UPDATE: Negotiations to hold responsible parties accountable for the cleanup of the Diamond Alkali Superfund site in Newark have slowed dramatically, prompting urgent concerns from local officials and residents. The federal government shutdown and corporate restructuring at Occidental Chemical Corporation (OCC) are cited as major roadblocks in determining who will fund and execute this critical environmental cleanup.
JUST ANNOUNCED: During a meeting of the Passaic River Community Advisory Group on November 17, 2023, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided updates on the ongoing monitoring of contaminants found at this historically toxic site. The situation remains precarious as the EPA continues to assess risks while negotiations lag.
Officials report that the Diamond Alkali site, which includes the former manufacturing facility located at 80-120 Lister Ave, has a legacy of hazardous chemical production. In the mid-20th century, the site was known for producing dioxin and other toxic substances, with sampling in 1983 revealing alarming levels of contamination. The site was placed on the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities list in 1984, highlighting its urgent need for remediation.
Currently, the EPA’s cleanup plan involves dredging approximately 2.5 million cubic yards of sediment from the Lower Passaic River to remove dangerous dioxin and other hazardous materials. However, work has yet to commence due to unresolved negotiations with responsible parties. Eugenia Naranjo, the remedial project manager, emphasized that the ongoing risk poses a significant threat to local ecosystems and public health.
“We did conclude that there’s an unacceptable risk of contaminants in Newark Bay,” Naranjo said. “We are working on the feasibility study for the Newark Bay study area.”
Despite the urgency, local leaders express frustration over the slow pace of negotiations. Ana Isabel Baptista, Chair of the Community Advisory Group, stated, “Nothing is going to happen on this river in terms of dredging and cleanup until there’s a negotiated agreement.” The community remains on edge as local health and environmental conditions hang in the balance.
Negotiations have been hindered by multiple factors, including the recent $9.7 billion acquisition agreement between Berkshire Hathaway and OCC, which complicates liability issues surrounding the cleanup efforts. As corporate dynamics shift, concerns loom about the potential impact on funding and execution of the cleanup.
Local CAG members voiced their anxieties regarding the ongoing situation. Cynthia Mellon expressed fear that lengthy delays could jeopardize the commitment to the cleanup. “We want to believe that there’s a commitment there, but so it’s anxiety-producing,” she noted.
The EPA has been continuously monitoring water and sediment conditions, with Alice Yeh, remedial project manager for the Lower Passaic River, confirming that data collection has been ongoing for the past ten months. “We’ve had five boats in the river for the last few weeks collecting sediment samples,” Yeh stated, highlighting the active efforts to assess the environmental impact.
Looking ahead, stakeholders await the release of a comprehensive report on the site’s contamination status, expected by the end of the year. This report will be crucial in understanding the next steps in the cleanup process and ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable.
As the community watches closely, the urgency for action grows. Local leaders and residents continue to demand clarity and commitment from responsible parties to finally address the long-standing environmental hazards that have plagued Newark for decades. Immediate action is essential to safeguard both public health and the environment.
