U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) and U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today sent the following letter to Commissioner Lisa Jackson of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requesting more information on potentially contaminated debris recently discovered in Pompton Lakes’ wetland area.

November 16, 2007

The Honorable Lisa P. Jackson
Commissioner
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
401 E. State Street, P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ   08625-0402

Dear Commissioner Jackson:

This letter is to request that the NJDEP keep us informed of the investigation it has begun into property the State of New Jersey owns in Pompton Lakes.  It has come to our attention that this property, which was purchased by the Army Corps of Engineers using federal resources, has been used as a dumping site for construction materials and possibly other debris, dating back to the 1980's.  We also understand that the NJDEP was called out to investigate the site in May 1990, but that no action was taken at that time.

We raise the concern for this site due to the fact that these materials lie on wetlands in proximity to the Pompton Lakes' wellhead protection area, and that they could possibly pose a contamination hazard to the community and beyond.   We are asking that in its investigation, the NJDEP assess the nature and source of the materials present at the site and whether, in fact, there is contamination occurring.  We further request that the NJDEP determine where the responsibility lies for this cleanup, and make recommendations for any needed remediation of this property.

We would appreciate a response from your office regarding this matter, and to be kept apprised of developments as they occur.

 
Sincerely,

Bill Pascrell, Jr.           Frank R. Lautenberg               Robert Menendez

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