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Montclair, N.J. –The Passaic River - its environmental challenges and its prospects for restoration - was the subject of a day-long symposium that recently attracted more than 300 people to the Montclair State University campus.

The second Passaic River Symposium, organized by the University's Passaic River Institute and the Hudson Delaware Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, drew leading federal and state environmental officials, scientific experts and environmental advocates to discuss the river's current health and the status of cleanup efforts.

"Rarely, if ever, have so many top policymakers and other stakeholders convened on this topic," said Dr. Kirk R. Barrett, the Passaic River Institute's director. "It illustrates the key role the Institute plays as a forum for discussion on the future of this vital waterway."

The October 13 th symposium's participants included Alan Steinberg, Region 2 administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Lisa P. Jackson, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Colonel Aniello Tortura, New York District commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., (NJ-8 th District).

Other speakers included environmental advocates Ella Fillipone, executive director of the Passaic River Coalition, and Andy Willner, executive director of NY/NJ Baykeeper.

The Passaic River Institute was created to seek solutions for the waterway's environmental problems and to advance environmental research and education. It is comprised of faculty, students and facilities dedicated to an interdisciplinary examination of environmental issues.

The symposium featured science-based presentations on the history, types and extent of contamination, the remediation strategies and restoration opportunities. Montclair State University was well represented among the presenters.   Students and faculty made 11 presentations on research topics that included "Ecological Impacts of Climate Change in the Mid-Atlantic Region," "Brownfields Redevelopment in Paterson," and "Is Flooding Getting Worse in New Jersey?   An Historical, Empirical Analysis."

Additionally, the symposium generated frank, impassioned and sometimes opposing viewpoints on whether pursuing litigation against polluters is the most effective way to advance the river cleanup.

State DEP Commissioner Jackson argued strongly that the continued presence of the toxic chemical dioxin in sediments of the lower river is the overriding concern, and that it should be removed as soon as possible.   The State has sued three companies for the intentional discharge of dioxin and other contaminants into the Passaic River and directed them to pay $2.3 million to develop a plan to dredge contaminated sediments.   

The EPA's Steinberg said the agency was working to speed the cleanup process.   A later presentation by an EPA consultant highlighted the options and the evaluation of such "early-action" projects, including dredging or capping contaminated sediments under clean sediment.

The list of presentations and abstracts are available at the PRI Web site: www.csam.montclair.edu/pri.

Attendance for the second Passaic River Symposium was 50 percent greater than that of the first symposium, held in 2004.

"The increasing turnout underscores the growing interest in the Passaic River, as well as the need for periodic, inter-organizational meetings where we can review the progress and the persistent challenges that the river continues to face," said Dr. Barrett.  

Montclair State is New Jersey's second largest and fastest growing university. It offers the advantages of a large university--a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with a global focus, a broad variety of superior graduate programs through the doctoral level, and a diverse faculty and student body--combined with a small college's attention to students.  For more information on Montclair State University, go to www.montclair.edu.

October 24, 2006