U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Joins EPA, Army Corps Of Engineers At Superfund Site Cleanup Launch

The site was home to a pesticide and herbicide manufacturer; including those used in “Agent Orange”

, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez joined EPA and Army Corps of Engineers officials to launch cleanup operations on the Passaic River.  The EPA designated Diamond Alkali Superfund Site located at 80-120 Lister Avenue was home to a pesticide and herbicide manufacturing plant that included chemicals used to formulate the defoliant “Agent Orange,” known for injuring close to 1 million people including U.S. service members exposed to it  during the Vietnam War. 

“The construction of the sheet-piling at two locations along the river that will enclose the 200 cubic yards of contaminated sediment that will eventually be dredged and taken away is only the first step,” said Senator Menendez. “Cleaning up the Passaic River is a major victory for the people of New Jersey and for all of us who take our role as caretakers of our environment seriously.”  

The construction of the enclosure that starts today will be followed by dredging in March of 2012. Sediment will be dried at a facility also in Newark, and will be moved out of state.  Terra Solutions and the Passaic River Community Advisory Group worked with the EPA to ensure a Community Health and Safety Plan was in place for the removal project.