Ciba-Geigy Site Projects In Toms River Set For Information Session

TOMS RIVER, NJ — An information session on the ecological restoration projects planned for the former Ciba-Geigy site has been scheduled for January, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced.

The session will be held online and will be led by BASF, the announcement said. There are nine projects planned for 1,000 acres of the former Ciba-Geigy site, it said.

The session is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Register online for session: BASF – Virtual Information Session 1/9/2024 6pm – 7:30pm

The NJDEP announced in August that it had finalized a natural resources restoration settlement with BASF, in spite of protests from Toms River officials, residents and environmental groups led by Save Barnegat Bay over a lack of community input.

NJDEP first announced the proposed settlement on Dec. 5, 2022, and gave the community just 30 days, until early January, to read it and respond. That comment period later was extended after resounding criticisms in the community, though comments from Shawn LaTourette, the DEP commissioner, left officials and residents with the belief that nothing of substance would change in spite of their complaints.

Toms River residents and officials believe not nearly enough was done to compensate the community for the damages done to residents' health and lives, while BASF continued to make considerable amounts of money on the property. A solar field has been established on the most contaminated part of the site, and a portion of the site, about 250 acres, remains in the chemical company's hands.

LaTourette, in an interview with Patch, said the natural resources settlement was not about punishing the company for the actions of the past owners; BASF purchased the site long after it was declared a federal Superfund site by the EPA. Read more: Proposed Ciba Settlement 'Not About Punishment': DEP Commissioner

Save Barnegat Bay and Toms River Township in October filed an appeal of the settlement, asking New Jersey's Appellate Court to overturn it and calling it "a sweetheart deal" that violates the New Jersey Constitution along with the Spill Compensation and Control Act, along with Toms River zoning ordinances. Read more: Ciba-Geigy Settlement Violates NJ, Local Laws, Appeal Says

The projects proposed for the site can be viewed in the settlement announcement, here: Ciba-Geigy Settlement Reached: See Plans For Toms River Superfund Site

There was no information provided in the announcement of the information session on how people will be able to comment on the proposed projects. LaTourette and NJDEP staffers promised Toms River officials and residents they would be able to provide input on what the projects should look like during the comment sessions after the proposed settlement was announced.

The full text of the NJDEP announcement reads as follows:

"BASF is inviting community members and stakeholder groups to learn more about the nine ecological restoration projects planned for the property through an upcoming virtual information session.

Register to join on January 9, 2024, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. to learn more about how BASF will preserve and restore more than 1,000 acres of land. Your input and feedback plays an important role in the long-term success of these projects.

If you are interested in attending, please Register here: BASF – Virtual Information Session 1/9/2024 6pm – 7:30pm"