New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Long Branch Plant Site
Update
Long Branch, Monmouth County
April 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.
NJDEP relayed preliminary comments on the RIR to NJNG in March 2006 and
received a written reply in April 2006. NJDEP is reviewing NJNG’s
reply and will issue final written comments on the RIR in May 2006. 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 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.
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
(see preceding paragraph). 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 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 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) in March 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
that 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 2006.
2) Off-Site Portion of Troutmans Creek
NJNG submitted a Draft Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Work Plan in
March 2006 that contained 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.” 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 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 issued
an RIR that summarized its findings in February 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. LBHA conducted the
sampling in April 2006 and is preparing an RIR to submit to NJDEP in early
summer of 2006.
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 issued a conditional approval of the Revised RAR
on April 21, 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
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 in compliance 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 Site Investigation Report (SIR) in January 2006 that
proposed sampling soil and ground water in the vicinity of the two underground
storage tanks (USTs) formerly located on Block 400 Lot 7. Benzene is the
contaminant of concern. Based on preliminary comments from NJDEP, LBHA
submitted a supplemental information package in February 2006. NJDEP issued
conditional approval letter for the SIR in April 2006.
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.
NJDEP issued a conditional approval of the RAWP on May 4, 2006.
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