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Post by Admin on Sept 19, 2014 8:40:15 GMT -5
NJDEP has announced a proposed settlement with Occidental Chemical Co. for costs related to pollution of the Passaic River (also see here for additional documents). At the same time, environmental groups are concerned that part of the money from the settlement could be diverted to balance the state’s budget rather than directly covering cleanup costs. We are considering submitting comments and ask you to let us know your views and thoughts via this discussion forum. |
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Post by harvey on Sept 19, 2014 15:22:27 GMT -5
September 19, 2014
Governor Chris Christie
Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
Dear Governor Christie:
Congratulations on receiving a $190,000,000.00 settlement against the polluters of the Passaic River. From the newspapers I understand that about $50,000,000.00 of these funds will actually be dedicated for improvements to the waters of Newark Bay and the Passaic River.
You are invited to be at the Riverbank Park dock on the Passaic River in Newark at 10:00AM on Sunday October 5, 2014 to observe the Rubber Duck Race conducted by the Ironbound Community and the Passaic River Boat Club.
USEPA is now planning the implementation of their plan to restore the lower 8 miles of the Passaic River. This will include an installed cap, bank to bank on the upper six miles of the 8 mile stretch. Once installed, no further improvements will be allowed on the shore line. The remaining section of the Passaic River will most probably also be capped.
The time to fix and improve the infrastructure is before these caps are installed.
My request is that top priority be given to provide visible infrastructure improvement by the addition of floating docks and boat launches on the Passaic River.
The State of New Jersey Boat Ramp at Nutley, property of the NJDEP, as recorded in the Essex County Hall of Records and on NJDOT maps should have top priority for improvement. Enclosed is a copy of the letter sent to you about 2 years ago providing details of the improvements needed.
Harrison Red Ball Stadium, Minish Park, Newark Bears Stadium, Kearny Park and The NJ Ramp at Nutley should all be equipped with floating docks and access gangways similar to the now finished Riverbank Park in the Ironbound Section of Newark. These facilities will enhance the public’s access to the water and boaters, both motor and paddle, access to the land. Minish Park design included a walkway from NJPAC to the Park over Route 21. Funds should be provided to complete the Park.
Please do not spend these funds on yet another study. Do something that the public can see and enjoy now, before the moratorium on improvement falls.
Very truly yours,
Harvey Morginstin, PE-Ret.
Secretary, Passaic River Boat Club
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Post by meredith on Oct 9, 2014 10:39:30 GMT -5
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Post by estuaryqueen on Oct 9, 2014 14:10:53 GMT -5
Should we include something in the letter to indicate that this is relevant to the entire bi-state region because 1) NYS also collect natural resources damage settlement fund (meaning, setting a good example in NJ is a positive for the whole region) and 2) Passaic River feeds into the Harbor?
Shino
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ches
New Member
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Post by ches on Oct 9, 2014 14:17:03 GMT -5
I fully agree with the letter, and am wondering if a constructive reworking of the agreement might be to break it into 4 separate agreements, each for less than $50,000,000. Also a minor typo/style issue: the date at the top has a 2-digit year, and I think "2014" instead of "14" would be better.
Don
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Post by morentlicher on Oct 9, 2014 18:15:09 GMT -5
Dear CAC Members, Attached for your review is the DRAFT letter to NJDEP opposing the Occidental settlement. I strongly support the draft letter's focus on the key issue of dedication of funds to the Passaic River cleanup. |
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Post by estuaryqueen on Oct 10, 2014 14:24:58 GMT -5
Thank you for the comments. Here is the final letter we would like members to vote on: Please vote by noon on Tuesday 10/14, via this link: goo.gl/forms/R3pvghZjiNThank you! Shino |
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Post by harvey on Oct 10, 2014 16:44:14 GMT -5
1. The letter should document the funds collected by NJ to offset the legal costs, just saying that this was collected previously is not good enough.
2. The letter indicates that even though HEP want the rejection of the $190 M as too low a settlement the backup plan is to ask for all the funds to be used to correct problems in the water and surroundings. This secondary request should be more specific so the limited funds are not squandered on yet another study that will wind up on a shelf for future reference for the next study. Demand action to fix something visible such as boat ramps and floating docks, channel markers, plants etc.
3. The letter should also reference the plans of the USEPA that will place a future moratorium of no improvements allowed on upper 6 miles of the lower 8 miles of the Passaic River due to installation of a cap.
Harvey Morginstin
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