EPA proposes dredging of the Passaic River April 15, 2021, posted by Zlatan Hrvacevic
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a plan to address contaminated sediment in the upper nine miles of the Lower Passaic River Study Area of the Diamond Alkali Superfund site in Essex, Bergen, and Passaic Counties, New Jersey.
According to EPA, the sediment in the Lower Passaic River is severely contaminated with dioxins/furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals, pesticides and other contaminants from more than a century of industrial activity.
The proposed cleanup plan – supported by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection – calls for using a combination of cleanup technologies including dredging approximately 387,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment.
Feds unveil plan to deal with the Passaic River’s toxic mud
Updated 5:16 PM;
Today 5:10 PM
The Diamond Alkali superfund site during boat tours on the Passaic River in Newark, N.J. on July 16, 2014 (Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger)SL
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The lower reaches of the Passaic River are toxic.
Heavy industrial pollution through the 19th and 20th centuries left the river-bottom laced with hazardous substances, including carcinogens like dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
It’s a history of pollution that has robbed residents in Newark and surrounding towns of the chance to fully enjoy the river, a fact that once led U.S. Sen. Cory Booker to call the river “New Jersey’s biggest crime scene.” To this day, people are warned against eating any fish or crabs pulled from the Passaic.
A 5-acre waterfront park in the future for East Newark?
Updated Dec 23, 2020;
Posted Dec 23, 2020
A rendering of a possible 5-acre park in East Newark on the Passaic River. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife report)EJA
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East Newark would receive a 5-acre waterfront park at no cost to its taxpayers under a proposal released Wednesday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The park, which could be years in the making, would be built on the Passaic River, although the 49-page draft early restoration plan and environmental assessment report did not specify an exact location.