Menendez Applauds Major Passaic River Cleanup Milestone Following Pressure on EPA and DOJ
Skip to content Close Home About Meet Rob Committees Issues Services Get Help How Can We Help You? Know Your Rights Congress On Your Side Support for Veterans Traveling soon? Anti-Spam Resources What happens if the government shuts down Stay Connected With Us Email Our Team Directly Sign Up For Our Newsletter Share Your Story Nominate a Constituent of the Month 2025 End-of-Year Report Stop ICE's NJ Expansion Federal Funding and Grants Apply for a grant Submit FY27 Appropriations Requests FY27 Community Project Funding Flags and Greetings Request a U.S. Flag Commendations and Greetings Student Opportunities Internships Congressional Award Service Academy Nomination Congressional App Challenge Congressional Art Competition Youth Advisory Council Visiting D.C. Request tours and tickets News Press Releases Contact Get Help Write to Rob Close Mobile Site Search SEARCH Congressman Rob Menendez About Meet Rob Committees Issues Services Get Help How Can We Help You? Know Your Rights Congress On Your Side Support for Veterans Traveling soon? Anti-Spam Resources What happens if the government shuts down Stay Connected With Us Email Our Team Directly Sign Up For Our Newsletter Share Your Story Nominate a Constituent of the Month 2025 End-of-Year Report Stop ICE's NJ Expansion Federal Funding and Grants Apply for a grant Submit FY27 Appropriations Requests FY27 Community Project Funding Flags and Greetings Request a U.S. Flag Commendations and Greetings Student Opportunities Internships Congressional Award Service Academy Nomination Congressional App Challenge Congressional Art Competition Youth Advisory Council Visiting D.C. Request tours and tickets News Press Releases Contact Get Help Write to Rob ES Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU ES Home News Press Releases September 15, 2026 Menendez Applauds Major Passaic River Cleanup Milestone Following Pressure on EPA and DOJ WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Rob Menendez released the following statement after a proposed $125,000,000 settlement agreement was reached by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“ EPA ”) and the Department of Justice (“ DOJ ”) in the long-overdue cleanup of the Passaic River. “The Passaic River cleanup agreement is a necessary step forward for families in Newark and our neighboring communities who have borne the brunt of toxic pollution for far too long,” said Congressman Menendez. “We demanded action from the EPA and DOJ to protect our residents, and we fought alongside dedicated community advocates to get our residents long overdue progress. I will not stop fighting until the Passaic River is fully cleaned up, our families’ health is protected, and environmental justice is served.” The proposed consent decree comes after Congressman Menendez led an effort with Congresswomen LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) and Nellie Pou (NJ-09) urging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and former Attorney General Pam Bondi to hold polluters accountable, accelerate the cleanup of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site, and protect the health and well-being of New Jerseyans. The Diamond Alkali Superfund Site was added to the National Priorities List in 1984, but the complex cleanup remains incomplete. The Passaic River continues to suffer from the impact of industrial waste, including dioxins discharged during the Vietnam War-era production of Agent Orange. This new proposed agreement will support the next phase of the cleanup and ensure that liable polluters pay for the restoration, not taxpayers. Congressman Rob Menendez has represented New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District since 2023. He serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including the Subcommittees on Environment, Energy, and Communications and Technology. Print Email Share Previous Article About Services News Contact Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo
938208ad-1159-455b-8cc9-0f760f3d451aIssued within 24 hours
Other senators' releases published in the day before or after this one.