Oroho, Space, Wirths on DEP's Vernon action

Senator Steve Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space and Assemblyman Hal Wirths (all R-24) released the following joint statement in response to news today that the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is beginning to take legal action against the property owner who is operating an unauthorized waste dump in Vernon Township.
“We welcome the action of the State DEP in beginning legal proceedings to stop the property owner from illegally dumping waste material in violation of solid waste regulations and to begin to comprehensively test soil samples of the dirt pile to ascertain if any contaminants may be present.
“We always believed the State DEP was the most appropriate enforcement authority to address this matter and we know their latest actions are greeted with a certain sense of relief in the community at-large. Clearly, the immediate cessation of any more dumping on the site while the waste pile is being thoroughly tested is a must.
“While we hope the courts and the State DEP will ultimately shut down this illegal operation for good and bring this sorry chapter to a conclusion for the benefit of the community, we pledge to work with Congressman Gottheimer, Mayor Shortway and other local leaders and citizen activists to make certain of this. We also will continue in our pursuit of state legislation so Vernon or any other locality will not have to suffer from the lack of any clear authority to address such a situation going forward.”