Ocean County Pushes for Local Oversight of $450 Million Settlement to Address PFAS Pollution

Ocean County, NJ, officials want more control over 3M’s $450 million PFAS/PFOS settlement. Nonbiodegradable “forever chemicals” cause cancer. County leaders advise local governments to fight contamination with settlement funds.

The state settled 3M Salem and Middlesex County pollution lawsuits early this year. The deal was praised as a historic step toward addressing PFAS contamination in New Jersey, but Ocean County officials worry that the DEP controls too many funds, leaving affected towns without enough for water treatment and environmental cleanup.

Due to PFAS contamination in local groundwater, Commissioner Robert S. Arace advised towns to invest heavily in water treatment infrastructure to ensure safe drinking water. He warned that state-level management alone could slow resource delivery to contaminated communities. Deputy Director Frank Sadeghi said local oversight would boost county infrastructure and environmental funding.

Ocean County Board proposes using settlement funds for impact and remediation in all 21 counties. They say this method funds polluted areas, not state bureaucracy. Municipalities can better assess PFAS pollution, prioritize treatment, and serve residents. Sadeghi said.

PFAS may have contaminated Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst water from firefighting foam. Ocean County advocates believe giving municipalities more settlement resource control would accelerate and focus public health and water safety efforts.

While the state vs. local control debate continues, Ocean County leaders say PFAS-affected communities must be prioritized. Pollution response teams need funding to clean up, protect public health, and prevent regional environmental damage.

Sources
Ocean County Commission statements, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection updates, local news reports on PFAS contamination and settlements.