Toms River doesn't get a penny out of Ciba-Geigy deal. Sunday rally aims to stop that

TOMS RIVER - Save Barnegat Bay will host a "Pep Rally for Our River" on Sunday, Nov. 12, at Silverton Farms, as the environmental group continues its fight against the state's settlement of a natural resources damage lawsuit involving the Ciba-Geigy Corp. Superfund site.

The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the farm, located at 1520 Silverton Road. There will be live music, food games, a special performance by the Toms River South Marching Indians Band and a "sneak peek" of a new Save Barnegat Bay documentary, "CONfluence." The event is free.

Save Barnegat Bay and Toms River are challenging the state Department of Environmental Protection's settlement with BASF, which purchased the Ciba-Geigy property in 2009. Some experts who are assisting Save Barnegat Bay with the fight will be on hand Sunday to speak to residents.

Both Toms River and the environmental advocacy group contend the state failed to accurately quantify the damage done to the Toms River, groundwater and land during Ciba-Geigy's more than 40 years of industrial dye-making operations. The land has been on the federal Superfund list since the early 1980s.

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The settlement between the state and BASF was approved by Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette in August. LaTourette has described it as a "very, very good deal" because it permanently protects groundwater under the property. The agreement ended a 2007 lawsuit the state filed against Ciba, accusing the company of damaging New Jersey's natural resources.

The settlement would preserve 1,000 acres of the nearly 1,400-acre property, but would allow BASF to develop 250 acres of land along Route 37.

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The settlement includes development of portions of the property for public access, including building an environmental center, a pollinator garden and a boardwalk that would allow access to the property for hiking and birdwatching. LaTourette has estimated the cost of the improvements on the land at $35 million to $40 million, to be paid by BASF.

The current settlement requires BASF to give $500,000 to the state; Toms River will receive none of that money.

Experts hired by Save Barnegat Bay told an audience at the group's annual meeting this summer that they believe the DEP has underestimated the magnitude of the natural resources damages caused by Ciba-Geigy's dye-making operations by as much as 90%.

Silverton Farm is owned by Thomas Nivison, who won election to a township council seat on Nov. 7 as part of Republican Mayor-elect Daniel Rodrick's ticket.

Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 40 years. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle,  jmikle@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rally in Toms River to fight NJ Ciba-Geigy pollution settlement