Lawmakers Laud EPA for Designating Raritan Bay Slag Site as Superfund Site

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), praise the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proposing to add the contaminated areas along the Raritan Bay in Old Bridge and Sayreville to the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund Sites. The EPA's announcement came one day after the lawmakers wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson urging the agency to designate the site as a Superfund site.

"I am pleased that the EPA responded quickly to our request to have this site placed on the National Priorities List," Pallone said. "The levels of contamination found in the Raritan Bay are a risk to residents and visitors and we must protect their well-being. I am confident that the EPA will work with local officials to remediate this site quickly and ensure that the public health is protected."

"EPA's rapid response to this serious contamination along the Raritan Bay is a welcome development," Lautenberg said. "As Chairman of the Superfund Subcommittee, I will continue to help lead the fight to strengthen Superfund and make sure polluters pay for the cleanup of sites like this one."

"The well being and safety of New Jersey families is our priority, and this quick and decisive action will help protect their health," Menendez said. "The high levels of lead in the Raritan Bay have the potential to harm the families who visit, swim, fish and otherwise enjoy the area, and it must be dealt with. I am thankful that Lisa Jackson has heeded our call and acted with speed."

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 the 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.

Below is a copy of the letter the lawmakers sent to Administrator Lisa Jackson yesterday to request that the contaminated areas be placed on the NPL.

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