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EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Rustic Mall at Federal Creosote Superfund Site in Manville Borough; Public Meeting Scheduled

Release Date: 08/29/2001
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(#01110) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a plan for the third phase of a hazardous waste cleanup at the Federal Creosote Superfund site in Manville Borough, New Jersey. Under the proposed plan, EPA would remove creosote-tainted soils underneath the Rustic Mall property, where a former railroad tie creosoting facility once stood, and monitor ground water contamination associated with the Superfund site. EPA plans to ship approximately 38,000 cubic yards of excavated creosote- tainted soil off-site for treatment and disposal, followed by filling and repaving the excavated areas in the mall. The soil cleanup would take two years to complete, if the cleanup plan is finalized. The proposed plan also calls for the use of institutional controls, including restrictions on well drilling, to prevent human consumption of the contaminated ground water. "We are working to keep to an accelerated schedule to address the contamination at the Federal Creosote site, which includes the mall where the Claremont residents shop, while taking into account the concerns of the community," said EPA Acting Regional Administrator William J. Muszynski. "This proposed plan, if approved and carried out, is the final piece in EPA's overall strategy to permanently solve the hazardous waste problems at the site," he said. The estimated cost of this cleanup action would be $17.7 million, 90% of which would be financed through EPA's Superfund Trust Fund and 10% through the state of New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which has supported EPA=s cleanup efforts at the site, has reviewed the proposed plan and agrees with EPA=s position. EPA is currently in the process of removing an estimated 40,000 cubic yards of creosote-contaminated material from eight properties on East Camplain Road in the Claremont Development. The soil is beneath the former lagoons within the development. This is the first phase of a multi-phase cleanup that is expected to take several years to complete. EPA has scheduled a public meeting at the Manville Municipal Building September 11, 2001 starting at 7:00 PM to discuss the new cleanup plan. The public comment period on the proposed plan started on August 28 and ends on September 26, 2001. Site-related documents are available for public review at the Manville Public Library at 100 South 10th Avenue in Manville. Written comments on the proposal should be sent to: Mark Austin, Remedial Project Manager U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 290 Broadway, 19th Floor New York, NY 10007-1866 Faxed and e-mailed comments will also be accepted, and must be received by September 26, 2001. Mr. Austin's fax number is (212) 637-4429. His e-mail address is austin.mark@epa.gov A final decision on the plan for the site will be made only after all public comments are read and considered. Changes to EPA's proposed plan may be made if public comments or additional data show that such a change would result in a better cleanup. EPA will respond to public comments in a document called a Responsiveness Summary, which will be issued at the time it makes its final decision. Site Background The FEDERAL CREOSOTE site in Manville Borough consists of a 137-property residential community, the Rustic Mall and contaminated ground water. 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 showed elevated levels 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. However, for the 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. Two remedies have been selected for the Claremont Development portion of the site, to address the contaminated soil via excavation and off-site disposal, with treatment as necessary. That cleanup work is currently being performed. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List in January 1999.