New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Long Branch Plant Site
Update
Long Branch, Monmouth County
July 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 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
Red Brick Building
NJNG recently proposed additional investigation to delineate the extent
of trichloroethene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) contamination in
the soil beneath the concrete pad where the red brick building was located,
as well as ground water sampling to evaluate potential ground water
impacts. NJDEP conditionally approved the additional work in July. Following
the completion of the soil and ground water investigation, NJNG will
submit a Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP) to address the subsurface
soils. If ground water impacts are found, they will be addressed as
part of the site-wide ground water remedial action.
Soil Gas Investigation
Based on the preliminary findings of the well point investigation, NJNG
plans to conduct a soil gas investigation to assess potential vapor
intrusion at Talco and Atlantic Plumbing. NJNG is expected to submit
a work plan detailing its proposals to investigate the vapors on August
22, 2005. Once approved by NJDEP, NJNG will implement the work and then
submit a report documenting the findings. A due date for the report
has not been established, but NJDEP expects to receive it sometime in
the fall of 2005.
Ground Water Investigation
NJDEP continues to work with NJNG regarding the submission of a Final
Ground Water Remedial Investigation Report (RIR) and a Ground Water
RAWP for the site. At this time, additional delineation of dense non-aqueous
phase liquid (DNAPL) and further evaluation of possible ground water
remedies is warranted. A work plan for these activities is due on August
15, 2005. Upon approval by NJDEP, NJNG will implement the additional
studies and present the findings in the RIR. NJDEP has recommended that
NJNG submit a combined RIR/RAWP on or before January 31, 2006. NJNG
agreed to submit the combined RIR/RAWP, but requested a due date of
March 6, 2006. NJDEP is considering this request.
On-Site Portion of Troutmans Creek
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.
NJNG submitted an unrestricted use RAWP in February 2005 and NJDEP issued
a conditional approval letter on April 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
On August 8, 2005, NJNG is expected to submit a RIR summarizing the
results of the creek sampling it conducted. NJDEP and CCC have agreed
to postpone consideration of any additional creek sampling until NJNG
has submitted its report.
In May NJDEP issued its report on the sampling that it conducted in
December 2004. Copies of the report were provided to CCC. NJDEP gave
a presentation on the findings during the July 28th meeting of the CCC.
NJDEP received comments from the CCC regarding its report and issued
a response on August 4, 2005. CCC and NJDEP agreed to hold a conference
call to discuss NJNG’s RIR, incorporating their findings with
the Department’s results, and conclusions/recommendations for
further actions. The date of the conference call is yet to be established.
- Off-Site Residential Areas
NJDEP collected soil samples from the right-of-ways along Long Branch
Avenue, Seaview Avenue and Ellis Avenue and from Grant Court in May
2005. These samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile
organic compounds, total petroleum hydrocarbons and metals. The laboratory
data are currently undergoing quality assurance/quality control review.
NJDEP expects to issue a report detailing its findings in the late summer
or early fall of 2005.
- 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 (RAR) in January 2006, with the exception of
the culvert (see below).
Remedial Activities Conducted in July 2005
- Conducted de-watering Block 400 Lot 6 and the Long Branch Sewerage
Authority (LBSA) property (Block 401 Lot 23). To date approximately
17,571,800 gallons of ground water have been pumped, treated at the
on-site wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to remove contaminants, and
discharged to the LBSA.
- Completed restoration of Block 400 Lot 7 and LBSA property.
- Continued on-site processing/handling of contaminated soil for subsequent
transport to off-site treatment facility. To date approximately 26,000
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 August 2005
- Excavate and backfill remaining portions of Block 400 Lot 6, and
Block 400 Lot 5.01.
- Process/handle contaminated soil on site, followed by transport to
off-site treatment facility.
- Conduct land surveying, dust suppression, odor control and air monitoring.
- Restoration of Block 400 Lot 6 (topsoil and seeding).
- Decontaminate sprung enclosure, heavy equipment and trucks.
Culvert Status
Regarding the culvert area that connects the on-site portion of Troutmans
Creek to the off-site portion of Troutmans Creek north of Seaview Avenue,
the permit issue (Tidelands Conveyance) was not resolved in July. As a
result, removal of the culvert and underlying contamination will be conducted
during the remediation of the sediments in the off-site portion of Troutmans
Creek. NJNG and NJDEP expect this remediation will occur in the spring
and summer of 2006.
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