We’re happy to see some progress on ridding the Keegan Landfill of the rotten egg smell that’s been plaguing Kearny and its residents over the last year. But, like Mayor Al Santos, we want to see more done to ensure this problem goes away for good.

Last week, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which owns the landfill, said it will no longer accept, among other things, types of drywall that contain higher amounts of hydrogen sulfide, which can emit a rotten egg smell.

It also met the April 1 deadline set by the state Department of Environmental Protection to submit a monitor action plan, which the DEP said last week it was reviewing.

These are all positive steps but without an overarching plan that’s reviewed in the open to the public’s satisfaction, Kearny residents will be right to remain wary.

The plan needs to spell out not only how the NJSEA will watch for foul odors but also how much longer the landfill will remain in operation; how high it will be allowed to grow; what steps must be taken to ensure no hazardous materials get into the groundwater or the nearby Hackensack River; and what steps must be taken to ensure soil and other materials aren’t blown around on windy days.

As we noted last month in calling for the state to suspend operations there, the Keegan Landfill has been a sore point for Kearny and Hudson County for decades.

Kearny had owned the property and was looking forward to the day when the current construction materials that are being dumped there topped out at 65 feet, covering contaminated fill below, so it could close and cap the landfill and start turning it into a recreation area.

But the NJSEA swooped in using eminent domain and is now looking to keep it growing to 100 feet.

News of last week’s developments left Santos hopeful, but nonetheless skeptical.

“On paper, that’s very positive,’’ Santos told The Jersey Journal. “In order to make that meaningful and have real change, there has to be an independent monitor there.’’

We agree. The DEP should, too, for the sake of Kearny residents and the greater Hudson County community.

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