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Case: Berry's Creek
Watershed, NJ
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Site history: Depending upon the contaminant of concern, the
amounts discharged have varied over time; however, chronic release of hazardous
substances began as early as 1929.
Location: Berry's Creek is a tidal tributary to the Hackensack
River, located in Bergen County, New Jersey within the New Jersey Meadowlands.
The current Natural Resource Damage (NRD) assessment area includes Berry's
Creek and the canal and their associated tidal wetlands from the headwaters to
the confluence with the Hackensack River.
Trustees:
Case status: Pre Assessment Phase.
Overview: State and federal natural resource trustees are
conducting a natural resource damage assessment for Berry's Creek. The purpose
of the natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) would be to assess and
restore the public's natural resources and services, possibly injured by the
release of hazardous substances. This water body has a long history of degraded
water quality and sediment contamination. Discharges from the Ventron/Velsicol,
Universal Oil Products, and Scientific Chemical Processing facility, and
other facilities in the area around Berry's Creek have contaminated Berry's
Creek and surrounding waterways and wetlands with mercury and other chemicals.
The release of these contaminants has impaired natural resources (such as fish,
shellfish, and wildlife) and/or human use of these resources. Mercury
concentrations in Berry's Creek are at levels much greater than those
considered to be protective of wildlife and are among the highest levels known
to exist in freshwater ecosystems in the United States. The extent of
contamination and its effect on natural resources and their services will
determine the amount and type of restoration needed to address any associated
injuries.
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