TOMS RIVER, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to a deal that would preserve 1,050 acres of land at the toxic superfund site in Toms River and allow for 200 acres of developable land.
The deal, between the State of New Jersey and BASF, the current owner of the former Ciba Geigy chemical plant and federal superfund site, will allow BASF to build homes and businesses on the site.
Rodrick predicted this outcome years ago and was branded a liar by township officials at the time for claiming there was a plan to build a ‘city’ on the toxic waste site.
The contentious Ciba-Geigy development issue has been one of Rodrick’s core arguments during his previous campaign for council.
Rodrick, who is expected to become mayor in January, slammed the deal made behind the backs of township officials and Germany-based BASF.
“The NJDEP should be fighting for the people of Toms River, but it appears they’re really working for BASF,” Rodrick said. “The DEP is funded by the taxpayers of New Jersey, not German multinational corporations like BASF. This shameful display of crony capitalism is why people have lost faith in government. I’m proud to join with the leadership of Save Barnegat Bay in holding BASF accountable.”
Rodrick said he would prefer to see the entire site preserved as a wildlife management area and that the 200 acres set aside to build a small village be turned over to the township for permanent conservation.
Township officials will likely file a lawsuit against the DEP and BASF.
The BASF property has been attributed to one of the worst cancer clusters in U.S. history, leading to multiple deaths and cancer cases due to contaminated drinking water.