Summer 2008 - Hackensack RIVERKEEPER
Transcription
Summer 2008 - Hackensack RIVERKEEPER
Summer 2008, Volume XI, Issue 3 Hackensack Riverkeeper® is the leading environmental organization working on Hackensack River issues. Hackensack Riverkeeper’s Legal Victory Over Honeywell Bears its Biggest Fruit Secures clean, green future for Jersey City’s Hackensack River Waterfront By Bill Sheehan and Hugh Carola The summer has proven to be a very productive time regarding the cleanup of chromium-contaminated sites in Jersey City. In our watershed, particularly in Hudson County, chromium waste is one of the most widespread and insidious pollutants we face. Literally hundreds of millions of tons of the stuff lay buried throughout Hudson County, much of it along the banks of and in the sediments under the Hackensack River. Among the “alphabet soup” of contaminants, the worst is Hexavalent Chromium (Cr (VI)) – a known human carcinogen. Readers of Tidelines will recall our precedent-setting victory in the 2004 decision handed down by US District Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh in our lawsuit against Honeywell International. Not only did the judge rule in our favor; his decision also set a new court-manContinued on Page 19 TRIPLETS! Contractors taking core samples to determine the extent of chromium contamination in the riverbed sediment. Major Court Victory for the Passaic River – And Beyond Jersey City Ospreys fledge three young this season Ruling has wide-ranging implications By Hugh M. Carola Like expectant godparents, all of us at Hackensack Riverkeeper worried about and hoped for the success of this year’s Osprey brood. The nest – adjacent to PSE&G’s Hudson Generating Station – is still the only active Osprey nest anywhere within An important legal victory was recently won by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the people of New Jersey in the seeminglyendless battle to clean up the Passaic River. On September 5, Essex County Superior Court Judge Donald S. Goldman issued a ruling in favor of the DEP regarding its litigation against several local and foreign defendants including Spanish-owned oil company Repsol YPF, S.A. and its Argentinean-based subsidiary YPF, S.A. Judge Goldman’s ruling enables the Photo courtesy of PSE&G Continued on Page 18 Continued on Page 3 INSIDE: Welcome Our New Trustee Annual Awards Dinner Invite Vellekamp Scholarship Winner Join the CoCoRaHS Network 3 4-5 6 8 Nature Program Cooperative Real Science for Real People Birds of the Hackensack Watershed Field Notes Volunteer Corner Letters to Riverkeeper 9 10 11 13 20-21 22 Page 2 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 At the helm 231 Main Street Hackensack, NJ 07601-7304 A word from Captain Bill Parks are for Recreation! Recreational open space is one of the most important public resources we have. In heavily developed and densely populated Bergen and Hudson Counties, people understand that and have always supported preserving open space and expanding recreational opportunities. Both counties have active Trust Funds that purchase open space for both active and passive recreation. Regardless of how such lands are used (Little League, soccer, golf, tennis, hiking, dogwalking, nature study, fishing, birding, etc.), the highest criteria for any project is how it will benefit people. One thing that all recreational pursuits have in common is their benefit to the citizens who pay the taxes used for park acquisition and development. In general, political leaders in both counties have very good records on this issue and have often proven themselves by taking vocal and public positions regarding the need to increase their open space inventories and expand recreational opportunities for their constituents. So far so good, right? Well, read on and you will be unpleasantly surprised about two projects currently being considered in our region. In Bergen County, we’re following a lead that the County Planning Department is considering paving over precious parkland – parkland that is protected by state Green Acres easements – to build a 700space parking lot. This project would effectively turn a large section of Overpeck County Park into a Park-and-Ride facility for a proposed train station in Leonia. It is truly puzzling how on one hand Bergen is spending MILLONS of dollars to improve Overpeck Park for people’s enjoyment and on the other hand scheming to undermine the value of this important open space resource. And as if that is not enough, in Hudson County there is an insidious proposal quietly circulating among political insiders to chip away at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus. A few powerful politicians want to take away 25 acres of the park’s open space (an extremely rare commodity in Hudson) and relocate the county’s Technical High School there. If allowed to go through, this foolish misappropriation of parkland will diminish the value of the only park on the Hackensack River that provides unrestricted access for boaters, paddlers, birders, and anglers. The park also features a wealth of recreational fields – most of which were upgraded this year using Green Acres funding. As an environmental leader, Continued on Page 18 Phone: (201) 968-0808 Fax: (201) 968-0336 Hotline: 1-877-CPT-BILL [email protected] www.hackensackriverkeeper.org Board of Trustees Margaret Utzinger, President Ivan Kossak, CPA, Vice President J. Michael Parish, Treasurer Susan Gordon, Secretary Trustees Virginia Korteweg Kelly G. Palazzi Dr. Beth Ravit Ellie Spray Nancy Wysocki Honorary Trustees Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. William “Pat” Schuber Executive Director Captain Bill Sheehan, Hackensack Riverkeeper HRI Staff Hugh Carola, Program Director Lisa Ryan, Operations Director Diane Saccoccia, Development Director Nick Vos-Wein, Project Manager Nick Vos-Wein, Tidelines Editor Lisa Ryan, Webmaster We gladly accept submissions of articles, photography and advertisements from the community; however, we retain editorial discretion. We do not necessarily endorse any individual or company whose advertisements are found in these pages. Hackensack Tidelines is published quarterly on recycled paper. Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Riverkeeper, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. Waterkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. Hackensack Tidelines - Winter 2008 Page 3 Longtime Advisor Is Newest Hackensack Riverkeeper Trustee We welcome Dr. Beth Ravit from Rutgers University to our team By Hugh M. Carola By a unanimous vote on September 10, Dr. Elizabeth Ravit was approved as the newest member of Hackensack Riverkeeper’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Ravit – Beth to her friends – is no stranger to our organization. We’ve known her since March 1999, when she first walked into our office. “There we were – Hughie and I – in our old office at Fairleigh Dickinson University when this tall, vivacious woman strolls in,” recalled Captain Bill. “After looking at the two of us, she said, ‘Well, if one of you is Bill Sheehan, then I’m in the right place.’ Almost from that moment on, Beth became an important part of this organization.” Beth had recently closed the Passaic River Victory Continued from Page 1 DEP to continue to seek from the defendants the costs of cleaning up severe dioxin contamination in the Passaic River. The DEP’s original complaint – filed in December 2005 –names seven individual defendants and alleges that Diamond Shamrock Chemical Corporation, which operated a pesticide and chemical man- Dr. Beth Ravit book on a nearly thirty-year career in retail management, having spent much of it as a senior executive with several major corporations. Like so many people before her and since, she was looking to make not just a change for herself but a ufacturing facility on the banks of the Passaic River in the Ironbound section of Newark, deliberately polluted the Passaic River with dioxin, DDT and various other pesticides and chemicals – for approximately twenty years. Dioxin is a known human carcinogen that causes other serious health conditions including birth defects, liver damage, reproductive disorders and Chloracne – a disfiguring skin disease. Dioxin is a byproduct of the difference in the world and she chose the environmental field as the place to make her mark. Her timing was perfect: Captain Bill had just gone full-time as Riverkeeper, the organization has just moved into the FDU office, and another “retail refugee” – me – had just signed on as a full-time volunteer. It wasn’t long before she joined our Advisory Board and became a valuable and active member of our crew. Beth also went back to college to better prepare herself for her new career. Between 1999 and 2005, she attended Rutgers University and earned both a Master’s Degree and Doctorate in Environmental Science. After gradContinued on Page 22 manufacture of the Vietnam Warera defoliant Agent Orange and is extremely persistent once released into the environment and it accumulates in the tissues of humans and animals exposed to it. Because of the Passaic River’s tides, the dioxin has migrated throughout the lower 17 miles of the river and has also migrated into the lower reaches of the Continued on Page 15 The Diamond Shamrock site, located off Lister Ave. in Newark, as seen on one of our Passaic River Patrol Cruises. Page 4 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Join Hackensack Riverkeeper In honoring some of New Jersey’s best corporate, community and government leaders At our Annual Awards Dinner and Sustainable SeafoodFest! The 2008 Honorees: Ralph Izzo CEO, President and Chairman of the Board of PSEG Ed Onorato and Mark Distler Save Paramus Wetlands Lynette Lurig Research Scientist, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Please join us as we pay tribute to these special people who are making a difference in our watershed October 16, 2008 7:00 pm Hilton Hotel, Hasbrouck Heights NJ Tickets: $150 per person For Tickets, complete an mail the response card on the next page. You can also call 201-968-0808 or visit www.hackensackriverkeeper.org The Event: Cocktail hour featuring delectable treats from Whole Foods Market Sustainable seafood information exhibit Sit-down dinner featuring sustainable seafood Desserts from Elegant Desserts Awards presentation by Captain Bill Sheehan to the honorees Silent auction with “something for everyone” Limited edition Baron Wolman photograph, “Shadowing day” with WNBC-TV’s Brian Thompson, Night on the town dinner & Wynonna Judd tickets Brazilian Beach House getaway, Spa experiences, Golf outing at Knickerbocker Country Club, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Page 5 Corporate Environmental Stewardship Award Grassroots Activist Award Ed Onorato and Mark Distler Ralph Izzo CEO, President and Chairman of the Board of PSEG Save Paramus Wetlands Leadership in Environmental Education Award Lynette Lurig Research Scientist, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Hackensack Riverkeeper extends heartfelt thanks to our event sponsors*: COMMODORE SPONSOR – Xchange at Secaucus Junction; COMMANDER SPONSORS – BCUA, PSEG, Whole Foods Market; QUARTERMASTER SPONSORS – The Chronicle of Hackensack & S. Hackensack, Meadowlands Xanadu; CREW SPONSORS – Hatch Mott MacDonald, Kearny Federal Savings, Panasonic Corp. of North America, Printing Responsibly, Shop Rite of Hackensack (Inserra Supermarkets); CADET SPONSORS – Jet Aviation, Otterstedt Insurance *as of 9/2/2008 If you were expecting a mailed invitation to our event this year and didn’t get one, don’t feel bad. Out of concern for the environment we only printed a limited number of invitations. Please clip and mail this response card to reserve your seats at our Annual Awards Dinner and Sustainable SeafoodFest. Thanks for helping us save a tree! RSVP by October 3, 2008 Name __________________________________________________________________ Company _______________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ___________________________________________________________ Phone (_____) ___________________________________________________________ Email address ___________________________________________________________ Please reserve tickets as follows: ___ Table of 10 for $1,500. (Fair market value of $600.) $ ______ ___ Individual tickets at $150 per person (Fair market value of $60 pp.) $ ______ ___ I am unable to attend, but I wish to make a contribution of $ ______ Payment enclosed (make check or money order payable to Please charge $ _________ to my ___ Amex ___ Visa ___ MasterCard Hackensack Riverkeeper Inc). Card #_____________________________________ Exp. Date _______/______ V-code _________________ Signature __________________________________ Hackensack Riverkeeper, 231 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601; 201-968-0808 Page 6 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Ridgefield Graduate Wins Vellekamp Scholarship Claire Park honored for academic excellence, environmental commitment At Ridgefield Memorial High School on June 20, Captain Bill Sheehan presented Claire Park with the 2008 Ron Vellekamp Environmental Scholarship. This August Ms. Park joined the freshman class at Stony Brook Honors College – part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system – in Stony Brook, NY where we’re sure the $1,000 award will come in very handy. She plans to study environmental engineering and to use the knowledge she gains to make life better for people everywhere. “My experiences in Jakarta, Claire Park, joined by Ridgefield Memorial H.S. guidance counselor Irene Indonesia during eighth grade made Voight, receives her award from Captain Sheehan. me realize that protecting our environment must be the major concern years ago, she graduated 14th in her Women and the Governor’s School of humankind,” wrote Claire in her for Science. She is an accomplished class with a 4.24 Grade Point application essay. “I intend to use scholar-athlete who spends much of Average (GPA). my education towards inventing an her spare time volunteering in her In addition to the Vellekamp effective and clean energy system community. Scholarship, Claire received many so that no baby will ever be born on other academic awards during her The Ron Vellekamp this planet with a birth defect due to senior year including recognition Environmental Scholarship was environmental degradation.” founded by friends and family of from both Renssalaer Polytechnic “With so much attention being the late Mr. Vellekamp – a dedicatInstitute and the Society of Women focused on developing countries in ed teacher, Scout leader, Palisades Engineers. She is member of Asia, there is truly a need for talent- Academic Decathlon, New Jersey Interstate Park ranger and Trustee ed individuals to step up,” said of Hackensack Riverkeeper. Each Math League, Bergen County th Capt. Sheehan. “Coal-fired 19 Junior Commission on the Status of year we honor a deserving high school graduate from the Century Industrial Past Winners of the Ron Vellekamp Hackensack River Revolution-style economies Watershed who has good won’t cut it in the 21st. The Environmental Scholarship grades and a strong desire to environmental risks are just 2001: Rebecca Nelson, Cresskill, NJ protect the environment. In too great – for them and for Cresskill Junior-Senior High School 2008, out of the sixty-three everyone.” 2002: Jacqueline Allalouf, Pearl River, NY eligible schools in New Claire is fluent in Pearl River High School Jersey and New York, English, Korean (her native 2003: Sonia D’Angio, Cliffside Park, NJ twelve students were nomilanguage), Japanese, Cliffside Park High School nated for the award. Chinese, Indonesian and 2004: Daniel DeSantis, New City, NY “Ron knew that young Spanish. Her fluency in Clarkstown Senior High School South people are our hope for the Spanish even qualified her 2005: Timothy DenHerder-Thomas, Jersey City, NJ future,” explained Captain for membership in the High Tech High School Bill. “All of us who knew Spanish Honors Society – 2006: Keith Brunner, River Edge, NJ him know he would have of which she is a proud River Dell Regional High School been proud of Claire and the member. Despite having 2007: Jeffery Deutsch, Park Ridge, NJ good work she’s done and moved to the United States Park Ridge High School will surely continue to do.” with her family only four Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Page 7 Partnerships Create Opportunities for Environmental Action Like Hackensack Riverkeeper, many other people and organizations across New Jersey are working to restore local waterways so they can once again be fishable and swimmable. The PSEG Environmental Partnership Team – the same folks who built the Osprey platforms – provides the hardware that helps make some of those restorations possible. “As with many environmental projects in the past, environmental advocates have the ideas; but don’t always have the skill, resources or time to construct the projects,” explains Bill Elmer, Planning & Design Manager – Gas for PSE&G. Here in our part of the state, the Team’s plan is to help reduce pollution in the Hudson – Raritan Estuary, the most urban estuary on the planet, by supporting local oyster restoration and introduction efforts. As our local waters get cleaner, they become better habitat for many species of marine creatures, including filter feeders like oysters. An adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, making the water clearer as it feeds; which could bode especially well for the turbid waters of Newark Bay and the Hackensack River. To that end, the PSEG Environmental Partnership Team constructed 20 Taylor Floats to aid in the start-up of oyster gardens. The floats help to contain the oys- and Bayonne Cleaner & Greener, the latter of which will provide a float to each of Bayonne’s 12 school environmental clubs. The students will have the chance to watch their oyster gardens grow and help reduce pollution in The 20 Taylor Floats constructed by PSEG’s Environmental Partnership Team will be donated to NY/NJ Baykeeper and Bayonne Cleaner & Greener. ters near the surface of the water allowing food and oxygen to reach them, while protecting them from predators. They also allow volunteers to easily monitor and maintain the oyster population. PSE&G donated the floats to New York/New Jersey Baykeeper Remaining 2008 River Cleanup Schedule Newark Bay and the other waterways around the ‘Peninsula City.’ Baykeeper’s longstanding and volunteer-driven Oyster Gardening Program, combined with an Aquaculture Program has resulted Continued on Page 17 Report Suspected Saturday, October 4 10 AM-2 PM Foschini Park, Hackensack We provide the tools, work gloves, trash bags and refreshments; participants need only bring themselves and clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. Cleanups involve working from shore or from canoes. There’s no fee or registration required; just look for the white tent and our Mobile Cleanup Unit and check in. Groups are welcome with adequate supervision, but register in advance with Lisa Ryan at 201-968-0808 to ensure we have enough supplies and food. Pollution Sources to Watershed Watch Hotline 1-877-CPT-BILL (1-877-278-2455) Page 8 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Become a Weather Watcher, Join the CoCoRaHS Network By Lisa Ryan Hackensack Riverkeeper recently hosted a training session for volunteers interested in becoming a member of the national Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network. The training, held at the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst, was presented by the NJ State Climatologist Dave Robinson and the Assistant State Climatologist Dave Gerbush. Both of them spoke enthusiastically about the history and importance of volunteer precipitation monitoring in forecasting weather trends and predicting flooding. They emphasized that volunteer collected precipitation data are used by agencies across the country, including the National Weather Service. The more volunteers who participate, the more accurate weather forecasting will be. Participants at the training were walked through the online signup process and also given the opportunity to purchase a rain gauge. Robinson and Gerbush then presented a slide show that detailed proper monitoring procedures and the many, sometimes confusing variables that volunteers contend with. After the training they answered many questions from the new recruits. The two climatologists declared the evening to be a Since it began in 1998, CoCoRaHS has expanded rapidly with over 11,000+ observers in thirty-five states. To learn about how you can participate, visit www.cocorahs.org. great success, as volunteers left the training talking excitedly about where they would place their rain gauges! Many of you have expressed an interest in volunteering with CoCoRaHS but were unable to attend the training. You are still very much welcome (and encouraged) to join CoCoRaHS, and can watch the training slideshow and sign up from the comfort of your own home at www.cocorahs.org. There are a number of logistical and geographical requirements to consider before you get started, and we’ve outlined the most important ones here. CoCoRaHS volunteers must all use the same model gauge to ensure consistency in the readings. These gauges cost about $30 each and may be ordered from Weather Your Way at 1-877-WXYOURWAY (ask for Lucy) or via email at [email protected]. Gauge placement is also extremely important, as environmental factors can completely skew readings. Ideally the gauge should be placed about five-feet above the ground, approximately twice as far away from a structure (such as a house) as the structure is tall. In areas that don’t have large properties, it should be placed at least as far away from the structure as the structure is tall. It should not be placed under trees or anything else that may collect or divert rainfall. Placing a gauge on a roof is not recommended, since the wind will be stronger and can blow the rain right over the top of the gauge opening. However, if a roof is the only option, you may still participate, but when you sign up you’ll submit not only your location but details about the positioning of the gauge and possibly photos, so that the State Climatologist knows how to correctly interpret the data that you present. In winter, you will measure snowfall using a board that you can easily construct yourself. The online training will explain how to deal with variables such as drifting, melting and trace amounts. Readings should be entered online every morning, preferably as close to 7 am as possible – if there is no precipitation, you simply enter “0”. Of course, nobody can do it EVERY day and that is understood, but if you tend to travel a lot, this might not be the project for you. Volunteers are asked to commit to taking readings for one year (or more, of course!). So, if you love watching the weather and you’re able to fulfill the above requirements, please visit www.cocorahs.org to get started with your precipitation monitoring today! You may also contact the Office of the NJ State Climatologist directly with any questions you may have. They can be reached at 732-445-3076 or via email at [email protected]. Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Page 9 Nature Program Cooperative Programs Hackensack Riverkeeper is a founding member of the Nature Program Cooperative, a network of environmental education organizations. NPC members provide opportunities to experience and enjoy our region’s natural side. Members of one are welcome at all; nonmembers are also welcome. (For more info, visit www.natureprogram.org.) Here are the upcoming events: Mad About Hawks Hosted by the Palisades Interstate Park State Line Lookout, Alpine, NJ Saturday, October 4, 11 am - 4 pm Featuring live birds of prey with Jonathan Wood & the Raptor Project and exhibits by area nature centers at State Line Lookout. The event, to be held rain or shine, is free to all. No registration required. For more information: 201768-1360 ext. 107. Natural New Jersey Tour Hosted by the Nature Program Cooperative Sunday, November 2, Noon - 5 pm Did you know there are over a dozen places and organizations in Bergen County alone that provide quality nature programs? Join staff members from several NPC partners as we go on a van tour and visit some local natural treasures. Register early because space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Trip details will be mailed to registered participants. $10 per person. Registration by mail is required. Visit www.flatrockbrook.org for the registration form. For more information, please contact the Tenafly Nature Center at 201-568-6093. Field Trip to Mehrhof Pond Hosted by Bergen County Audubon Society Mehrhof Pond, End of Mehrhof Road, Little Ferry, NJ Saturday, November 22, 9 am - 11 am Join leader Dave Hall for a morning walk at Mehrhof Pond where a wide array of migrant waterfowl can be found at this time of year. There are usually thousands of Ruddy Ducks present at this time as well as Green-winged Teal, Common Mergansers, Hooded Mergansers, Gadwall and more. In addition there should be some fall sparrows and raptors. For more information, contact Dave at 973-2267825. There is no charge for this trip. The Bergen Christmas Bird Count Hosted by Bergen County Audubon Society Saturday, December 20, Pre-dawn to post-dusk For adults only. For over 100 years, the National Audubon Society has conducted this nationwide event designed to create a “snapshot” of America’s birds during the two weeks surrounding Christmas. NAS Chapters and other groups are assigned count “circles” within which teams of birders spend up to eighteen hours listing species and counting individual birds. The Bergen CBC includes eastern, east-central and southern Bergen County (including the Meadowlands District) as well as southern Passaic County. Registration and team assignment is required. There is no cost to participate. For more information, contact Dave Hall at 973-226-7825. The Ramsey Christmas Bird Count Hosted by The Fyke Nature Association Saturday, December 27, Pre-dawn to post-dusk. For adults only. The Ramsey CBC includes northwestern and west-central Bergen County as well as central and upper Passaic County and small portions of Rockland and Orange Counties in New York State. As with the Bergen CBC, up to eighteen hours of commitment is expected; and registration & team assignment is required. There is no cost to participate. For more information, contact John Brotherton at 201-327-1483. To keep track of more upcoming NPC events or to access links to all NPC member organizations, visit www.natureprogram.org. See you in the field! Baroan Technologies understands business and provides guidance based on your business strategy and workflow. Baroan Technologies becomes your “One Point of Contact,” coordinating and implementing all your technology solutions. Baroan Technologies – helping small business owners manage their information and communications. Tel: 201-796-0404 www.baroan.com Page 10 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Real Science for Real People Using Leachate for Irrigation? By Dr. Beth Ravit Water resource management is a critical concern in the Hackensack River watershed. North of the Oradell Dam, the upstream reaches of the Hackensack River provide drinking water for three quarters of a million residents of Bergen and Hudson Counties. By managing available water resources more efficiently, we can protect this valuable drinking water supply. For the last two years, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and Rutgers University have been conducting a study to determine the feasibility of recovering usable ‘gray water’ from the millions of gallons of landfill leachate1 that flows through the Commission’s leachate collection system. The research was initiated to see both whether usable water could be recovered, and if plants could survive being irrigated with this ‘gray water’ source. This summer the pilot field test was conducted at the 1E landfill in North Arlington, NJ. This is the only active landfill in the Meadowlands; although garbage dumping stopped in the mid1990’s, construction and demolition debris continues to be deposited there. This site was chosen because the landfill, which will soon be closed, could potentially be transformed into hundreds of acres of desperately needed open space. The dark brown leachate was collected and heated to over 100 degrees Celsius (212˚F), causing the water within the leachate to evaporate as steam. The steam was then collected and allowed to cool, producing a clear liquid without the contaminants that are found in the leachate. Grasses were grown on top of the landfill and the recovered ‘gray water’ was used to water these field test plots. After a month of watering some plots with the recovered leachate water and some plots with freshwater from a pond, we found that the grasses were growing better with the ‘gray water’ treatment. We think this is because a small amount of organic nitrogen remains in the recovered water, and that it may be a good fertilizer. Further studies will be done on the grasses to determine exactly what in the ‘gray water’ is causing the positive growth effects. If this research is successful it will provide a treatment that could reduce the volume of leachate circulating within, and potentially leaching from, closed landfills while providing a source of water that could be used for non-drinking purposes. The process could also be cost effective if the evaporation system is powered by methane gas generated by the landfills and if the treatment reduces the volume of leachate that is sent to wastewater treatment plants. We believe innovative research can support human activities and requirements within the watershed while contributing to protection of critical natural resources. We congratulate the Meadowlands Commission for supporting projects that contribute to the sustainability of the entire Hackensack River ecosystem. 1 Grass plots on top of the Meadowlands 1E landfill in North Arlington. Darker squares were watered with recovered landfill leachate or ‘gray water.’ Leachate is the liquid that drains or 'leaches' from a landfill. Depending on the age of the landfill and the type of waste that it contains, its composition can vary greatly. Hackensack Riverkeeper Paddling Center Laurel Hill County Park, New County Road, Secaucus, NJ Sat. & Sun., 9 AM to 6 PM Open Through the End of October For reservations call 201-968-0808 Rental Rates: Canoes: $25/paddler; $10/passenger Kayaks: $25/paddler (no passengers) (On weekends, call our Paddling Center at 201-920-4746 to check on vessel availability.) Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Page 11 Birds of the Hackensack: By Ivan Kossak In most of my previous columns in Tidelines, I have written about birds that are either common or at least reasonably easy to find within the Hackensack River Watershed. However this time I have chosen to highlight a rare visitor to our area which, as of this writing, is still our ‘guest’ in the environs of DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. The bird is a juvenile White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), typically found far to our south. I chose to share the news about the Ibis in order to bring home the point that with its improved habitat, the Meadowlands is a hemispherically-important stopover for migratory birds; and one that can attract and support a vast array of avian wildlife. The White Ibis is known for its propensity to wander after its young are fully self sufficient. Each year several are seen in New Jersey (and farther north) but in small numbers. According to New Jersey Audubon Society records, 1977 was New Jersey’s banner year for White Ibis with as many as 50 birds reported throughout the Garden State. White Ibises are typically found in the American Southeast along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Their range also extends along both Mexican coasts, into Cuba and through some coastal and wetland areas of Central and South America. White Ibis Our visitor is a wading bird built similarly to Herons and Egrets but is more closely related to Flamingos. At 23 inches tall, only the adult White Ibis sports a virtually all-white plumage with a red bill and legs. There is also red featherless skin on the front part of the adult bird’s White Ibis face at the base of the bill. The adult The striking White Ibis is frequently seen probing for prey along the shoreline but can also be seen on dry lawns lookbird’s wings are ing for large insects. tipped in black, found in both salt and fresh water but this feature is typically seen only when the bird is in flight. The wetlands such as marshes and swamps. They are colonial nesters White Ibis’ bill curves strongly (nesting in large groups) and their downward (decurved) and is used colonies have been known to conto probe shallow waters and mud flats in search of the small fish and tain thousands of nests. White Ibis can become quite aquatic invertebrates that make up used to humans. I remember a trip the bird’s diet. The juvenile White to a local park in Lake Worth, Ibis is mostly brown on the back and neck with white underparts that Florida where some of these birds walked right past my feet along a extend into a white crescent on the bird’s shoulders. The rich red of the pond edge. Even if our local White adult bird’s bill is only hinted at on Ibis is no longer in the area by the time this issue of Tidelines goes to a juvenile bird. press, you may find another rarity The range of the White Ibis has on your next walk around the natubeen expanding north in recent ral places that still can be explored years with breeding records as in our watershed. close as Virginia. They can be Page 12 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Our Worst Fears Come To Pass All-terrain vehicle rider killed in Meadowlands; police offer no answers By Hugh M. Carola On September 4, a 17-year old resident of Little Falls, NJ was killed when he and his all-terrain vehicle (ATV) fell off an embankment into a marshy area located within the Meadowlands District in Lyndhurst. Paul Celmer died when his 370-pound Suzuki LTZ 450R pinned him in knee-deep water about one-half mile east of Jerome Avenue. Despite a Lyndhurst Police spokesman saying that Celmer was “wearing all of the proper safety equipment”, it wasn’t enough to prevent him from drowning; or to keep him out of where he shouldn’t have been. Also, Celmer’s ATV is a racing model, specifically designed for racing on professionally-maintained Motocross tracks, not the illegally-cut tracks in the Meadowlands with their uneven terrain. According to a report in The Record, it took “several police officers” to pull the heavy machine off of Mr. Celmer after his “16year-old friend, who was watching him ride” got through to 911. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene – a location that police could not determine if it was public or private property. The police characterized the accident as “a horrible event” but offered no indication – at least in published reports – how they might work to prevent such tragedies in the future. One way might be to keep riders out of where they just don’t belong. Tidelines readers should be wellacquainted with the issue of ATVs and other off-road vehicles (ORVs) being illegally operated in the Meadowlands and other inappropriate areas. Particularly hard-hit are wetlands and other open spaces in Kearny, Little Ferry, Moonachie, Rutherford, East Rutherford, Berry’s Creek Canal Exit 16W Oritani Marsh NJ Tu r np ik e Illegal ORV Tracks ck ensa r Rive Secaucus and South Hackensack as well as Lyndhurst. Adding to the problem is the fact that New Jersey doesn’t require ORV registration or insurance. For those reasons and for the record, it is against the law to ride ORVs on public land; or on private property without the owner’s consent. Public or private property shouldn’t matter; what does matter is that there is a real need for active enforcement of existing anti-ORV laws. Some authorities contend it’s difficult to catch ORV riders because they can go where police cars can’t. That’s half true. People don’t ride quad ATVs or non-street legal dirtbikes from their homes to the meadowlands. They load them in vans and pickup trucks and drive to parking lots near their favorite haunts. Since getting involved in this issue, Hackensack Riverkeeper has identified several places riders use to unload their ATVs and dirtbikes including one town park where riders park full-size vans out in the open, unload and ride their dirtbikes in full view. A basic ticket blitz could go a long way toward solving this problem and saving the life of the next teenager who wants to dirt-ride in the Meadowlands. All of us at Hackensack Riverkeeper extend our condolences to the family and friends of Paul Celmer. Memorial tributes all speak of him as a good friend and a good young man. We are truly sorry to learn of his passing and we hope that in some way his story will help dissuade others from choosing similar dangerous paths. k Hac For years people have been illegally riding ORVs in the Meadowlands. One of the hardest-hit areas is in E. Rutherford alongside the NJ Turnpike. Record Staff Writer Heather Kays’ article on 9/6/08 was instrumental in putting this article together. Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Page 13 H A C K E N S A C K WA T E R S H E D F I E L D N O T E S By Hugh M. Carola Just so you know, fall bird migration ACTUALLY comes to our watershed during the third week of July so despite the fact that many of us (myself included) were sweating it out, lots of birds were already winging their way south. Together with our local breeding birds and other wildlife, the migrants ensured some excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. So… American Restart – Five females and sixteen males were noted on a great migration day at Overpeck Preserve in Leonia on 8/22. American Redstart Baltimore Oriole – A single female was observed at Overpeck on the same date. Barn Swallow – A common nester in our watershed, several active nests were discovered under the New Bridge Road bridge between River Edge and Teaneck on 8/19. Black-and-white Warbler – Five birds were seen at Overpeck Preserve on 8/22. Black-crowned Night Heron – A group of ten was observed roosting near Van Buskirk Island in Oradell on 7/11. Another five were noted near the Oradell Dam on the west bank of the river that same day. In the Meadowlands, they were seen on virtually every Eco-Cruise and Guided Paddle. Black Skimmer – Pairs and individual birds were seen foraging in the Hackensack River and Meadowlands through July. Blue Grosbeak – A real rarity for our area, one was confirmed at Overpeck on 7/25. Caspian Tern – Uncommon in our area but not unusual in the fall, a single bird was observed on the mudflats at the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Lyndhurst on 8/20. Another was seen at Mill Creek Point in Secaucus on 8/28. Common Moorhen – Four juveniles were observed at Kearny Marsh in Kearny on 8/22. Eastern Kingbird – Several were seen at Overpeck on 8/5. Egrets, Great and Snowy – Certainly no rarities along the Hackensack River; a flock of up to eighty individuals was observed roosting in trees near the western spur of the New Jersey Turnpike and the southern edge of the Sawmill Creek WMA on 9/2. Forster’s Tern – What appeared to be two family groups took up residence in the Sawmill Creek WMA in mid-July. Despite the Eastern Kingbird Blue Grosbeak young being able to fly and catch their own prey, families of this species stay together after fledging. Through September, flocks were being seen along the Hackensack River in Carlstadt and Secaucus as well as the Sawmill. Great Blue Heron – Our largest heron, two were sighted along the Hackensack River in Oradell on 7/11. A group of six was spooked out of the Spartina grass in the Sawmill WMA on 7/14. By early September, post-breeding dispersal brought many to our watershed. Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs – Like clockwork, these shorebirds began showing up in our watershed by the third weekend in July. In the Meadowlands, they were first noted at Richard W. DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst on 7/17. A large group of over 100 was observed there on 8/22. Indigo Bunting – A male was seen being chased by a Mockingbird near the trailhead of the Mill Creek marsh Trail on 7/24. Another (the same?) was noted on 8/7. Another was observed at Overpeck Preserve on 8/5. Laughing Gull – Post-breeding birds began showing up in the Meadowlands on 8/7. After that, Continued on Page 16 Courtesy NJDEP Page 14 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 WMA 5 Ambassador Update By Matthew Manthey Thanks for the Memories... I knew this day would come but now it’s a reality. My term as your 2007-2008 WMA-5 AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador has ended. Over the past ten months, I completed 1,700 service hours (!) during which I conducted seventy clean water presentations for schools and community groups and fifty visual and biological assessments of waterways in the Hackensack’s upper watershed. In addition, I helped train volunteers in visual and biological stream monitoring protocols during five Volunteer Monitoring Training sessions. Best of all was the time I spent with the Clean Streams Club at Hackensack Middle School: twenty-five kids over nine weeks learning how to be stewards of their one river. I enjoyed every moment of it. To all the teachers who invited me into their classrooms to give presentations on watersheds and nonpoint source pollution: thank you very much for the opportunity to share. Many thanks also to the Bergen County Environmental Council for graciously inviting me to their monthly meetings and treating me as one of their own. Most of all, Captain Bill, Hugh, Nick, Lisa, and Diane gave me plenty of support and guidance during my time at Hackensack Riverkeeper. I learned a lot about nonprofit organizations, the successes and challenges of protecting watersheds, and the importance of active networking from each of them. For those of you who didn’t recognize the title of this column, I borrowed Bob Hope’s signature line. I thank Hackensack Riverkeeper for all the memories I have from the past year. Captain Bill and his crew shared their hope for the environment with me, and in so doing fueled my passion for the same. Every day they offer hope for the protection of two fragile ecosystems – the Meadowlands and the woodlands of the upper watershed – and have done so for more than eleven years. Over the next eleven and beyond, I’m sure they will help secure a clean, green and sustainable future for the entire Hackensack River Watershed. Thank you so much Hackensack Riverkeeper! It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of your organization and its mission. As for me, I’m off on a small (and I hope, well-deserved) vacation while I wait to hear back from several potential employers. Regardless of my next move, I will be continuing my career path in the environmental field, specifically in natural resource management. If anyone is interested in a presentation, Volunteer Monitoring Training, or organizing a waterrelated stewardship event, be sure to contact your new 2008-2009 Watershed Ambassador at Hackensack Riverkeeper. He or she will soon be on the job. As always, keep our water clean and I hope to see you at the river again someday soon! Three Convenient Ways To Donate To Hackensack Riverkeeper® • Online. In just a few clicks, you can donate to Hackensack Riverkeeper; please go to www.hackensackriverkeeper.org. Click on the ClickandPledge icon. You can conveniently charge a donation to your credit card. • By phone. You can call the Hackensack Riverkeeper office (201-968-0808) between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays and give us your credit card information over the phone. • By mail. Send a check or money order to this address: Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. 231 Main Street Hackensack, NJ 07601-7304 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Passaic River Victory Continued from Page 3 Hackensack River as well as into Newark Bay, the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, making the area one of the world’s worst contaminated regions. As a result, the lower Passaic River has been officially declared a “DO NOT CATCH – DO NOT EAT” zone for more than twenty years and crabbing has been banned everywhere along the affected waterways since 2000. In addition, the pollution has negatively impacted commerce throughout the greater New York/New Jersey harbor region. This legal victory is important because it allows the DEP to continue pursuing Passaic River cleanup costs from all seven defendants, including direct corporate successors to the former Diamond Shamrock Corporation as well as Repsol YPF and its out-of-state subsidiaries. Repsol and its subsidiaries had argued that they did not have sufficient contacts with the State of New Jersey to be subject to the jurisdiction of New Jersey courts. In response, the DEP argued that those companies, while Tons of soil contaminated with dioxin, DDT and various other pesticides and chemicals still remain buried at the Diamond Shamrock site in Newark. The interim remedies, including a slurry wall and cement cap, were completed in December 2001. Page 15 not based in New Jersey, should be subject to New Jersey jurisdiction because they allegedly conspired to remove assets from Maxus Energy Corporation and Tierra Solutions, Inc. Maxus and Tierra are based in New Jersey and are direct successors to Diamond Shamrock. Both defendants are also completely dependent upon the parent company (Repsol) and its subsidiaries for financial support, and thus unable to satisfy their responsibilities to the State of New Jersey for the contamination caused by their predecessor. Judge Goldman agreed with the DEP, and held that because of the alleged scheme to render Maxus and Tierra insolvent, the State does have sufficient contacts with the foreign defendants to subject them to the jurisdiction of New Jersey courts. The judge’s ruling is an extremely important victory for New Jersey and a giant step toward Continued on Page 23 Passaic River Hackensack River Newark Bay Page 16 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Field Notes Continued from Page 13 individuals and small flocks were noted through late summer. Least Bittern – This uncommon and secretive heron was spotted on 7/15 in the Sawmill Creek WMA. Another was noted at Kearny Marsh on 7/17. According to the NJ Breeding Bird Atlas, Least Bitterns are probable nesters in the Meadowlands. Marbled Godwit – A pair of these large (16-20”) and rare migrant sandpipers was observed 8/22 at Harrier Meadow. Three were seen on 8/26 near the end of the Sawmill trail at DeKorte Park and again on 8/30 during our evening Eco-Cruise through the Sawmill marsh. Osprey – In addition to the Jersey City resident birds, early migrants were noted over Oradell Reservoir, Overpeck Preserve and the Mill Creek Marsh. A second (though unused) nest was discovered along the river in Kearny near the decommissioned Boonton Line railroad bridge in August. Pectoral Sandpiper – Not always easy to spot among the flocks of more common species, one was spotted and photographed at Mill Creek Marsh on 8/7. Marbled Godwit in left field at Enos Jones Park in Jersey City. The bird was observed on the ground and eating a Grass Snake (which was, until it became a meal, an unusual sight in J.C.). Red-throated Loon – Red-throated Loon Extremely rare in NJ during the warmer months, an Peeps – No, not the marshmallow “oversummering” individual was observed off Liberty State Park Easter candies, “peeps” is the catch-all name for a mixed flock of during the month of June. Ruby-throated Hummingbird – small shorebirds like Least, You have to be quick to spot one of Semipalmated and Western these “flying jewels” as they zip by Sandpipers. We first noted them during migration, but one of our on 7/16. By late August, we were Eco-Cruise folks did just that on seeing flocks of thousands on the 9/7 while we were in the Sawmill mudflats. On August 22, upwards WMA. of 6,000 were observed on the mudflats of the Sawmill Creek WMA. Peregrine Falcon – The “Route 3 Pair” took up residence again this year to the delight of hundreds of people who saw them during EcoCruises; perhaps next year they’ll nest. Subadult birds were spotted perched on the Pulaski Skyway, the Short-billed Dowitcher NJ Turnpike bridge between Carlstadt and Ridgefield, and Short-billed Dowitcher – PSE&G’s decommissioned Kearny Always a great bird to spot, small Generating Station. On 7/17, a flocks were observed in the juvenile was observed flying over Sawmill WMA on 7/15 and at Mill Creek Marsh and Harmon DeKorte Park on 7/17. Meadow Plaza in Secaucus. Spotted Sandpiper – Four indiRed-tailed viduals were spotted near Historic Hawk – A comNew Bridge Landing by paddlers mon species observed in an Continued on Page 17 uncommon place: Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Page 17 Field Notes Continued from Page 16 enjoying a floating lunch on the Hackensack River on 8/19. FYI, “Spotties” are one of the few shorebirds that nest in our watershed. Striped Skunk – Common in the upper watershed but unusual at Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus, one was seen there on 8/11. Despite fears to the contrary, these members of the weasel family are generally docile and are not prone to bother people as long as they have a clear route away from you and are not being bothered by dogs or cats. Tricolored Heron – More of a South Jersey bird, every few years one of these strikingly-patterned wading birds makes its way to the Meadowlands. A juvenile was observed and photographed at DeKorte Park on 7/31. White Ibis – Extremely rare north of the Carolinas, one immature bird somehow found its way to Harrier Meadow and the Sawmill WMA in Lyndhurst and was observed by NJMC staffers and others from 8/19 through 9/5. See “Birds of the Hackensack” on Page 11 for more on this rare bird. Yellow-billed Cuckoo – An early southward-bound migrant was observed at Schmidt’s Woods in Secaucus on 8/7. Yellow-crowned Night Heron – The Harmon Cove colony in Secaucus continues to produce young. As of 7/10, there were approximately seven active nests; one less than last year’s confirmed eight but it was still good news. Partnerships Continued from Page 7 in the restoration of hundreds-ofthousands of oysters to the Estuary ecosystem, allowing this keystone species to begin playing its natural role in cleansing our waterways. Oysters are sometimes referred to as bio-engineers because of their ability to improve water quality. “NY/NJ Baykeeper is thrilled to have PSE&G supporting the oyster gardening program. To see improvement in our waterways, a critical mass of oysters must be restored. Cooperation between nonprofits, educators, and companies such as PSE&G will help achieve this goal,” said Meredith Comi, Yellow-billed Cuckoo Thanks to all our spotters and as always, a tip o’ the naturalist’s hat to: Joe Augeri, Jay Auslander, Pete Bacinski, Scott Barnes, Ray Duffy, Gene Dunton, Gil Hawkins, Lynn Kramer, Ken Lapham, Frank Massaro, Mike Newhouse, Kate Ruskin, Lisa Ryan, Diane Saccoccia, Don Torino, Bill Sheehan & Nick Vos-Wein. A final note: Is there anybody watching wildlife in places like Alpine, Emerson, Haworth, Montvale, Oradell or Rockleigh? How about New City, Tappan, or Orangeburg, NY? OF COURSE there is! We’d LOVE to hear what you’ve been seeing so just give me a call at 201-968-0808 or send an e-mail to [email protected] and we’ll tip our hat to you, too! Baykeeper’s oyster program director. “We look forward to working with PSE&G on future oyster gardening projects.” Both the Baykeeper program and the new Bayonne schools initiative dovetail perfectly with Hackensack Riverkeeper’s Oyster Habitat Development Study (See Summer and Fall 2007 Tidelines issues). The Study will determine if oyster reefs can be established in the lower Hackensack River and several marshes within the Meadowlands. If they can be established, then the prospects for increasing the habitat value of the entire Hudson-Raritan Estuary will increase dramatically. “Long before the home of the Statue of Liberty was called Liberty Island, the native Lenape Indians called it Oyster Island,” said Sam Pesin, president of Friends of Liberty State Park. “Like Baykeeper and Hackensack Riverkeeper, we also appreciate the role the Bayonne public schools will soon be playing to help restore oysters, an important part of the Estuary’s marine food chain.” Hackensack RIVERKEEPER® Page 18 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 At the Helm Continued from Page 2 Hackensack Riverkeeper strongly supports improving our region’s mass transit options; and as educators, we believe that our young people deserve the best educational facilities that government can provide. However, we cannot and will not stand idly by while otherwise well-meaning public officials conspire to usurp some of the most important and popular recreational lands in both counties. Now is the time to contact the decision makers both in Trenton and at the county level. Tell them you are aware of these threats and that there are alternatives to taking away our precious parkland. Be sure to tell Governor Corzine, DEP Commission Jackson and the respective County Executives that our parks are for RECREATION – they are NOT free land banks that politicians can dip into whenever a pet project comes along. Write to: Governor Jon S. Corzine PO Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625-001 Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney One Bergen County Plaza Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076 DEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson 401 East State St. PO Box 402 Trenton, NJ 08625-0402 Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise Brennan Court House 583 Newark Ave Jersey City, NJ 07306 Triplets! Continued from Page 1 the 210-square mile Hackensack River Watershed. Needless to say, we care. In our last issue of Tidelines we reported that the three birds had hatched and been photographed on 6/7 but all of us were unprepared for the four-day oppressive heat wave that settled over our area later that month. It was amazing to see the female half-standing in that blazing sun shading her chicks with her wings. Although we feared for them – especially the smallest (and youngest) of the three, all of them survived. “It’s been said that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and that was certainly the case,” said Captain Bill. “After all, we’re talking about Hudson County birds – and pretty tough ones at that.” Once again PSE&G (the birds’ ‘landlords’) did a stellar job of protecting their tenants. Among the safeguards taken were: installing signs and Jersey barriers put up to keep contractors away from the nest site, requiring PSE&G staff to walk – not drive – near the nest and himself to personally monitor the situation until the chicks were no sending a staff photographer to longer in danger of becoming gull document the birds’ progress. food. Fortunately the officer’s One thing that both we and PSE&G were concerned about was efforts paid off; otherwise this article would have had a much differpeople illegally riding off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles ent tone. As of this writing, one of the near the nest site. The lawbreakers young birds was still hanging were not on PSE&G property but around the nest platform – probably they were close enough that we the youngest of the three. Soon he witnessed the parent birds being or she will join the tens of thouspooked off the nest several times sands of other southward-bound during a June Eco-Cruise. If the raptors that will hopefully return in parents had been younger and/or the spring. less experienced, the noise, smoke and dust kicked up by the machines would 2008 Bird-Walk Schedule have certainly caused them to abandon the Bird-walks are guided field trips to unique habitat areas in northeastern New Jersey. They nest and leave the offer you a chance to gain a more thorough young to be killed and eaten by the ever- understanding of the ecosystems and wildlife that inhabit our region. Bird-Walks are led by present gulls. an experienced field naturalist and beginning A call to the birders are always welcome. NJDEP’s Hotline (1Sat., Oct. 18, 10 AM 877-WARN-DEP) Celery Farm Natural Area, about the problem Allendale, NJ brought no immediate Reservations are required. To reserve your action but a conserva- spot, please call our Program Director Hugh tion officer from the Carola at 201-968-0808. For more info, call or Division of Fish and go to www.hackensackriverkeeper.org. Wildlife took it upon Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Page 19 Honeywell Continued from Page 1 dated criteria for cleaning up the site – the former Roosevelt Drivein located on the river east of Route 440 near Kellogg Street in Jersey City. Honeywell had contended that merely capping the fifty million tons of chromium-contaminated soil was enough to ensure the safety of nearby residents and protect the Hackensack River. We disagreed and joined a lawsuit brought by the Washington DC-based firm of Terris, Pravlik and Milian under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). We sought to force the company to undertake a complete excavation and cleanup to residential site standards. After our unequivocal victory, Honeywell appealed but Judge Cavanaugh’s decision was unanimously upheld by the three-judge Appellate Court. A last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court also failed. The company is currently engaged in a $500 million federally-supervised cleanup of the site; and at their – not the taxpayer’s – expense. Two years ago, Hackensack Riverkeeper filed a second RCRA case to maximize the value of the 2004 decision. The thrust of our second complaint was to have Honeywell clean up companyowned lands adjacent to the original site, also known as Area 7. Designated as Study Areas 5 and 6, those two sites are located directly adjacent to Area 7. This time around there was no long litigation – just a series of good-faith negotiations under Judge Cavanaugh’s auspices that on May 28, 2008, resulted in a settlement as historic as our 2004 victory. There are two different aspects to the settlement that was approved by the judge. The first deals with submerged sediments With cleanup work at Area 7 well underway, our recent settlement will address the chromium-laden sediments at the bottom of the the Hackensack River. adjacent to all three areas. The key elements of the sediment settlement are: • Removal of the most heavily contaminated sediments from the riverbed adjacent to the above mentioned areas; • Capping with sand other underwater sites where the levels of chromium are significantly less worrisome; • The creation of wetlands on and around the capped sediments; • The abatement of two Combined Sewer System outfalls located directly north of and south of Areas 6 and 7. When all is said and done, the final result of our litigation and its settlement will be one hundred acres of remediated property that will be redeveloped to 21st Century standards. Next, the settlement negotiations resulted in the establishment of $5 million worth of funding to assist both future environmental improvements and affordable housing opportunities in Jersey City. Those key elements are: • The creation of a $2.5 million Hackensack Riverkeeper-directed Environmental Improvement Fund with $1.25 million designat- ed for ecological and/or public access improvements to the lower reaches of the river and $1.25 million dedicated to making eco/access improvements to the specific sites during the postremediation redevelopment phase; • The creation of a $2.5 million fund to assist in the expansion of affordable housing opportunities in Jersey City. It is important to note that none of this Honeywell-provided funding can be used to pay for any eco/access projects or affordable housing obligations that are already required by law, regulation, or the terms of our legal settlements or decisions. The monies are to be used for additional projects to benefit the people and the environment of Jersey City and Hudson County. Lastly (and regarding the settlement on Area 6), when we filed our second case we had to cast a larger net due to the fact that much of the land in Areas 5 and 6 is being actively used by Jersey City. Because the city operates three municipal service facilities on Area 6, we had to list it as an additional defendant with Honeywell. Due to tireless efforts by all parties, we reached an amicable agreement. As of this writing Honeywell has purContinued on Page 24 Page 20 r e e t n u er L o V orn C by Lisa Ryan Goldman Sachs A great bunch of hardworking volunteers from Goldman Sachs cleaned up Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus and surrounding marshes just in time for Meadowfest in June. Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 We saw a huge increase in the number of participants at our river cleanups this summer - thanks to everyone who came out to give a little back to this river that gives us drinking water, an abundance of wildlife to observe and enjoy, and peaceful places for solitude and reflection. There are just so many great photos and not enough room in the newsletter – we HOPE to have them posted on our website soon, so keep an eye out! Thanks also to the volunteers who helped out at Meadowfest, the two Fourth of July parades we participated in, and as always, with the mailings. 16th St. Park, Bayonne Local residents came out in droves as other volunteers traveled to the southern reaches of our watershed on a blistering hot day in June to clean up the banks of the Newark Bay at 16th Street Park. Capt. Bill dropping volunteers off in the marsh Father and Son spend quality time at “Bayonne Beach” Definitely more productive than a day in the office! Laurel Hill, Secaucus A very different landscape from the upper watershed! Longtime volunteer and board member Kelly Palazzi (left) joins Miss New Jersey and friends in a cleanup chorus line at the Summer Solstice Cleanup at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus. It was so hot, many people left before the pizza arrived!!?? Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Page 21 Harrington Park Mill Creek Marsh, Secaucus It was another beautiful day when we cleaned up the Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus in August. These wetlands, owned and maintained by the NJ Meadowlands Commission, have flourished under their care - it is a wonderful place to walk! We were joined by volunteers from Eileen Fisher and Emerging Green Builders. Thanks to a strong partnership with United Water New Jersey, we had a great cleanup on the Oradell Reservoir in Harrington Park in July. Over 150 volunteers from both organizations pulled two dump trucks full of debris from our drinking water supply. For many, this clearly demonstrated the problem of non-point source pollution (litter, fertilizers, motor oil, road salt and other pollutants) that runs off the land or into storm drains and ends up in our precious resource. Mill Creek Marsh abounds with birds, fish, lush vegetation, views and determined volunteers! There was no slacking going on here! Waders are fun! It’s true, we found everything AND the kitchen sink! (front center) Big tire VERY tiring The very versatile kayak Yet another creepy baby doll Making new friends Page 22 Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 and RERC have been able to accomplish in the short time Continued from Page 3 they’ve been working is nothing short of amazing,” said Capt. Bill. uation, Beth helped found the “They have access to scientists and Rutgers Environmental Research other professionals across a wide Clinic (RERC). Patterned after the range of disciplines and they offer University’s effective Environmental Law Clinic, she and Rutgers students the opportunity to several colleagues started RERC to do research for the good guys.” Among the recent and current “help build coalitions that can work projects RERC has conducted in together to solve environmental our area are: the restoration of challenges facing New Jersey. By Teaneck Creek on behalf of the providing applied research in the Teaneck Creek Conservancy, a areas of the environment and natupilot program for leachate distillaral resources, human and ecosystion at the 1-E Landfill in tem health, and community develLyndhurst, a Stormwater opment, RERC works to meet Management Plan for the those challenges.” Meadowlands District, and of “The amount of work that Beth course our own Oyster Habitat Subscribe To Hackensack Tidelines Development If you are enjoying this issue of Hackensack Tidelines Study. Working and you want it to be mailed to your home or business, call on those and other RERC proj201-968-0808 or email [email protected]. ects are sixteen Subscriptions to Tidelines are FREE . . . but donations are Rutgers faculty appreciated to help defray printing and postage costs. members, four- New Trustee teen partnering organizations and five funders. Of course Tidelines readers are familiar with Beth’s column “Real Science for Real People” which she has written since 2000. In each issue, she juxtaposes unique aspects of the Hackensack River Watershed with current trends in scientific research – often with thought-provoking conclusions and recommendations. If you want to exercise your brain before putting the newsletter down, be sure to check out her current piece, “Using Leachate for Irrigation?” on page 10. In addition to her quarterly Tidelines contributions, Beth is also a member of our Captain’s Circle, Annual Benefit Committee and a longstanding supporter of our World Series of Birding team. “Without question, Beth Ravit is the perfect example of a committed colleague and Trustee and I am so very proud and happy to have her on our Board,” said Capt. Bill. Letters to Riverkeeper Hi All, I have been meaning to write to all the staff of the Hackensack Riverkeeper and of course Capt. Bill. After seeing two of your Eco-cruises off in the last few weeks I had a chance to observe everyone enjoying the River going out of Laurel Hill Park. There were Birders of course, Kayak and Canoe trips waiting to leave, Eco-cruises, private boaters, jet skis, fisherman, you name it. So I thought, if not for Capt. Bill and the Riverkeeper staff, none of this would have ever happened. As a person who has grown up in the Meadowlands area I have seen it go through many changes. While other kids grew up playing baseball and other sports, we were raised having our adventures in the marshes and mud of the Meadowlands. Except for muskrat trappers, very rarely if ever was anyone observed using the river. None of us ever could have imagined what a great recreational gem this would become. I often think of all my friends and relatives that are no longer with us how much it would have made their hearts glad to see what our river has become. Well, hopefully maybe they can see it. So before I get too busy with, work, family and life in general I would just like to say thanks to everyone for the job that you have done and continue to do and thank you for making this a better place to live and enjoy. Don Torino Thank You for the Kind Words... We would love to hear from You! Please don’t hesitate to send us a letter or email telling us about your relationship to the Hackensack River. Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Passaic River Victory Continued from Page 15 restoring the Passaic River to the valuable resource it once was (and will be again). It also helps ensure that those responsible for its degradation – the polluters, not New Jersey taxpayers – foot the bill for its restoration. Note: There is a correlation between what you have just read and a much older story. Legend has it that when Alexander the Great Page 23 entered the city of Gordion, he was faced with a chariot secured with a strong and intricate knot. It was prophesied that whoever could untie the knot would become ruler of all Asia. Without a second thought, the 23-year old Alexander – and future ruler of most of the known Western world – drew his sword and cut the Gordian Knot in half. Many of the legal battles that we and many others fight on behalf of the environment are often attempts to cut through “Gordian Knots” put in place by polluters and their expensive and talented attorneys. Unfortunately, the knots they tie and webs they weave are all too often designed to insulate their clients from justice and responsibility. While we can’t always follow Alexander’s example, the DEP’s victory in Judge Goldman’s courtroom is no less impressive. We at Hackensack Riverkeeper extend our thanks to the state’s attorneys for their diligence and to the judge for his clear and unequivocal ruling. Next case! Advertise in Hackensack Tidelines! YOUR AD HERE Hackensack Tidelines is mailed to more than 12,000 people and CALL Place your ad and reach people who care about their communi- 201-968-0808 ties, the environment and the well-being of generations to come. OR [email protected] another 2,000+ are given out at special events. For cost-effective rates & design service, contact Nick Vos-Wein at 201-968-0808 Think globally and act locally! Hackensack Riverkeeper wants to partner with your business or employer You can increase your personal support for our mission by helping us make contact and share our story with coworkers at your workplace. There are several ways you can help: Help Hackensack Riverkeeper make contact with your company’s foundation or corporate philanthropy contact. Corporations give to causes in which their employees are involved. Hackensack Riverkeeper needs your help to identify the philanthropic funding contact in your corporation so we can introduce our funding proposal. If your workplace participates in a program that matches your donation to a nonprofit, please fill out that paperwork when you make donations to us: As a 501(c)(3) Get out on the water with your friends and nonprofit, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. may qualify for your colleagues! You can charter an Eco-Cruise company’s matching gift program. By automatically increasing for up to 15 people for just $300. Call the size of your gift, you will increase the boost you give to 201-968-0808 for details. Hackensack Riverkeeper’s work. Organize an Eco-Cruise or River Cleanup for your company as an incentive, networking or team-building event: You can charter an Eco-Cruise or specifically for your workplace. Not only will you enjoy the time on the river, but also you will be offering others the opportunity to learn about and support preservation of natural resources in their watershed. Call Diane Saccoccia at 201-968-0808 for details. Hackensack Tidelines - Summer 2008 Page 24 tide308 Be a Friend of Hackensack Riverkeeper Your help is urgently needed. Hackensack Riverkeeper® operates with assistance and contributions from concerned citizens such as yourself. Please show your support for environmental health and conservation within the Hackensack River Watershed by making a donation today. HRI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible. Name __________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________________ Phone (_____) ___________________________________________ Email __________________________________________________ ______$250 ______$100 ______$50 ______$25 ____Amex ____Visa $________ (other) ____MC Card #_______________________________________ V code_________ Signature: _____________________________ Exp. Date ___ /___ /___ _____ My employer will match my gift. A form is enclosed. _____ Contact me about volunteering for Hackensack Riverkeeper®. _____ Please remove me from your mailing list. Make checks payable to Hackensack Riverkeeper, 231 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 or visit www.hackensackriverkeeper.org/donate.html to donate online Honeywell Continued from Page 19 chased Area 6 from Jersey City for $15 million and the city is planning to relocate its municipal service facilities elsewhere. When all is said and done (and it all soon will be done), the final result of our litigation and its settlement will be one hundred acres of remediated property that will be redeveloped to 21st Century standards. Twenty-five of those acres will be redeveloped as riverside parkland with Hackensack Riverkeeper holding a conservation easement on all of them. “At a recent city council meeting, Councilman Mariano Vega remarked that the Hackensack River is ‘Jersey City’s Green Coast’,” said Captain Bill Sheehan. “Not only is the councilman correct; he also recognizes that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will benefit Jersey City for generations to come.” Hackensack Riverkeeper: Protecting The Public’s Right To: • Clean, Plentiful Drinking Water • Public Access To Local Waters • Open Space Preservation • Wildlife & Habitat Conservation • Safe Boating, Swimming, Paddling, Fishing 231 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601-7304 • 201-968-0808 • HackensackRiverkeeper.org NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 451 HACKENSACK, NJ 07606