Acting Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak announced the appointment of Joseph J. Seebode to the role of Deputy Commissioner to advance the Sherrill Administration’s environmental goals.

As Deputy Commissioner, Seebode will serve as second in command for the DEP and will be responsible for continuing the agency’s successes in developing and implementing policies that protect air and water quality, advance climate resilience, preserve natural resources, provide quality open space for the public, and ensure environmental justice, among many other roles. “Joe’s on-the-ground experience advancing projects with the Army Corps will be a major asset in accomplishing the Sherill Administration’s mission to deliver for the people of New Jersey by reducing permitting times while protecting health, safety and environment,” Acting Commissioner Potosnak said. “In particular, his wealth of knowledge in building and growing partnerships will be critical to ensuring the protection of our air, land, water and natural resources.”Seebode, an environmental engineer with more than 40 years of experience, including a stint as a DEP Assistant Commissioner in the early 2000s, returns to the DEP after an exciting and fulfilling public service career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he most recently served as the Deputy District Engineer and Chief of Programs and Project Management for the New York District.“I am excited to return to DEP and work with its deeply talented team of scientists, engineers and professionals to continue raising the bar on environmental protection, stewardship and permitting turnaround times,” Deputy Commissioner Seebode said. “From coastal resilience to brownfields redevelopment, the projects and policies we undertake today will protect and strengthen our environment for future generations.” In his most recent role at the Army Corps, Seebode oversaw an interdisciplinary team of engineers and scientists delivering major military and civil works construction and regional infrastructure improvements in New York, New Jersey and Greenland. While at the Army Corps, Seebode’s leadership helped guide post-Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts such as the removal of water from flooded tunnels, emergency dredging, coastline repair work and debris removal. He also oversaw other major initiatives for the New York District, including a $2.1 billion deepening project for the Port of New York and New Jersey and a comprehensive environmental restoration strategy for the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary. Seebode’s post-Sandy efforts and the port-deepening project earned him the prestigious Richard J. Sullivan Award in December 2025 for his dedication to advancing coastal resilience, environmental restoration and sustainable water management. The award is part of the DEP’s annual Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards program. From 2003 to 2006, Seebode served as a DEP Assistant Commissioner on an intergovernmental detail, overseeing a team engaged in a wide array of environmental engineering and remediation activities. Seebode earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Manhattan College after graduating from Seton Hall Prep and is a proud member of the Seton Hall Prep Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites community-based organizations across the state to apply for grants to participate in its annual Youth Inclusion Initiative. The six-week summer program provides young people from eligible communities with training in environmental careers, building a more inclusive workforce and boosting community connections. Local environmental organizations, higher education institutions, and community advocacy or religious groups can now apply for grants that provide up to $100,000 per organization to support the recruitment, supervision, and mentorship of participants aged 16 to 20. Grant details can be accessed at dep.nj.gov/yii/grant/.

Continue reading “DEP Seeks Community Partners For Its Annual Youth Inclusion Initiative to Empower Future Environmental Leaders” →

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a plan to clean up contaminated sediment, soil and industrial waste in Pierson’s Creek, a 1.5-mile waterway that runs through an industrial area in Newark, New Jersey. The proposed plan targets remediation in areas with high levels of mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead and other hazardous substances linked to historic industrial operations. This marks the first major phase of cleanup at the superfund site.

“This plan marks major progress in our work to protect human health and clean up a waterway that has long suffered from industrial pollution,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “EPA is working hard to Power the Great American Comeback, which includes providing clean water for all Americans. This proposed cleanup plan is designed to reduce risk and help Newark reclaim a healthier environment for future generations.”

EPA’s proposed plan includes the following actions:

• Remove contaminated creek sediment:

EPA would excavate and dispose of the top two feet of contaminated sediment along the full length of the creek. In a smaller, highly contaminated area near the upper section of the creek, EPA would remove all impacted sediment.

• Install a protective cap:

This involves placing an engineered cap over remaining sediment to prevent exposure and stop contaminants from spreading.

• Remove heavily contaminated bank soil:

This would be achieved by fully removing soil along portions of the creek banks that contain oily chemical waste (known as non-aqueous phase liquid or NAPL) from past industrial activity.

• Clean enclosed sections of the creek:

EPA would flush out and dispose of contaminated sediment from sections of the creek that flow underground through enclosed pipes and concrete channels.

• Restore wetlands and monitor over the long term:

EPA would restore disturbed wetlands by replating native species as needed and conduct long-term monitoring to ensure the cleanup remains protective.

Pierson’s Creek flows beneath Newark Liberty International Airport and the New Jersey Turnpike before emptying into Newark Bay. Contamination in the creek and along its banks comes largely from historical chemical manufacturing activities at nearby properties, including a former facility at One Avenue L. Due to its complexity, EPA is conducting the Pierson’s Creek site cleanup in phases. The current proposed plan focuses on contamination in the creek and along its banks. A separate area at the former chemical manufacturing facility at One Avenue L is still under investigation. EPA expects to propose a cleanup approach for that area in 2027.

EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed plan for 30 days, beginning January 15 and ending February 17. The public may submit written comments to Brandon Holsten, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2890 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837 or by email to Holsten.Brandon@epa.gov.

EPA will also hold a virtual public meeting on January 27 at 6:30 p.m. to provide an overview of the cleanup proposal and answer community questions. To receive the meeting link, please register on the meeting registration page.

Visit the Pierson’s Creek Superfund Site profile page for additional background and site documents.

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