Ford to Pay for Ringwood Toxic Cleanup, Gain Legal Protection

By Editorial Team

Ford Motor Co. is set to cover the remaining cleanup expenses at the Ringwood Mines Superfund site in Passaic County, New Jersey. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates the cleanup costs to be around $3.4 million. This agreement would also involve Ford reimbursing New Jersey and the federal government for any remediation costs they have already shouldered. In exchange for this financial commitment, prosecutors would refrain from filing site-related lawsuits against Ford in the future.

The proposed consent decree is currently pending and is subject to a public comment period and court approval. This legal agreement arises from a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice and the state attorney general, demanding that Ford take responsibility for cleaning up the toxic waste site where the company had historically dumped hazardous chemicals and parts.

Ringwood Mines, a former iron mining area, became a dumping ground for toxic waste and chemicals such as benzene, arsenic, lead, sludge, and paint cans by Ford during the mid-20th century. While the Environmental Protection Agency declared the site safe in 2025, a study conducted by NYU-Langone Health revealed ongoing dangers to public health due to high levels of lead and arsenic in the soil.

The contamination at Ringwood led to the displacement of members of the Turtle Clan of the Ramapough Lenape Nation, an Indigenous group that has inhabited the region for centuries. The toxic pollution caused severe health issues among tribal members, including cancer.

The proposed deal under the Superfund law mandates that Ford must notify federal and state officials of any emergencies or releases during the cleanup process. It also grants the EPA the authority to monitor the remediation efforts and scrutinize Ford’s cleanup work for up to a year after the agreement is finalized.

New Jersey, which has the highest number of Superfund sites in the country, stands to benefit from federal infrastructure laws that support Superfund cleanup efforts. The agreement with Ford represents a significant step towards addressing environmental contamination and protecting public health in the Ringwood area.