Lead Contamination at Our Bayfront Beach

I was so excited when Old Bridge turned this area into a real park. Disturbing news of this contamination in recently redeveloped beachfront in Old Bridge Township really strikes a nerve with me. The EPA is going to close these beaches to the public for 5-10 years. Signs will read: "Public health hazard/ Sand sediment and water contaminated with high levels of lead/ Access to the beach and sea wall located behind these signs is restricted/ No swimming/ No sunbathing/ No fishing."

Any readers out there that are familiar with this area know that waterfront access to Raritan bay is limited at best and this closure will mean even less access to our waters. I have enjoyed fishing and exploring this area since the early 80's, so when I started my company, Reel Therapy Kayak Adventures, I chose this spot to share with others.

Fortunately, I was always suspicious of the pollution in this area, so the bluefish and fluke that I caught were released. Reel Therapy Kayak adventures uses this beach as a launch site for our Kayak trips to explore Morgan creek and Cheesequake state park from this access point. This trip enables paddlers to see, up close and personal a marine estuary filled with Osprey, Herons, egrets and loads of marine turtles.

During the evenings in the summer, the entire marsh lights up and offers a spectacular display of fireflies. People swim,crab,fish here.The beach is a big draw for immigrants and they EAT what they catch.There are no signs nor have there ever been any signs stating that this danger was present. Chances are that this toxic condition has been buried and present since the 70's when National lead and other companies were dumping spoils in this area. One has to ask the obvious question. Why did Old Bridge Township recently build a "Waterfront Park" right on top of all this? It's hard to believe that environmental studies and engineering reports on the site did not uncover Lead contamination before the township approved all the funds, groomed the beachfront, built a Parking lot, and even a police substation!