Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Riverside Avenue Site
Newark, NJ - EPA Region II
POLREP #7

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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 #7
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:

11/18/2011

Reporting Period:

11/05/11 thru 11/18/11

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

OSC Daly was at Riverside to oversee removal operations during this time period. ERRS finished wrapping asbestos with plastic in working areas. Paint chips, asbestos dust, and floor debris was bagged and staged for proper disposal. On 11/07/11, OSC Lucarino and Daly performed a Level B entry into Building #12 basement (Ladder, safety harness, SCBA) to perform air monitoring and assess the basement floor/tanks. There were no readings above background utilizing two Multi-Rae units. There was about six inches of liquid on the floor with noticeable sediment. Area was cleared for ERRS sampling. On 11/17/11-Enforcement Team Phone Conference. Review of PRP search efforts, site priorities, future enforcement sampling efforts, and interaction with other EPA programs was discussed. DESA is scheduled to reconnaissance the UST for enforcement sampling and perform sampling the week of 12/5/11. Analytical results for UST samples, soil surrounding the UST, from Building #7 Basement (aqueous/sediment) were received by KEMRON Chemist and a summary of findings was received. Disposal bid for contents of UST will go out next week. Analytical results for Building #7: Floor Sweeps/roof tank, Building #12 Floor Sweeps, basement sediment, basement liquid were received on 11/18/11. Summary pending. Sampling preparation started for Building #7, Floor 2/3 Varnish Tanks. Product levels and tank access were recorded. OSC Daly contacted City of Newark Representatives (Fire Department, OEM, and technical personnel), NJDEP, USCG, EPA RCRA, and EPA RMP regarding Buildings #13, #15, and #19. On 11/17/11, OSC Daly and a City of Newark Representative evaluated safe entry into Building #15 for pending Level B entry and eventual sampling for removal eligibility. Preparation of Building #15 is scheduled for the week of 11/28/11. On 11/18/11, NJDEP and City of Newark Fire Department conducted an inspection on the chemical facility occupying Buildings #13 and #14 (Same buildings that OSC and USCG conducted a walkthrough last week). Findings will be passed onto relevant agency contacts.
Riverside Site will be demobilized 11/18/11 for the holiday with the exception of armed security guard service. Work will commence on 11/28/11.

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.

On 11/17/11-Enforcement Team Phone Conference. Review of PRP search efforts, site priorities, future enforcement sampling efforts, and interaction with other EPA programs was discussed.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal

2.2 Planning Section