Martin McHugh, Counselor to the Commissioner of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced that Commissioner Campbell and Governor McGreevey have written to Christine Todd Whitman, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and requested that the Rolling Knolls landfill site in Chatham Township be listed as a Superfund site. According to Mr. McHugh, "A portion of the site (approximately 42 acres) is within the boundaries of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (GSNWR). Listing as a Superfund site puts the property in line for federally funded remediation."

In a 1997 report written by Paul Fox, Project Engineer for Apgar Associates of Far Hills, NJ, he says "the available analytical data confirms that the site is having a measurable impact on the surrounding environment. Contaminants found in the surface and sub-surface soil of the site have been detected in off-site surface water, sediments, groundwater, and fish. The impacts have been serious enough to result in exceedences of relevant regulatory standards and guidance criteria for surface soils, groundwater, surface water, and sediments."

"Another important factor for this site is the history of fires. The uncontrolled, low temperature pyrolysis of hazardous waste often results in the generation of more toxic compounds. Some of the compounds have already been detected at this site. Others have not yet been tested for in surface water, sediments, and groundwater."

Great Swamp Watershed Association, along with other conservation groups have been asking state and federal environmental officials to target the Rolling Knolls landfill for cleanup under the national superfund program. Julia Somers, Executive Director of the Great Swamp Watershed Association said "This is a real victory for the Refuge and surrounding watershed. This site is overdue for toxic clean up. In addition to its proximity to the Refuge, Loantaka Brook is approximately 2000 feet from the dump site and Black Brook passes within 500 feet of the dump. With remediation we fully expect that contamination spreading from this site will end."

Great Swamp Watershed Association was created in 1981 to protect the Great Swamp watershed basin. Celebrating its 20^th Anniversary as a non-profit organization, the Watershed Association relies solely on membership and contributions to protect the continued health of our watershed’s area. If you’re not already a member, become one today. For more information, call (973) 966-1900, or visit their website at www.greatswamp.org.

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