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EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Additional Properties with Low Levels of Creosote at Federal Superfund Site in Manville Borough

Release Date: 04/24/2000
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(#00073) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a plan for a second-phase of cleanup work to remove an estimated 78,900 cubic yards of low-level creosote-contaminated soil on approximately fifty properties in the Claremont Development residential community in Manville Borough, New Jersey. This community was built over a former railroad tie creosoting facility, currently known as the Federal Creosote Superfund site, where soil and groundwater are contaminated with creosote. EPA is proposing to excavate soil containing residual amounts of creosote from the approximately 50 properties, transport it to an off-site facility for treatment and disposal. The estimated cost of this proposed cleanup plan is $28.5 million, 90% of which would be financed through EPA's Superfund Trust Fund and 10% through the State of New Jersey. EPA has scheduled a public meeting on May 4, 2000 at 7:00 P.M. at the Weston Elementary School to discuss the details of the plan with residents and solicit comments at the Weston Elementary School. The public comment period on the plan began on April 21 and ends on May 22, 2000. "Anytime we are dealing with a site that involves contamination on residential properties, we make that site a priority at EPA," EPA Regional Administrator Jeanne M. Fox said. "We streamlined the Superfund site cleanup process to develop the plan we are proposing today." EPA's overall cleanup of the site will be completed in phases. In September 1999, EPA selected a remedy to clean up the buried creosote lagoons and canals in the development. That cleanup plan includes the purchase of 17 properties in the lagoon and canal areas of the Claremont Development, excavation of creosote product beneath these properties, transportation of the creosote material off-site for treatment and disposal and backfill of these properties with clean fill. The design of the lagoon and canal cleanup and relocation efforts is anticipated to continue through the Summer of 2000. To expedite the process for beginning work on all affected properties, EPA, while also working to complete the relocations and detailed work plan for the first 17 properties, also completed a feasibility study that provides an analysis of cleanup options available for the remaining properties that have residual amounts of creosote in soils. This analysis is the basis for the proposed plan the Agency is announcing today for public comment. EPA has already taken an interim action at the site, which involved covering any exposed material, to eliminate any potential short-term health risks to residents through direct contact. Copies of the new proposed plan have been distributed to residents of the Claremont Development. Additional copies will be available at the EPA Field Office located at 31 S. Main Street in Manville and the Manville Borough Hall. Interested parties should mail their comments to Richard Puvogel, Remedial Project Manager, USEPA, 19th Floor, 290 Broadway, New York, New York 10007-1866. The Agency will evaluate the public comments it receives and expects to select the final cleanup plan for the remaining contaminated properties early this summer. The FEDERAL CREOSOTE site in Manville Borough is a 137-property residential community. In late 1997, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection requested EPA assistance in determining if the presence of creosote in the soils of the development posed a significant risk to public health and the environment. EPA sampling in the spring of 1998 at numerous residential properties within the Claremont Development indicated the presence of creosote, as well as other compounds, at elevated levels in the surface soils on 19 residential properties. EPA determined that no immediate health risk exists to the community. However, for those 19 properties that contained creosote at elevated levels in surface soil, EPA applied topsoil, mulch, seed and sod in order to limit any potential exposure. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List on January 19, 1999.