A. A few reasons:

I. More than $27 million worth of environmental studies regarding the Passaic River have been conducted and there is now an enormous wealth of current, sophisticated data.

II. The Passaic River sits in a large urban core that is now undergoing a renaissance. Newark has highlighted the river in the construction of the Riverfront Stadium baseball complex and the Joseph G. Minish Passaic River Waterfront and Historic Area. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the art facility known for its quality acoustics, also sits on the river. The city is now pushing for construction of a sports arena near the river, serving as a conduit for hotels, restaurants and other attractions. If the river could be restored, it would be a tremendous economic boost to an old city that is trying to shed its industrial beginnings.

III. The Passaic River has vast historical significance - the birthplace of our industrial revolution that helped distinguish the nation as a world economic leader. From the days of the Revolutionary War, the river has played a major role in the nation's vitality and prosperity. The river attracted a large industrial base, which became pivotal through and post-war economic expansion. This industrial base contributed to higher wages, quality products and better consumer choice. But years of mass production have sapped the life out of the river, leaving it disregarded. The PRRI can restore this old river and bring a new surge of economic and recreational vitality to the aging urban core.

A. USACE has extensive experience in waterway restoration and is well qualified to design a multi-dimensional project that will bring the Passaic River back to environmental and economic life.

The PRRI is envisioned as an effective alternative to litigation. Responsible parties, both public and private, can work together with the federal government to pay for an effective cleanup that the USACE, in conjunction with the USEPA and other parties, will design and implement.

A. The Superfund program is an important element in our Nation's efforts to clean up some of the worst sites in the country, such as abandoned chemical plants and old dumps. But the Superfund program was not designed to deal effectively with river restoration efforts where there are many polluters, a large fraction of "orphan" shares, multiple contaminants, a long history of pollution, on-going sources, and widespread problems. A joint, public works approach appears to be best suited for cleaning situations like that which exists in the Passaic.

The proposed project will incorporate economic revitalization objectives that are not permitted consideration under the Superfund approach. PRRI will take advantage of the ability of USACE to work with local groups on a river restoration project that benefits the community as a whole.

A. Several have stepped up to honor their responsibilities and remain committed to seeing the Passaic River restored. Others have not. Private parties are expected to play a major role in the cost-sharing responsibilities associated with the PRRI.