This Is What A Conflict Of Interest Looks Like
NJ Audubon Provides Conservation Cover For Sale
Sure Looks Like BASF Bought Influence
Source: NJ Audubon Annual Report (2021, page 17)
The screen shot above is from NJ Audubon’s Annual Report (2021), just a portion of page 17.
Note that BASF (highlighted in green) gave more than $1,000 to NJ Audubon – we do not know the total amount – could be $10,000 or $100,000 or even more.
Just to the right and down a row we find a similar contribution from Exxon Mobil Corp., who just so happens to be the former employer of the current CEO of NJ Audubon, Mr. Alex Ireland.
It looks like BASF got a return on investment for that donation.
Mr. Ireland of NJ Audubon praised the BASF settlement with the Murphy DEP – a sweetheart deal that has been harshly criticized by the Mayor, Council, and people of Toms River NJ. (NJ DEP Press Release – 12/5/22):
“New Jersey Audubon enthusiastically supports this use of Natural Resources Damages to create forests and parks in Toms River,” said Alex Ireland, President and CEO of New Jersey Audubon. “Conversion of sites like this into safe, publicly accessible forests and parks should be the model for other similar sites throughout the state, and especially in our urban areas. NJDEP and BASF have worked together to clean up and restore a contaminated area for residents to enjoy. This project is particularly significant in that the funding is going directly back to the community that experienced the damages from contamination. New Jersey Audubon is glad to see that habitat for wildlife and birds will be protected and enjoyed by so many in upcoming years.”
Did you get that?
NJ Audubon “enthusiastically supported” the BASF deal – despite the fact that it was condemned by the people of Toms River.
That NJ Audubon praise got national media attention – and there was no disclosure of any BASF contribution:
Alex Ireland, president and CEO of New Jersey Audubon, similarly praised the agreement for sending funding “directly back to the community that experienced the damages from contamination.” (E&E News, 12/6/22)
Local media printed the quote as well:
The announcement drew praise from environmental advocates immediately Monday.
“New Jersey Audubon enthusiastically supports this use of Natural Resources Damages [settlement] to create forests and parks in Toms River,” said Alex Ireland, President and CEO of New Jersey Audubon.
Ireland supported the BASF deal, despite the fact, that as far as I know, NJ Audubon never did any work on the Ciba-Geigy (BASF) site and lacks any staff expertise in toxic site cleanup issues.
Support, despite the fact that I doubt whether Alex Ireland ever set foot in Toms River.
But NJ Audubon did receive a confidential briefing before DEP announced the deal publicly – a courtesy DEP did not provide to the Toms River community and local government.
So what could explain all that?
Sure looks like a corrupt pay-to-play scheme to me.
Regardless, it is a gross and undisclosed conflict of interest and needs to be called out.