Sussex County, NJ dump site proposed for Superfund list

The Mansfield Trail Dump Site in Byram Township, NJ has been proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection  Agency (EPA) for addition to its Superfund National Priorities List of the country’s most hazardous waste sites.

The Sussex site is one of nine of the latest hazardous waste sites found that pose risks to human health and the environment to the general Superfund section of the National Priorities List.  Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country.

“EPA is proposing to add this site to the Superfund list so we can fully address any contamination in this community, especially the toxic air contaminants that are seeping into some homes through their foundations,” said Judith Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “By listing the site, EPA can do the extensive sampling needed to determine the best ways to address the contamination and protect people’s health.”

An EPA news release explains that:
 
Sampling has shown that chemical contamination in a wooded area where waste was dumped in trenches is affecting a number of nearby homes. Chemical vapors from contaminated soil underneath some area homes have been found in some basements. Exposure to the contaminants found at the site can have serious health impacts, damage the liver, impair the nervous system or increase the risk of cancer.

Sampling by the Sussex County Department of Health in 2005 identified trichloroethylene (TCE), an organic solvent used in industrial processes, in residential drinking water wells along Brookwood and Ross Roads in Byram Township. To protect public health, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) installed carbon water filtration and treatment systems in 16 homes to remove contaminants from their drinking water. In addition, NJDEP installed systems to reduce the intrusion of chemical vapors into the basements of five of the homes that tested positive for air pollutants.

In an effort to identify the source of the contamination, NJDEP identified and investigated four areas in a wooded section near the Mansfield bike path, and found evidence of TCE contamination in two of them. Sludge of unknown origin had been deposited in trenches in the area. Sampling and analysis conducted by NJDEP in 2009 indicated the presence of TCE in two areas above state screening levels. Other volatile organic compounds, a group of pollutants common in household and industrial products, and various chlorinated benzene compounds, have also been detected.

Furthering the investigation, NJDEP collected gas samples from the soil underneath people’s basements as well as inside the basements throughout the affected neighborhood. The results varied, with some homes showing TCE concentrations above state screening levels in just the samples from underneath the basements and some homes showing TCE concentrations above screening levels both in the basements and underneath them.

After receiving a letter from the New Jersey government supporting the inclusion of the Mansfield site on the Superfund list, EPA has determined that a listing offers the best course of action to protect human health and clean up the contamination. EPA periodically proposes sites to the Superfund list and, after responding to public comments, designates them as final Superfund sites. The Superfund final designation makes them eligible for funds to conduct long-term cleanups.

General information on the Superfund cleanup process
Information on the EPA’s  60-day public comment period can be found here.

**Post updated at 3:49 p.m. on 10/20/10 to add news story below**

Related:
‘Denny’s Dump’ in Byram could be added to Superfund list
Byram homes to become Superfund site 

EnviroPolitics Events Calendar for Oct 15 2010
Can you guess where the enviros are on this NY race?

 
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Tom Corbett – Best fracking governor for Pennsylvania?

The greenback votes of the natural gas drilling industry have been counted and they’ve selected Tom Corbett  to be Pennsylvania’s next governor. 

An analysis of campaign contributions reported from 2001 through mid-September by the Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania and Common Cause PA, shows that Corbett, the Republican candidate for governor, has accepted more than $700,000 in campaign donations from the gas industry–more than all other Pennsylvania candidates combined.
And why wouldn’t the drillers support Corbett? After all, he opposes taxing the industry despite the fact that virtually every other natural gas state has imposed an extraction tax.

Why shouldn’t Pennsylvania? Corbett’s spokesperson says Tom believes a tax would limit gas development in Pennsylvania.

Does anyone really believe that?  Do you seriously think that an industry, rushing to drill into as many farms, fields and state parks as they can gain rights to, will pack up and leave behind hundreds of millions in revenues because of a trifling tax?  

If you do, you probably also believe the industry’s contention that fracking has never poisoned a single drinking water well. How about the Easter Bunny?  Believe that one, too?
Guess who was the second largest beneficiary of the gas industry’s contributions?

State Senate Republican leader Joe Scarnati. His caucus is blocking an extraction tax bill that was approved in the House.
Without action on the tax this year, it will die.  And when the legislation is reintroduced next year, guess who likely will be the governor with veto power?

Recent posts: 

EnviroPolitics Events Calendar for Oct 15 2010
Can you guess where the enviros are on this NY race?
A new gust in offshore wind power’s sails

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Update: Environmental legislation in Pennsylvania

Here’s the activity record, since October 1, on environmental legislation in the
Pennsylvania General Assembly:

SB 901 (Scarnati)  Amends the Biofuel Development and In-State Production Incentive Act, further providing for biodiesel content in diesel fuel sold for on-road use

Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, June 4, 2009
Reported as committed from ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, June 9, 2009
First consideration, June 9, 2009
Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, June 15, 2009
Re-reported as committed from APPROPRIATIONS, June 22, 2009
Second consideration, June 23, 2009
Third consideration and final passage, June 24, 2009 (50-0)
In the House
Referred to AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, June 29, 2009
Reported as amended from AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, Sept. 17, 2009
First consideration, Sept. 17, 2009
Laid on the table, Sept. 17, 2009
Removed from table, Sept. 18, 2009
Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Sept. 18, 2009
Re-reported as committed from APPROPRIATIONS, Oct. 6, 2010
Second consideration, with amendments, Oct. 6, 2010
(Remarks see House Journal Page ….),Oct. 6, 2010

SB1379 (Musto) Amends the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, in recycling and waste reduction, further providing for recycling at educational institutions.
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, May 26, 2010
Reported as amended from ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, June 8, 2010
First consideration, June 8, 2010
Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, June 23, 2010
Re-reported as amended from APPROPRIATIONS, Sept. 29, 2010 Second consideration, Oct. 13, 2010
Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 14, 2010 (49-0)
(Remarks see Senate Journal Page ….),Oct. 14, 2010

SB1422 (D. White) Amends the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act, further providing for definitions and for financial assistance.
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, June 24, 2010
Reported as amended from ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, Sept. 22, 2010
First consideration, Sept. 22, 2010
Laid on the table, Oct. 14, 2010

SB1486  (Greenleaf) Amends the Oil and Gas Act, providing for gas mineral rights lease agreement disclosure and indemnification.
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, Oct. 8, 2010

__________________________________________________

HB 708 (Ross) An Act establishing a recycling program for computers and televisions; imposing duties on manufacturers and retailers ; providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection and for enforcement; and prescribing penalties
      Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, March 4, 2009 
Reported as committed from ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, June 16 
First consideration, June 16, 2009
Re-committed to RULES, June 16, 2009
Re-reported as committed from RULES, July 9, 2009
Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS ,July 9, 2009
Re-reported as committed from APPROPRIATIONS, June 9, 2010      
Second consideration, with amendments, June 14, 2010
(Remarks see House Journal Page ),June 14, 2010
Third consideration and final passage, June 15, 2010 (169-30) 
In the Senate
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, June 17, 2010
Reported as amended from ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, Sept. 22
First consideration, Sept. 22, 2010
Second consideration, Sept. 27, 2010
Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Sept. 27, 2010
Re-reported as amended from APPROPRIATIONS, Sept. 29, 2010
Amended on third consideration, Oct. 12, 2010
Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 13, 2010 (48-1)


HB 961 (Buxton) Amends the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, further providing for the sunset date for fees
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, March 17, 2009
Reported as committed from ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, March 31
First consideration, March 31, 2009
Laid on the table, March 31, 2009
Removed from table, April 1, 2009
Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, April 1, 2009
Re-reported as committed from APPROPRIATIONS, April 21, 2009
Second consideration, April 21, 2009
Third consideration and final passage, April 22, 2009 (190-2)
In the Senate
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, April 24, 2009
Reported as committed from ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, Oct. 2, 2009
First consideration, Oct. 2, 2009
Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Oct. 2, 2009

HB2591 Amends the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act, further providing for definitions and for financial assistance.
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, June 22, 2010
Reported as committed  June 29, 2010
First consideration, June 29, 2010
Re-committed to RULES, June 29, 2010
Re-reported as committed from RULES, June 30, 2010
Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 30, 2010
Re-reported as committed from APPROPRIATIONS, July 1, 2010
Second consideration, July 1, 2010
Third consideration and final passage, July 2, 2010 (196-0)
(Remarks see House Journal Page ),July 2, 2010
In the Senate
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, July 7, 2010
Reported as amended from ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, Sept. 22, 2010
First consideration, Sept. 22, 2010
Laid on the table, Oct. 14, 2010

HB 2771 (Boback) Provides for the erosion and sedimentation program to be administered by delegation agreements between the Department of Environmental Protection and conservation districts.
    Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, Oct. 7, 2010


HB 2772 (Sonney) Amends  the Oil and Gas Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in general requirements, providing for the regulation of compressor stations.
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, Oct. 7, 2010  

Have we missed a bill you think we should be following?  Please let us know the bill number in an email to: editor@enviropolitics.com.

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NOTE:  Subscribers to our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics, get to monitor
the progress of all environmental and energy bills in New Jersey and Pennsylvania–from introduction to enactment.  We supply links to all updated versions of bills, including committee and floor amendments. 

Try EnviroPolitics without charge or obligation for 30 full days!
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Update: Environmental legislation in Pennsylvania Read More »

Don’t worry, New Jersey, it’s just a movie, right?

Watch this video and then tell me you don’t want to catch the flick

The Soprano State: New Jersey’s Culture of Corruption is based on the best-selling book written by Gannett’s Trenton bureau chief  Bob Ingle and veteran political reporter Sandy McClure. The  film will be released starting October 22 in the following select Clearview Cinemas:

The Soprano StateHeadquarters 10 Theatres, Morristown NJ          
Tenafly Cinema 4, Tenafly NJ
Clairidge Cinemas, Montclair NJ
Red Bank Art Cinema, Red Bank NJ
Hoboken Cinema 5, Hoboken NJ
Manhasset Cinemas, Manhasset NY
Cinema 100, White Plains NY
First & 62nd Cinemas, 400 E 62nd St. NY
Chelsea Cinemas, 260 W 23rd St. NY
American Place Cinema, Flemington NJ

If you can’t get to the theater, read the book, published by St. Martins Griffin ($14.95 in your local bookstore or online from Barnes and Noble starting at $10)

I picked up a copy in early summer at a shop on Long Beach Island thinking it would be a good beach read. Like many others, I had avidly followed the corruption scandals of recent decades as they unfolded in the daily newspapers. But I was surprised to discover how many of the names and the details I had forgotten. Some of that surely is due to time, but the sheer weight and breadth of Jersey-style political chicanery also plays a role.

The book, like the characters and incidents it chronicles, is funny, entertaining, sometimes shocking and ultimately depressing. New Jersey doesn’t change much over time no matter how many investigations and launched and convictions are won.

So you’d  better get the book or catch the film soon. In a few years, the sequel will be out with a whole new cast of characters.   

Recent posts:
EnviroPolitics Events Calendar for Oct 15 2010
Can you guess where the enviros are on this NY race?
A new gust in offshore wind power’s sails
Could you skip over this story?
Environmental legislation up for votes in Trenton today

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Environmental legislation up for votes in Trenton today

Thirteen environmental and energy bills will be considered in Trenton today
in two Senate and two Assembly committees. Here’s the lineup:
SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
10/14/10 10:00 AM
Committee Room 10, 3rd Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
S-1949  Sweeney, S.M. (D-3); Kean, T.H. (R-21)
Provides energy and utility service sales tax relief benefit to certain manufacturers throughout the State. Related Bill: A-2767
    
S-2108  Smith, B. (D-17); Bateman, C. (R-16)
Increases Spill Compensation and Control Act cap on liability.
Related Bill: A-3124
  
S-2275  Smith, B. (D-17); Bateman, C. (R-16)
Directs DOT to study stormwater basins in Barnegat Bay watershed.
S-2341  Smith, B. (D-17)
Requires DEP to adopt total maximum daily loads for Barnegat Bay.
      
SENATE ECONOMIC GROWTH
10/14/10 10:30 AM
Committee Room 1, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
A-2305  Milam, M.W. (D-1); Albano, N.T. (D-1); Riley, C.M. (D-3); Wilson, G.L. (D-5)
Expands “Jersey Fresh” program to include “Made With Jersey Fresh” designation of certain
baked goods and other food products.
      
A-2854  McKeon, J.F. (D-27); Burzichelli, J.J. (D-3); Quijano, A. (D-20)
Establishes “Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week.”
Related Bill: S-2125
      
S-2125  Whelan, J. (D-2)
Establishes “Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week.”
Related Bill: A-2854
      
ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
10/14/10 02:00 PM
Committee Room 8, 3rd Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
A-2664  Riley, C.M. (D-3)
Revises penalty for destruction of, or damage to, trees, saplings, shrubs or other plants; repeals current law thereon.
      
A-2665  Riley, C.M. (D-3)
Clarifies law concerning labeling of farm products; increases penalties for violations and false labeling and identification of “Jersey Fresh” and Department of Agriculture designated brands; repeals R.S.4:10-15.
      
A-2925  Riley, C.M. (D-3)
Concerns “Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act” general permit for expansion of cranberry bogs in pinelands area.
    

ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT AND SOLID WASTE
10/14/10 02:00 PM
Committee Room 9, 3rd Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
The committee will hear from the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and other invited guests regarding the recently issued Request for Proposals seeking private contractors to handle certain land use permits.
A-868  Milam, M.W. (D-1); Albano, N.T. (D-1); Quijano, A. (D-20)
Allows construction of wind dependent energy facilities within 500 feet of mean high water line
of tidal waters under certain circumstances.
Related Bill: S-266
      
A-2942  McKeon, J.F. (D-27); Gusciora, R. (D-15)
Allows construction of wind dependent energy facilities within 500 feet of mean high water line
of tidal waters under certain circumstances.
Related Bill: S-212
       
A-3167  Coughlin, C.J. (D-19)
Authorizes zero-interest loans to local governments for certain brownfield remediations.
Related Bill: S-2278
      
S-212  Whelan, J. (D-2)
Allows construction of wind dependent energy facilities within 500 feet of mean high water line of tidal waters under certain circumstances.
     Oct 14, 2010  – Posted: Assembly Environment and Solid Waste
S-1955  Smith, B. (D-17); Pennacchio, J. (R-26)
Eliminates dock fees and establishes penalty for boat permit violations on Greenwood Lake.
Related Bill: A-2973
      
________________________________________________________________

NOTE:  Subscribers to our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics, get to monitor
the progress of all environmental and energy bills in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
–from introduction to enactment.  We supply links to all updated versions of bills,
including committee and floor amendments. 
Try EnviroPolitics without charge or obligation for 30 full days!
________________________________________________________________

Environmental legislation up for votes in Trenton today Read More »

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