New Jersey Federal Creosote

Cleanup Approach

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection asked EPA to assume the lead for this Site in early 1998.  EPA has expedited its response to this Site because of the potential risk to Site residents.  The Environmental Response Team has conducted extensive sampling – including indoor air sampling, lagoon and canal delineating, installation of monitoring wells, and surface soil sampling.  Extensive subsurface sampling continues at the Site.  EPA intends to address the worst threats first at this Site.  Initial cleanup actions will focus on the lagoons and canals.  EPA plans to select an early action remedy for these areas in summer 1999.  At the same time, EPA is looking into the need for permanent relocation for some residents of the Site.  EPA will follow these actions by addressing other soil and groundwater contamination in the residential portion of the Site.  A separate investigation may be required for that portion of the Site which is currently a shopping mall.

Residential Soil:  In July 1998, based on the results of extensive surface soil sampling, EPA initiated a removal action at approximately 19 properties to temporarily cover areas with the highest surface levels of carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons.