Rep. Lance: EPA Proposes Cleanup for American Cyanamid Superfund Site in Bridgewater

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Rep. Leonard Lance, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release:

Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed a cleanup proposal for the final stage of the American Cyanamid Superfund site in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Lance, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee that created and funded the Superfund program, hailed the finalization of a plan as a win for New Jersey.

"I want this site cleaned up and the 44,000 tons of hazardous waste out of Bridgewater and permanently destroyed. I am pleased the EPA is implementing the final plan and will be presenting that plan for public comment. Safety is of paramount concern and the collection and treatment of approximately 2.3 million gallons of contaminated liquid needs to be done responsibly. This is why we have an EPA. Federal officials with the know-how and expertise have tackled these problems in other parts of the country and now need to focus on Bridgewater," said Lance.

Lance's Energy and Commerce Committee oversees the Superfund sites and Lance pushed for $1.2 billion in funding for cleanup programs across the country - an increase of $66 million from the previous fiscal year. President Trump signed the higher funding into law during the recent spending bill agreement. The American Cyanamid Superfund Site has a history of industrial pollution dating back to 1915. For nearly 100 years, prior owners of the site used the location for manufacturing chemicals. According to the EPA, a number of impoundments were constructed and used for waste storage and disposal throughout this period of time, which eventually resulted in the contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and heavy metals. The site was placed on the federal Superfund list in 1983 - too long for Lance.

"The American Cyanamid site has been a hazard for too long. I commend the EPA for its commitment to seeing this project through now," added Lance.

Mayor Daniel J. Hayes Jr. praised the announcement. "The health and safety of our residents is our primary concern and we support the efforts to address this superfund cleanup under the watchful guidance of the EPA. The EPA and Pfizer have conducted thorough research to come up with a method that will treat the most difficult impound areas in a safe and efficient manner. We greatly appreciate their diligence and emphasis on safety."

The $74 million cleanup proposal involves excavation and dewatering of contaminated material within two waste disposal areas (impoundments), followed by shipment out of the area to a facility, for treatment and disposal, according to the EPA. The EPA further announced soil or clay impacted by the impoundment contaminants would also be treated, using on-site stabilization or solidification. Surrounding "berm materials" that do not require treatment would be used as backfill. It is estimated that more than 44,000 tons of hazardous waste would be permanently destroyed, and approximately 2.3 million gallons of contaminated liquid would be collected and treated.

The EPA has announced a public meeting on the plan.

WHAT: EPA Public Meeting

WHEN: Tuesday, June 12 at 7 pm

WHERE:

Bridgewater Township Municipal Building

100 Commons Way

Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807

Note: Comments will be accepted until June 28, 2018.

Written comments may be mailed or emailed to:

Mark Austin, Remedial Project Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

290 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10007

Email: austin.mark@epa.gov