U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Riverside Avenue Site - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
Subject: POLREP #5
Riverside Avenue Site
02PC
Newark, NJ
Latitude: 40.7670135 Longitude: -74.1593681

To: Benjamin Tuxhorn, USCG-AST
Andrew Raddant, Department of Interior
Dave Sweeney, NJDEP
David Isabel, Golub & Isabel
Danielle Torok, City of Newark
Fred Mumford, NJDEP
From: Eric M. Daly, On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 10/28/2011
Reporting Period: 10/18/2011 thru 10/28/2011

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: 02PC    Contract Number: EP-S2-10-01
D.O. Number: 0038    Action Memo Date: 8/23/2011
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 9/30/2011    Start Date: 10/17/2011
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID: NJSFN0204232    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.1 Incident Category

Time-Critical CERCLA Removal Action

1.1.2 Site Description

The Riverside Avenue Site is an abandoned industrial facility on the banks of the Passic River.  Since the early 1900s the Site had been used for many businesses, including a paint manufacturer, a packaging company, and a chemical warehouse.  It consists of two abandoned buildings on approximately two acres.  The property is owned by the City of Newark and was acquired in tax foreclosure proceedings.

1.1.2.1  Location

29 Riverside Avenue, Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, between the Passaic River and Mcarter Highway.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Ten abandoned 12,000-15,000 gallon USTs containing hazardous wastes have been identified on the property.  Approximately 100 3,000 -10,000 gallon ASTs have been identified in the buildings, many of which have been sampled for hazardous materials.  Two tanks containing an oily wastes have been identified in the basement of one of the buildings.  A number of 55-gallon drums and smaller containers have been observed in the buildings.
In addition, there are a number of sumps that may contain hazardous substances.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The preliminary assessment was completed in 2010. Two basement tanks in one building and the sumps of the other building have been sampled for hazardous waste characterization.   See Documents Section for results of the site assessment sampling/analytical.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

See Profile section.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

10/18/11-10/25/11-Site security was established.  Access to Buildings #7 and #12 is being limited by boarding up windows and doors.  Brush and small trees removed from the perimeter of both buildings.  ERRS commenced wrapping asbestos with plastic in working areas.  Decon area set up outside Building #7.  A 350 gallon tank was discovered on the roof of Building #7.  The contents appear to be a viscous material, most likely varnish.  Excavation of Underground Storage Tank (UST) area commenced.

 

On 10/26/11- City of Newark Officials (Newark Fire Department, Newark OEM, Newark Arson) and NJ Division of Criminal Justice visited the site.  OSCs had a phone conference with EPA Enforcement Team.

 

The aqueous material from each of the ten (10) UST was sampled and sent out for analysis.

 

10/27/11-10/28/11-Skylights on roof of Building #7 boarded up to prevent rainfall from entering building.  Storm drains diverted with piping to move flow from inside to outside of Building #7. 

 

A representative from Ardmore, Inc. (neighboring facility on the 29 Riverside Avenue property, Building #14) informed EPA of a potential hazardous material release in Building #15.  The building contains a pump house and twelve (12) 20 thousand gallon tanks.  The building is dilapidated and the stairways/stairway platform is deteriorated.  OSCs will check with ORC to get details of Lot ownership.

 

Along with the UST samples, samples were collected from the soil surrounding the UST, from Building #7 Basement (aqueous/sediment).  The analytical results are due back on 11/04/11. 

 

OSC Daly named lead for Riverside Avenue Site with Kelli Lucarino as alternate OSC. 



2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

EPA met with representatives from the City of Newark on the site on 11/09/09 to discuss the history of the site and the City's environmental assessment activities for the property to date.  EPA will work with the City of Newark to identify PRPs for the site.  During the 2/11/2011 recon the OSC discovered paperwork in a former office area bearing the logo of "Ted Frey Industries" and "Abrachem Logistics", both companies are believed to have operated at this location in the past.  However, from prior knowledge at another Superfund site, both of these companies went bankrupt and ceased to exist years ago.  The OSC has identified three other PRPs and will work with regional ORC to gather additional information regarding these PRPs.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
           
           
           



  2.2 Planning Section
   

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Evaluate analytical, acquire samples of containers in Buildings #7/#12, remove contents and bulk for disposal.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

See above.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Continue removal activities in conformance with the Site Work Plan.

2.2.2 Issues

none
  2.3 Logistics Section
    TBD
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    No information available at this time.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command
n/a

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
USCG
NJ Division of Criminal Justice
City of Newark OEM
City of Newark Fire Department
NJDEP
4. Personnel On Site
  1-Response Manager
3-Techs
1-Foreman
1-Field Accountant
2-Operators

1-T&D Coordinator/Chemist (Off-Site hours authorized)
5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

See results of site assessment on Documents Section.

6.2 Reporting Schedule

As events dictate.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.