New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Long Branch Plant Site
Update
Long Branch, Monmouth County
May 2005
(For historical information about activities
that NJDEP and NJNG have conducted at these areas, please refer to the
monthly updates NJDEP has provided
to CCC since January 2005.)
This monthly report is provided in response to a request by the Concerned
Citizens Coalition of Long Branch (CCC) for monthly updates on work conducted
and planned at four areas associated with the former Long Branch Manufactured
Gas Plant (MGP). These areas are:
- the former MGP (including the former Conrail properties, the eastern
off-site property, and the former Jerry Morgan Park)
- the off-site portion of Troutmans Creek that flows north of the MGP
- residential areas where the community has expressed concern about
potential soil contamination (Long Branch Avenue, Seaview Avenue, Grant
Court and Ellis Avenue)
- the former Seaview Manor housing complex
All work is consistent with NJDEP’s Technical Requirements for
Site Remediation, which were developed to ensure remedial actions protect
human health and the environment.
- Long Branch Plant
NJNG’s contractor finished removing the debris from the red brick
building in April, and only the concrete slab remains. A geophysical
investigation of the area beneath the slab revealed underground piping.
However, due to depth limitations of the ground penetrating radar and
interference from the metal bars that reinforce the concrete, the determination
whether there are any underground tanks will have to be done when NJNG
removes the slab. NJNG will dismantle the slab in stages, removing any
contaminated soil that is found and evaluating the area for underground
tanks. If underground storage tanks are discovered during this process,
they will be registered with NJDEP, properly closed, and post-excavation
sampling will be conducted. If no underground tanks are discovered,
post-remediation soil sampling will still be conducted by NJNG. Any
excavated areas will be filled with layers of stone, geo-textile fabric
and clean soil in a manner consistent with the remedial action performed
at the rest of the MGP. NJNG conducted soil sampling beneath the slab
during May 2005 as an interim measure.
NJNG’s is currently evaluating the results of the well point investigation
that was conducted during April 2005. NJNG will incorporate the findings
of the well point investigation into a Final Ground Water Monitoring
Report, which is due in October 2005. NJNG is scheduled to submit a
Ground Water Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP) for the site in late 2005.
Remediation of the southern on-site portion of the Troutmans Creek is
still pending, as this work cannot be implemented until NJNG obtains
access from the owner of Atlantic Plumbing Supply Company (APSC) property.
NJDEP previously approved a Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP) that proposed
a restricted use remedial action for the APSC property subject to NJNG
obtaining the property owner’s consent. However, the owner did
not consent, therefore NJDEP required NJNG to submit an unrestricted
use RAWP for the APSC property. NJNG submitted the second RAWP on February
15, 2005 and the NJDEP issued a conditional approval letter on April
5, 2005. The unrestricted use remedial action will be implemented once
NJNG has negotiated access to the property. Should the parties fail
to reach an agreement, NJNG has indicated that litigation may be necessary.
- Troutmans Creek
NJNG completed soil sampling along the creek banks between Seaview Avenue
and Joline Avenue during May 2005. A Remedial Investigation Report summarizing
the results of all of creek sampling conducted by NJNG is due on August
8, 2005. NJDEP and CCC have agreed to postpone consideration of any
additional sampling of the creek until NJNG has submitted its report.
Also in May, NJDEP issued its report on the sampling that it conducted
in December 2004 and copies were provided to CCC.
- Off-Site Residential Areas
NJDEP collected soil samples from various locations around the site
in order to address concerns expressed by community members about potential
off-site soil contamination during May 2005. Soil samples were collected
from the right-of-ways along Long Branch Avenue, Seaview Avenue and
Ellis Avenue and from Grant Court. NJDEP expects to issue a report detailing
its findings in the late summer or early fall.
- Seaview Manor
NJNG is in the process of removing all of the contaminated soil from
areas where buildings are to be re-built, and a minimum of two feet
of contaminated soil from the other areas. The schedule calls for substantial
completion of remedial activities by September 2005 and submission of
a Remedial Action Report in January 2006, with the exception of the
culvert (see below).
Remedial Activities Conducted in May 2005
- Continued to de-water portions of Block 400 Lot 7. To date approximately
16,000,000 gallons of ground water have been pumped, treated at the
on-site wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to remove contaminants, and
discharged to the Long Branch Sewerage Authority (LBSA).
- Continued to excavate contaminated soil to a depth of twelve feet
on the northern portion of Block 400, Lot 7.
- Completed excavation of contaminated soil from Grant Court and property
restoration.
- Continued on-site processing/handling of contaminated soil for subsequent
transport to off-site treatment facility. To date approximately 20,700
tons of contaminated soil have been processed and transported off site.
- Continued to conduct land surveying, dust suppression, odor control
and air monitoring.
- Continued to decontaminate heavy equipment and trucks.
Remedial Activities Planned for June 2005
- De-water Block 400, Lot 7, followed by on-site treatment and discharge
to LBSA.
- Excavate and backfill remaining portions of Block 400, Lots 6 &
7.
- Process/handle contaminated soil on site, followed by transport to
off-site treatment facility.
- Begin removal of temporary sheet piling.
- Conduct land surveying, dust suppression, odor control and air monitoring.
- Decontaminate heavy equipment and trucks.
Other Upcoming Remedial Activities
After Block 400 Lots 6 & 7 are remediated, NJNG will proceed to
remediate the utility easement (Block 400 Lot 5.01) east of Block 400
Lot 6, and the LBSA property (Block 401 Lot 23).
Culvert: With regard to the culvert area that connects the on-site portion
of Troutmans Creek to the off-site portion of Troutmans Creek north of
Seaview Avenue, a permitting issue has developed which will delay removal
of the culvert and underlying contamination. This work may proceed during
the current mobilization if the permitting issue is resolved in the near
future. If not, NJNG will remove the culvert concurrent with the future
remediation of the northern off-site portion of Troutmans Creek.
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