Companies made profits dumping into the Passaic River.

 

We refuse to let them

off the hook.

 

Demand cleanup now.

We invite everyone to sign on to a letter urging the Department of Justice to take immediate action to require responsible parties to start the cleanup of the Passaic River.

 

For more than 40 years, residents of Newark and many other Passaic River communities have lived with the impacts of one of the largest and most toxic Superfund sites in the country. Companies, including OxyChem Corporation and its predecessors, manufactured the herbicide Agent Orange for many decades at the Diamond Alkali facility in Newark. They released the highly carcinogenic, chemical dioxin into the Passaic River, contaminating the entire 17 miles of the river and bay ecosystem. 

 

In 2016, the US EPA approved the cleanup plan for the Passaic River called the “Record of Decision” and in 2024 the final design for implementing this clean up was approved. The clean up is estimated to cost $1.2 Billion which is the responsibility of the polluters to pay. Over 99% of the liability for the clean up falls to the primary polluter and source of the dioxin contamination - OxyChem. 

 

Since then, there has been no progress on the start of the clean up. Even more concerning, Occidental’s parent company split off and sold their liabilities and assets in a sale to Berkshire Hathaway in December of 2025. This leaves open the possibility that the company is seeking to sever its liability for the clean up and leave taxpayers footing the bill for the mess they created. 

 

The Superfund law is clear - Polluters Pay! These companies made millions in profits using the Passaic River as a dumping ground. The taxpayers and residents that have been harmed by this pollution should not be left holding the bill. We need our federal agencies like the DOJ to uphold the Superfund law and ensure OxyChem pays their fair share to start this long overdue clean up.

 

We have waited for far too long - the time to act is now - we deserve to safely enjoy and connect with a clean, healthy Passaic River. By signing on, you are standing with frontline communities and calling for transparency, accountability, and urgent action.

 

To see full letter click here: bit.ly/PassaicPetition