EPA Community Meeting on Toxic Sludge Plan Set for Dec. 12, 2024

The Passaic River Community Advisory Group (CAG) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom, to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) controversial plan to remove and process toxic dioxin-laden sludge from the Passaic River. The meeting will include a session for public questions and input on the EPA’s proposal.

The toxic sludge originates from the production of Agent Orange at the Diamond Shamrock plant in Newark’s Ironbound section, directly across the river from Harrison. The EPA intends to use the decontaminated PSE&G property, located near the Harrison PATH Station and surrounded by residential developments, as a processing site for dioxin-laden sludge which also has NAPL an oily substance that is also toxic.

A Residential Community in the Shadow of the EPA Plan

The proposed site lies across the street from Harrison’s growing residential community, including four modern luxury apartment complexes:

• Steelworks Building: A vibrant mixed-use community featuring upscale apartments with a focus on industrial-inspired design, Steelworks offers state-of-the-art amenities such as a fitness center, rooftop lounge, and a modern work-from-home environment.

• Vermella Harrison: This flagship development features expansive apartment layouts, on-site retail spaces, and recreational facilities. It is a centerpiece of Harrison’s transformation into a residential and commercial hub.
• The Cobalt Lofts: Known for its sleek, contemporary design, The Cobalt Lofts boast cutting-edge amenities, including a rooftop deck, coworking spaces, and a thriving social scene for residents.

• The Wyldes Harrison: The newest addition to the area, The Wyldes offers luxurious, modern apartments with eco-friendly features and panoramic views of Newark and New York City.
   

These residential communities have attracted families and professionals, redefining the area’s identity from an industrial zone to a vibrant urban neighborhood.

From Green Space to Toxic Controversy

The PSE&G property, initially slated to become a Green Space/Park, Community Center, and Turnaround/Drop-Off Area for the PATH Station, was decontaminated by PSE&G at the reported cost of $367 to $400 million However, the EPA’s plan to repurpose the site for an Open Air Toxic Sludge processing has raised alarms. Critics question whether any other toxic sludge facility in the United States of America has been located so close to a residential community literally across the street from modern apartment buildings.

Town of Harrison Mayor James Fife on August 29, 2022 (over two years ago) revealed during a Harrison Redevelopment Agency (HRA) meeting EPA’s intent to use the PSE&G property for sludge dredging.  Despite his statement, Mayor Fife and Councilman James Doran later denied the EPA’s plans, even defaming others in their effort to mislead residents. Both of these public officials lied to the Public. The denial that the EPA was coming to Harrison to dump Toxic Sludge onto land was undermined by the fact that the HRA meeting was recorded via Zoom, contradicting their claims. Town of Harrison meetings are usually not audio or video recorded and thus both of these elected officials felt comfortable lying to the Public. They forgot one detail, the August 29, 2022, HRA meeting was on a recorded Zoom conference. Read more about the Cover-up and lies through this link..

Public Participation Urged

Federal legislation mandates that the EPA establish a Community Advisory Group (CAG) to ensure public involvement in decision-making. However, no current CAG member is a resident of Harrison, and the group is actively seeking new members to join and represent local interests.

The public is encouraged to attend the December 12 meeting via Zoom or telephone. The meeting will provide an opportunity to voice concerns and seek clarity from the EPA on the project’s safety and implications.

You can attend the meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 12, 2024, starting at 6 p.m. via this Zoom link or by telephone by dialing (646) 558 8656 and when prompted enter Code 825 1533 8227 #

As the EPA proceeds with its plans, the residents of Harrison and nearby areas are calling for transparency and accountability, urging the agency to consider the impact of its decisions on the community. The EPA must face the reality that it must not trade saving money for risking Public health.  EPA’s mission statement is To protect human health and the environment.  The EPA cannot in good conscience violate its mission statement because it may be more convenient to bring dioxin-laden NAPL material on land in Harrison in a residential community than to transport it down the Passaic River to an industrial area to dewater it and ship it off to designated toxic dumps in the USA and Canada.

This article is designed to raise awareness of the meeting and encourage public engagement while highlighting the pressing concerns surrounding the EPA’s plans. Let me know what you think about EPA’s Plan for Harrison and the Mayor & Council’s “support of EPA’s plan” in our Community Discussion Section.

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