FORD MOTOR CO. SITE www.ringwoodsiteupdate.com

RINGWOOD - Ford Motor Co. has set up a Web site focused on the toxic waste cleanup in Upper Ringwood, giving updates on excavation work and plans for future testing there.

The site was launched as a way to keep residents and borough officials informed of developments, and to answer frequently asked questions, specifically on the dumping and cleanup history, a Ford spokesman said.

"We spoke with Ringwood officials about how to best communicate with them and the residents," Jon Holt said. "We've done some mailings, and we will have some community meetings, but we thought this would be the best way to get updates out there."

Ford is in the middle of its fifth cleanup at the site after dumping industrial waste, including paint sludge and solvents, from 1967 to 1973. Ford, which operated a plant in Mahwah, once owned about 500 acres in Ringwood.

Dried sludge still sticks out of lawns and near a hiking trail in Ringwood State Park. Ford contractors are excavating tons of the substance in the park while creating work plans for testing soil, sediment and open iron mine pits.

The Environmental Protection Agency, which is overseeing the cleanup, is still battling with residents.

Residents want a plan spelled out in detail, including what will happen to them if they cannot live in their houses during the cleanup. But EPA officials will only promise to restore properties to their current conditions and won't talk specifics beyond that. No work has begun on the residential properties.

The former mining area is home to about 500 Ramapough Mountain Indians who claim the leftover toxic waste is the cause of their many serious illnesses and premature deaths. They want Ford to fund health monitoring as well complete a thorough cleanup.

Ford has promised to "do what is necessary to get the area cleaned" but has not commented on the health-monitoring request.In addition to the Web site, residents can also call a toll free number set up by the EPA to report newly discovered sludge, (877) 494-1308.