Solid lead materials found at edge of bay Contamination was also found at nearby creek in April BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer Unusually high levels of lead were found along parts of the seawall at the Laurence Harbor beachfront in Old Bridge. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) found exposed lead in the seawall parallel to Bayview Drive after an investigation led the agency to test the area, according to Mayor Jim Phillips. "I want to assure everyone that this issue will continue to receive the full and immediate attention of the township and the NJDEP," Phillips said. Access to the contaminated area has been restricted with emergency fencing, according to Township Council President Pat Gillespie. The lead findings are the second in Old Bridge this year. In April, the DEP found high levels of lead nearby along Margaret's Creek, on land the state was looking into buying from the township as part of its Blue Acres program. The two areas in question are contiguous, with the seawall located just north of Margaret's Creek. "The investigation by the DEP has led them to believe that the people who filled in the Margaret's Creek area also filled in along the Bayview Drive seawall," Phillips said. According to the mayor, the fill was put there around 1970 and was thought to be construction debris. Since environmental laws were much less stringent at that time, local officials are unclear about the course of action that would be taken if the responsible party is found. Gillespie did say, however, that the intent is to have the responsible party pay for cleanup, along with the emergency fencing and other associated costs. "[The year] 1970 was around the turning point of the environmental movement; 1970 and prior, things were vastly different," DEP spokesman Lawrence Hajna said. Hajna said the investigation is ongoing, and no determination has been made as to who was responsible for the lead fill. The lead that was found consisted of ingots, which are solid masses cast into bars or other forms to later be processed. Due to the fact that it is in solid form, the lead would not pose a danger unless it was picked up and ingested, Hajna said. "Once the DEP alerted us to the fact there was lead there, we ordered additional testing," Gillespie said. "The biggest concern for us was [the possibility] that it was in the air." Further testing showed that no lead had leached into the air or water near the site. Phillips added that the nearby playground area showed no contamination. The township sent letters to all adjacent property owners to alert them of the situation, according to Phillips. Township officials have pledged to the DEP and the Middlesex County Public Health Department that they will do whatever it takes to ensure residents' safety and amend the situation, Gillespie said. Phillips praised the efforts of the DEP, along with their vigilance in making the connection between the two contaminated areas through its investigation. Additional testing will be conducted in the area by both the township and the DEP.