About the Proposed Settlement Agreement

On Dec. 5, 2022, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection proposed a settlement with BASF Corporation to resolve claims regarding natural resources injured by the discharge of hazardous substances, contaminants, or other pollutants at the Ciba-Geigy Superfund Site in Toms River. The primary natural resource injury to be resolved by the proposed settlement is contaminated groundwater.

Under the proposed settlement, BASF would permanently preserve approximately 1,000 acres of land that would function as a groundwater recharge area. Under this preservation approach, the permanent groundwater recharge area would compensate the public for longstanding contamination of groundwater caused by Ciba Geigy. Additionally, BASF would perform natural resource restoration and/or enhancement activities upon 375 acres of the preserved land through a variety of ecological improvement projects. Lastly, BASF would construct public amenities, including an environmental education center, walkways, and natural resource interpretative aids, to promote public awareness of natural resources benefits. For further information, please read the full version of the draft settlement agreement.

March 13, 2023 Meeting Materials

• Meeting Presentation
• Meeting Recording
• Comment Audio

• To obtain details on the status of the cleanup, please visit the following EPA website:  CIBA-GEIGY CORP. | Superfund Site Profile | Superfund Site Information | US EPA
• NJDOH Public Health Assessment
• USEPA Site Redevelopment Profile
• USEPA Health & Environment page

Other Matters Involving the Ciba-Geigy Superfund Site

The discharge of hazardous substances, contaminants, or other pollutants at the Ciba-Geigy site in Toms River has led to numerous civil and criminal claims and penalties against Ciba-Geigy. The proposed settlement is separate from and in addition to those matters, which included:

• Administrative and judicial actions by the State against Ciba-Geigy for remedial actions and monetary penalties
• Criminal indictments brought by the State against Ciba-Geigy and certain individuals
• Federal Superfund site designation leading to the investigation and remediation of the site
• Personal injury lawsuits against Ciba-Geigy by affected persons
• Property damage lawsuits against Ciba-Geigy by affected property owners