TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold a public engagement session on Monday, March 13, 2023, to provide the public with additional information and take questions regarding the assessment, and proposed restoration, of injured natural resources related to the former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant site in Toms River, Ocean County. The engagement session will be held in the Toms River North High School Auditorium and begin at 6 p.m.
The DEP first published notice of the proposed settlement on Dec 5, 2022 and extended the public comment period until Feb. 3, 2023. Due to the strong public interest that has been expressed, the DEP will make a final extension of the public comment period to April 5, 2023, and also host a forum for direct engagement with the interested public.
“We hope that this extension of the comment period and opportunity for direct engagement with DEP officials will provide members of the public with additional opportunities to learn more about the assessment and proposed restoration of injured natural resources, and to ask questions about the proposed settlement,” said DEP Deputy Commissioner Sean D. Moriarty.
About the Site and Proposed Settlement
The former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant began manufacturing industrial dyes, pigments, resins and plastics in 1952 and, due to its releases of hazardous substances, became a federal Superfund site in 1983. BASF Corporation acquired the Ciba-Geigy site while cleanup activities under the supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were ongoing, completed many remedial actions, and will continue to be held responsible for the long-term success of the remediation to ensure remedial measures remain protective of human health and the environment.
The proposed settlement between DEP and BASF Corporation pertains to the restoration of natural resources injured by past contamination events. DEP strives to ensure the restoration of damaged natural resources through various means, including land preservation and ecological restoration projects. Details about the proposed settlement are available at: https://www.nj.gov/dep/nrr/settlements/index.html
Written public comments will be accepted through April 5, 2023; submit via email to: onrr@dep.nj.gov
Meeting Information
Date: Monday, March 13, 2023
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Toms River High School North (Auditorium)
1245 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, NJ
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