|
Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), sent the following letter today to Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The lawmakers wrote to urge that the EPA place the contaminated areas along the Raritan Bay in Old Bridge and Sayreville on the National Priorities List of Superfund Sites. They also requested that the EPA aggressively pursue cleanup cost recovery from all parties that have contributed to the contamination.
Recent reports have indicated that the Raritan Bay Slag site is a public health hazard due to high lead levels in the soil and surface water. The contaminated areas are used heavily by the public for recreational activities and the EPA must move quickly to protect public health. The lawmakers believe immediate placement of the site on the NPL is necessary due to the complexity, scope and probable cost of remediation.
April 7, 2009
The Honorable Lisa Jackson
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Jackson:
We are writing to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to place the contaminated areas along the Raritan Bay in Old Bridge and Sayreville, NJ, known as the Raritan Bay Slag site, on the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund Sites. We believe that placing this site on the NPL will ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect human health and the environment and that funding can be made available for its remediation. We also request that your agency aggressively pursue cleanup cost recovery from all parties that have contributed to this extensive contamination.
According to a recent study produced by a number of government agencies including EPA, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, and the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the areas in question are a "public health hazard" due to high lead levels in soil and surface water. EPA should work with local and state officials to immediately assess the levels of contamination and develop the best possible plan for restricting access to the contaminated areas.
Once the Raritan Bay slag site has been placed on the NPL, we respectfully request that you expedite its remediation. The contaminated areas are used heavily by the public for recreational activities and the EPA must move quickly to protect public health.
As you are aware, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently nominated the same areas along the Raritan Bay in Old Bridge Township and Sayreville Borough site for inclusion on the NPL of Superfund Sites. Due to the complexity, scope, and probable cost of the remediation needed for the Raritan Bay slag site, we believe that immediate placement on the NPL is appropriate. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to continuing to work together.
Sincerely,
FRANK LAUTENBERG FRANK PALLONE, JR. ROBERT MENENDEZ
United States Senator Member of Congress United States Senator
CC: Mark N. Mauriello, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Hon. Mayor James T. Phillips, Mayor, Old Bridge, New Jersey
Hon. Kennedy J. O’Brien, Mayor, Sayreville, New Jersey
|
