Rolling Knolls Landfill Explained

Rolling Knolls Landfill
Township:Chatham Township
County:Morris County
State:New Jersey
Location Map:USA New Jersey Morris County
Cerclis Id:NJD980505192
Contaminants:Arsenic, lead, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), freon compounds, dioxin and furans
Responsible:Private and public ownership: various responsible parties

The Rolling Knolls Landfill is a landfill and Superfund site located in the Green Village section of Chatham Township in New Jersey. It is bordered on two sides by the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, and was formerly known as Miele's Dump, after owner Robert Miele.

Background

The Landfill is notable for being identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Superfund site. It was operated as a municipal landfill from the early 1930s until December 1968, during which time it handled municipal solid waste, as well as construction and demolition debris from neighboring communities.[1] [2] [3]

"According to the EPA's Web site, soil samples collected in 1999 showed levels of metals, phthalates, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that were above regulation norms.[4]

Mercury and PCB releases were also observed in a surface water and sediment sample taken from a portion of the landfill located within the Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge, according to the EPA. Testing also showed "actual contamination of a terrestrial sensitive environment," and indicated potential exposure of nearby residents, the EPA says.

Cleanup

As of 2022, the EPA has submitted plans for remediation, but no cleanup has started at the site.[5] [6] It is estimated that site cleanup could be finished by 2026.[7]

See also

References

40.7176°N -74.421°W

Notes and References

  1. News: Faszczewski . Bob . Controversy Surrounds Rolling Knolls Landfill in Chatham Close to 10 Years After Federal Government Placed it on Superfund Cleanup List . 21 July 2024 . TAPinto . 10 August 2012 . en.
  2. Web site: ROLLING KNOLLS LF Site Profile . cumulis.epa.gov . US EPA . 21 July 2024 . en.
  3. Web site: Public Health Assessment for Rolling Knolls Landfill . NJ Department of Health . Consumer, Environmental and Occupational Health Service . 21 July 2024 . 5 July 2006.
  4. News: Rolling Knolls Landfill discussed tonight . 21 July 2024 . Daily Record . 7 June 2007 . https://archive.today/20130121093928/http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/UPDATES01/706070388 . 21 January 2013.
  5. News: Westhoven . William . 'Chicken or egg?' Nonprofit will take Superfund site if EPA agrees to remediate it . 21 July 2024 . Daily Record.
  6. Web site: Westhoven . William . Citizen group presses EPA for aggressive cleanup of toxic Superfund landfill in Chatham . Daily Record . 21 July 2024 . 18 February 2022.
  7. Web site: ROLLING KNOLLS LF Site Profile . cumulis.epa.gov . 21 July 2024 . en.