New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Long Branch Plant Site
Update
Long Branch, Monmouth County
May-June 2006
This report is provided in response to a request by the Concerned
Citizens Coalition of Long Branch (CCC) for monthly updates from
the Site Remediation and Waste Management Program (SRWM) 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, eastern
off-site property, and 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. The updates are available
at www.nj.gov/dep/srp/community/highlights.htm.
For more information, see NJDEP’s Environmental Justice web
page at https://www.nj.gov/dep/ej.
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1) Long Branch Plant
Red Brick Building
NJDEP has reviewed the Remedial Investigation Report (RIR) for this area,
which NJNG submitted this past spring, and planned to issue written comments
in late May of 2006. However, NJDEP postponed issuing its written comments
is response to the commitment made during a recent meeting with CCC and
its advisors. In summary, it was agreed that the CCC would be afforded
two weeks from receipt of technical documents from NJNG to provide comments
to NJDEP and NJNG. NJDEP would not issue its comments until considering
the CCC’s comments, unless CCC’s comments were not received
within the two-week period. NJNG has indicated that it is finalizing the
remedy selection concurrent with NJDEP’s review of the RIR and will
be prepared to submit the Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP) in the summer
of 2006.
Atlantic Plumbing and Supply Company (ASPC)
NJDEP approved an RAWP to conduct an unrestricted use remedial action
for the APSC property in April 2005. However, implementation of the RAWP
was delayed while NJNG negotiated with the owners of APSC to obtain access
to the property. The court order issued as a result of litigation between
NJNG and APSC states NJNG can have access to the property when APSC vacates
it in September 2006.
On May 8, 2006, NJNG submitted a new RAWP that consolidates the plans
for the APSC property, the on-site portion of Troutmans Creek and the
remainder of the former MGP site into a single RAWP. This approach enables
NJNG to bid these remedial actions as a single scope of work without affecting
the September 2006 start date. NJDEP is reviewing the RAWP and plans to
issue written comments in July 2006. However, changes to this schedule
may be necessary given NJDEP’s recent commitment to allow CCC to
review technical documents prior to issuing written approvals.
On-Site Portion of Troutmans Creek
Remediation of the southern on-site portion of the Troutmans Creek had
been delayed since this work could not be implemented until NJNG is allowed
access to the APSC property. Now that the negotiations between NJNG and
APSC are complete, these efforts are scheduled to start in September 2006,
as noted above. NJDEP has informed NJNG that they must prepare supplementary
plans to ensure that these cleanup activities are not delayed during the
winter months due to inclement weather and that they adhere to the established
remedial timeframe. NJNG plans to complete the remediation by March 2007.
Soil Gas Investigation
NJNG submitted an RIR summarizing the findings of the soil gas investigation
for the Talco property in February 2006. NJDEP issued a letter approving
the RIR on May 10, 2006. Per the Revised RAWP dated May 2006, NJNG plans
to demolish the APSC building, eliminating the need to evaluate vapor
intrusion for the current structure. NJNG must still evaluate the former
MGP as specified by NJDEP’s vapor intrusion guidance on future use
of undeveloped parcels. Investigative efforts at APSC will commence after
September 2006, when NJNG obtains access to the property.
Ground Water Investigation
NJNG submitted a Draft RIR/Draft Ground Water Pilot Testing Report (GWPTR)
and Draft Remedial Action Selection Report (RASR) in March 2006. The Draft
RIR details efforts to define the extent of the on-site dense non-aqueous
phase liquid (DNAPL) and the Draft GWPTR summarizes the results of the
ground water treatment studies. The Draft RASR presents the remedies NJNG
plans to select to remediate the DNAPL and dissolved ground water contamination.
NJNG also submitted a Draft Phase II Ground Water Monitoring Report (GWMR)
in March 2006. NJDEP is reviewing these documents and expects to issue
written comments in early summer of 2006, although changes to this schedule
may be necessary given NJDEP’s recent commitment to allow CCC to
review technical documents prior to issuing written approvals.
2) Off-Site Portion of Troutmans Creek
NJNG submitted a Draft Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Work Plan in
March 2006 that outlined proposals for tasks that include, but are not
limited to conducting a benthic community survey, sediment toxicity testing,
and sediment sampling for analysis of site-related contaminants. NJDEP
issued a conditional approval for the ERA Work Plan on May 4, 2006. NJNG
has also submitted a Draft RAWP for Troutmans Creek. NJDEP is reviewing
the Draft RAWP and expects to issue comments later this summer, with the
understanding that changes to this schedule may be necessary to accommodate
time for CCC to review technical documents prior to issuing written approvals.
3) Off-Site Residential Areas
NJDEP issued an RIR that summarized its findings of the soil sampling
it conducted near Long Branch Avenue, Seaview Avenue and Ellis Avenue
and Grant Court in February 2006. The results of the soil investigation
revealed that two shallow samples collected from beneath the pavement
on Ellis Avenue contained semi-volatile organic compounds and a metal
at levels exceeding NJDEP’s soil cleanup criteria. It also revealed
that two deep soil samples (collected more than six feet below grade)
at Grant Court contained semi-volatile organic compounds and metals above
NJDEP’s soil cleanup criteria. In addition, one surface soil sample
near a dumpster in the Grant Court housing development contained arsenic
above NJDEP’s soil cleanup criteria.
The Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA) placed gravel over the area
near the dumpster and installed a temporary fence around it. LBHA received
NJDEP approval for its sampling plan to complete the soil delineation
for Grant Court and conducted the sampling in April 2006. LBHA submitted
the RIR for this area to NJDEP in late May of 2006 and this document is
being reviewed.
4) Seaview Manor
NJNG submitted a Revised RAR for Block 400, Lot 7 in January 2006 and
SRWM reviewed numerous aspects of the Revised RAR during February and
March 2006. Based on its review, SRWM has worked closely with the Land
Use Regulation Program to resolve issues related to the CAFRA permit for
the new Seaview Manor. These efforts have allowed the contractor to resume
construction of the housing units. NJDEP issued a conditional approval
of the Revised RAR in April 2006.
NJNG also submitted an RAR for the remainder of the LBHA properties and
adjacent properties in February 2006. NJDEP expected to issue comments
on this document in June 2006 based on its review of the document. However,
NJDEP has postponed issuing its written comments per the previously mentioned
commitment.
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 be implemented in the summer of
2006.
Related Information
Compliance Schedule
NJNG has submitted a revised schedule for implementing on-site and off-site
activities and additional information in support of the proposed revisions.
Based on a review of all information on the matter, NJDEP has accepted
the revised schedule and has deemed NJNG to be compliant with its Administrative
Consent Order (ACO). NJDEP notified NJNG that it is in compliance with
its ACO in a letter issued on May 4, 2006.
LBHA Activities
LBHA submitted a Remedial Investigation Report (RIR) in May 25, 2006 that
summarizes the soil and ground water sampling it conducted in the vicinity
of the two underground storage tanks (USTs) formerly located on Block
400 Lot 7. NJDEP is reviewing this report and expects to issue comments
in early to mid-July 2006.
LBHA also submitted a RAWP for Block 400 Lot 7 in February 2006 that
details plans for installing the storm water and sanitary sewer lines.
NJDEP issued a conditional approval of the RAWP on May 4, 2006.
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