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Environment


A Rivers' Health Relies On The Stewardship Of The Communities Its' Waters Pass Through

 

drainpic

Storm Drain Labeling Guidelines (pdf) - NJ DEP

 

DEP Signs Off On New Stormwater Rule - December 15, 2019 - NJSpotlight.com

Stormwater Overhaul Doesn't Go Far Enough - January 9, 2019 - NJSpotlight.com

Highlands Council Hears Developement Pitch - April 22, 2016 - NJ Herald.com

Oil Train Bridges Studied - November 12 & 13, 2015 - Herald News

Bill On Sewage Overflow Notification Dies - January 22, 2014 - Herald News

Wanaque Reservoir Plan Draws Criticism - July 3, 2013 - Herald News

 

See Something?     Smell Something?     Say Something.

 

     EPA: Report Spills and Environmental Violations       1.212.637.4050

     NJDEP: Report an Environmental Incident Hotline       1.877.927.6337

 

 

     How's My Waterway? Find Information About Local Waterways - EPA

     Surface Waters Quality Standards - NJDEP Water Monitoring and Standards

     New Jersey Environmental Laws - NJDEP N.J.A.C. Title 7

     Citizens Guide To Protecting Category One Waterways - Hackensack Riverkeeper

     NJDEP Volunteer Water Monitoring Programs Information



Organizations Working To Protect The Passaic River And Its' Tributaries

 

     Passaic River Coalition - an urban watershed association active since 1969 in protecting
     water quality and quantity of the entire Passaic River watershed of northern New Jersey
     and Rockland and Orange Counties, New York.

     Pequannock River Coalition - helping to restore and improve the ecosystems of
     the Pequannock and Wanaque Rivers and Watersheds.

     Great Swamp Watershed Association - dedicated to protecting and improving water
     resources in the region by monitoring local streams, advocating for intelligent land use,
     and educating our communities about water quality and quantity and their effect on the
     health and natural beauty of the local environment.

     Whippany River Watershed Action Committee - Stewards of the Watershed who have
     come together to preserve, protect and maintain the land and water resources of the
     watershed through broad-based community action, projects, on-going assessment,
     education and promotion of resource conservation.

     Greenwood Lake Commission - a bi-state commission that was formed in 2001 for the
     express purpose of improving the water quality of this beautiful lake.

     Hackensack Riverkeeper - The independent, non-governmental advocate for the
     Hackensack River. While primarily concerned with the Hackensack River this organization
     has the shared goal of cleaner waters and maintains a presence on the lower Passaic
     River through Newark Bay.

     American Rivers - A national organization dedicated to improvng the health of rivers
     and communities by ensuring clean water supplies, revitalizing fish and wildlife
     habitat, improving recreation, and leaving a legacy of healthy rivers for generations to come.

     River Network - Leading a national watershed protection movement that includes nearly
     2,000 state, regional and local grassroots organizations whose primary mission is to
     protect rivers and watersheds.

     Waterkeeper Alliance - Made up of more than 200 local Waterkeeper organizations
     Waterkeeper Alliance keeps Waterkeepers connected, provides them with legal, scientific
     and communications support, and unites their voices as they take on major global water
     issues together.

    



Stormwater and Runoff


One of the greatest threats to most rivers is storm water. The speed and amount of water leaving our developed properties is straining the capacity of our streams and rivers. The erosion of soils and scouring of stream banks cause a build up of sedimentation. Flooding has increased, and pollutants travel from our lawns, recreational fields, roads and parking lots straight into our waterways.

     Lawn Fertilizer Restrictions Coming - July 24, 2009 - The Record 

     Soak Up The Rain - EPA

     NJDEP - Stormwater

     Rethink The Lawn And Reduce Your Impact - Jersey-Friendly Yards

     Cleanwaternj.org

     Consequences of Auto Fluid Leaks - November 1, 2017 - Bar's Leaks

     Storm Water Information - Township of Roxbury


During heavy rains the combined sewer system in Philadelphia often becomes overloaded and discharges raw sewage into the Schuykill and Deleware Rivers. To comply with EPA regulations the city is reducing the amount of rainwater entering it's storm drains to begin with through the use of permeable roads, rainbarrels, raingardens, vegetated roofs, new trees and new parks. This approach helps prevent rainfall from entering the waterways too quickly while providing a more natural level of filtration.


     Stormwater Plan Raises Eyebrows At EPA - December 24, 2009 - New York Times

     Street Smarts - October 2, 2011 - Time Magazine

     The Price Of Greening Stormwater - April 20, 2012 - Governing.com

     Philadelphia Cleans Up Stormwater - June 6, 2012 - National Geographic

     Green Stormwater Infrastructure - Philadelphia Water Department



Reducing Runoff With Permeable Pavement


     Pervious Concrete Pavement - US EPA

     Porous Asphalt Pavement - US EPA

     Porous Paving - Philadelphia Water Department

     The Porous Road Less Traveled - January 3, 2012 - Sightline.org

     Permeable Paving - City of Chicago

     Pervious Pavement Projects - City of Portland


Reducing Runoff With Raingardens


     Rain Gardens - Rutgers Water Resources Program

     Rain Gardens - Wikipedia

     What Is A Rain Garden? - Rain Garden Network

 

Reducing Runoff With Rainbarrels


     Molly Ann Brook Rain Barrel Initiative - PassaicCountyNJ.org

     Water Resources Program / Rain Barrels - Rutgers

     Mid-Atlantic Region Green Landscaping - US EPA

     What Are The Benefits of Rain Barrels? - National Geographic

 

Reducing Runoff With Vegetated Roofs - Extensive vegetated roofs are designed to require little maintenance and are used on commercial flat roofed buildings for reducing runoff, increasing the insulation value and extending the life of the roofing material.
Intensive
vegetated roofs are designed for being interacted with such as having lawns, gardens, large plants and trees.


     Green Roofs - Wikipedia

     Green Roofs - US EPA

     Extensive Vegatative Roofs - National Institute Of Building Sciences

     Vegetated Roofs - NJ Green Building Manual - Rutgers

     Green Roofs Slideshow - National Geographic

     Green Roofs In Big Cities Bring Relief From Above - May 23, 2012 - New York Times



Improper Disposal Practices


     In short if you don't want to drink it make sure it's recycled or disposed of properly.

     Guidelines For Proper Disposal of Household Medication (pdf)

     RecyclingNJ.com

     1800Recycling.com

     Association of New Jersey Household Hazardous Waste Coordinators



Pet Waste


     Transmits disease and contaminates our drinking water

     Pet Waste Management - US EPA

     What To Do With Doggy Doo - For Dummies Books



Septic Systems


     Have your septic tank emptied and system inspected periodically

     Septic Tank Maintenance - CleanWaterCampaign.com

     Septic Systems and Their Maintenance - University of Maryland

     Septic Systems and Their Maintenance - Soilfacts

     Source Water Protection (pdf) - National Environmental Services Center



Heating Oil Tanks


     Above ground tanks should be anchored well to prevent tipping, particularly in flood zones
     where they're subject to floating. All tanks should be inspected periodically for internal
     rusting before leaking occurs.

     Buried tanks should be inspected and system switched over to above ground when possible.

     The NJDEP has a Site Remediation Program to assist owners of an underground storage
     tank (UST) with removal and site remediation but is currently not accepting applications
     due to lack of funding.  

     NJDEP - Site Remediation Program for Underground Storage Tanks

     NJDEP - Underground Storage Tank Remediation, Upgrade and Closure Fund Notice

     Fund To Help Homeowners Runs Out Of Money - May 10, 2011 - NJ.com

     Underground Storage Tank Flood Guide - November 2010 - EPA



Thermal Pollution


         Thermal Pollution - Wikipedia



Water Commissions


     New Jersey American Water

     Passaic Valley Water Commission

               Water Quality Report 2014

     North Jersey District Water Supply Commission


     River Pumping Proposal Sparks North Jersey Water War - May 27, 2012 - NorthJersey.com

     Wanaque Reservoir Plan Draws Criticism - July 3, 2013 - NorthJersey.com


Sewage Treatment Plants


        Sewage Treatment - Wikipedia

        Secondary Treatment Standards - EPA - National Pollution Discharge Elimination System



     Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission

     Pequannock River Basin Regional Sewerage Authority

     Wanaque Valley Regional Sewerage Authority

     Water Quality Trading Program - Rutgers Water Resources Program

     Water Quality Trading To Reduce Phosphorus Discharge From Treatment Plants

     Pollution In The Passaic - Stevens Institute of Technology

     Sewage Overflows From Hurricane Sandy - April 2013 - ClimateCentral.org

     Passaic Valley Seeks 800M For Upgrades - July 9, 2013 - NorthJersey.com



Water Recycling
- Not quite as radical as you might initially think. Currently treated wastewater is released into the river only to be drawn into supply plants downstream where it's then treated again and pumped out to our faucets. This in itself might sound gross when you consider that at times the rivers flow can be as much as 80% treated wastewater. Continued developement and the increased demand for water may require this aproach.

     From Wastewater To Drinking Water - April 4, 2011 - Earth Institute / Columbia University

     Reuse of Municipal Wastewater - January 12, 2012 - National Research Council

     Reclaimed Wastewater For Drinking - January 31, 2012 - National Geographic

     Treated Wastewater Used For Drinking Supplies - February 9, 2012 - NY Times

     Science & Psychology Of Wastewater Recycling - January 28, 2013 - EarthMagazine.org

     From Toilets To Tap - May 1, 2014 - CNN.com 



Past Mistakes



 The Passaic River Fire (pdf) - June 3, 1918 - NY Times



Ringwood Mines & Landfill Superfund Site
, Peters Mine Road, Upper Ringwood:  During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the 500+ acre site in the Passaic River Watershed just north of Wanaque Reservoir was used for the disposal of paint sludge with high levels of arsenic, lead, benzene and other contaminants along with other wastes generated at the Ford Motor Company's Mahwah facility.


     Making A Wasteland: Ford, the Feds, the Mob - October 2, 2005 - The Record

     Waiting, Dying In Ringwood - July 27, 2008 - Herald News

     Feds Order Cleanup - October 20, 2009 - Herald News

     No End In Sight For Ford Cleanup - December 12, 2010 - The Record

     Ford Settlement Leaves Disappointment - December 13, 2010 - The Record

     Lead Found In Food Chain In Ringwood - December 16, 2010 - The Record

     Group Hires Experts In Push For Cleanup - January 25, 2011 - Herald News

     New Plan For Ringwood Contaminated Site - November 9, 2013 - The Record

     Promises Unravel At Ringwood Cleanup - December 19, 2015 - The Record

     EPA Didn't Disclose Ringwood Contamination - February 25, 2016 - The Record

     Dioxane Found To Be More Widespread - March 3, 2016 - Herald News

     Garrett Demands EPA Re-Evaluate Cleanup - April 26, 2016 - Sparta Independent

     Judge To Decide On Ballot Question - September 3, 2016 - The Record    

    Ringwood Proceeds With Recycling Center - April 6, 2017 - NorthJersey.com

    Officials Tour Ringwood Superfund Site - October 24, 2018 - NorthJersey.com

 


Dupont Pompton Lakes Works, Cannonball Road, Pompton Lakes: Explosives manufacturing started in 1886, owned by Dupont since 1902. Production of explosives generated various wastes disposed of on site including lead salts, mercury compounds, explosive powders, chlorinated solvents, waste wire drawing solution, and detonated blasting caps. Elevated levels of lead, mercury and chlorinated solvents have been recorded in Acid Brook which drains into Pompton Lake.


     Dupont - PomptonLakesHistory.com

     Dupont Pompton Lakes Works

     Public Health Assessment - Department of Health and Human Services Report

     Dupont Acid Brook Suit - Attorney Articles - Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A.

     Citizens For A Clean Pompton Lakes

     Pompton Lakes Community Advisory Group

     Pollution May Threaten Our Reservoirs - August 7, 2009 - NorthJersey.com

     Higher Rates of Cancer In Pompton Lakes - December 10, 2009 - NJ.com

     Dupont Pompton Lakes Remediation Fact Sheet - January 20, 2010 - NJ DEP

     Old Story of Pollution; New Urgency This Time - January 31, 2010 - NY Times

     Cancer Cases Elevated In Pompton Lakes - August 15, 2011 - The Record

     EPA Pledges Accelerated Cleanup - January 12, 2012 - NJSpotlight.com

     Pompton Lake Pollution May Be Headed Downstream - January 26, 2012 - PEER

     Feds To OK Dupont Cleanup Plan - August 1, 2012 - The Record

     Groups Urge Superfund Listing of Dupont Site - August 8, 2012 - The Record

     Dupont To Study Anaerobic Bioremediation - August 8, 2012 - The Record

     Feds Seeking Damages Against Dupont - November 28, 2014 - The Record

     Fears Of Dupont Shirking Cleanup - January 31, 2015 - AmericaAljazeera.com

     Dupont Pollution Legacy Looms Large - December 14, 2015 - NJSpotlight.com

     Pollution Threat Level Being Reassessed - August 14, 2015 - The Record

     Ringwood Dioxane Found More Widespread - March 3, 2016 - Herald News

     Dupont and Chemours Sued By NJ - March 27, 2019 - NorthJersey.com

     Pompton Lakes Works Site Cleanup Newsletter - April 2019 - NJDEP (pdf)

 

Topsoil Depot, Pompton Plains Crossroads, Wayne: Stored kaofin, a gray, claylike waste byproduct of paper recycling on site for blending into the soil they sold. The practice was approved by the DEP but not in a floodplain, as is the case with Topsoil Depot, situated at the confluence of the Ramapo, Pequannock and Pompton rivers. The site is contaminated with low levels of PCB's, dioxin and heavy metals.


     Topsoil Depot Owner Faces Jail Threat - April 30, 2011 - The Record

     Toxic Dump Hits Bump In Road Towards Trial - November 16, 2011 - Herald News

     Agreement Reached On Cleanup Of Wayne Site - May 9, 2012 - The Record

     Contaminated Soil Has Yet To Be Removed - May 30, 2013 - NorthJersey.com

     Cleanup At Top Soil Depot Set To Resume - June 25, 2014 - The Record

     Contaminated Soil Still On Abandoned Property - April 27, 2017 - Patch.com



W.R. Grace Company
, Black Oak Ridge Road, Wayne: From 1948 to 1971, W.R. Grace produced Thorium, a radioactive element, in connection with the manufacture of optical quality polishing powder. A 1980 aerial survey showed elevated radiation levels on the banks of Sheffield Brook which drains into the Pompton River.

     Wayne Thorium Cleanup To Resume - July 14, 1987 - The Record

     Department of Justice Release - April 30, 1998

     Superfund Site Progress Profile

 

EC Electroplating Company, Clark Street, Garfield: In December 1983 thousands of pounds of hexavalent chromium leaked from a tank at the factory that stood on Clark Street in Garfield. The substance has since traveled from the site underneath the Passaic River and into the city of Passaic.

     A Neighborhood In Peril - November 21, 2011 - The Record

     Med School Will Do Chromium Tests - November 26, 2012 - Herald News

     Scientist Takes First Steps To Measure Contamination - April 21, 2013 - The Record

     Lawmakers Push For Cleanup Funding - December 15, 2015 - The Record

     EPA Finalizes Cleanup Plan - September 21, 2016 - EPA News Release

 

Diamond Alkali Company , Lister Avenue, Newark: Manufactured pesticides and herbicides including the defolient Agent Orange. River sediment has been contaminated with dioxin, PCB's, mercury, DDT and heavy metals among other substances. While Diamond Alkali is the most notorious of the companies that polluted the lower Passaic they weren't the only ones. The Lower Passaic River Cooperating Parties Group represents many of the companies involved. The Passaic River Directive listed below goes into more detail of the companies and the pollutants.

     Lower Passaic River And Greater Newark Bay - NOAA / DARRP

     Lower Passaic River Restoration Project - PassaicRemovalAction.com

     Resources About The Lower Passaic River - EPA / Urban Waters Partnership

     Passaic River Directive, Natural Resource Injury Assessment - September 19, 2008 - EPA

     Chemical Company Must Help Pay For Cleanup - July 26, 2011 - NJ.com

     The Muck Stops Here - February 13, 2012 - New Jersey Monthly

     Towns To Hear About River Cleanup Case - June 5, 2012 - New Providence Patch.com

     Attempted Murder Of The Passaic - April 14, 2013 - Tom Moran / The Star Ledger

     Superfund Cleanup Stirs Troubled Waters - August 13, 2012 - NY Times

     Cleanup Begins On Heavily Polluted Passaic - July 29, 2013 - NewJersey.News12.com

     Dustup Over Passaic River Cleanup Funds - August 8, 2013 - Herald News

     Stretch Of Passaic To Be Cleaned Of Contaminents - August 7, 2013 - NJTVOnline.org

     Removal Of Contaminated Mud from Lyndhurst - August 7, 2013 - NJ.com

     Massive, $1.7B Cleanup Of Passaic River Proposed - April 11, 2014 - NJ.com

     Christie And Dems Shortchange Passaic River - September 21, 2014 - NJ.com

     Governors Use Of Passaic River Money Opposed - October 16, 2014 - Herald News

     Christie Vetoes Bill On Cleanup Funds - May 12, 2015 - Herald News

     Toxic Passaic To Get $1.38 Billion Over 10 Years - March 4, 2016 - New York Times

     Passaic River is New Jersey's Biggest Crime Scene - July 19, 2019 - NJ.com

   

Assessments

     Watershed Assessment, Tracking and Environmental Results - EPA
                  (Select Hackensack-Passaic from watershed dropdown list)

     Water Management Area 3 Summary - November 2002 - Montclair State University

     Water Management Area 4 Summary - November 2002 - Montclair State University

     Water Management Area 6 Summary - November 2002 - Montclair State University

     Historical And Current Ecology Of The Lower Passaic - December 2004 - Urban Habitats

     Reviving The Passaic - February 18, 2009 - NJ Monthly

     Passaic River Fish Tested For Toxins - August 29, 2009 - Herald News

     The Dirty Truth About That Other Jersey Shore - NPR - November 19, 2010

     Passaic Suffers Latest In History Of Setbacks - October 14, 2012  - NorthJersey.com

 

Related Links


     Pollution Testing And Debris Removal For Passaic River - June 12, 2011 - PatersonPress.com

     Take me To The River: On The Passaic - August 14, 2011 - NJ.com

     Five Reasons To Clean Up The Passaic River - April 14, 2013 - NJ.com

     Pequannock Township Environmental Commission



Care To Help?


     Passaic River Stewards Training Program

     EPA Grant For Passaic River Stewardship Program - December 4, 2007 - EPA Release


     Monitoring And Assessing Water Quality - Volunteer Monitoring - US EPA

     Volunteer Monitoring - NJ DEP

     NJ Volunteer Water Monitoring Programs


     Great Swamp Watershed Association Volunteer Monitoring Program

     NJ Audubon Society Volunteer Monitoring Program

     NJ Community Water Watch Volunteer Monitoring Program

     NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program Volunteer Monitoring Program

     Pequannock River Coalition Volunteer Monitoring Program

     Passaic River Institute Volunteer Monitoring Program

     Trout Unlimited of East Jersey Volunteer Monitoring Program

 

Basic and Advanced Physical and Chemical Monitoring

     Alkalinity

     Chloride

     Conductivity

     Dissolved Oxygen

     Stream Flow

     Nitrates

     PH

     Phosphorus

     Rainfall

     Salinity

     Secchi Transparency

     Total Disolved Solids

     Total Suspended Solids

     Turbidity

     Water Level

     Water Temperature


Biological Monitoring

     Habitat Assessments

     Fecal Bacteria

     Macro Invertebrates

     Terrestrial Vegetation


Additional Activities

     Construction Site Inspections

     Shoreline Debris Cleanup

     Debris Monitoring

     Land Use Surveys

     Photographic Surveys

     Pipe Surveys (pdf) - US EPA

     Restoration

     Storm Drain Stenciling (pdf) - NJ DEP


Test It Yourself Water Test Kits

     Basic Test Kit

     Listing of Advanced Test Kit Suppliers

     Hach Stream Survey Test Kit


Mail-In Sample Water Testing

     Test Kit Express Water Test Kit

 


 

 

 

 

 

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