New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Long Branch Plant Site
Update
Long Branch, Monmouth County
December 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.
* 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. |
1) Long Branch Plant
Red Brick Building
In October 2005 NJNG began field activities to delineate the trichloroethene
(TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) contamination in the soil beneath the
concrete pad where the red brick building was located, and ground water
sampling to evaluate potential ground water impacts. NJNG was scheduled
to submit a Remedial Investigation Report/Remedial Action Work Plan (RIR/RAWP)
to address the subsurface soils in November 2005. However, NJNG did not
begin the field activities for this area of the site until October 2005
and NJDEP is currently working with NJNG regarding an acceptable due date
for the RIR/RAWP. NJDEP expects to render a decision in January 2006.
The remedy would essentially consist of removing the remaining concrete
slabs, any underground storage tanks (if they exist) and contaminated
soil, followed by capping the area consistent with the rest of the site.
If ground water impacts are found, they will be addressed as part of the
site-wide ground water remedial action.
Soil Gas Investigation
In August 2005 NJNG submitted a Sub-Slab Sampling Remedial Investigation
Work Plan (RIWP) that detailed proposals to investigate potential vapor
intrusion at the Talco and Atlantic Plumbing Supply Company (APSC) buildings.
NJDEP conditionally approved the RIWP in September 2005 and the sampling
for the Talco property is completed. NJDEP expects to receive a RIR summarizing
the findings of the soil gas investigation for the Talco property in February
2006. However, a court order issued as a result of the litigation between
NJNG and APSC states that NJNG cannot have access to the APSC property
until APSC vacates it, which should occur in September 2006. Remedial
efforts will commence after this date.
Ground Water Investigation
In September 2005 NJDEP conditionally approved NJNG’s Remedial Investigation
Work Plan/Ground Water Pilot Test Work Plan, which contained proposals
to delineate the dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) and conduct ground
water treatment studies. NJNG mobilized its contractor during December
2005 and is still expected to meet their deadline of March 6, 2005 for
submission of a combined RIR/RAWP to address site-wide ground water issues.
On-Site Portion of Troutmans Creek
Remediation of the southern on-site portion of the Troutmans Creek is
pending since this work cannot be implemented until NJNG is allowed access
to the APSC property. As noted above, these efforts will start after September
2006.
2) Troutmans Creek
NJNG is expected to submit an Interim Remedial Action Work Plan in February
2006 detailing its proposals to implement the following:
- complete remediation of the corrugated metal pipe culvert in accordance
with NJDEP’s conditional approval letter dated 11/3/04;
- remove all contaminated sediments from the concrete box culvert beneath
Seaview Avenue continuing north with in the creek channel to the southern
end of the Joline Avenue bridge (at a minimum);
- remove the free/residual product from the creek and the creek banks.
NJNG is also expected to submit an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA),
including, but not limited to, conducting a benthic community survey,
sediment toxicity testing and collecting sediment samples for analysis
of site-related contaminants. The ERA is necessary to complete the Remedial
Investigation and satisfy NJDEP’s “Technical Requirements
for Site Remediation.”
3) 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. NJDEP expects
to issue an RIR detailing its findings in January 2006.
4) Seaview Manor
NJDEP finished reviewing the Remedial Action Report (RAR) that NJNG
submitted for Block 400, Lot 7 and on December 16, 2005 issued a letter
requesting that NJNG furnish additional information and documentation
within 90 days. NJDEP expects NJNG to submit a separate RAR for the remaining
parcels by January 13, 2006, except for the culvert (see below).
Culvert Status
NJNG removed two feet of soil from the culvert area and capped it during
the remedial action for Block 400, Lots 6 and 7. The removal of the culvert
and any underlying contamination will occur in the spring and summer of
2006.
|
