A judge on Monday rejected an attempt by environmental activists and a state lawmaker to intervene in New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to settle a contamination case with Exxon Mobil Corp. XOM 0.24 % for $225 million, a significant setback in the effort to scuttle the deal. Superior Court Judge Michael Hogan ruled that the interests of the environmental groups and Sen. Raymond Lesniak were adequately represented by the state Department of Environmental Protection, the original party in the 11-year dispute. The environmental groups say the proposed $225 million settlement doesn’t cover the damage caused by Exxon’s refineries to an area spanning more than 1,500 acres of wetlands, meadows and waterways near Bayonne. The state initially sought $8.9 billion from Exxon. The groups and Mr. Lesniak “have done nothing to overcome the presumption of adequate representation that arises when they share the same ultimate goal with an original […]