The Site is located within the Society Hill Phase 3 condominium complex which is bounded by Norfolk, Wickliff, W. Market and Warren Streets in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. A church borders Site property and is located in the center of the northern portion of the Site; an unused school borders the northeast property boundary and an abandoned warehouse is located at the eastern edge of the Site.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located in an urban, mixed residential, light industrial neighborhood and is within the University Heights District of Newark that includes Rutgers University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the University of Medicine and Dentistry and the Essex County College campuses.  The Essex County Vocational-Technical High School borders the southeast corner of the Site.

Topographically, the Site is located at approximately 108 feet above sea level and is located at 40° 44′

29.47″ N latitude, 74°10′ 58.97″W longitude.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The contaminant identified at the Site is lead in soil.  Lead is a hazardous substance as defined by Section 101 (14) of CERCLA and is listed in 40 CFR, Table 302.4. Analytical data from samples collected from the Site indicate that lead is present in the surface and subsurface soils at concentrations greater than the removal screening level of 400 ppm and is considered to be a public health hazard. Lead concentrations as high as 13,000 ppm have been documented as present within the top 24 inches of soil on Site.

Conditions at the Site meet the requirements for implementation of a CERCLA removal action. The potential release for hazardous substances from the Site present a threat to the public health and welfare as defined by Section 300.415(b) (2) of the NCP.

See POLREP 1 for further information of the threat.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The NJDEP performed initial sampling at the Site on March 25, 2012. Nine soil samples were collected from five locations near the former location of the M.C. Canfield & Sons facility at depths ranging from 0-12 inches. Elevated levels of lead were found in the soil ranging from 753 ppm to 4,860 ppm. NJDEP referred the Site to EPA on May 9, 2012.

EPA collected soil samples between August 20th and August 30th, 2012. The sampling design employed was based on and is consistent with the EPA Superfund Lead-Contaminated Residential Sites Handbook dated August 2003. The Site was divided into 34 quadrants (P001-SS001 through P001-SS034)) and included areas of high use, such as gardens and children’s play areas. Five sample locations were designated within each quadrant and soil samples from these locations were collected from depths of 0 inches (bottom of sod), 0-2 inches, 2-6 inches, 6-12 inches, 12-18 inches, and 18-24 inches. Samples from discrete depth intervals within each quadrant were composited into one sample for that specific depth.

Lead was detected at concentrations exceeding the EPA residential soil screening level of 400 ppm in

composite surface soil samples (0-6” bgs) in 13 of the 34 quadrants at the condominium complex. These 13 quadrants have elevated lead levels outside the drip line of the buildings in surface soil. Lead was detected above 1,200 ppm in discrete surface soil samples (0-6” bgs) collected from quadrants P001-SS012, SS013, SS014 and SS015. The highest concentration of lead, found near the former M.C. Canfield & Sons facility location is 3,593 ppm.

Activities conducted during this reporting period include:
 
Excavation operations including backfill and topsoil continued in Area 1.

Approximately 100 tons of contaminated soil were removed and disposed of during this reporting period, for a total of approximately 982 tons to date.

Previous activities at the site include:

Excavation operations including backfill and topsoil were completed along Cornerstone Lane and Marrow Street. Excavation operations were also completed on the west side of the Community Center Building. This area was highly contaminated and was likely part of the original source area.

Excavation, backfill, and restoration activities were completed in Quadrant 14.
 

Excavation was completed along the northern common areas of Quadrants 12 and 13 with one exception; contaminated soil underneath the air conditioners servicing 248 -252 Matthews Street has been temporarily left in place.    ERRS is currently seeking bids to temporarily disconnect the air conditioners so that excavation in this area can be completed.  

Air monitoring for the period has indicated that dust levels have remained below the Site action level of 30 ug/m3 during all excavation activities.  OSHA personnel air monitoring was performed by the Region 2 SHEMP Manager on 7/29/2014.

EPA/ERRS is backfilling all excavated areas daily as feasible to ensure that lead contaminated soil being left in place is covered at the end of each work shift.  This is being done to minimize the potential for fugitive contaminant migration and the concomitant exposure risk to the public.   Excavated areas are being backfilled with a combination of bank-run and top soil. Snow fence is being laid at the 2 foot depth prior to backfilling to demarcate the boundary between clean fill and lead contaminated soil. Sod, shrubs and the sprinkler system are being installed as needed to restore all impacted areas to pre-excavation conditions.

Real-time air monitoring using data rams and the VIPER system is being conducted during excavation activities to ensure worker health and safety and the safety of the general public.  Air samples are being collected daily and will be analyzed at the laboratory if air monitoring indicates dust levels are above the Site action level of 30 ug/m3.  Additionally, air samples will be laboratory analyzed periodically to confirm air monitoring results.  A water truck is being used as needed to minimize the potential for dust generation during excavation.  Because of space restrictions and the lack of an appropriate staging area, soil is being direct loaded into 30 cubic yard roll-off containers. EPA is also restricting the number of roll-offs delivered per day in order to ensure the safety of residents and to minimize the potential negative impacts to the community.  

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

The site was referred to EPA by the NJDEP in November 2011.  EPA conducted several sampling events in support of preparing an RSE for the site. The RSE was finalized in July 2012.  EPA conducted delineation sampling in April/May 2013 in support of Action Memorandum development.  The Action Memorandum was signed by the RA on September 26, 2013 for a total project ceiling of $2,251,136.00 and included the 2 month and $2 million exemptions.

EPA has conducted two Public Meetings on 1/16/13 and 6/26/14 to discuss the results of the EPA investigations and the planned cleanup activities.  No other response actions were previously taken.

Three areas of concern were identified in the Action Memorandum and being eligible for a response action.  The following actions are currently planned for this response:

• Area1:  excavation of contaminated soils in Area 1 to a total depth of 2 feet below grade.  Lead contaminated soils left in place will be demarcated by laying orange snow fence into the completed excavation prior to backfilling.
• Areas 2:  excavation of contaminated soils in areas of active erosion and/or where grass cover is sparse due to heavy shade and/or foot traffic. 
•   Coordination of excavation activities with NJDEP to provide a smooth transition for an NJDEP clean-up action that is currently being planned.
• Documentation of site activities including post excavation sampling and clear identification of areas where lead contaminated soil will be left in place.
• Development of institutional controls in concert with the NJDEP as needed to address contaminated soils being left in place.  The institutional controls will be implemented by NDEP and the Society Hill Phase 3 Condominium Association under NJDEP oversight.  Institutional controls will likely include public education, a notification process for contractors conducting intrusive work, maintenance of good grass cover and a deed notice obtained through and issued in accordance with the NJDEP.   
• Site restoration to include backfilling with suitable fill and top soil, replacement of the sprinkler system and installation of sod, shrubs and flowers in keeping with existing landscaping at the Society Hill Phase 3 property.

 2.2.1.2 Next Steps

• Continue excavating in Area 1. 
• Continue post-excavation, backfill and site restoration activities.in excavated areas.
• Meet with NJDEP to further discuss the details of the long term management of the Site.

• The NJDEP will be remediating portions of Area 2 and Area 3 in accordance with NJDEP requirements.  EPA and NJDEP are currently coordinating to develop a plan for a smooth transition of remediation activities and long term monitoring and institutional controls.

1 OSC

6 ERRS

1 RST; 2 as needed to conduct additional sampling investigation work.