We Still Have Time to Urge NJ Leaders: Stop Dumping On Newark

Governor Murphy and his Department of Environmental Protection announced in a press conference on Thursday, July 18, 2024, the approval of the highly contested Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) dirty gas project.

After over 3 years of ongoing advocacy for clean, renewable energy sourcing and communicating as allies with residents at PSVC meetings, our collective conscience is challenged by stark contradictions of governance.

Patch reports “Controversial Power Plant in Newark Can Move Ahead, Official Says” updated at 8PM last night.

In response, community leaders remarked the following:

Senator Teresa Ruiz said: “The NJDEP’s approval of the PVSC power plant in the Ironbound neighborhood is an indefensible and hypocritical decision that blatantly violates New Jersey’s Environmental Justice Law.” She pointed to the dichotomy remarking “decision makers (who) remain comfortably detached from the consequences of their shocking and reprehensible actions.”

Assemblywoman Pintor Marin called this decision “deplorable.”

Deputy Director of Organizing and Advocacy at the Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC), Maria Lopez-Nuñez said: “Adding another power plant to our already burdened neighborhood is a racist decision that disregards community health and environmental justice.”

This approval of a 4th dirty gas plant that has never met the aspiring goals of a back-up power source is in stark contrast to calls for environmental justice once uttered by NJ’s Governor Murphy. The decision adds environmental injustice, which is never “negligible”, even as NJDEP Commissioner LaTourette used the word referring to the impending impact.

As concerned NJ residents who understand the importance of protecting sacred water—the source and sustainer of all life—we must demand transparency and integrity in our state’s governance. Democracy, like water, is fluid. We cannot allow decisions that impact our communities’ health and well being to proceed without scrutiny and public accountability.

It is our duty to hold our leaders accountable, ensuring decisions made reflect our shared vision of a just, stable and livable future. Consider taking action by sending this letter and joining Waterspirit as a volunteer.

TUESDAY at 7AM: Please tune into WBAI radio (99.5 FM) for more on this looming polluting project. #StopDumpingOnNewark

THURSDAY at 12PM Plan to be at the next PVSC Board Meeting on Zoom. This is PVSC’s monthly board meeting where they may be holding a vote to move forward with the project. HOLD THIS TIME and we will share the link if you are interested in attending. Register here and/or Let us know so we can help you prepare your remarks. Make your voice heard!

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NJDEP Reports the Navesink is Safe-Not a Risk For Swimmers or Shellfish

Earlier today the Asbury Park Press reporter Olivia Liu shared “Navesink sewage spill not a risk for swimmers or shellfish NJDEP says.”

This comprehensive update includes the latest from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection citing from Caryn Shinske, spokeswoman for the NJDEP:

1)      “Several tide changes have occurred since the spill, and any remaining contamination will already have been flushed, ” said Shinske.

2)      “These beaches and/or shellfish beds are not located in close proximity to where the spill occurred last week and/ therefore, are not considered to be at risk.” Shinske said.

Shinske said the spill was minimal and there was an update shared midday today by Brian Donohue of RedBankGreen “RED BANK: BOATERS RETURN AS SEWAGE WORRIES EBB.” See our original post on this topic “ Advocating for Clean Water & Responsibility: Critical Updates From Red Bank, NJ” here. See the message to customers from American Water below.

Thank you for your continued diligence in checking for these important updates. Knowledge is power!

From American Water to their customers:

“Hello! This is an important notification from New Jersey American Water. New Jersey American Water has LIFTED the mandatory outdoor water use restrictions for your area that were put in place on Sunday, July 14 because of an emergency repair at our water treatment plant.  The voluntary conservation notice previously issued on June 20, 2024, for customers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties to reduce water usage due to the consistent hot, dry weather is still in effect.  If you are a landlord and water service is in your name, please inform your tenants so they are aware of this impact to their water service. For more information on ways to conserve water or to see a map of the affected area please go to NewJerseyamwater.com and click on 'Alerts'.  We thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time. Esto es un aviso importante sobre su servicio de agua y/o alcantarilla. Para asistencia en Español, por favor llame New Jersey American Water al 1-800-272-1325.“

Advocating for Clean Water and Responsibility: Critical Updates from Red Bank, NJ

Residents and Community Members of Red Bank and surrounding Monmouth County:

It is with great concern that we address the recent incident at the Red Bank construction site, where a significant sewage leak has occurred due to a broken sewer line at the intersection of Maple Ave and Oakland Street. The Borough advises to avoid the NJ Transit Parking Lot #1 at Monmouth St. and Burrowes St.

Per local TapInto reporting in English and Spanish, the water main was clamped and repaired at 11:50PM last night by the Borough’s emergency Mechanical contractor, stopping any further discharge. We commend the efforts to repair the water main and mitigate the impacts on our shared ecosystem. However, the full resolution of this issue remains uncertain. We urge all residents and visitors to adhere to the advisory issued by local authorities. Please stay out of the water until the results of the water quality test return on 7/16 from NJDEP.

A construction crew was testing soil for future development and, according to local news outlet RedBankGreen, had been warned about the pipe. While we await the official statement/report from NJ Department of Environmental Protection, there is reporting that protocol was not followed. NJDEP will conduct water testing on 7/15 with results due 7/16.

This unfortunate even has resulted in the discharge of wastewater into our stormwater system, posing a threat to the health of our beloved Navesink River.

As advocates for proper stormwater management and guardians of our local ecosystems, we understand the gravity of this situation. The estimated rate of approximately 100 gallons of wastewater per minute entering our waterways demanded swift and decisive action.

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS:

Avoid River Activities: We strongly advise against engaging in any river sports or recreational activities until further notice.

Shellfish and Finfish Consumption: Please refrain from consuming shellfish or finfish from the affected river, given they may be contaminated by the spill.

Please stay out of the water until the results of NJDEP’s water quality test return on 7/16. Waterspirit will provide an update when the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issues a related statement.

Let's Be Nice To The Ocean

As the international community prepares every possible play on the word “nice”, Costa Rica and France prepare to host the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France in June 2025. This conference will assess progress toward fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Life Below Water” (SDG14). At today’s one-day preparatory meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York, delegates acknowledged the threats that the ocean continues to face while praising the progress that has been made since the last UN Ocean Conference in 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. However, deep sea mining was given far too little attention by the proceedings overall. [Read more]

Mark the 11th Anniversary of the Tragedy of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec July 8th, 2024

Join us as we remember the tragic rail car explosion of crude oil in Lac Mégantic, Quebec, and connect it to recent incidents closer to home. From the Paulsboro, NJ train derailment of toxic chemicals to the East Palestine, Ohio derailment of PVC materials, these incidents highlight the urgent need for action to protect sacred water and ensure safety for all, regardless of income. Waterspirit has been involved with the decade long effort to enhance rail safety out of New Jersey, the Coalition to Ban Unsafe Oil Trains and we continue to realize the interconnectedness of public health and sacred water.

When: Monday, July 8, 2024, 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Where: THE LOCATION HAS CHANGED TO BE INDOORS DUE TO POOR AIR QUALITY AND EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS - Knights of Columbus 829 Windsor Rd in Teaneck off of Cedar Lane (still near buses)

On this anniversary, we honor the 47 lives lost and communities devastated by a crude oil explosion in Lac M­égantic. This tragedy underscores the critical importance of worker safety, rail safety, and preventing the transportation of hazardous, volatile materials that endanger workers, waterways and communities.

Closer to home, incidents like the train derailment in Paulsboro, New Jersey and the recent derailment in East Palestine – a train headed for New Jersey- remind us of the ongoing risks posed by transporting toxic chemicals and materials through our communities. These incidents threaten our sacred water sources and the health of our families, highlighting the need for stricter safety regulations and proactive measures to prevent such disasters.

Water is life, and it is a fundamental right that transcends income levels. We must unite across communities to demand stronger worker safety standards, stricter regulations on rail transportation of hazardous materials, and a shift towards non-toxic alternatives that safeguard our sacred water sources.

Now is the time to advocate for change. Join us in calling for passage of new Rail Safety legislation in New Jersey: A4460/S3389, including minimum 2 person crews, shorter trains, effective wayside detectors-vital provisions to help prevent accidents.

Join our advocacy efforts to protect sacred water for all. Together, may we build a just and stable planet!

Let’s honor the past, protect our present, and secure a better future for generations to come. Together, we can ensure that water remains sacred and safe for all. See Waterspirit’s calendar posting for this event here!

Thank You for Marching With Us in D.C. Yesterday!

Thank you for being part of the proactive pursuit of a just and equitable society! Waterspirit’s Executive Director, Blair Nelsen, was present and took great pictures.

Advocating for policies that benefit low-income communities aligns with our goals of ensuring equitable access to safe and clean water for all. Yesterday was charged with emotion and determination. We journeyed together from New Jersey, from North, Central and South Jersey, to Washington, D.C. and also tuned in via livestream.

We witnessed a most powerful convergence of voices united in morality in stark contrast to recent Supreme Court rulings that jeopardize our ability to protect sacred water and criminalize homelessness. May we continue to find strength in the growing collective resolved to protect sacred water, commit to environmental justice and advocate tirelessly for accountability and human rights. Access to clean water is a fundamental human right; morality must be prioritized over profit and prejudice. Waterspirit reaching this broader network enhances our organizing directly with communities most affected by water-related issues.

Get involved with us today! Message: water@waterspirit.org and visit our Calls to Action Page

To learn more about the NJ Poor People’s Campaign, please email directly: newjersey@poorpeoplescampaign.org