An environmental group, Save Barnegat Bay, has claimed that toxic waste dumping in Toms River, New Jersey, has caused approximately $1 billion in environmental harm. The group argues that the New Jersey state government has inadequately assessed the damage and overlooked the broader regional impact of the pollution. As part of a settlement, BASF, the current owner of the contaminated site, has agreed to pay $500,000 and conduct nine restoration programs to address the environmental damage caused by the previous owner, Ciba-Geigy. However, Save Barnegat Bay contends that this settlement is insufficient given the scale of the harm inflicted on the local ecosystem and community. New Jersey state officials defend their damage assessment, stating that it reflects the actual impact of the pollution. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of holding corporations accountable for environmental degradation and the need for more stringent regulations to protect natural resources. [db3f772d]