- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) held a public virtual hearing on sewer overflow issues affecting North Bergen and Guttenberg communities.
- NJDEP is soliciting comments until February 13 from stakeholders and residents who want to express opinions or concerns about the improvements to the combined sewer system.
- Some residents claim there is a lack of transparency on behalf of NJDEP, while others claim that the systemic flooding issues are due to “environmental racism through purposefully slipshod infrastructure” on the part of the state.
By: Hudson County View | January 23, 2023
NJ DEP Bureau of Surface Water and Pretreatment Permitting Chief Susan Rosenwinkel explained the hearing was regarding the renewal of sewer approvals for North Bergen, North Guttenberg, and Woodcliff since they have a combined sewer system.
The NJDEP is working with North Bergen to improve its infrastructure to handle flooding better and maintain water quality since they have issued permits for the construction of green infrastructure to address the issue.
Johan Andrade, of Bike North Bergen, noted flooding is a significant issue and also lamented a lack of transparency about the process.
“The only way I knew about this meeting was someone reached out to me,” Andrade said.
“How would the NJDEP ensure members of overburdened communities are represented in this process? Can we have the DEP have a requirement that the amount of raw sewerage released be publicly available?” he added.
Rachel Davis, of Water Spirits, said she has spoken to many people with repetitive trauma caused by flooding.
She exclaimed that this is an example of “environmental racism repetition through purposefully slipshod infrastructure.”
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