. One Newark Center, 17th floor Newark, NJ 07107 East Newark, NJ 07029 Newark, NJ 07102 Phone: 973-483-9003 Phone: 201-481-6800 Phone: 973-639-8400 WEST SIDE COMMUNITY EAST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fax: 073-639-1953 CENTER 238 Van Buren St. PORTUGUESE SPORTS CLUB West Side Park & 13th Newark, NJ 07105 55 Prospect St. Newark, NJ 07102 Phone: 973-465-4900 Newark, NJ 07105 Phone: 973-642-2015 Phone: 973-589-5078 ELIZABETH AVE. COMMUNITY CENTER 54 Elizabeth Ave. Newark, NJ 07108 Phone: 973-242-0531
Excerpt of “Along the Passaic River” historic postcard. Credit: NJ Historical Society
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-29 APPENDIX 12: INFORMATION REPOSITORIES
U.S. EPA RECORDS CENTER 290 Broadway, 18th floor New York, NY 10007 Hours: Mon – Fri: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Phone: 212-637-3000
NEWARK PUBLIC LIBRARY NJ Reference Section 5 Washington St. Newark, NJ 07101 Phone: 973-733-7775
ELIZABETH PUBLIC LIBRARY 11 South Broad St. Elizabeth, NJ 07202 Phone: 908-354-6060
A-30 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Excerpt from “Passaic River below Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge” 1887 Credit: NJ Historical Society
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-31 APPENDIX 13: MEDIA LIST
NEWSPAPERS THE OBSERVER TELEVISION STATIONS 39 Seeley Ave. EL NUEVO COQUI (SPANISH) NJN NETWORK – CHANNEL 50 Kearny, NJ 07032 258 Clifton Ave. (PUBLIC TV) Phone: 201-991-1600 Newark, NJ 07103 50 Park Place, Ste. 1041 Website: www.theobserver.com Phone: 973-481-3233 Newark, NJ 07102 Phone: 973-648-3630 THE RECORD JERSEY JOURNAL Website: www.njntvonline.org 50 Walnut St. One Harmon Plaza Newark, NJ 07102 Ste. 1010 NJTV PUBLIC TELEVISION Phone: 973-643-0251 Secaucus, NJ 07094 PO Box 5776 Website: www.northjersey.com Phone: 201-653-1000 Englewood, NJ 07631 Website: www.nj.com/jjournal/ Phone: 609-777-0031 THE STAR LEDGER Toll-free: 1-800-882-6622 1 Gateway Center, X1100 JERSEY JOURNAL SPANISH Newark, NJ 07102 EDITION TELEMUNDO CHANNEL 47 Phone: 973-392-4141 Same address as above (SPANISH) WNJU Website: www.nj.com/ 2200 Fletcher Ave. starledger/ LUSO AMERICANO Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (PORTUGUESE) Phone: 201-969-4246 THE SOUTH BERGENITE 88 Ferry Street Website: www.telemunco47. 33 Lincoln Ave. Newark, NJ 07105 com Rutherford, NJ 07070 Phone: 973-589-4600 Phone: 201-933-1166 Fax: 973-973-589-3848 UNIVISION CHANNEL 41 Website: (SPANISH) WXTV www.lusoamericano.com 500 Frank w. Burr Blvd. Teaneck, NJ 07666 LUSO AMERICANO Phone: 201-287-4141 (PORTUGUESE) Website: www.univision.com Classified Section 66 Union St. WWOR-TV CHANNEL 9 Newark, NJ 07105 9 Broadcast Plz Phone: 973-344-3200 Secaucus, New Jersey 07094 Fax: 973-344-4201 Website: www.my9nj.com
A-32 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER RADIO WPAT-AM 930 AM (MULTICULTURAL) WABC-AM 27 William St., 11 fl. 2 Penn Plaza, #1700 New York, NY 10005 New York, NY 10013 Phone: 212-966-1059 Phone: 212-268-5260 Fax: 212-966-8580 Station Phone: 212-613-3800 Website: www.wpat930.c0m Website: www.wabcradio.com
WWRL – 1600 AM WADO-AM (SPANISH) Woodside, NY 11377 Univision Radio Network Phone: 718-355-1600 277 Paterson Plank Rd. Website: www.aboutus.com/ Carlstadt, NJ 07072 Wwrl1600.com Phone: 201-804-1739 Website: www.univision.com RADIO BRAZIL LEGAL (PORTUGUESE/BRAZILIAN) WBGO 350 Lafayette St. Newark Public Radio, Inc. Newark, NJ 07105 54 Park Pl. Phone: 973-351-4940 Newark, NJ 07102 Website: www.radiolegal.fm.br Phone: 973-624-8880 Fax: 973-824-8888 RADIO PORTUGAL 1430 AM Website: www.wbgo.org 189-215 South St. Newark, NJ 07114 1010 WINS-AM (ALL NEWS) Phone: 201-344-1155 Website: www.newyork. Fax: 201-589-0022 cbslocal.com Email: radioportugal@ vivaportugal.com WLIB-AM 1190 (URBAN) Phone: 212-447-1000 RADIO VERITE Fax: 212-447-5211 (HAITIAN/CREOLE) General Email: [email protected] 15 Prospect St. Website: www.wlib.com E. Orange, NJ 07017 Phone: 973-676-1671 WNYC New York Public Radio 160 Varick Street, 8th floor New York, NY 10013 Phone: 646-829-4400 Website: www.wnyc.org
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-33 APPENDIX 14: SEASONAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
The following appendix lists seasonal events in the Passaic River watershed, but it is not a complete list. For further information, please click on the relevant links below or visit www.ourpassaic.org.
CITY OF WATER DAY, GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED HEAD OF THE PASSAIC sponsored by the Waterfront ASSOCIATION sponsored REGATTA, sponsored in part by Alliance, includes free boat tours events, including the Great Swap the Nereid Boat Club on all kinds of vessels, from tall Gala and Silent Auction, Annual http://www.hopr.org/ ships to tugboats; free rowing, Home and Garden Tour, Annual kayaking and paddle-boarding; Great Swamp Scavenger Hunt HUDSON RIVER FISHERMAN’S and the Waterfront Activity Fair and hikes ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL http://waterfrontalliance.org/ https://www.greatswamp.org/ FISHING CONTEST, which runs what-we-do/city-of-water-day/ events from January 1st to December 31st and is open to all paid CLEAN OCEAN ACTION HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER members and their families sponsored events, including sponsored activities, including: http://hrfanj.org/ beach cleanups eco-walks, eco-cruises (guided http://cleanoceanaction.org/ river tours by canoe and kayak), HUDSON RIVER FISHERMAN’S index.php?id=611 canoe and kayak rentals and ASSOCIATION sponsored river cleanups seasonal fishing trips ESSEX COUNTY http://www. http://hrfanj.org/ ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER hackensackriverkeeper.org/ sponsored activities, including calendar-of-events/ NATIONAL LEARN TO ROW a Memorial Day Paddle, http://www. DAY, sponsored by U.S. Rowing Wilderness Skills Summer Camp, hackensackriverkeeper. http://archive.usrowing.org/ a Nature Explorers Summer org/activities-and-events/ events_new/nltrd Camp and a Butterfly Tent Safari cleanups/ https://www. https://www.facebook.com/ essexcountyparks.org/ HackensackRiverkeeper facilities/environmental- center/calendar
A-34 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER NEWARK RIVERFRONT REVIVAL sponsored events, including the Annual Walk to the Water and River Day, Zumba at the Park and Salsa on the River http://newarkriverfront.org/ things-to-do/
PASSAIC RIVER ROWING ASSOCIATION sponsored activities, including rowing lessons http://prra.org/news-and-events/ Regattas, sponsored by multiple parties and searchable by state https://www.regattacentral. com/regattas
Rowers enjoying the outdoors
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-35 APPENDIX 15: FISH AND SHELLFISH ADVISORIES
A-36 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER
How can Contaminants Three Safety Tips in the sh be removed? 1. Do not eat: Your Baby Shark Bluesh Mercury cannot be removed through Swordsh Striped Bass cooking or cleaning. King Mackerel Crabs from Newark Bay Eats Tilesh Green gland of lobster & However, by removing fat and organs when Eel crab you clean and cook fish, you can help to Raw Fish What You Eat reduce other contaminants like PCBs that concentrate here. 2. Eat a variety (up to 12oz. on average = 2 meals a week) of sh lower in mercury: Shrimp Fluke/Flounder REMEMBER ! Canned –Light Tuna Pollack Salmon Cod Special Advice for women Cooked (not raw) Tilapia Cut off and discard skin, fat and Shellsh Farm raised Ca�ish who might become pregnant, guts women who are pregnant, Bake or Broil the sh (without 3. Eat a variety of sh and choose your sh wisely. Prepared and clean all sh correctly. Cook nursing, and mothers of skin) on a rack so the fats can clams and oysters thoroughly.
drain off young children For more informa�on please use contacts below: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services call (609) 588‐3123 www.nj.gov/health/foodanddrugsafety/ ssp_resources.shtml
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protec�on call (609) 984‐6070 www.shsmarteatsmartnj.org
U.S. Food and Drug Administra�on call 1‐888‐SAFEFOOD www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/
Feb 13 –NJDEP –revised
Fish is a Healthy Food! Fish and shellsh are an important part of a healthy diet. How to Choose Fish and shellsh contain high quality protein and other essen�al nutrients, are low in saturated fat and contain Your Fish Wisely omega‐3 fa�y acids. A well balanced diet includes a variety of sh and shellsh which can contribute to heart health and proper growth and development of your child. Some sh contain high levels of environmental contaminants such as mercury and/or PCBs that can harm an unborn baby or young child’s developing nervous system. Small amounts of mercury may lead to:
Damaging your baby’s developing nervous system Learning and behavioral problems
Levels of exposure to PCBs can: Lead to a lower birth weight Reduce the ability to learn/delay physical development Exposure to PCBs may also cause cancer
Remember ! PCBs build up in the fat of the sh
Remember the following advice when eaƟng sh:
1. Eat smaller and younger. 2. Eat a variety of cooked sh and seafood. 3. Trim skin and fat, especially belly fat. See pic‐ ture on cleaning and cooking properly, (fa�y sh, bluesh, salmon) 4. Follow the guidelines in this brochure to select safer types of sh to eat.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-37 DANGER !
DO NOT CATCH! DO NOT EAT ! BLUE CLAW CRABS IN LOWER PASSAIC RIVER AND NEWARK BAY COMPLEX MAY CAUSE CANCER AND MAY HARM BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IN UNBORN AND YOUNG CHILDREN Fines up to $3,000 could be imposed (N.J.A.C. 7:25-14,18A) For further information call toll free: 1-866-DEP-KNOW New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection New Jersey Department of Health
For more information GO TO: FishSmartEatSmartNJ.org
A-38 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER
How to Properly Clean Carp
Proper fish cleaning and cooking techniques may DO NOT EAT ANY FISH from the reduce PCB levels by approximately 50 percent Tidal Passaic River, downstream of Catch of the Day! when compared to raw fish fillets. A meal size is the Dundee Dam. considered to be an uncooked 8 ounce fillet. Limit eating carp from the Passaic Eat only the fillet portions. River upstream of Dundee Dam to one meal a month for adult males Do not eat whole fish or steak portions. and Carp ! Many chemical contaminants, like PCBs and Do Not Eat for women who are pregnant pesticides (but not mercury), are stored in or plan to become pregnant, the fatty portions of fish. breastfeeding women and young children. Do, skin the fish and trim any of the dark meat (lateral line), back strap and belly flap. Do not eat the heads, guts, liver, or any re- productive parts such as eggs roe. PCBs usu- ally concentrate in those body parts. A HEALTHY WAY TO Do not use heads, skin, trimmed fatty por- PROPERLY CLEAN tions in soups, stews, chowders, boils, broth or for fish stock. If you make stews or chow- AND COOK ders, only use skinless fillet parts. GO TO: www.FishSmartEatSmartNJ.org CARP Fish Cooking Methods Bake, broil, fry, grill, or steam allowing the Fried Christmas Carp (Traditional Fried Carp recipe) fats and juices to drain away from the fish. For more helpful fish consumption 10½ ounce carp Cook the fish on an elevated rack that allows 1¾ tsps. salt fats and juices to drain to the pan below. Pinch of white pepper information go to: 1½ tbs. butter Avoid batter, breading or coatings that can 1½ tsp. minced garlic www.FishSmartEatSmartNJ.org hold in the juices that may contain ½ cup olive oil
contaminants. * Debone, remove skin and clean the carp thoroughly (see inside) Throw away juices since they contain the PCBs and other chemicals that were in the fat. * Salt and pepper the fillets, then brush with melted butter and mashed garlic. Do not pour these juices over the fish as a sauce or to moisten the fish. * Fry slowly in hot oil until done. * After cooking, discard all liquids and frying oils.
DANGER HOW TO PROPERLY CLEAN A CARP Dioxin, PCBs and mercury may pose greater risk to babies
and young children. For this reason it is important for women who are pregnant, or might become pregnant, breastfeeding women and young children follow the recommendations 1. Start fillet by slitting the area 2. Run the knife down the 3. Once you’re past the ribs, found in this flyer to insert the knife and continue behind the gills. Take care not backbone. You’ll feel the ribs reduce exposure. to puncture the organs. with the tip of the knife. the fillet process toward the tail. WARNING
To prevent chemical contaminants from entering your body, clean carp thoroughly before cooking.
Remove “Mud Line”
Remove “Dark Meat” where 4. Remove the fillet from 5. Cut off the belly meat and 6. Place the fillet on a flat chemicals concentrate. the rib bones to the belly discard the guts or carcass. surface and slice skin away Soaking carp in water will NOT remove chemical contaminants
Other Do’s and Don'ts
DON’T —Keeping carp in a tub or basin of water will remove the mud taste, It will NOT remove the chemical contaminants in the fish
DO EAT smaller, younger fish.
DON’T EAT older, larger fish because they typically contain high levels of chemical 7. Remove mud line from the fillet. 8. Remove red (dark) meat with a v-cut . contaminants. Mercury can NOT be removed from sh
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-39 Reduce Exposure to Dioxin and PCBs Dioxin, PCBs and mercury may pose greater risk to babies and young children. Eat only the fillet! For this reason it is important for women who are pregnant, or might become pregnant, breastfeeding women and young children follow the recommendations found in this flyer to reduce exposure. Do not eat the whole fish or steak portions.
New Jersey Department of Environmental
all fat Protection, Office of Science. Additional copies all along of this brochure can be printed from the web site: FishSmartEatSmartNJ.org or by calling
(609) 984-6070
New Jersey Department of Health fat - the fatty belly meat along the entire Food and Drug Safety Program the http://www.state.nj.us/health/foodanddrugsafety/ Remove and throw away the head, guts, kidneys, sea_food.shtml or call (609)826-4935 and the liver. Remove the “backstrap meat” along with the skin, lateral line and belly meat. Environmental Protection Agency Fish and Wildlife Contamination Program Cut away the fat, skin and belly epa.gov/ost/fish area before cooking. For information on Commercial Fish: Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/ Bake, Broil, steam, fry or grill fish, and BuyStoreServeSafeFood/UCM2006759.htm throw away the cooking juices. 1-888-SAFEFOOD Development of this brochure was a cooperative project of the Use only fish fillets when preparing soups, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the stews and chowders. New Jersey Department of Health
Cover photo of Ed Stevenson taken by Bruce Ruppel.
2016 Go to: FishSmartEatSmartNJ.org
Statewide & Regional Fish Consumption Recommendations to Reduce Exposure to Dioxin, PCBs and
General Fish / Crustacea Under Advisory Population High Risk ** Newark Bay Complex Do Not Catch, Do Not Catch, Blue Claw Crab Do Not Eat! Do Not Eat! Coast
American Eel 4 meals / year Do Not Eat! Bluefishgreater than 6lbs/24” 6 meals / year Do Not Eat! Bluefish less than Striped Bass 6lbs/24” 1 meal / month Do Not Eat!
Largemouth Bass Do Not Eat Green (tomalley or Inland—Statewide American Lobster Smallmouth Bass Chain Pickerel 1 meal / week 1 meal / month
Sunfish Yellow Bullhead (includes bluegill, No Restrictions pumpkinseed and 1 meal / month redbreast sunfish)
Brown Bullhead No Restrictions 1 meal / week
Common Carp 1 meal / month Do Not Eat! Pinelands
Largemouth Bass Chain Pickerel 1 meal / month Do Not Eat!
Brown Bullhead Yellow Bullhead 1 meal / week Do Not Eat!
Sunfish (includes bluegill, pumpkinseed and 1 meal / week 1 meal / month redbreast sunfish)
NOTE: To reduce your exposure, eat those fish with the lowest meal restrictions. Do not combine meal restrictions. (For example, if you eat multiple fish species or catch from more than one area, the recommended guidelines for different species and different locations should not be combined.)
A-40 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Lower Passaic River
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-41 APPENDIX 16: COMMUNITY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS (2005, 2016) AND INTERVIEW SUMMARY (2014)
2016 Questions a. If yes, can you indicate your level of knowledge on a scale of 1-10 (lowest to 1. Do you live or work near the Lower Passaic highest)? River? b. If yes, are you aware of any local, state or a. If yes to “live”, how long have you been a federal agencies involved in these efforts resident of the area? and their roles and/or how they coordinate b. If yes to “work”, how long have you with each other? If interviewee asks for worked in the area? examples: c. If no, are you affiliated with any i. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency organization that has an interest in the (EPA) – Region II and HQ cleanup of the Lower Passaic River? ii. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) 2. Do you own property or operate a business iii. N.J. Department of Transportation proximate to the Lower Passaic River? (NJDOT) iv. N.J. Department of Environmental 3. Are you familiar with any environmental Protection (NJDEP) issues or human/ecological health concerns associated with the Lower Passaic River? v. If yes, have you had any contact with local, state or federal agencies regarding a. If yes, please summarize. this project? Please specify. b. Are you aware of any of the contaminants c. Do you have specific concerns, information of concern? or ideas regarding the Lower Passaic River 4. Can you describe your interest/your group’s Restoration Project? If yes, please explain. interest with regard to the Lower Passaic River d. Are you aware that there is a community (i.e., recreation, conservation, research)? advisory group (CAG) for project? 5. Have you heard of the Lower Passaic River e. Have you ever attended a public meeting Restoration Project? or event associated with the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project? i. If yes, what was the nature of the meeting/ event (e.g., CAG meeting)? When was it held (approximately)?
A-42 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 6. Are you aware that a proposed cleanup plan for 17. Are there local TV/radio talk shows that EPA the Lower Passaic River was recently adopted? could use to disseminate information or solicit a. If yes, do you know any details about this public comment? plan? 18. Are there any existing local government b. If yes, do you have any questions/concerns councils, civic or property owners associations related to the dredging and capping of with whom we can partner with in our outreach contaminated sediments? and involvement efforts? If yes, who do you recommend? 7. On a local level, is there a particular human 19. Would you like to receive more information health or environmental issue that is about the Lower Passaic River Restoration most important to you (i.e., water quality, Project? contaminated sediments, fish and shellfish consumption advisories, wetlands, degraded a. If yes, what topics are of greatest interest ecological habitats)? to you? 8. Do you have an interest in the future economic b. If yes, do you know whom to contact to development in the Lower Passaic River area, ask questions or provide comments? and do you think environmental cleanup is 20. Are there particular sources of information about essential to economic development? the project on which you currently rely? 9. In your opinion, what role (if any) should the 21. Regarding the cleanup of the Lower Passaic general public play in the environmental cleanup River, who or what do you perceive to be a and restoration process? credible, trustworthy source of information? 10. How do you typically receive information about 22. Which type of meeting format do you think is your community (e.g. word of mouth, local most productive – “formal” public meetings or newspapers, local radio stations, etc.)? “informal” information sessions? 11. What are the most reliable sources of 23. When EPA holds a public meeting or availability information about environmental issues in your session, would you attend, and what day and community? (media, organizations, individuals?) time would be most convenient for you? 12. In general, do you think the members of a. If yes, do you have any suggestions for your community/organization would feel places to hold meetings? comfortable using the Internet and electronic 24. Are there any other people or groups you communications to learn about the Lower think we should talk to about the project either Passaic River Restoration Project? because they have unique information or would 13. Project information is posted on www. like to know more from EPA? ourpassaic.org. Have you ever accessed this 25. Are you aware of communities along the Lower website? Passaic River that speak a language other than 14. Do you think the EPA has done a good job in English and for whom translation of materials communicating technical information to the may be needed? community? 15. In your opinion, what strategies/tactics are most effective to inform the general public? 16. In your opinion, what strategies/tactics seem ineffective or lead to confusion?
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-43 1. Are you aware of any homeless populations that 2004-2005 Questions live along and/or use the Lower Passaic River? 1. Are you aware of any environmental cleanup or 2. Are you aware of anyone who fishes and or eats restoration efforts on the Lower Passaic River their catch from the Passaic River? and Newark Bay? 3. Are you aware of any redevelopment plans a. If yes, do you know of any federal or state for the area, and how do you feel about agencies involved in these efforts and their their potential impact on your organization/ roles and how they coordinate with each community? other? For example: 4. What design and implementation issues are i. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency most important to you? (EPA) 5. How would you like to be involved in the project ii. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) decision-making process during project design iii. NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and implementation? iv. NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) 6. Is there anything else you would like to tell us regarding public participation for this project? b. If aware of the Lower Passaic River Do you have any questions or concerns (e.g., Restoration Project: Do you know about concerns about cleanup process, opinions the natural resource damage assessment about the dewatering facility location, quality of and its role in the project? life issues, etc.)? c. If aware of the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project: Are you aware of the major activities and schedule associated with the project? d. What areas of the Lower Passaic River and Newark Bay would benefit the most from restoration and cleanup? 2. Are you familiar with the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site? If yes, please summarize your knowledge. a. In the past, have you received any information regarding the site? Are there aspects of past public participation that worked well? b. What were its weaknesses or which aspects of past public participation should be changed in the future? 3. IF APPLICABLE: Has your group/organization ever conducted research on the Passaic River? If yes, please explain. a. Have statistical data/findings been made available to any state or federal agencies? If yes, please explain. If no, could this information be made available in the future?
A-44 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER 4. Do you have specific concerns, information or g. What sources of information about the ideas regarding the Newark Bay Study or the project do you/would you rely on the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project? If most? Is EPA, the Corps or New Jersey yes, please explain. viewed as credible, trustworthy sources of information? a. Is there a particular human health or environmental issue that is most important h. Which type of meeting format do you to you? (i.e., water quality, contaminated think is most productive – “formal” public sediments, fish and shellfish consumption meetings, or “informal” information advisories, wetlands, degraded ecological sessions? habitats.) i. Are there interests or organizations or b. Are you aware of future economic individuals whom you feel are important to development plans along the Lower include in the decision-making process? Passaic River around Newark Bay? 6. In your opinion, does your local community c. How do you feel about? understand the scientific information it is i. environmental dredging? receiving about the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project? ii. capping of contaminated sediments? a. Does the local community have access iii. monitored natural recovery? to information sources (in particular, the 5. How do you think federal and state agencies Internet)? should inform the general public about b. Are you aware of communities along the environmental issues like the Newark Bay Study Lower Passaic River or Newark Bay that or the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project? speak a language other than English and a. In your opinion, what strategies/tactics are for whom translation of materials may be effective to inform the general public? needed? b. What strategies/tactics seem ineffective or c. Are you aware of homeless populations stand in the way of progress? that live along and/or use the river? c. Are there local TV/radio talk shows EPA d. What types of technical assistance is most could use? Are there any existing local needed to understand the various studies government councils, civic, or property involved in the project? owners associations with which we can 7. In your opinion, what role (if any) should partner in our outreach and involvement the general public play in the cleanup and efforts? If so, which do you recommend? restoration process? d. Do you want more information about the 8. How do you typically receive information about Newark Bay Study or Lower Passaic River your community (e.g., word of mouth, local Restoration Project? If yes, on what do newspapers, local radio stations, etc.)? you want the most information? 9. Do you have any suggestions for places to hold e. Do you know where to get project meetings? documents? 10. Is there anything else you would like to tell us f. Do you know who to contact to ask regarding public participation for this project? questions or provide comments? Do you have any questions or concerns?
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-45 2014 Interview Summary Although the EPA had been who are not currently engaged sharing information about cleanup in or aware of the Superfund site This summary is based on the alternatives during the Focused and planned cleanup activities results of 23 stakeholder interviews Feasibility Study process and on the Lower Passaic. Prior to conducted by SRA staff from suggested that a remedy would the release of the Lower Passaic January to June 2014 as well as involve significant amounts of River Proposed Plan, several on public comments made during dredging and capping, it still was respondents observed that the two EPA public meetings on the not an official proposal when EPA had not done an effective Proposed Cleanup Plan for the roughly 80% of the interviews job explaining and promoting Lower Passaic River (Newark were conducted. It was difficult its cleanup proposal, especially and Kearny, NJ, in May 2014). It for stakeholders to comment on when compared to the aggressive is not in any way intended to be something that at the time was still outreach effort of the Cooperating representative of the views of all an abstraction; there was no formal Parties Group. Currently, the Lower Passaic River community proposal to which they could react. EPA is in the process of receiving stakeholders. Rather, it is intended public comment on the Lower to report what we heard from With respect to conducting Passaic River Proposed Plan. As respondents and commenters by outreach related to Lower Passaic part of this process, the EPA has summarizing and synthesizing their River cleanup activities, one held three public meetings to comments, not evaluating their overarching theme (mentioned present and receive comments merits or recommending specific by nearly all respondents) is on the Proposed Plan and strategies for conducting outreach that people who have not been participated in two issue-specific or processes or mechanisms regularly engaged with the cleanup forums hosted by the New Jersey for obtaining community input. or with the Community Advisory Institute of Technology and the To that end we have grouped Group (CAG) do not understand Passaic River Institute. These comments into two broad the nuances of the cleanup meetings and forums are good sections: 1) conducting outreach, process, the relationships between mechanisms for informing the and 2) issues of concern related to the various components of the public and getting a feel for proposed cleanup activities that Diamond Alkali site, and may in community concerns; however, will require additional outreach and fact be unaware that there is a they tend to reach people who are input. Each section is organized Superfund site near them. This already somewhat informed about into broad themes, recognizing fact combined with the area’s the site and its cleanup efforts, that some comments may fit into large and diverse population not those that are unaware and multiple themes and there may be underscores the importance who may yet be impacted. overlap among themes. of using multiple channels and venues to deliver information about The following summarizes SRA conducted the majority of proposed or planned cleanup responses to three topics related the interviews during January and activities and make the information to Proposed Plan outreach: February, prior to the EPA’s release relevant to diverse audiences. of the Proposed Cleanup Plan 1. Conducting outreach We recognize this is no small for the Lower Passaic River. As challenge, especially in a climate of 2. Issues of concern requiring a result, SRA was able to obtain additional input limited Agency resources. much more focused comments on the EPA’s outreach efforts It is vital that the EPA continue (because the EPA had been to make use of existing conducting outreach for many organizations/networks and their years) than on concerns regarding distribution mechanisms as part of planned cleanup activities. its effort to identify stakeholders
A-46 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Conducting Outreach ›› Meet with editorial boards ›› Faith organizations (e.g., to post announcements Green Faith, Faith River This topic is divided into two Coalition, individual sections: outreach mechanisms ›› Local cable network, churches) and outreach content. including Cablevision ›› Baykeeper • Meet with impacted local OUTREACH MECHANISMS government/officials/ ›› New Jersey Department of communities to explain Environmental Protection Many respondents noted the planned cleanup activities area’s diverse population (in (some noted the EPA’s success ›› Universities (e.g., Passaic terms of ethnic groups, number briefing some municipalities River Institute at Montclair of languages spoken and over the past year as an University, Rutgers, Seton educational levels) and the example). When notifying local Hall, New Jersey Institute of Technology) importance of sharing information government about planned cleanup activities, be sure in culturally competent and ›› Association of New Jersey to notify staff members and State Health Commissioners appropriate forms through not just elected officials, who and State Environmental meaningful community networks may be term-limited. Attend Commissions and associations as well as town council meetings where through local governments. appropriate. ›› Block associations They indicated it is not enough ›› North Ward of Newark ›› Rowing/crew communities for the EPA to expect people and other recreational users to get meaningful information ›› Cities of Newark and through the EPA’s website Corning ›› Riverkeeper (quotes include: “it’s terrible”… ›› Bergen County ›› Lower Passaic Watershed ”poorly organized”…”a treasure Alliance hunt”…”many people don’t ›› Essex County Environmental Commission (and other speak English or lack internet ›› Passaic River Coalition environmental commissions) access”) or EPA-sponsored public ›› Metropolitan Watershed meetings (quotes include “too ›› Other County executive Alliance intimidating”…”too technical”… offices ”not convenient”). ›› School districts (develop ›› East Newark materials for younger audiences; they will share Respondents suggested the ›› Harrison with their parents) EPA use the following outreach ›› Kearney mechanisms to inform the public ›› Ironbound Community about cleanup activities on the ›› Belleville Corporation Lower Passaic: • Piggyback on/tap into already ›› Brick City Development • Media: existing community events Corporation (“What’s Happening on the River” ›› Publish notices in print (e.g., community meetings, newsletter) media/newspapers, Boy/Girl Scout meetings, including Star Ledger and weekend events, Passaic River Record boat tours).
›› Work with local ethnic • Partner with local organizations media outlets (including to spread information through social media, TV and radio) their networks via their distribution mechanisms:
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-47 • EPA meetings: These can be OUTREACH CONTENT think this one is best/we chose useful, but they need to be this one; this is why). easily accessible to different Respondents shared the following • Presentation of information: communities (time and location suggestions in response to the important), must accommodate Develop a range of materials question: “For you to understand non-English speakers (Spanish that meet the needs of diverse at a minimum and ideally the Proposed Plan, what kind audiences. Materials should Portuguese also), and make the of information should EPA be “tiered” or “nested” – e.g., information more relevant to communicate?” While these develop a basic fact sheet on non-technical people (more on comments are focused on the the plan with links or references to supporting documents (e.g., this in the section on Outreach Proposed Plan, the principles Content below). People have map/flowchart of Superfund underlying these comments neighborhood “comfort zones,” cleanup process, Executive so it is best to bring meetings are generally applicable to the Summary of Proposed Plan, to communities where possible. content of any outreach effort Proposed Plan, Focused Community-based organizations related to the Lower Passaic. Feasibility Study). Include can advise the EPA on the best Although not specifically asked maps and other visuals. day and time to hold meetings. the question, many respondents • Framing of the cleanup Hold them outside of Newark noted that outreach materials proposal/effort: Develop a clear where possible. It would be and consistent narrative on the great if the EPA could provide should be available in multiple contaminants in the river and some food. languages (English, Spanish, their impacts, what is possible Portuguese) and understandable • EPA-sponsored site tours. to achieve with the cleanup, to low-literacy and non-technical the EPA’s cleanup goals, how • Direct mailing: For example, audiences. the proposed plan best meets use city-wide mailing to those goals, and the risks • Information on community Newark. Alternative could associated with the cleanup. involvement: Materials should be providing materials about Explain why it is the right thing explain the goal of the outreach planned activities in water bills. to do; do not get bogged effort: down in legalistic language of • Information repositories: Work ›› Why public is being asked Superfund enforcement or the with community partners for input technical details of modeling. to establish information repositories in each of ›› What they should provide • Make the information relevant Newark’s five wards, and input on to the average citizen: ensure that EPA materials are up to date and available in hard ›› How the EPA will use that ›› Why should I care? copy at the Newark Information input/what decisions it will ›› How will this benefit me? Repository (Newark Library). help influence Will I be able to row, swim • Web: Ensure there is a ›› Future opportunities for in the river, eat the fish? good on-line mechanism for input after remedy selection When? presenting information and ›› What will be the footprint allowing for comment. Our • Context for the information: of the cleanup? Where Passaic website could be used Provide basic information or will the dredging occur? for this if the plan is displayed brief history on the cleanup What are potential or prominently and a comment process to date (perhaps a anticipated disruptions to function added. simplified cleanup process map – de-jargonized if the community or quality of • Phone: Have phone number to possible – with a “you are life impacts? call to request a hard-copy of here” indicator). Explain how EPA documents. the EPA got “here” (e.g., EPA looked at four alternatives; we
A-48 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER ›› Use physical/geographic ISSUES OF CONCERN • Selection/siting of a de- reference points of REQUIRING ADDITIONAL watering facility: significance to the public INPUT – e.g., few people think in ›› What criteria will be used to select a location for the de- terms of river mile The Proposed Plan has likely watering facility? • For the necessary technical addressed many of the public’s details: questions about how the EPA ›› What will be the process for intends to clean up the Lower selecting a location? ›› Explain why the EPA is 8 miles of the Passaic River. cleaning up the Lower 8 ›› What role will the public That is, it provides a big-picture miles before the Lower 17 have in selecting a location? sense of how and how much miles. • Movement of contaminated of the contaminated sediments sediments: ›› Provide clear information on the EPA will remove, how (in what constitutes success general) it plans to dispose of ›› How will the EPA select and how it will be measured. them, how it will address the transportation routes for ›› Provide risk-benefit and problem of residuals (capping), transporting de-watered yet contaminated sediments cost-benefit information/ and generally how long it will analyses. from the de-watering facility take and how much it will cost. to their final destination? ›› Address the potential for However, the devil is in the details. contaminant resuspension Conducting an operation of this ›› Will sediments be moved strictly by rail or also by to other areas of the river magnitude in densely-populated, truck? and additional impact to heavily-developed, diverse urban wildlife. environment is certain to be ›› What measures will the ›› Provide information on the disruptive in ways much of the EPA take to ensure the safe mechanics of dredging – public cannot begin to imagine. passage of contaminated e.g., How deep will you sediments? Once a remedy is selected and dredge/why? Are you going ›› What role will the public to cap/why? What are you the Record of Decision is signed have in these decisions? going to do with/where will and finalized, as part of its you put contaminants? outreach effort it will be important ›› Provide examples of where for the EPA to acknowledge the dredging on this scale concerns below, if only to indicate has been successfully that many of these topics will be completed in similar river addressed during remedy design. environments. Be candid about challenges faced and • Flooding: What measures will how the EPA handled them. the EPA take to ensure the remedy does not increase the ›› Modeling should show what likelihood of flooding if there’s will happen in the river after another Sandy-like event, the removal of contaminated either during dredging or after sediment is completed. its completion?
• Potential health risks/ re-contamination: How will the EPA manage the dredging operation to control for/minimize sediment resuspension and migration?
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-49 • Impact on river-use during and • Quality of life issues: What Given the scale and cost of the after dredging: will the EPA do to minimize the proposed remedy, there will be impact to quality of life during a need for sustained community ›› How will the EPA manage dredging operations? For engagement during the design schedule conflicts on the example: river during dredging? Will and implementation of whatever crew teams and other river ›› What will the EPA do to remedy the EPA ultimately users have an opportunity to minimize bridge closures or selects. The EPA will no doubt meet with EPA/the dredging other traffic disruptions? learn many of the public’s most contractor to set up a schedule that minimizes the ›› What will the EPA do to pressing concerns during the impact to crew teams? minimize noise from heavy public comment process for equipment during dredging? the proposed plan that is yet ›› How will dredging impact ongoing. In addition, once the the provision of emergency ›› What will the EPA do to EPA selects the remedy for services on the river (e.g., minimize nuisance odors rescue squad boats)? during dredging? the Lower Passaic, it would be beneficial to conduct another ›› What role will the public ›› What kind of future use round of interviews focused have in these design-related restrictions are anticipated on the topic of community on the river once dredging decisions? is completed so the cap involvement during remedy design • Positive economic impacts is not compromised? For and implementation. Prior to of the cleanup: Will there be example, will improvements so doing, however, it would be cleanup-related jobs for locals to bulkheads/piers/boat (e.g., will there be another pilot helpful for the EPA to develop a ramps be permitted? similar to the river mile 10.9 fact sheet or guide on the design ›› How will the cap/future removal action)? and implementation issues on use restrictions impact which it will seek public input and economic development an approximate timeframe for along the river? when decisions on those issues ›› What role with the public are likely to occur. This will help have in decisions related to set expectations and create a scheduling of dredging and framework for receiving focused restrictions on future river input on the remedy design/ use? implementation issues of greatest concern to Lower Passaic River stakeholders.
A-50 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Passaic River Shoreline
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-51 APPENDIX 17: EXAMPLE FACT SHEETS
Click the front pages to view the complete fact sheets.
A-52 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Cleaning Up the Lower Passaic River Preparing for the Design and Construction Phase | June 2016
Where Things Stand with the Cleanup Major Components of the Cleanup Plan In March 2016, the EPA finalized a cleanup plan for the • Capping the entire lower 8.3 miles of the river lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River, from Newark Bay to bank-to-bank to isolate the contamination and the Belleville/Newark border. Contaminated sediment in prevent it from entering the food chain. the river bottom poses an unacceptable risk to people’s health and the health of wildlife that live in or near the river. The EPA is negotiating an agreement to perform the design work for cleanup of the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River. This design work will take approximately four years to complete, during which the public will have opportunities to weigh in on key issues and decisions that are most important to the community. The EPA is committed to effective communication and involvement of all stakeholders.
Key Ways to Get Involved • Give feedback to the EPA anytime through written communication and/or informal discussion. Contact information is provided below.
• Get on the EPA’s email group list to receive emails about upcoming meetings and project milestones. Send an email to: [email protected] • Dredging 3.5 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment to ensure that the cap does not cause • Provide comments on the draft Community additional flooding and to allow continued use of Involvement Plan. the navigation channel in the 1.7 miles closest to Newark Bay. • Attend public meetings as the project progresses through the design and construction stages. • Barging or pumping dredged materials to a sediment processing facility in the vicinity of the Lower Passaic • Provide input on potential locations for the sediment River/Newark Bay shoreline. processing facility. • Transporting dewatered materials from the sediment • Give feedback on community health and safety plans processing facility to permitted treatment facilities as well as the quality of life performance standards and landfills in the U.S. or Canada. for air quality, noise, odors and other issues that may impact communities during construction. • Long-term monitoring and maintenance of the engineered cap. Long-term monitoring of fish, crab, • Attend the Passaic River Community Advisory Group river water and sediment quality. (CAG) meetings. The CAG meets regularly and serves to facilitate communication between the diverse interests of the community and the EPA so that EPA Project Contacts community concerns and viewpoints can inform the EPA’s decision-making process. Alice Yeh - Project Manager Sophia Rini - Public Affairs Phone: (212) 637-4427 Phone: (212) 637-3670 Find out more at: www.ourpassaic.org Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.ourpassaic.org 1
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-53 Cleaning Up the Lower Passaic River EPA’s Plan to Clean Up the Lower Eight Miles | March 2016
The Plan to Clean the Passaic River What is included in the cleanup plan? A century of industrialization throughout the Passaic River • The entire lower eight miles of the river will be watershed has left behind toxic muck on the bottom and capped bank-to-bank. With the cap in place, the banks of the river. Many chemical products, including the contamination in the sediment will be prevented herbicide Agent Orange, were manufactured in facilities from entering the food chain, thereby decreasing located adjacent to the Passaic River. Approximately health risks to people who eat fish and crab from the 90 percent of the volume of contaminated sediments is lower eight miles of the river. The cap will isolate the located in the river’s lower eight miles. Concentrations contaminated sediment, effectively eliminating the of contaminants have declined minimally in the last 20 movement of a major source of contamination to the years. No one should eat fish or crab caught from the rest of the river and Newark Bay. Lower Passaic River. • Before the cap is placed, On April 11, 2014, the EPA proposed a cleanup plan for 3.5 million cubic yards of the lower eight miles of the river. The proposed plan was contaminated sediment released for public review and a four-month comment will be removed, bank- period. EPA received and reviewed more than a thousand to-bank, by dredging the comments from a diverse cross section of the public. river bottom from Newark After carefully considering these comments, EPA has Bay to the Belleville/ finalized its decision on a cleanup plan. EPA’s final plan Newark border. will protect communities along the Passaic River by reducing the contaminants in fish and crab that pose • This will result in the unacceptable risks to human health and the environment. permanent removal from the river of approximately 13 pounds of highly toxic and persistent dioxin (2,3,7,8- TCDD), 24,000 pounds of mercury, 6,600 pounds of PCBs, and 1,300 pounds of DDT (a pesticide).
• Sediment will be dewatered locally and transported off- site for disposal.
• The estimated cost of the remedy is $1.38 billion.
THE COMPLETE RECORD OF DECISION INCLUDING ALL OF EPA’S RESPONSES TO COMMENTS IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.OURPASSAIC.ORG
www.ourpassaic.org 1
A-54 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Cleaning Up the Lower Passaic River An Overview of the Options for Cleaning up Contaminated Sediment in the Lower Eight Miles May 2014
The Proposed Plan and the Focused Feasibility Study report have a considerable amount of detail on the cleanup options that were considered. They are available at www.ourpassaic.org
In early 2015 the EPA expects to make a decision about how to clean up the sediment of the lower eight miles of the Passaic after considering public comments on the Proposed Plan. After completion of the on-going study of the 17-mile, tidal stretch of the Lower Passaic the EPA expects to propose a plan that addresses the entire Lower Passaic River. Evaluating Cleanup Options Cleanups under Superfund must protect human health The EPA conducted a multi-year “Focused Feasibility and the environment. A cleanup option is considered Study” of an eight mile section of the Lower Passaic protective if it reduces current and potential future risks River. The study evaluated three cleanup options (also associated with the pathways by which people and referred to as “Remedial Alternatives”) to address wildlife are, or will be, exposed to site contaminants to contaminated sediment in this area of the river, as acceptable levels. well as a fourth option of taking no action. Information collected during a larger The EPA uses nine criteria to evaluate cleanup options. The Passaic River’s study of the entire 17-mile Page 26 of the Proposed Plan provides more details about these criteria Polluted Past fact stretch of the Lower Passaic sheet contains River, from Newark Bay to Superfund Remedy Evaluation Criteria an overview of the Dundee Dam in Garfield, the problems which is ongoing, showed that Overall Protection of Human Health and the 1 Environment and the Remedial contaminated sediment in the Investigation lower eight miles, as deep as 2 Compliance with Applicable or Relevant and Report for the 15 feet, is a major source of Appropriate Requirements lower eight miles contamination to the rest of Long-term Effectiveness and Permanence provides details the river and Newark Bay. 3 on the history and Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume of nature and extent On April 11, 2014, the EPA 4 Contaminants through Treatment of contamination. issued for public review and comment a “Proposed 5 Short-term Effectiveness Plan” outlining the Agency’s preferred cleanup plan for the lower eight miles of the river. The EPA’s preferred 6 Implementability cleanup plan is “Capping with Dredging for Flooding & Navigation” with “Off-Site Disposal of Dredged 7 Cost Materials”, described in the Focused Feasibility Study and Proposed Plan as “Alternative 3 with Dredged 8 State Acceptance Materials Management Scenario B.” 9 Community Acceptance
www.ourpassaic.org 1
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-55 The Passaic River’s Polluted Past April 2014
The Problems A century of industrialization and development throughout the Passaic River watershed have left behind toxic muck on the bottom and banks of the Passaic River. From Newark Bay to the Dundee Dam in Garfield, New Jersey, a section of the river referred to as the Lower Passaic River, the sediment is severely contaminated with dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, lead and other metals, as well as pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Contaminated sediment of the Lower Passaic River poses a significant threat to people’s health and the health of wildlife that live in and along the river. The primary risks are from eating contaminated fish and shellfish from the river.
Mercury, PCBs and dioxins are among the major contaminants found in fish and shellfish in the Lower Passaic River, its tributaries and Newark Bay. DANGER! PELIGRO! Fisheries have long been closed. It is prohibited to catch blue crab in these waters because they are so heavily contaminated. The state of New Jersey has for decades issued advisories warning against eating any fish caught from the Lower Passaic River DO NOT CATCH! NO LOS PESQUE! because of high contaminant levels in fish tissue. These DO NOT EAT! NO LOS COMA! contaminants can be especially harmful to women BLUE CLAW CRABS LOS CANGREJOS DE TENAZAS AZULES considering pregnancy, pregnant women and nursing IN NEWARK BAY COMPLEX MAY CAUSE EN LA BAHÍA DE NEWARK PUEDEN CAUSAR CANCER CÁNCER mothers. Children are also at risk of developmental and AND MAY HARM BRAIN DEVELOPMENT Y PUEDEN ATROFIAR EL DESARROLLO IN UNBORN AND YOUNG CHILDREN CEREBRAL EN FETOS Y NIÑOS PEQUEÑOS
Fines up to $3,000 could be imposed (N.J.A.C. 7:25-14,18A) Multas hasta los $3,000 pueden ser impuestas (N.J.A.C. 7:25-14,18A) neurological problems if exposed to these chemicals. Para mayor información llame gratis al: 1-866-DEP-KNOW For further information call toll free: 1-866-DEP-KNOW
NEW JERSEY New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection DEPARTMENT New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NEW JERSEY of DEPARTMENT HEALTH of and HEALTH and New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services SENIOR SERVICES New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services SENIOR SERVICES Local plans for riverfront development have been obstructed because of sediment contamination. In most cases, navigational dredging has ceased altogether in the Lower Passaic, in part because contaminant levels Wildlife at risk of exposure to in the sediment made treatment and disposal of dredged contaminants include: materials prohibitively expensive.
The majority of the contamination is located in the lower • Invertebrates such as the blue crab, eight miles of the river, where there is up to 15 feet of • Forage fish such as mummichogs, accumulated sediment totaling 9.7 million cubic yards • Predatory fish such as white perch and (a cubic yard is about the size of a dishwasher) American eel, that spans bank-to-bank along the river bottom. The sediment contamination found here is highly • Water-dependent birds such as the great concentrated, persistent and continues to move as the blue heron, and river flows, adding to the pollution in the rest of the river, • Water-dependent mammals such as mink. Newark Bay and beyond.
www.ourpassaic.orgEPA REGION 2 1
A-56 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Cleaning Up the Lower Passaic River An Overview of EPA’s Proposal for the Lower Eight Miles
THE PASSAIC RIVER’S On April 11, 2014, the EPA proposed a cleanup plan for the lower eight miles of the river. The proposed plan was POLLUTED PAST released for public review and comment. Of the cleanup A century of industrialization and development throughout alternatives evaluated, the EPA is proposing “Capping with the Passaic River watershed have left behind toxic muck Dredging for Flooding & Navigation” with “Off-Site Disposal on the bottom and banks of the Passaic River. From of Dredged Materials”, described in the Focused Feasibility Newark Bay to the Dundee Dam in Garfield, New Jersey, Study and Proposed Plan as “Alternative 3 with Dredged a section of the river referred to as the Lower Passaic Materials Management Scenario B.” These documents and River, the sediment is severely contaminated with dioxins, the Remedial Investigation report, which details the nature polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, lead and other and extent of contamination in the lower eight miles, are metals, as well as pesticides and other harmful chemicals. available in the information repositories Contaminated sediment in the river bottom poses a and on the project website: http://www.ourpassaic.org/ significant threat to people’s health and the health of wildlife that live in and along the river. The primary risks CAPPING WITH DREDGING FOR are from eating contaminated fish and shellfish from the river. FLOODING & NAVIGATION WITH OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OF DREDGED The majority of the contamination is located in the lower eight miles of the river, where there is up to 15 feet of MATERIALS accumulated sediment Under this cleanup plan: totaling 9.7 million cubic A cubic yard yards (a cubic yard is about • 4.3 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment is about the the size of a dishwasher) that (enough to fill Giants Stadium two times) would be removed, bank-to-bank, by dredging the river bottom size of a spans bank-to-bank along the river bottom. The sediment from Newark Bay to the Belleville/Newark border. dishwasher. contamination found here This would result in the permanent removal from the is highly concentrated, environment of nearly 18 pounds of highly toxic and persistent and continues to move as the river flows, persistent dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD), more than 35,000 adding to the pollution in the rest of the river, Newark Bay pounds of mercury, more than 15,000 pounds of PCBs and beyond. and nearly 2,000 pounds of DDT (a pesticide). • Sediment would be dewatered locally and prepared for THE PROPOSAL TO CLEAN transport by rail for incineration and/or disposal in landfills. THE PASSAIC • 5.4 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment would The EPA conducted a multi-year study of an eight mile remain in the river bottom protected by an engineered section of the Lower Passaic River. The study, referred to cap, effectively eliminating the movement of sediment as the Focused Feasibility Study, evaluated three cleanup and its availability to contaminate the food chain. options to address contaminated sediment in this area The engineered cap (a physical barrier constructed of the river, as well as a fourth option of taking no action. primarily of sand and stone) would be placed over the A larger study of the entire 17-mile stretch of the Lower dredged areas bank-to-bank to protect against erosion Passaic River is ongoing. or other physical disturbances. The cap would not contribute to additional flooding and would be placed Both the cleanup proposal for the lower eight miles and to accommodate the ongoing and projected future use the comprehensive 17-mile study of the Lower Passaic of the federal navigation channel in the 2.2 miles of the River are part of a federal government cleanup of the river closest to Newark Bay. Diamond Alkali Superfund site located at 80-120 Lister Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.
www.ourpassaic.orgEPA REGION 2 1
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-57 APPENDIX 18: LEGAL AUTHORITIES
Comprehensive identifies potentially responsible involvement in decisions about Environmental parties (PRPs), including how to clean up contaminated Response, individuals, companies, or sites. Superfund law requires Compensation, and other entities (i.e., owners or specific community involvement Liability Act of 1980 operators of facilities at or from activities be undertaken at certain (CERCLA) which there has been a release points throughout the cleanup of a hazardous substance), process. The primary steps in Congress enacted CERCLA transporters, or generators of Superfund projects are remedial on December 11, 1980. The hazardous substances) potentially investigations, feasibility studies, Superfund law (as it is commonly responsible for, or contributing to, proposed plans, records of known) provided broad federal the contamination at a Superfund decision and remedial actions. authority for a government site. The EPA seeks to have PRPs While the EPA is the lead agency program to identify, investigate perform work at Superfund sites, for developing and implementing and clean up hazardous waste and/or to pay the costs that the community relations activities sites. The law also created a tax EPA incurs in performing work. at Superfund sites, other on the chemical and petroleum If the EPA is not able to identify federal, state and local agencies industries to fund a trust fund to financially viable PRPs, the cost frequently assume a supporting be used to address abandoned of the cleanup may be paid from role. or uncontrolled hazardous the Superfund, which is financed waste sites. This tax expired through taxpayer dollars. in 1995. On October 17, 1986, SUPERFUND STEPS Congress enacted the Superfund Under Superfund law, the EPA’s goal is to reduce unacceptable Amendments and Reauthorization »»Preliminary Act (SARA), amending the original risks to human health and the Assessment law. environment from exposure to releases of hazardous »»Remedial Investigation When cleaning up sites under substances by cleaning up to »»Feasibility Study the Superfund law, the EPA target concentrations defined follows the “polluter pays” in the law and EPA guidance »»Proposed Plan principle, looking to the parties documents or developed »»Record of Decision responsible for the pollution, specifically for a particular site. »»Remedial Action rather than the general public, An important component of the to pay for the cleanup. The EPA Superfund program is community
A-58 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Natural Resource The National Resource Trustees act on behalf of the public to Damage Assessment NRDA PROCESS and Restoration assess and restore natural (NRDAR) resources injured by hazardous »»Injury assessment substances. Compensation for CERCLA authorizes designated natural resource injuries provides »»Damage determination state, federal and tribal Natural a means to restore the injured »»Resource restoration Resource Trustees to assess and public resources to the condition recover damages for injury to they would have been in but for natural resources from releases the release, and to compensate For more information on of hazardous substances and use the public for the loss of services NRDA, visit: the damages for the restoration, that should have been provided https://darrp.noaa. rehabilitation, replacement or by those resources. gov/hazardous-waste/ acquisition of equivalent natural lower-passaic-river- resources. An injury to a natural The NRDA process involves and-greater-newark- resource is a measurable adverse injury assessment, damage bay change in the chemical or physical determination and resource quality or viability of that resource. restoration. The Natural Resource The process by which the trustees Damage Assessment and evaluate the injuries associated Restoration Plan is one step in Section 312, WRDA of 1990 with hazardous substance the damage assessment process. as amended, provides for the contamination in natural resources It serves to document injuries removal and remediation of is known as a NRDA. The to natural resources and their contaminated sediments as: 1) ultimate objective of an NRDA services caused by exposure to part of operation and maintenance is to restore natural resources hazardous substance releases, of a navigation project or outside and their services that have been to identify how these injuries the boundaries of and adjacent injured by hazardous substance will be evaluated and to outline to the navigation channel; and contamination to baseline, or the alternative restoration proposals 2) from navigable waters of the condition that would have existed WATER RESOURCE United States for the purpose if the hazardous substances were DEVELOPMENT ACT (WRDA) of environmental enhancement not released. Natural resources and water quality improvement. held in trust include fish, wildlife, The Water Resources This removal and remediation and other biota, the habitats that Development Act is a biennial is requested by a non-federal support them, as well as water, piece of legislation that is the sponsor and the sponsor agrees air and protected lands. In the main vehicle for authorizing water to pay 35 percent of the cost of matter of the Lower Passaic River resource projects to be studied, such removal and remediation. restoration, the Natural Resource planned and developed by the This authority does not negate the Trustees are the National Oceanic U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rights and responsibilities of any and Atmospheric Administration (Corps). It is also the legislative person under CERCLA of 1980. (NOAA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife vehicle for implementing policy Service (USFWS) and New Jersey changes with respect to the Department of Environmental Corps’ water resource projects Protection (NJDEP). Trusteeship and programs. is derived from federal and tribal treaties, federal and state statutes, other laws and regulations.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-59 WRDA and the Corps Executive Order 12898: implementation guidance outlines Federal Actions to the restoration planning process Address Environmental for ecosystem restoration Justice in Minority feasibility studies. It requires Populations and Low- a Feasibility Study (FS) that Income Populations contains a cost-benefit analysis of potential restoration solutions. On February 11, 1994, President For the Lower Passaic River Clinton issued Executive Order Restoration Project, restoration 12898. This order directs agencies goals may include benthic to address environmental habitat restoration, tidal wetland and human health conditions restoration, vegetative buffer in minority and low-income creation, shoreline stabilization communities to avoid the and aquatic habitat improvement. disproportionate placement of Since 2003, the Corps has lead any adverse effects from federal responsibility for the WRDA policies and actions on these portion of the feasibility study. populations. Conditions giving WRDA requires that the Corps rise to environmental justice cost-share equally all of its FS concerns are specific to individual effort with a non-federal sponsor. communities and their histories. Congress provides the Corps with Urban communities typically its share of funds on an annual face pollution from multiple basis in the Energy and Water sources, including toxic waste Appropriations Act. sites, industrial plants as well as heavy city and port traffic. Environmental justice populations may also struggle with economic divestment, aging infrastructure, and the presence of underutilized properties that, while not Superfund sites, are also not free of contamination.
A-60 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Participants in a Superfund Job Training Initiative, the EPA’s environmental remediation job readiness program.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER A-61 APPENDIX 19: WORKS CONSULTED
Agency for Toxic Substances & Hudson County, NJ Official Website. New Jersey Department of Disease Registry (ASTDR). 2016. 2016. Accessible online at: Environmental Protection Official Toxic Substances Portal. Accessible www.hudsoncountynj.org Website. 2016. Accessible online at: online at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ www.state.nj.state/us/dep/ toxprofiles/index.asp Koennemann, Kristen. 2106. Only in Your State. “Here are the New Jersey Office of GIS Open Data. American Society of Civil Engineers Poorest Cities in New Jersey.” 2016. Accessible online at: (ASCE). 2016. Report Card Accessible online at: http://www. http://njogis.newjersey.opendata. for New Jersey’s Infrastructure. onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/ arcgis.com/ Accessible online at: http://www. poorest-cities-in-nj/ datasets/4b268849950b4447b28ff7a infrastructurereportcard.org/ fff705414_4 wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ National Environmental Justice ASCE-Report-Card-for-NJ- Advisory Council (NEJAC). 2013. NJ Pro Foundation. 2016. NJ Stats: Infrastructure-6.16.16.compressed. Model Guidelines for Public Educational Attainment by State, pdf Participation: An Update to the 2010-2014 American Community 1996 NEJAC Model Plan for Survey. Accessible online at: http:// Bergen County, NJ Official Website. Public Participation. Accessible njprofoundation.org/nj-stats/ 2016. Accessible online at: online at: https://www.epa.gov/ education/nj-stats-educational- www.co.bergen.nj.us sites/production/files/2015-02/ attainment-by-state/ documents/recommendations- Essex County, NJ Official Website. model-guide-pp-2013.pdf NJ Spotlight. 2015. The List: The 2016. Accessible online at: Top 10 Multilingual Municipalities www.essexcountynj.org National Oceanographic and in New Jersey. Accessible online Atmospheric Administration Official at: http://www.njspotlight.com/ Federal Register. 2014. Annual Website. 2016. Accessible online at: stories/15/04/26/the-list-the-top- Update of the HHS Poverty www.noaa.gov 10-multilingual-municipalities-in- Guidelines. Accessible online at: new-jersey/ https://www.federalregister.gov/ Natural Resource Trustees: NOAA articles/2014/01/22/2014-01303/ and USFWS. 2007. Diamond Alkali Passaic County, NJ Official Website. annual-update-of-the-hhs-poverty- Superfund Site: Natural Resource 2016. Accessible online at: guidelines#t-1 Damage Assessment Plan. Public www.passaiccountynj.org Review Draft. Accessible online Fine, Janice, Anastasia Mann, David at: https://casedocuments.darrp. Passaic River Basin Flood Advisory Tulloch, and F. Scott Bentley. 2014. noaa.gov/northeast/passaic/pdf/ Commission. 2011. “Report to the Meet the Neighbors: Organizational PR_NRDA_Draft_Plan_11-07.pdf Governor: Recommendations of the and Spatial Dynamics of Immigrant Passaic River Basin Flood Advisory New Jersey. Rutgers University. New Jersey Department of Commission.” Accessible online at: Eagleton Program on Immigration Environmental Protection. 2015. http://www.nj.gov/dep/passaicriver/ and Democracy, Eagleton Institute FAQs - Individual Combined Sewer docs/passaic-report201101.pdf of Politics. Accessible online at: Overflow (CSO) Permits. Accessible http://epid.rutgers.edu/wp-content/ online at: http://www.nj.gov/dep/ uploads/2014/02/MEET-THE- dwq/pdf/cso-faqs-03-11-2015.pdf NEIGHBORS.FINAL_.pdf
A-62 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER Passaic River Coalition. 2016. U.S. Census Bureau. 2015. Thru%202005%7CHardcopy% Passaic River Basin. Accessible American Community Survey, 2010- 20Publications&Docs=&Query= online at: http://passaicriver.org/ 2014 American Community Survey community%20relations% passaic-river-basin/ 5-Year Estimates, American Fact 20superfund%20handbook&Time= Finder. Accessible online at: https:// &EndTime=&SearchMethod=2& Rinde, Meir. 2015. NJ Spotlight. factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/ TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry= The List: The Top 10 Multilingual pages/index.xhtml &QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth Municipalities in New Jersey. =&QFieldDay=&UseQField= Accessible online at: http://www. U.S. Environmental Protection &IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0& njspotlight.com/stories/15/04/26/ Agency. N.D. This is Superfund: A XmlQuery=&File=D%3A%5CZYFILES the-list-the-top-10-multilingual- Community Guide to EPA’s Superfund %5CINDEX%20DATA%5C00THRU05 municipalities-in-new-jersey/ Program. %5CTXT%5C00000027% 5CP100A0UM.txt&User= Ritch, WA, Benjamin, KL. 2002. U.S. Environmental Protection ANONYMOUS&Password= County Profiles I: Demographics Agency. 1989. Expediting Remedial anonymous&SortMethod=h%7C- of New Jersey Communities. New Construction. Office of Emergency &MaximumDocuments=15&Fuzzy Brunswick, NJ: University of Medicine and Remedial Response, Hazardous Degree=0&ImageQuality=r85g16/r85 and Dentistry of New Jersey-School Site Control Division. Publication g16/x150y150g16/i500&Display=hpfr& of Public Health, accessible online at: 9355.5-02/FS, accessible online at: DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=Zy http://www.state.nj.us/health/ctcp/ https://semspub.epa.gov/work/ ActionL&Back=ZyActionS&Back documents/county_profiles_1.pdf HQ/174385.pdf Desc=Results%20page&Maximum Pages=1&ZyEntry=1 Rutgers University. 2016. Facts U.S. Environmental Protection About Immigrant NJ. Eagleton Agency. 1995. Guidance for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Program on Immigration and Community Advisory Groups at 2006. Community Involvement Plan for Democracy, Eagleton Institute of Superfund Sites; EPA OSWER the Lower Passaic River and Newark Politics. Accessible online at: http:// Directive 9230.0-28; EPA 540-K-96- Bay. Accessible online at: epid.rutgers.edu/gallery/facts- 001. www.ourpassaic.org about-immigrant-nj/ U.S. Environmental Protection U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Toxic Use Reduction Institute Agency. 2001. Coastal Research 2016. Record of Decision, including (TURI). 2016. PBT. Accessible Communications. National Coastal the Responsiveness Summary. online at: http://www.turi.org/ Assessment - Mississippi. Washington Lower 8.3 Miles of the Lower Passaic Our_Work/Toxic_Chemicals/ (DC): U.S. Environmental Protection River Part of the Diamond Alkali Details_on_Selected_Chemicals/ Agency, Office of Research and Superfund Site Essex and Hudson PBT_Persistent_Bioaccumulative_ Development. Report nr EPA/620/R- Counties, New Jersey. March 3, 2016. and_Toxic 01/001k. Accessible online at: http://passaic. sharepointspace.com/Public%20 Union County, NJ Official Website. U.S. Environmental Protection Documents/ROD%20Main%20 2016. Accessible online at: Agency. 2004. Administrative Order Text%20396055.pdf http://ucnj.org on Consent for Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study in the Matter of U.S. Environmental Protection U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site Agency. 2016. Superfund Community Website. 2016. Accessible online at: (Newark Bay Study Area). Index No. Involvement Handbook. EPA 540-K- www.usace.army.mil CERCLA-02- 2004-2010. 02-015. Accessible online at: https:// www.epa.gov/superfund/community- U.S. Census Bureau. 2011. 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection involvement-tools-and-resources Census, American Fact Finder. Agency. 2005. Superfund Accessible online at: https:// Community Involvement Handbook. factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/ Washington, DC: Office of Emergency pages/index.xhtml and Remedial Response, EPA 540-K- 05-003. Accessible online at: https:// U.S. Census Bureau. 2015. American nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/ Community Survey, 2005-2009 P100A0UM.txt?ZyActionD American Community Survey 5-Year =ZyDocument&Clienttxt?ZyActionD Estimates, American Fact Finder. =ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index= Accessible online at: https:// 1995%20Thru%201999%7C2006% factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/ 20Thru%202010%7C2000%20 pages/index.xhtml
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