Anthony G. Attrino, NJ.com, February 15, 2017
EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE:
Two years after the church playground rubber chips were installed, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection alerted church officials that hazardous substances had been found on the property and remediation was mandated under state law.
"You have an affirmative obligation to remediate this discharge," the DEP wrote in a letter on June 24, 2015.
The church hired an environmental consulting firm, which analyzed some of the rubber chips.
PCBs, lead and mercury were detected at above levels deemed acceptable in New Jersey, according to the firm, Professional Environmental Associates of Rockaway.
The church claims it spent $247,638.34 for cleanup, remediation, landscaping and replacement of playground equipment.