CERCLA funding limitations:

Due to limited CERCLA funds available for this fiscal year budget, EPA management instructed OSC Daly on 03/22/12 to prioritize activities, identify/dispose of material ready for off-site shipment, and plan to demobilize ERRS/removal resources utilizing the remaining funding available under the existing Action Memo.  All identified waste to be disposed was shipped off on 05/11/12.  This was the last day EPA/EPA Contractors were on Site for this phase of the removal.  The hazardous waste sludge contained in Building #7 Basement as well as the eight remaining Underground Storage Tanks will be addressed in the next phase of the removal action. 

Demobilization:

OSC Daly contacted all City of Newark Officials (OEM, Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Housing, Brick City Development Corp.) and NJDEP and a site walk thru was held on 05/03/12.  OSC explained what was accomplished during the removal action and what hazards would be secured and left in place.  Decontamination of equipment and demobilization of equipment/trailer/ERRS Personnel (except one ERRS to facilitate dumpster pickup) was completed by 05/09/12.  EPA subcontracted armed guard services were discontinued once EPA demobilized the site.  This was pointed out to the City of Newark during the 05/03/12 walk thru as well as the fact that city owned scrap metal (From two UST removed) was staged at the site and should be addressed prior to EPA demobilization.  Along with City of Newark responsibility in overseeing the security of the property, OSC Daly will conduct periodic site visits throughout the down time.  Any responses to the site will be funded with remaining funds under the existing action memo.

Responses:

OSC Daly received a trespasser notification from a neighboring business owner on 06/08/12.  EPA ERRS visited the site on 06/09/12 and found the door open that leads to the old high voltage room in Building #7.  This door does not lead into the building and was secured by wedging it shut. The whole site was investigated during this response and there were no breaches or open doors identified in either building.  However, a section of the fence surrounding the property that was cut open for illegal access in the past was once again reopened.  

Trash/old furniture is starting to accumulate on the property.  Also, some of the steel that was staged from the Underground Storage Tanks has been removed from the site.  OSC Daly has contacted the City of Newark throughout this process and at this time, it is unclear if the scrap has been removed by the city or has been taken illegally. 

On 06/27/12, OSC Daly was contacted and informed that the UST scrap metal was being removed from the property.  OSC Daly instructed the business owner to contact Newark Police Department.  Pictures were taken of the truck removing the scrap but the police did not arrive in time to question the truck driver.  The site contacts for the City of Newark were informed of this event.

On 10/29/12, Hurricane Sandy hit the New Jersey coast and inland counties.  OSC Daly contacted neighboring businesses at the Riverside complex to obtain status.  The hurricane impacted the Riverside Avenue Site and caused flooding from the Passaic River (Similar to last year and Hurricane Irene). 

11/15/12-EPA and KEMRON visited the Site.  Both Buildings #7 and #12 basements filled with water.  Building #12 does not contain any environmental contaminants and the water recedes. 
However, Building #7 Basement contains hazardous sludge that is awaiting disposal and the water does not recede in this area.  There was about seven (7) feet of river/rain water mixed in with the sludge.  The elevator shaft in Building #7 is also full of red colored liquid.

11/27/12-KEMRON went to the Site to sample and secure buildings.

Building # 7- KEMRON sampled the fluids in the basement of Building #7; Two (2) samples from different depths (1 to 3 feet and 3-feet to the top of the sludge at the bottom).  Analysis should be due back on or near the 12/06/12.  It has been estimated that the fluid volume in Building #7 Basement is 100 to 120 thousand gallons. The loading dock door was secured, man door- replaced hasp and new lock installed.  The metal exterior door in the alleyway beside the elevator shaft wall had been breached and is now blocked with plywood that is installed and screwed into the metal framing.

Building #12- all exterior doors on the fire escape were breached in one form or manner and those have been re-secured and hasps replaced as necessary.