New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Long Branch Plant Site
Update
Long Branch, Monmouth County
June 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
In May NJNG collected soil samples from beneath the concrete slab where
the red brick building was located. Analysis of the samples revealed
the soil was contaminated with trichloroethene (TCE) and perchloroethylene
(PCE) above NJDEP’s soil cleanup criteria. These findings were
not anticipated based on former site operations. NJNG has submitted
a letter report to NJDEP summarizing the analytical results and geophysical
findings. The report proposes additional investigation activities to
delineate the extent of the TCE and PCE in the soil, as well as ground
water sampling to investigate potential ground water impacts. (What
is the status of this?) Following the completion of the soil and ground
water investigation, NJNG will submit a Remedial Action Work Plan 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.
NJNG is evaluating the results of the well point investigation that
it conducted during April 2005. Based on the preliminary findings, NJNG
intends to conduct a soil gas investigation to assess potential vapor
intrusion at Talco and Atlantic Plumbing. A report documenting all the
findings will be submitted when the soil gas results are available.
A due date for the report has not been established, but NJDEP expects
to receive it sometime in the fall of 2005. NJNG is also in the process
of implementing the approved Phase II Ground Water Investigation. (Any
changes to this?)
NJDEP continues to work with NJNG regarding the submission of a Final
Ground Water Remedial Investigation Report (RIR) and a Ground Water
Remedial Action Work Plan (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 in August 2005. (Received yet? Formal due date?) 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.
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 Remedial Investigation
Report summarizing results of all of creek sampling it has conducted.
NJDEP and CCC have agreed to postpone consideration of any additional
sampling of the creek 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, and NJDEP
is currently working with CCC to schedule a presentation of these findings
to the community. NJDEP presented the findings during the July 28th
meeting of the CCC.
- 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 a report detailing its findings in the late summer or early
fall of 2005. Any changes/additions?
- 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 June 2005
- Finished de-watering Block 400 Lot 7 and the Long Branch Sewerage
Authority (LBSA) property (Block 401 Lot 23). To date approximately
17,484,000 gallons of ground water have been pumped, treated at the
on-site wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to remove contaminants, and
discharged to the LBSA.
- Began restoration of the northern portion of Block 400 Lot 7.
- Continued on-site processing/handling of contaminated soil for subsequent
transport to off-site treatment facility. To date approximately 24,000
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 July 2005
- Excavate and backfill remaining portions of Block 400 Lot 6.
- Complete restoration of Block 400 Lot 7 and LBSA property.
- Complete installation of concrete cap for sheet pile wall on Block
400 Lot 7 and MGP site.
- Process/handle contaminated soil on site, followed by transport to
off-site treatment facility.
- 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.
- Culvert: 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, a permitting issue has developed that will delay
removal of the culvert and underlying contamination. It currently does
not appear that this work will proceed during the current mobilization
due to the permitting issue. Unless this matter can be resolved quickly,
NJNG will remove the culvert concurrent with the future remediation
of the northern off-site portion of Troutmans Creek.
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