New NJDEP Records Reveal Chemical Contamination and Buried Solid Waste at Schedler Property in Ridgewood

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Newly released records from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) shed light on the growing environmental complexities surrounding the Village of Ridgewood’s Schedler property.

Beyond the asbestos issues previously reported, official correspondence confirms that a formal discharge of hazardous substances has been documented at the site as the Village seeks state funding for remediation.

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Hazardous Discharge Officially Documented in HDSRF Application

Correspondence dated July 31 reveals that the NJDEP has been actively reviewing Ridgewood’s application for the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF)—a state program that assists municipalities with site cleanup costs.

As part of the application process, the NJDEP requested property deeds, insurance payment details, redevelopment plans, and formal confirmation from a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP).

In response, environmental consulting firm Matrix provided a definitive declaration on behalf of the project:

“A discharge of hazardous substances has been documented at the subject site.”

This formal confirmation marks a critical shift, moving the project from suspected contamination to confirmed hazardous discharge under state regulatory oversight.

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Uncovering the “Farmer’s Dump Area”

The latest records repeatedly reference a section of the Schedler property designated as the “farmer’s dump area.”

During recent excavation activities, Matrix reported discovering significant quantities of buried solid waste and debris, including:

• Two crushed steel drums

• A large section of buried asphalt and concrete

• Old appliances, including a stove and a water heater

• Miscellaneous household and scrap metal debris

As of August 7, operations to excavate and remove this buried waste were still underway.

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Chemical Contamination and Groundwater Concerns

Environmental testing at the site has identified chemical exceedances above state safety thresholds:

1. Benzo(a)pyrene: Soil testing revealed levels exceeding the NJDEP Residential Direct Contact Soil Remediation Standard.

2. Heptachlor Epoxide: Testing detected levels of this pesticide compound exceeding the state’s Migration-to-Groundwater Standard.

While the current NJDEP documents do not state that groundwater or nearby private wells are contaminated, the migration-to-groundwater exceedance raises urgent community questions—particularly for neighboring residents who rely on private drinking wells.

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Solid Waste Removal vs. Full Site Remediation: A Crucial Distinction

In its communications, the NJDEP highlighted an important regulatory distinction that local residents and officials should track closely: Solid-waste compliance and deeming a site fully remediated are separate regulatory matters.

Resolving immediate solid waste issues or passing post-excavation soil tests does not automatically mean the state has issued a final declaration that the entire Schedler property is fully remediated.

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Key Questions Remaining for Community Oversight

As environmental investigations continue, several critical questions remain unanswered:

• Drum Contents: What was originally stored inside the crushed steel drums discovered underground?

• Scope of Dump Site: How far does the “farmer’s dump area” extend, and where were the materials buried?

• Groundwater Safeguards: What specific testing and monitoring will be conducted to verify that nearby private wells remain safe?

• Next Steps: What additional follow-up testing will NJDEP require following the heptachlor epoxide exceedance?

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