New Jersey Congressmen, Newark Mayor Sharpe James, New Jersey Office of Maritime Resources and the US Army Corps of Engineers Announce Funding for Passaic River Environmental Restoration Study
Landmark Initiative to Determine New and Comprehensive Solutions
to Urban River Degradation
Newark, New Jersey, November 29, 2000 -- Key members of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation, Newark Mayor Sharpe James, New Jersey Office of Maritime Resources Executive Director Rick Gimello, and US Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division Deputy Commander Colonel Gregory Bean, today announced a new and unique initiative aimed at cleaning up the lower Passaic River between the Dundee Dam and Newark Bay. The new program, termed the “Passaic River Environmental Restoration Program,” will be led by the Corps of Engineers, working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other appropriate federal, state and local agencies, to determine comprehensive solutions to the complex problems facing the Passaic.
The U.S. House of Representatives authorized the first phase of the program -- a reconnaissance study of the problems and opportunities. Initial funding for the study was included in the fiscal year 2001 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill that was signed by the President earlier this month. The Passaic study is serving as a national model for an unprecedented federal urban waterway restoration effort.
Rep. Bob Menendez (D-13th Dist.), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the House leadership and leader of the effort to authorize the study, said “This year, working with Senator Lautenberg and Representatives Pascrell and Frelinghuysen, I was happy to help secure funding to enable the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a reconnaissance phase study of the Passaic. This study will determine whether a federal project can help solve the Passaic's problems. Once we restore the waterfront, it will be an anchor in Newark and Harrison's continuing resurgence. The restoration of the waterfront also will remediate the effects of industrial contamination.”
Rep. Donald Payne of Newark (D-10th Dist.), a strong supporter of the initiative, hailed the restoration program as a key element of Newark’s overall economic revitalization efforts. "Environmental clean up and economic development go hand-in-hand," Payne said. "I firmly believe that the federal government has a positive role to play in stimulating the local economy by restoring the Passaic River to its original pristine state."
"The Passaic River is not only an important part of the history of this region -- it is a key to our future. But to be a valuable part of economic revitalization and commerce in northern New Jersey, it must be clean," stated Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8th Dist.) "That is why, as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I, along with other members of the New Jersey delegation, reached out to the leadership and urged that this project be authorized by the Committee. I am so pleased that our hard work paid off and that today we have an appropriation for a study to begin this important project."
“This is a major step forward in our efforts to clean up the Passaic River and to transform our waterfront into a destination site similar to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor or New York’s South Street Seaport,” said Mayor James. “When our work is done here, our residents and visitors will be able to sail boats on the Passaic, enjoy dinner cruises and partake in quality retail, dining and entertainment along its banks. This is not a dream but a reality that we are achieving, with dedication and effort, working with our many state and federal partners in this great project.”
“The Passaic, like many other urban rivers, has become contaminated over many years by hundreds, if not thousands of polluters, many of whom no longer exist,” said Executive Director Gimello. “We must be open to new approaches on the Passaic that avoid mass litigation and more lost time. This new program gives New Jersey more options.”
In summarizing the announcement Corps of Engineers Deputy Commander Colonel Bean said, “The Corps of Engineers has been working in the Passaic River Basin for a long time. We look forward to working with all involved parties to improve the river basin for everyone.”
Sen. Robert G. Torricelli (D-NJ), another key player in securing the new initiative, said “The cleanup of the Passaic River has waited long enough. This initial $100,000 for a reconnaissance study of the Passaic River is an important first step towards restoring and remediating the lower Passaic, and, it follows, revitalizing the city. I pledge to work closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and local officials to see that this study is completed in a fair and comprehensive manner, and that, once completed, we take the next step.”
“We need to focus on cleaning up the Passaic, it's an important river to our state, and I am pleased to have had a role in pointing the Army Corps in that direction,” said Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.). I am hopeful that during this process the Environmental Protection Agency will partner with the Army Corps to make sure everything possible is done to improve the water quality of the river and protect the environment along the Passaic.”
“I am pleased that funding has been secured for the environmental and aquatic restoration of New Jersey's Passaic River. For over 200 years, the Passaic River has been subject to repeated degradation as a result of industrial and commercial activities, along with the associated impacts of urban development,” said Rep. Bob Franks (R-7th Dist). “I am confident that federal, state, and community partnerships will determine the most efficient and effective method to remediate and enhance the quality of the Passaic River. We must continue to enforce existing laws and provide the necessary resources to protect New Jersey's groundwater, lakes, and rivers from future contamination.”
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Rep. Jim Saxton (R-3rd Dist.) were other key leaders in securing the Passaic River study appropriation.