Lower Passaic River Restoration Project/
Newark Bay Study
Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting
March 5, 2008 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Location:
No. Jersey Transportation Planning Auth (NJTPA), 1 Newark Ctr, 17th fl, Newark
Participants: Federal and state agencies; associated consultants; environmental groups,
Cooperating Parties Group representatives; Potentially Responsible Party
representatives; all interested stakeholders
1:00 – 1:15
Welcome & Intro’s
1:15 – 2:15
Newark Bay Study
Introductory Presentation
RI/FS Phase 1 Field Effort
USACE’s Harbor Deepening Project Geomorphological Characterization
RI/FS Phase 2 Field Effort
Questions
2:15 – 2:45
Overall Passaic River Project Updates
Early Action FFS Status
17-mile RI/FS Status
NRDA Status
2:45 – 3:00
Open Forum
Additional comments from Stakeholders
Announcements on other Passaic River/Newark Bay activities
Next PDT Meeting
Welcome to the
1st Joint
Passaic River/Newark Bay
Project Delivery Team Meeting
March 5, 2008
Geographic Perspective
New Jersey
Passaic
River
Ma
nh
a tt
an
New York
Newark Bay
N
New York – New Jersey Harbor Estuary
Scope of the Studies
• Diamond Alkali
Plant
• Passaic River:
-17 miles & tribs;
-CERCLA-WRDA;
-73 PRPs
• Newark Bay & tribs:
-CERCLA only;
-1 PRP so far
Newark
N
Who are we?
On the Passaic River (dotted)
NJ Dept of
Environmental
Protection
On the Newark Bay Study (solid)
Brief History of Events
Diamond Alkali owned/operated pesticide
manufacturing facility at 80 Lister Avenue from 19511969
EPA and NJDEP collected dioxin contaminated
samples at the site in 1983 and in 1984 the site was
added to the NPL
The construction of the interim remedy, consisting of
a floodwall, a cap and a groundwater pump and treat
system, was completed at the site in 2004
Brief History of Events (cont’d)
Separate consent agreements were entered into for
the study of the Lower Passaic River and Newark
Bay and its tributaries in 2004
Tierra Solutions, Inc is studying Newark Bay on
behalf of Occidental Chemical and EPA is providing
oversight with its consultants and with input from the
Trustees
This study is a multi-phase, multi-year effort, of
which a couple of Phases have been completed
Public Involvement
Critical
to Effective Decision Making
Early & Often
Many Tools & Opportunities Available
Efforts Guided by the Community
Involvement Plan
Public Involvement
Project Team Meetings
Project Web Site @ www.ournewarkbay.org
Fact Sheets, Brochures
Listserv Notices
Technical Assistance Grant
Public Meetings & Availability Sessions
Stakeholder Group Outreach
Municipality Workshops & Coordination
Media Events/Public Tours
….and More
Status Update on the Newark Bay Remedial
Investigation Program
March 5, 2008
Imagine the result
Goals for Today
• Provide a broad overview of the Newark Bay Remedial
Investigation Program to date
– Work completed
– Preliminary findings
– Future work
• Discuss USACE’s Geomorphology Report
2
Newark Bay Study Goals
• Remedial Investigation Goals Stated in 2004 Consent Agreement
with EPA:
– RI Goal 1: Determine the horizontal and vertical distribution
of contaminants of potential concern (COPCs) in study area
sediments
– RI Goal 2: Determine the primary human and ecological
receptors of COPCs in study area sediments
– RI Goal 3: Determine the significant direct and indirect
continuing sources of COPCs to the study area
3
Historical Data
• Systematic search of historical data from environmental
investigations in the Bay and tributaries
Category
Total # of Docs
# of pre-1990
Docs
# of 1990-present
Docs
Chemical and Toxicity Data
Water
103
46
Sediment
102
26
Toxicity and Pathogenicity
40
12
Bioaccumulation
72
37
Physical, Biological, and Other Data and Information
Habitats
74
40
Biological Communities
116
70
Hydrodynamics
32
5
Dredging
21
10
Bathymetry
8
3
Pollutant or Contaminant
61
27
Sources
Human Use
51
22
Miscellaneous
28
12
57
76
28
35
34
46
27
11
5
34
29
16
4
Preliminary Conceptual Site Model
Geomorphic Features
• 7 major geomorphic features influence
hydrodynamics and sediment transport:
–
–
–
–
Navigation Channels
Port Channels
Transitional Slopes
Sub-tidal Flats
– Inter-tidal Areas
– Industrial Waterfront
– Confined Disposal Facility
Hydrodynamics
• Complex and
varying circulation
patterns depending
on location, tides,
winds, and
freshwater flows
Sediment Transport
• Extensive dredging has modified/
obscured historical contaminant profiles,
created preferential deposition areas and
removed contaminated sediment
• Deposition rates relatively low in flats
5
Geomorphic Areas
6
Phase 1 Program and
Preliminary Findings
7
Primary Phase 1 Data Quality
Objectives
• RI Goal 1 (Nature/Extent)
– Estimate approximate depth of 1940 horizon
– Understand broad patterns of contaminants of potential
concern in sediments and attempt to preliminarily identify
“hot spots”
– Confirm presence and extent of geomorphic areas
– Confirm that analytical suite is appropriate for the various
geomorphic areas
– Determine data needs for Phase II
8
Phase 1 Data Quality Objectives
(cont’d)
• RI Goal 2 (Risk Assessment)
– Preliminarily characterize sediment contamination in ecologically
sensitive inter-tidal mudflats
– Estimate depth of Biologically Active Zone within various
geomorphic areas
• RI Goal 3 (Source Identification)
– Gather information to identify ongoing sources of contaminants
– Confirm (through sediment sampling) current and historical
discharges impacting select areas
9
Bathymetric Survey
10
Phase 1 Bathymetric Survey
• Completed by Ocean
Surveys, Inc., in October
2005
• Performed to verify
geomorphic areas and to
assist field crew in locating
Transitional Slope cores
• Bathymetric data confirmed
presence of distinct
geomorphic features within
the Bay
11
Biologically Active Zone
Investigation
12
Phase 1 Biologically Active Zone (BAZ)
Investigation: Overview
• Completed in October 2005
• Performed to estimate depth of the BAZ
• Obtained Sediment Profile Images (SPI)
and grab samples at 14 locations across
the Bay
• Compared field results with literature on
BAZ depth
Burrow
Oxic Void
SPI Image: NB01SED038-3
13
Phase 1 Biologically Active Zone (BAZ)
Investigation: Preliminary Findings
• BAZ depth relatively consistent across Newark Bay
(approximately 6 inches)
• BAZ thickness corresponds well with depths estimated in
other studies
Note: These preliminary findings are subject to change pending Tierra’s responses to USEPA
comments, and based upon the receipt of new information/data.
14
Sediment Coring
15
Phase 1 Sediment Coring: Overview
• Field work conducted from October through December
2005
• Collected sediment cores from 69 planned locations
• Obtained approximately 850 samples
– 35% for chemistry analysis
– 65% for radiochemistry analysis
• Met goal of collecting >90% of planned samples
• Zero safety incidents
16
Phase 1 Sample
Locations
• Collected cores at 69
locations
• Target depths
• 3’ cores (18)
• 3.5’ cores (19)
• 4’cores (3)
• 5.5’ cores (5)
• 6.5’ cores (17)
• 8’ core (1)
• 11’ cores (6)
17
Phase 1 Sediment Coring: General
Field Observations
• Sediments generally comprised of
silt overlaying red clay
• Found limited sediment in active
navigation channels
18
Phase 1 Sediment Coring:
Analytical Chemistry Program
• Analyzed throughout entire cores for
– Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds
– Pesticides/PCBs
– PCB Congeners
– Herbicides
– Dioxins/Furans
– Metals (including Mercury and Cyanide)
– Organotins
– Total Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons
– VOCs
19
Phase 1 Sediment Coring: Analytical
Chemistry Preliminary Broad Findings
• Sediments contaminated with numerous chemicals horizontally
and vertically
• Highest Mercury levels in Port Newark near Pierson’s Creek
• Highest concentrations of Total PCBs and Dioxin (2,3,7,8 TCDD)
found within the northwestern Sub-tidal Flat, near the Passaic
River
• Relatively low detection frequencies for VOCs and organotins
Note: These preliminary findings are subject to change pending Tierra’s responses to USEPA
comments, and based upon the receipt of new information/data.
20
Phase 1 Sediment Coring:
Radiochemistry Program
• Evaluate short and long-term deposition rates
• Short-term (order of months)
– Collected samples for 7Be Analysis
• Long-term (1940 to present)
– Collected samples for 210Pb and 137Cs
21
Phase 1 Sediment Coring:
Radiochemistry Preliminary Findings
• Active Navigation Channels show evidence of recent
accumulation
– Within 6 months of sample collection
• Majority of Sub-tidal Flat areas show relatively low rate of
sediment accumulation
• Isolated pockets of Sub-Tidal Flat areas experience higher
sediment accumulations
– Potential anthropogenic (i.e., man-made) features
Note: These preliminary findings are subject to change pending Tierra’s responses to USEPA
comments, and based upon the receipt of new information/data.
22
Phase 1 Source Identification Process
• Conducted intensive research on potential Bay sources
–
–
–
–
–
CSOs/SWOs
POTWs
Hazardous waste sites
Secondary tributaries
Industrial facilities
• Obtained cores as part of
Phase 1 in select waterfront
locations within Bay
23
Phase 1 Check on Data Quality
Objectives
Estimate approximate depth of 1940 horizon
; Understand broad patterns of contaminants of potential concern in
sediments and attempt to preliminarily identify “hot spots”
; Confirm presence and extent of geomorphic areas
; Confirm that analytical suite is appropriate for the various geomorphic
areas
; Determine data needs for Phase II
; Preliminarily characterize sediment contamination in ecologically
sensitive inter-tidal mudflats
; Estimate depth of BAZ within various geomorphic areas
; Gather information to identify ongoing sources of contaminants
; Confirm (through sediment sampling) current and historical discharges
impacting select areas
24
Phase 2 Program
Sediment Coring
25
Phase 2 Project Quality Objectives
Characterize sediments to the 1940 horizon (target
deeper cores than in Phase 1 and areas of potential high
net deposition identified by USACE)
Characterize sediments to understand contaminants of
potential concern distribution in channels and other
geomorphic areas
In select regions of the Bay, compare Phase I and Phase
II data
Characterize surface and subsurface sediments in select
areas found to be potentially impacted by upland sources
26
Phase 2 Program: Overview
• Conducted field work from October through December 2007
• Phase 2 activities included only sediment coring
– Collected sediment cores from 50 of 52 planned locations
• Obtained approximately 810 samples
– 45% for chemistry analyses
– 55% for radiochemistry analyses
• Met goal of collecting >90% of planned samples
• Zero safety incidents
27
Phase 2 Sample
Locations
• Collected cores at 50 of the
52 planned locations
• Target depths
• 29 “deep” cores
• 9.5 to 29.5 feet
• Collected all cores
• 23 “shallow” cores
• 0.5 feet
• Collected 21 of 23
cores
28
Phase 2 Analytical Program: Summary
Vista Analytical (Alta)
Paragon Analytics Test America (STL)
• Dioxin/Furan Congener/Homologue • 210Pb
• Congener PCBs and Homologues
• Pesticides
• 137Cs
• Aroclor PCBs
• 7Be
• Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds
• Mercury
• Metals
• Herbicides
• Cyanide
• Total Extractable Petroleum
Hydrocarbons
• Total Organic Carbon
• VOCs, % moisture
Note: Phase 2 did not include organotin analysis
• Grain Size, Specific Gravity
29
Phase 2 Core Penetration
• In certain cases, penetration halted by
clay, rock/till
• Clay encountered at 15 locations
– Potential High Net Deposition
Areas as identified by USACE (8
cores)
– Sub-Tidal Flats (4 cores)
– Elizabeth River/Morse’s Creek (3
cores)
• Penetration of the 20 planned 29.5 feet
cores
– Achieved 29.5 feet at 7 of 20
locations (35%)
– Achieved > 20 feet at 13 of 20
locations (65%)
Refusal due to rock at Location 075
30
Phase 2 Unexpected Conditions
Location 088 at low tide
Location 097
• Location 088 – riprap from bulkhead to channel
• Location 097 – sunken barge and pilings
• Locations 099, 117 – no fine-grained sediment
31
Next Steps
• Completion of laboratory
analysis and data validation
• Data analysis and
interpretation
• Data Assessment Report
and Conceptual Site Model
(Phases 1 and 2)
• Planning for Phase 3
32
QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION
33
US Army Corps
of Engineers
Corps’ Geomorphological and Historical Study of
Newark Bay
New York District
Bryce Wisemiller
Project Manager, Harbor Programs Branch
March 5, 2008
US Army Corps
of Engineers
New York District
New York & New Jersey Harbor
Deepening Project
z
DESCRIPTION: Deepen highlighted channels to
50 ft (53 in Ambrose), with Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey sponsorship and support.
z
STATUS:
‹Deepening Construction began in 1999
‹In 2005, Corps began new NEPA evaluations
regarding continued HDP construction in light
of the AOC on the NBSA and related litigation.
‹Corps commented to EPA in 2005 on Phase 1
work plan to sample a few known historically
deep areas that were now shallow
‹Phase 1 data appeared to support prior Corps
hypothesis regarding sediment deposition
patterns within Newark Bay
‹In 2006, Corps, with consultant (Earthworks)
support, expanded historical geomorphological
study of Newark Bay in support of draft
Environmental Assessment
PORT JERSEY
CHANNEL
ELIZABETH
CHANNEL
SOUTH
ELIZABETH
CHANNEL
KILL VAN
KULL
BAY RIDGE
CHANNEL
RED HOOK
FLATS
ANCHORAGE
ANCHORAGE
CHANNEL
AMBROSE
CHANNEL
US Army Corps
of Engineers
New York District
z
z
z
z
z
Mapping Historical and Future (planned)
Bay Bathymetry
Using historical maps and other data
sources, 3D models of Newark Bay
bathymetry and shoreline were created
for selected time periods (keyframes)
Past time periods modeled in 3D
include: 1855, 1886, 1917, 1934, 1944,
1969, and 1989
Using surveys and plans for future HDP
construction and EPA’s Phase 1 survey
data, keyframes for present and
upcoming years also modeled in 3D:
2006, 2008-2012
Models illustrate dynamic and changing
nature of Bay over past 150 years
NOAA Historical Chart Search Website:
http://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historical
s/historical_zoom.asp
1944 Chart
1989 Chart
US Army Corps
of Engineers
Bathymetry Illustrated on 2 scales
(shallow and deep)
New York District
1855 Keyframe
US Army Corps
of Engineers
New York District
z
Based on detailed
NOAA survey (not just
chart)
z
1855 Shoreline shown
in gray for reference
z
Numerous affected
areas (fill, dredging,
etc.)
1934 Model
US Army Corps
of Engineers
Vertical Exaggeration Illustrates
Perspective Views of Bay
New York District
2006 Keyframe focused on middle Newark Bay
No vertical Exaggeration
6X Vertical Exaggeration
US Army Corps
of Engineers
New York District
3D Perspective Views of Bay at Various
Keyframes
z
1855 Shoreline and
HDP contract areas
shown in gray lines for
reference
z
Vertically Exaggerated
(6X) to show details
z
Animations “Morphing”
Bay thru Keyframes
US Army Corps
of Engineers
Comparing Past (composite) Bathymetries
to Present Bathymetry
New York District
z
z
z
z
Composite Historical 3D Model
includes deepest bathymetry
value per grid cell of any keyframe
from 1934 to 1989 when
subtracted from 2006 bathymetry
thereby showing the most
significant potential depth change
Darker gray indicates areas of
thicker sediment accumulation at
some point in time from 1934 to
present
Deepest deposit areas identified
to EPA for consideration in Phase
2 workplan
Areas of potential intersect
between thick depositional areas
and the remaining HDP contracts
are being sampled as part of
lawsuit settlement
Questions?