A new agreement between the EPA, PPG Industries, and the State of New Jersey targets extensive environmental restoration in Newark.
NEWARK, NJ — A landmark environmental cleanup plan has been proposed for the Riverside Industrial Park Superfund Site on the Passaic River's banks, with PPG Industries, Inc. set to finance and perform cleanup operations totaling nearly $19 million. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of New Jersey outlined the agreement that includes a $15.8 million cleanup effort and a reimbursement of $2.9 million for past EPA expenditures.
The Riverside Industrial Park, a significant industrial hub spanning 7.6 acres at 29 Riverside Avenue in Newark, has a storied history of industrial use dating from 1902 to the present day. Previously home to the Patton Paint Company and later part of PPG Industries, the site has suffered from extensive contamination due to past manufacturing practices.
The cleanup strategy, established following a finalized EPA Record of Decision in 2021, involves excavating lead-contaminated soil, reinforcing riverside structures, and enhancing site security measures. Additionally, the plan includes long-term measures to monitor and address soil gas, groundwater contamination, and indoor air quality to mitigate any potential health risks to current and future site occupants.
Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator, emphasized the importance of the settlement, stating, "This settlement marks important progress in our work to clean up the Riverside Industrial Park and our commitment to protect public health by reducing the potential exposure to toxic contamination."
Furthermore, under the agreement, PPG will reimburse the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection approximately $117,000 for previous site evaluations. The proposed consent decree is now awaiting public feedback following its publication in the Federal Register and New Jersey Register, with a 60-day comment period allowing local residents and stakeholders to weigh in on the project's scope and approach.
For those interested in the detailed cleanup plan or wishing to participate in the comment period, the EPA has provided extensive documentation available on their website, and further details can be found in the federal consent decree at the Department of Justice's website.
This initiative represents a critical step toward revitalizing one of Newark’s most challenged industrial landscapes, aiming to restore environmental health and safety for the community and its surrounding ecosystems.