Overhead view of Berry's Creek, a tidal tributary to the Hackensack River.

Site history: Depending upon the contaminant of concern, the amounts discharged have varied over time; however, chronic release of hazardous substances began as early as 1929.

Location: Berry's Creek is a tidal tributary to the Hackensack River, located in Bergen County, New Jersey within the New Jersey Meadowlands. The current Natural Resource Damage (NRD) assessment area includes Berry's Creek and the canal and their associated tidal wetlands from the headwaters to the confluence with the Hackensack River.

• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Case status: Pre Assessment Phase.

Overview: State and federal natural resource trustees are conducting a natural resource damage assessment for Berry's Creek. The purpose of the natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) would be to assess and restore the public's natural resources and services, possibly injured by the release of hazardous substances. This water body has a long history of degraded water quality and sediment contamination. Discharges from the Ventron/Velsicol, Universal Oil Products, and Scientific Chemical Processing facility, and other facilities in the area around Berry's Creek have contaminated Berry's Creek and surrounding waterways and wetlands with mercury and other chemicals. The release of these contaminants has impaired natural resources (such as fish, shellfish, and wildlife) and/or human use of these resources. Mercury concentrations in Berry's Creek are at levels much greater than those considered to be protective of wildlife and are among the highest levels known to exist in freshwater ecosystems in the United States. The extent of contamination and its effect on natural resources and their services will determine the amount and type of restoration needed to address any associated injuries.