Superfund Cleanup Still ‘Essential’ In NJ-11: Rep. Mikie Sherrill

FAIRFIELD, NJ — Established in 1980, the federal Superfund program helps the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up some of the most heavily polluted and contaminated sites across the country. And almost four decades later, the program is still “essential” to New Jersey’s 11th District, its Congressional representative says.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill visited Superfund sites in Chatham Township, Rockaway Township, Rockaway Borough and Fairfield. She was joined on the tour by EPA Regional Administrator Peter Lopez, NJDEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe and local officials from the affected towns.

Learn more about each site below.

• Rolling Knolls - Chatham Township
• Radiation Technology, Inc. - Rockaway Township
• Rockaway Township Wells - Rockaway Township
• Rockaway Borough Well Field - Rockaway Borough
• Unimatic Manufacturing Corp. - Fairfield
• Caldwell Trucking Co. - Fairfield

Pointing out that New Jersey has more Superfund sites than any other state in the nation, Sherrill said clean-up is “essential” for the health and well-being of residents in the 11th District.

“This tour brought together federal, state, and local officials so we can better coordinate on the particular issues at each site and understand the environmental and health impact on our communities,” Sherrill said.

The first-year congresswoman requested more funding in March for the Superfund program from the House Appropriations Committee, and in June, voted for a $55 million increase over current funding levels for the program.

Last week’s visits were the second Superfund site tour for Sherrill since she took her seat in January. In February, she toured the Mansfield Trail Dump in Byram, Sussex County.

Superfund cleanups have had bipartisan support in the 11th District for years. The Democratic legislator’s Republican predecessor, recently retired Rodney Frelinghuysen, also made regular visits to Superfund sites within the district.

• See related article: Frelinghuysen To Host Annual Inspection of Superfund Sites
• See related article: Rep. Frelinghuysen Visited Superfund Sites Across Morris County

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