New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Long Branch Plant Site
Update
Long Branch, Monmouth County
January 2006
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
NJNG continues to evaluate trichloroethene (TCE) and perchloroethylene
(PCE) contamination in the soil beneath the concrete pad where the red
brick building was located, as well as 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 field activities for this area of the
site until October 2005. NJDEP received several letters from NJNG between
November 2005 and January 2006 that proposed submitting the RIR in February
2006 and deferring submission of the RAWP until after NJDEP approved the
RIR. NJDEP is evaluating the proposal and plans to issue a written response
in February 2006.
The remedy would essentially consist of removing the remaining concrete
slabs, underground storage tanks (if any 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
sitewide 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 at APSC will commence after this date.
Ground Water Investigation
In December 2005 NJNG’s contractor began field activities to delineate
the dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) and conduct ground water treatment
studies, pursuant to its Remedial Investigation Work Plan/Ground Water
Pilot Test Work Plan. NJNG recently proposed submitting the RIR for this
work by the March 6, 2006 due date and deferring submission of the RAWP
until after NJDEP approves the RIR. NJDEP is evaluating this proposal
and plans to issue a written response in February.
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
NJDEP required NJNG to submit an Interim Remedial Action Work Plan (IRAWP)
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 has proposed submitting a draft RAWP instead of the IRAWP on February
20, 2006. NJDEP is evaluating this proposal and plans to issue a written
response in February 2006.
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.” NJNG has proposed submitting a draft ERA
Work Plan by March 23, 2006. NJDEP is considering this proposal and plans
to issue a written response in February 2006.
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
and analyzed the samples for volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile
organic compounds, total petroleum hydrocarbons and metals. NJDEP is completing
an RIR that summarizes the findings and expects to submit copies to CCC
members in early February 2006.
4) Seaview Manor
NJDEP finished reviewing the Remedial Action Report (RAR) that NJNG
submitted for Block 400, Lot 7 and in December 2005 and issued a letter
requesting that NJNG furnish additional information and documentation
within 90 days. NJNG subsequently determined that the excavation for the
unrestricted use remedial action was not implemented as approved. In January
2006 NJNG re-mobilized its contractors to finish excavating the contaminated
soil at Block 400, Lot 7, and document their compliance with NJDEP’s
“Technical Requirements for Site Remediation” via submission
of a revised RAR. The revised RAR was received by NJDEP on January 27,
2006. The RAR for the remaining parcels (except the culvert) was due on
January 13, 2006; however, NJDEP received a written request for a 30-day
extension on January 11, 2006. NJDEP was unable to issue a written reply
in January but plans to do so in February 2006.
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.
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