Residents should fight for waste cleanup

As a college student studying both earth and political science, I have come to understand the power residents have to impact their local environment. New Jersey currently has more than 20,000 toxic waste sites, the most of any state in the nation. If left unremediated or undetected, toxic sites will threaten human health and the surrounding ecosystems.

The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has identified many hazardous sites, but few have been fully remediated. For citizens who are impacted by one of these toxic sites, there is a solution. I have experienced firsthand the power citizens have to organize and influence the cleanup of hazardous sites.

For years, a former manufactured gas plant contaminated a local waterway in the city of Long Branch, which led to both environmental and health hazards. Residents decided to form the Concerned Citizens Coalition, a grassroots group committed to fighting the contamination, and partner with Edison Wetlands Association, a nonprofit environmental organization. As a result of their joint efforts, the DEP made the contamination in Long Branch a top priority and an extensive remediation effort is currently under way. Citizens were able to protect their environment and their fellow residents because they chose to get involved and aid the DEP in the fight against contamination.

Long Branch's great success should be considered a model for all residents affected by toxic sites in New Jersey. Consider, for instance, the Cornell- Dubilier Electronics Superfund site in South Plainfield. Cancercausing contamination was just revealed to be worse than feared there. Unfortunately, cleanup is not progressing quickly enough, with completion set for the year 2034. Perhaps, if given incentive by South Plainfielders, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would make the Cornell- Dubilier site a top priority as well, and plan a more rigorous cleanup.

Residents can successfully protect the environment, as the Concerned Citizens Coalition demonstrates. If the public will work with the DEP and nonprofit organizations like the Edison Wetlands to protect the environment, far more will be achieved. There are many resources available to the public to protect the environment, wildlife species and human health from the effects of contamination. To report environmental incidents, abuses and complaints in New Jersey, please call 1-877-WARNDEP. Every little bit helps to restore our environment and protect lives.
Deanna Giustino
Edison