96 Park Way Vicinity Property Remediation Challenges at the FUSRAP Maywood Superfund Site, Maywood, New Jersey - 19216

摘要

The Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) Maywood Superfund Site (FMSS), "the Project," was transferred to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in 1997. Shortly thereafter, USACE initiated FUSRAP remediation efforts on 24 commercial and residential properties and, in addition, the Project team evaluated properties previously addressed at the FMSS. One of those properties was located at 96 Park Way in Rochelle Park, New Jersey. The property history included removal of contaminated soil in 1985 by the US Department of Energy (USDOE). Soil sampling performed after removal of contaminated soil indicated the cleanup met applicable guidelines in place at the time. A Five-Year Review of the FMSS conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in 2009 found that 96 Park Way did not meet the current residential cleanup levels for the site and recommended additional study and remediation, if warranted. The current levels are established in the approved cleanup plan for the FMSS (known as the Record of Decision [ROD]) issued in 2003. Based on USEPA's recommendation, USACE carefully reviewed all available records for the property. The review considered the differences between the soil cleanup standards used in the 1980s and the 2003 ROD standards, which are slightly more restrictive for deeper soils. The USACE conducted detailed field studies at 96 Park Way in 2014-15 to address the USEPA findings. This work included gamma walkover surveys and soil sampling to depths of approximately 3.5 meters. The results identified three discrete areas at depth that did not meet the ROD residential soil cleanup standard: two areas bordering an adjacent highway (New Jersey Route 17) and one along railroad property adjacent to the site. To address these areas, soil removal actions were conducted in 2016-17. The principal challenge with construction, engineering, and community relations was the property housed two sensitive facilities: a long-term assisted care living facility and a short-term post-surgery rehabilitation center. The operations at these facilities could not be interrupted in any way during FUSRAP activities. The three FUSRAP-impacted areas were addressed and restored in coordination with the USEPA, property management, and local officials. Site restoration presented a particular challenge well after the remedial action was completed, as the property owner and the government disagreed on the level of restoration. Those negotiations are ongoing as of this writing.