New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Long Branch Plant Site
Update
Long Branch, Monmouth County
March 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
NJNG submitted a Remedial Investigation Report (RIR) summarizing the findings
of its investigation of soil and ground water in February 2006. The RIR
included analytical data for 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.
However, the Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP) for this area did not accompany
the RIR as originally planned because NJNG wanted to defer submission
of the RAWP until after NJDEP approved the RIR. NJDEP addressed this matter
in a March 3, 2006 to letter to NJNG and also discussed it during a March
29, 2006 meeting with NJNG representatives. NJDEP relayed preliminary
comments on the RIR to NJNG in March 2006 and expects to receive a written
reply in April 2006. NJDEP expects to issue final written comments on
the RIR in May 2006 pending review of NJNG’s reply. NJNG indicated
that it is finalizing the remedy selection concurrent with NJDEP’s
review of the RIR and will be prepared to submit the 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. The approved RAWP included a timeframe
for complete remediation of this property by May 2006. 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 result of
litigation between NJNG and APSC states NJNG can have access to the property
when APSC vacates it in September 2006.
NJDEP’s March 3, 2006 letter informed NJNG that it should implement
the approved RAWP once the property transfer is finalized. This matter
was discussed during the March 29, 2006 meeting and NJNG clarified that
its proposed new RAWP was needed in order to consolidate 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 would enable
NJNG to bid these remedial actions as a single scope of work without affecting
the September 2006 start date.
On-Site Portion of Troutmans Creek
Remediation of the southern on-site portion of the Troutmans Creek has
been delayed since this work cannot 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
(see preceding paragraph). NJDEP’s March 3, 2006 letter notified
NJNG that it must prepare supplementary plans to ensure that these cleanup
activities are not delayed during the winter months due to inclement weather
and it adheres to the established remedial timeframe. NJNG acknowledged
the need to address these matters during the March 29, 2006 meeting and
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 is currently reviewing
the RIR and expects to issue comments in May 2006. As stated above, a
court order issued as a result of the litigation between NJNG and APSC
states that NJNG can have access to the APSC property when APSC vacates
it in September 2006. Investigative efforts at APSC will commence after
this date.
Ground Water Investigation
NJNG submitted a Draft RIR/Draft Ground Water Pilot Testing Report (GWPTR)
and Draft Remedial Action Selection Report (RASR) on March 6, 2006. The
Draft RIR details efforts to more closely define the on-site extent of
the dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) and the Draft GWPTR provides
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) on March 6, 2006.
Collectively, these documents comply with the due date established by
NJDEP for submission of a Ground Water RIR and RASR. The NJDEP is reviewing
all of these documents and expects to issue written comments in early
summer 2006.
2) Troutmans Creek
NJNG submitted a Draft Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Work Plan on
March 22, 2006 that contains 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.
The ERA is necessary to complete the RI and satisfy the “Technical
Requirements for Site Remediation.” NJNG also submitted a Draft
RAWP for Troutmans Creek. NJDEP is reviewing these submissions and expects
to issue comments in the summer of 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 summarized
its findings in an RIR and provided copies to CCC members in March 2006.
The results of the off-site 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 has also received NJDEP approval for its sampling plan to complete
the soil delineation for Grant Court as recommended by NJDEP.
4) Seaview Manor
NJNG submitted a Revised RAR for Block 400, Lot 7 in January 2006 in
response to the NJDEP’s December 16, 2005 comment letter. 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 expects to issue formal comments on the Revised RAR
in May 2006.
NJNG also submitted an RAR for the remainder of the LBHA properties and
adjacent properties in February 2006. The NJDEP is reviewing this document
and expects to issue comments in early summer 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 be implemented in summer 2006.
Related Information
LBHA Activities
LBHA submitted a Site Investigation Report (SIR) on January 24, 2006 regarding
two former underground storage tanks (USTs) that were on Block 400 Lot
7. Based on preliminary comments from NJDEP, a supplemental information
package was submitted on February 27, 2006. NJDEP expects to issue comments
on this submittal, which involves sampling soil and ground water in the
vicinity of the two former USTs, in April 2006. Benzene is the contaminant
of concern.
LBHA also submitted a RAWP for Block 400 Lot 7 on February 28, 2006 that
details plans for installing the storm water and sanitary sewer lines.
The NJDEP is reviewing this RAWP and expects to issue written comments
in early summer 2006.
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