Cleanup of Rotting Seaweed Begins

The cleanup of rotting seaweed in the township's Seawood Harbor section is under way.

Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis ordered township officials to after residents of the neighborhood flocked to a township council meeting Tuesday, saying they were getting sick.

Rotting seaweed that had become trapped in the bay adjacent to the neighborhood had caused hydrogen sulfide to be released into the air, causing a noxious odor in the air and what several residents reported as sore throats to vomiting.

County, state and federal agencies had all investigated the seaweed over the course of nearly two weeks, but residents told township officials at the meeting that none of those agencies seemed to be willing to do anything to get rid of the problem. The pleas from residents prompted Acropolis to make the call that, despite the potential for fines from the state, the township should step in to help the local residents.

One resident of the community, Steve Smith, said he owned a construction firm that could remove the seaweed from the bay. Acropolis said Thursday that Smith followed through with his promise, and crews from his company, aided by the township and county, finally started removing the seaweed from the bay Thursday.

"He not only talked the talk, but walked the walk," Acropolis said of Smith.

Acropolis also said that once township officials notified the county about the plan to take the lead in removing the seaweed, county agencies offered to help, and provided some pieces of equipment.

Acropolis said the crews hope to have most of the rotting seaweed removed by the end of the day Friday.