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2003 Progress Report: The Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments (CHSUE) Outreach Program
EPA Grant Number: R828771C007Subproject: this is subproject number 007 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R828771
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: HSRC (2001) - Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments
Center Director: Bouwer, Edward J.
Title: The Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments (CHSUE) Outreach Program
Investigators: Alavi, Hedy
Institution: Johns Hopkins University
EPA Project Officer: Lasat, Mitch
Project Period: October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002 (Extended to September 30, 2007)
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001)
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation
Description:
Objective:The Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments (CHSUE) Outreach Program is a collaborative effort between The Johns Hopkins University (JHU, lead institution), University of Connecticut (UConn, representing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] Region 1), New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT, representing EPA Region 2), and the University of Maryland and Morgan State University (UMd and MSU, representing EPA Region 3). The goal of the Outreach Program is to transfer knowledge and technology resulting from the research projects, and expertise of the principal investigators and technical staff, to communities with environmental contamination throughout the Regions.
Progress Summary:The outreach activities being conducted by the CHSUE are distributed among the partnering institutions to respond more appropriately to the local needs across the large geographical area represented by EPA Regions 1, 2, and 3. The interdisciplinary and multimedia nature of brownfield problems demands a diverse array of scientific talent and facilities. The affiliations and expertise of the participants in the Outreach Program are detailed below.
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (Lead Institution) (EPA Region 3)
Director: Edward Bouwer (environmental engineering, bioremediation, and engineering microbiology)
Associate Director: Hedy Alavi (environmental engineering, hazardous waste, and solid waste management)
Ralph Lightner (environmental restoration and waste management)
Erik Rifkin (human health and ecological risk assessment, and risk communication)
University of Maryland, School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD (EPA Region 3)
Barbara Sattler (environmental health nursing)
Robyn Gilden (environmental health nursing)
Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD (EPA Region 3)
Gbekeloluwa Oguntimein (chemical engineering, hazardous waste management, and bioremediation)
Guangming Chen (risk assessment, experimental design, and statistics)
Sedley Williams (soil chemistry, water quality analysis, environmental assessment, and geographic information systems [GIS])
Bheem Kattel (industrial engineer, and occupational ergonomics and safety)
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ (EPA Region 2)
Director: Fred Ellerbush (environmental engineering, hazardous and solid waste management, risk assessment, and outreach)
Director: James Mack (environmental management, and site characterization and remediation)
Executive Director: Daniel Watts (environmental management and chemistry, green manufacturing, and sustainability)
Gerard McKenna (community outreach, characterization methods, and technology transfer and training)
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (EPA Region 1)
Christopher Perkins (environmental monitoring and assessment, environmental toxicology and risk, and risk communication)
Kevin Hood (public health, facilitation, and community outreach)
Amine Dahmani (remediation, site assessment, and brownfields policy)
The principal efforts of the Outreach Program include two distinct, but interrelated, components: (1) Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC); and (2) Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB). The goal of TOSC is to provide technical assistance and education to communities affected by hazardous waste, and to assist them with the restoration of their environment and neighborhood. The objective of TAB is to assist municipal officials, developers, and community groups in meeting the challenges of sustainable brownfields redevelopment by providing education in, and technical assistance for, the application of advanced science and technology.
The outreach activities during the period of October 1, 2002 to September
30, 2003, include 35 projects geographically distributed across EPA Regions
1, 2, and 3 (see Table 1). Eighteen projects are allocated under TOSC, and
17 projects are allocated under TAB as shown in Table 1. The most updated information
(latest quarter) on current outreach projects appears under the subheading
"Current Outreach Projects," which encompasses items under the reporting requirements
of the grant. The TOSC and TAB efforts include: (1) review of site characterization
documents and remedial plans; (2) review of hydrogeological data;
(3) workshops on brownfields legislation and issues, and remedial options for
waste sites; (4) training in redevelopment of brownfield sites and former industrial
areas; and (5) communicating health effects for contaminants, and information
on health monitoring.
Table 1. Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environment Summary of Outreach Projects October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003 |
|||
U.S. EPA Region |
TOSC |
TAB |
Total |
I |
4 |
5 |
9 |
II |
8 |
5 |
13 |
III |
6 |
7 |
13 |
Total |
18 |
17 |
35 |
New Proposal
In September 2003, the CHSUE prepared a proposal to the EPA that described a plan to provide additional Training and Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TTAB). Under training, efforts are proposed to provide knowledge on brownfields issues to stakeholders through various methods, including classroom-style training, workshops, conferences, roundtables, and Internet communications. Under technical assistance, efforts are proposed to guide stakeholders through a particular process or help them understand complex, brownfields-related subject matter. Participants at each of the partnering institutions will contribute to the proposed TTAB efforts.
In EPA Region 1, collaborators at UConn propose the following TTAB projects: (1) Ninigret Park (Charleston, RI); (2) Mallory Hat Factory (Danbury, CT); (3) Regional Growth Partnership (Bridgeport, CT); (4) Redevelopment of Contaminated Land (Stamford, CT); and (5) Hartford Police Shooting Range (Rocky Hills, CT).
In EPA Region 2, collaborators at NJIT propose the following TTAB projects: (1) Area-wide Assessment (Kingston, NY); (2) Task Force Training (Lackawanna, NY); (3) Institutional Controls Training (Newark, NJ); (4) New Jersey Brownfields Development Areas; (5) New Jersey School Construction; and 6) New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal.
In EPA Region 3, collaborators at the UMd and JHU propose the following TTAB projects: (1) Community Leadership Training; (2) Community Involvement Training; (3) Health Care Provider Training; (4) Workshops on Risk Communication; (5) Workshops on Economics of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment; and (6) Technical Assistance and Technical Document Review.
Collaborators at MSU propose to contribute to TTAB in EPA Region 3 via technical assistance to the Park Heights Reisterstown Road Corridor Coalition Community.
Advisory Committees
The CHSUE benefits from guidance supplied by two external advisory committees. Our Science Advisory Committee (SAC) is comprised of 16 representatives from EPA, industry, government offices and laboratories, and academia (see Table 2).
| Name | Representation |
| Roberts, Paul (Chair) | Emeritus Professor, Stanford University |
| DiCola, Ron | Assistant Director, Environmental Affairs, Pfizer, Inc. |
| Grasso, Domenic | Rosemary Bradford Hewlett Professor and Chair,Smith College |
| Harris, Reginald | Senior Toxicologist, U.S. EPA Region 3 |
| Inyang, Hilary | Duke Energy Distinguished Professor,The University of North Carolina–Charlotte |
| Johnson, James (Co-Chair) | Dean and Professor, Howard University |
| Josephs, Jon | Hazardous Substances Liaison, U.S. EPA Region 2 |
| Josephson, Jeff | Special Assistant to the Director, U.S. EPA Region 2 |
| Krammer, Kurt | Environmental Manager, FMC Corporation |
| Kulujian, Norm | Superfund Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region 3 |
| Linak, William | Chemical Engineer, U.S. EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division |
| Lorah, Michelle | Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey |
| MacFarlane, Ian | Branch Manager, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology |
| Summers, Robert | Director, Waste Management Administration,Maryland Department of the Environment |
| Willey, Richard | Hydrologist, U.S. EPA Region 1 |
| Yen, Chen | Vice President, Gannett Fleming, Inc. |
Professor Paul Roberts serves as Chair of the SAC. The purpose of the SAC is to assist the CHSUE in evaluating the merit, value, and contribution of research projects, and the relevance and importance of individual organizational elements, to accomplishing the overall goals of the Center. Two SAC meetings were held in the second year of the CHSUE. The first SAC meeting was held October 21-22, 2002, with the purpose of learning about the research program and providing feedback on specific research projects. The second SAC meeting was held on June 16, 2003, with the purpose of reviewing proposals and selecting new research projects for the CHSUE. At both of these meetings, the SAC provided some general advice on the mission and conduct of the CHSUE. Our Outreach Advisory Committee (OAC) is comprised of 11 representatives from EPA, other government offices, industry, and the community (see Table 3). The purpose of the OAC is to assist the CHSUE in the development, implementation, and evaluation of education, knowledge transfer, and outreach activities and to identify outreach funding opportunities. The first OAC meeting was held on November 7, 2002. An important deliverable from this first OAC meeting is a Vision and Mission Statement for the OAC and the Outreach Program. The next OAC meeting will take place on November 14, 2003, at NJIT.
| Name | Representation |
| Burke, Mike | Senior State Liaison Officer, U.S. EPA Region 3 |
| Charles, Larry (Co-Chair) | Director and Member, ONE/Chane and National Environmental Justice Advisory Committee |
| Harris, Elissa | Environmental Equity Coordinator,Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection |
| Johnson, Stacey | Hartford City Program Manager, U.S. EPA Region 1Urban Environmental Initiative |
| Murphy, Jim | Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region 1 |
| Pitruzzello, Vincent | Chief, Program Support Branch, Emergency and Remedial Response Division, U.S. EPA Region 2 |
| Rosso, Mary | Delegate, Maryland House of Delegates |
| Shaw, Judith (Co-Chair) | Administrator, Brownfields Office, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection |
| Whitman, Ira | President, Whitman Companies, Inc., East Brunswick, New Jersey |
| Wilson, Shari | Director of Policy Management,Maryland Department of the Environment |
| Yates, Harold | Senior Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region 3 |
Other Activities
In addition to the Research and Outreach programs, the CHSUE participated in several other noteworthy activities in the past year.
TOSC/TAB/U.S. EPA Conference, March 4-6, 2003. The CHSUE hosted this annual conference at the Radisson Hotel in Baltimore, MD. The 2 ½-day conference theme was Planning, Collaboration, and Sustainability, and it included sessions on self-sufficiency, collaborative partnerships (including connecting with health care providers), community visioning, multimedia information distribution, and a poster session to highlight recent accomplishments by all of the centers.
The conference included two panels with speakers. One panel encompassed community, legislative, and developers' viewpoints (Larry Charles, Director of ONE/CHANE and member of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council; Mary Rosso, former Maryland State Delegate; and Josh Neiman, Struever Brothers, Eccles, and Rouse, Inc.). The second panel included presentations from several directors at EPA headquarters (Steve Lingle, Director of the Environmental Engineering Research Division, National Center for Environmental Research; Bob Springer, Director of the Office of Solid Waste; Michael Cook, Director of the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response; and Linda Garzyncski, Director of the Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment). JHU also hosted a dinner at the Hopkins Club featuring a keynote address by Lois Gibbs, Executive Director of the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice.
International Conference on PAH and BTEX Contamination. The CHSUE and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry/University Cooperative Research Program co-sponsored an international conference on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) contamination on June 2, 2003, at JHU. This conference provided a forum for interaction among researchers working on the topics of sorption and bioavailability. The topics provided a blend of basic principles and practical applications. The total attendance numbered close to 30 with representation from government, industry, and academia. Eight presentations were given at this conference.
Meeting on Superfund Research. William Ball, Ed Bouwer, Allison MacKay, and Barth Smets participated in the Office of Research and Development/Hazardous Substance Research Center/Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (ORD/HSRC/OSWER) Meeting on Superfund Research held August 26-27 in Cincinnati, OH. The purpose of this meeting was to promote better communication and interaction between EPA researchers and the research being conducted by the HSRCs. Two presentations were given by the CHSUE members at this meeting.
Other Meetings and Seminars. Barbara Sattler (UMd), Robyn Gilden (UMd), Hedy Alavi (JHU), and Ed Bouwer (JHU) participated in the annual Director's meeting in Washington, DC, on December 2-3, 2002 (see Table 4).
| Oct. 4, 2002 | Professor Barbara Sattler School of Nursing University of Maryland |
Environmental Health's Interdisciplinary Team: A Focus on the Nursing Profession's Role |
| Nov. 1, 2002 | Elie Bou-Zeid | A Lagrangian Dynamic SGS Model for LES: Applications to Heterogeneous Surfaces and Urban Areas |
| Nov. 15, 2002 | Dr. Isam Sabbah | Diffusion as a Source of Confusion |
| Nov. 22, 2002 | Rich Carbonaro | Cr(III) Oxidation by MnO2 |
| Jan. 31, 2003 | Dr. Molly McGuire | Surface Characterization of Iron and BimetallicReductants |
| Feb. 7, 2003 | Thanh Nguyen | Adsorption of Organic Chemicals to Black Carbon: Method Development |
| Feb. 14, 2003 | Dr. Ted Goldstein (retired chemist, Mobil) | Oil Formation |
| Apr. 11, 2003 | David Cwiertny | Mechanistic Investigations of Granular Iron and Granular Iron-Based Bimetallic Reductants |
Future Internal Workshop for the Research Program. In January 2004, the CHSUE will sponsor an internal workshop at JHU to aid in knowledge transfer within the research program. The principal investigators (PIs) for each of the seven research projects will make presentations on their progress and future plans. This workshop will allow the PIs to: (1) share research progress through presentations that will facilitate integration of the information in future work; (2) discuss future research directions; (3) discuss the plans for a five-Centers meeting; and (4) discuss plans for the next SAC meeting.
Current Outreach Projects
Aberjona River/Industri-Plex Superfund Site
The Industri-Plex Superfund site is a 245-acre property located in a dense, commercial, and industrial area in Woburn, MA, a city 12 miles north of Boston. The site comprises both commercially developed and undeveloped property. Several ponds and wetland areas that support various fish, wildlife, and vegetation are located on or next to the site. In addition, two streams, including the Aberjona River, cross the property and eventually feed into the Upper Mystic Lakes, a popular recreation area located 6 miles downstream. EPA is finalizing both ecological and human-health risk assessments associated with contamination of the Aberjona River. There is some skepticism from the city and community regarding these assessments.
The EPA Region 1 Administrator has sent a letter requesting that the City of Woburn and community groups make use of the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) under the TOSC/TAB Program. An EPA representative has said in conversations with TOSC and city council that health risks appear to be minimal. The council is very concerned that this will raise public concerns and diminish commercial and private property values. The city has requested our help in educating and explaining to concerned citizens the findings in terms of health risk.
Activities. TOSC personnel entered into a subcontract with Tufts University to provide support for the review of the Human Health Risk Assessment for the Aberjona River. Tufts University and TOSC personnel provided a comprehensive review of the human-health and ecological risk assessments for the Aberjona River. Two reports were prepared, one each reviewing the human health and ecological assessments. Comments for the ecological risk assessment were submitted to EPA, to be incorporated into the formal comment process.
Ninigret Park
The town of Charlestown, RI, has requested TAB to assist them in understanding the implementation of the remediation plan of a former Naval Air Station located adjacent to Long Island Sound that has been turned over to the town by the federal government. There are multiple contaminants of concern, including benzene, lead, and free-phase gasoline. We will be working with the Ninigret Park Contamination Study Committee.
Activities. TAB will bring in some expertise from the Conway School of Landscape Architecture to help the town and community undertake the visioning process for their park. The intention is to work this process and resulting design into their winter practicum. This process will result in a landscape blueprint that the stakeholders then can use to improve the quality of the park and minimize the potential exposure to contamination.
We have attended three meetings with the committee to facilitate the followup contaminant delineation activities.
Newhall Coalition
The Newhall Coalition is a community group that represents a minority neighborhood that was, in large part, built over an industrial and municipal landfill. The Newhall Street neighborhood was built on a site where, for years, the Olin/Winchester chemical factory dumped ash, batteries, and chemicals. PAHs, lead, and other heavy metals have been found in the soil of an adjacent middle school and on the properties of homes in the neighborhood. In February, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) announced that an agreement had been reached to provide for the investigation and cleanup of contamination of the Newhall Street neighborhood.
The primary environmental issues are health and property concerns regarding the landfill and any remedial activities that will occur. One key issue as it relates to the remediation plan is the relocation of excavated landfill to the adjacent middle school.
Activities. During this period, TOSC has been acting as a facilitator between the CTDEP and the Newhall Coalition regarding the remediation plan. We have attended 12 meetings during this quarter regarding this program. CTDEP has decided to go with an outside contractor to act as mediator for this program. TOSC still will provide technical support to the Newhall coalition.
Mallory Hat Factory
For the past 150 years, Danbury was the center of the New England hat making industry. It is known that mercury was used extensively in the production of felt for hats. Mercury was released into the Still River and groundwater, and remains present in sediments. Last summer, a professor from UConn released information to the press regarding an independent study that he conducted on mercury contamination in Danbury. This has raised concerns in the community and forced the City of Danbury Health Department to respond to these concerns. This site is part of a brownfields assessment pilot study, and the city is actively seeking redevelopment. The preliminary assessments completed (Phases I and II), if accurate, could minimize the ability to develop this property. This professor also has just announced his intentions to perform his own risk-assessment study that likely will result in additional concerns for the community.
Activities. We have recommended a baseline and periodic, atmospheric mercury monitoring plan prior to the start of this remediation process to alleviate concerns regarding transpiration of mercury from the leaves. We worked with the city to design a pilot/baseline monitoring program that will help alleviate some concerns regarding the potential for mercury to be emitted to the atmosphere during the transpiration process. In addition, we are in the process of reviewing their quality assurance project plan (QAPP) and providing recommendations for improvement.
Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR)
The primary environmental issue is the large-scale contamination of the Massachusetts Military Reservation, with explosive and other contaminants, and the migration of these contaminants into the surrounding residential areas via 19 individual contaminant plumes. ERI personnel and a subcontractor serve as the technical representatives (TOSC) for the community as part of the Impact Area Review Team (IART).
ERI TOSC personnel review documents generated during this study and provide technical input on behalf of the community.
Activities. ERI TOSC personnel attended monthly IART community meetings on Cape Cod as well as several weekly Technical Team meetings during this reporting period. A total of eight meetings have been attended by ERI personnel this quarter. We have met with the community members in advance to discuss key issues that need to be raised during the general meeting. The key issue that has continued to be raised during this quarter is perchlorate contamination and the fluctuating standards that are being proposed by EPA and the military.
TOSC staff met with representatives of the military and their consultants during this quarter to discuss progress and future directions on groundwater modeling.
Regional Growth Partnership
The Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) is a brownfields pilot recipient and lead agency for a smart growth project that involves the Quinnipiac River Conservation and Development Corridor. A workshop was presented on brownfields legislation and its impact on the liability framework, and tools for managing liability. A followup to this workshop is planned for the summer to help the board gain a better understanding of the decisionmaking process for acquisition of contaminated properties. It is planned that this session and research will help the board create a model process to be used in its deliberations along the Corridor.
Activities. There have been no new activities on this program during the last quarter.
Abbott School Districts
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in Abbott v. Burke that children in urban communities are entitled to a “thorough and efficient” education under the New Jersey State Constitution. The ruling includes educational standards and quality teaching, health services, extracurricular programs, and safe and adequate school buildings. The last item has been translated into a multi-billion dollar upgrade program for school districts that have been identified as needing help to correct deficiencies. The majority of these districts are urban, and, because of scarce land availability, new school sites involve brownfields.
Activities. CHSUE continued extensive engagement with the School Construction Corporation (SCC), New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) throughout the quarter. During the quarter, we completed a site assessment using the Triad Approach project for the Dudley Avenue School site in Camden and demonstrated that accelerated characterization of the property can be achieved. A presentation and a briefing document were prepared summarizing the development of the Conceptual Site Model. Stakeholder involvement led to a dynamic workplan, field activities, and results and conclusions. The executive summary revealed that the use of the Triad Approach demonstrated that site identification, field planning, and mobilization activities can develop a robust dataset for decision making. Currently, a paper is in development. We submitted a request for research funding last quarter but were not selected. A potential, new-school site in Newark has been identified that could further develop the technology and utility for stakeholders.
Bloomfield, NJ
In December 2002, CHSUE was requested to visit a housing development on a former, mercury-thermometer manufacturing site. According to the neighborhood group, the plan is to build 166 townhouses on two former industrial sites contaminated with mercury, lead, tetrachloroethylene, chloroform, benzene, and pesticides. Both sites, which abut each other, are in a floodplain/wetlands; the 42-unit site will be capped; the 124-unit site is undergoing remediation. Surrounding neighbors are fearful of the ongoing work, poor information, and claimed lack of oversight.
Activities. A site visit was conducted late last year to examine conditions and meet with a community representative. Additional meetings were planned for the first and second quarter to discuss the next steps, but poor weather (first quarter) and scheduling conflicts (second and third quarters) postponed these events. In the interim, however, the community continued to be actively involved in development issues, and we expect to provide technical support in the future. Contacts with community representatives indicate continued interest in technical support; however, they have not resulted in any substantive requests this quarter. The community group is quite active and continues to generate interest in the press.
Buzby Landfill
CHSUE provides technical assistance to the Voorhees Township Buzby Landfill Task Force. The Task Force is focused on the proposed cleanup of the Buzby Landfill, a site that had received industrial and municipal wastes and is located near a residential area. Technical assistance began during the third quarter of 2002 to support the Task Force's and Township's vision of site redevelopment into recreational and office-park land uses. The responsible parties (the township is a responsible party) reached a tentative agreement on the use of the landfill that would accommodate restricted access to the landfill—to keep the current, institutional-control-solution scenario—and the new uses. Our involvement is focused on cap and sediment concerns as they relate to the redevelopment of the site for commercial and recreational purposes. The Task Force is quite active, holding monthly meetings that are well attended by local stakeholders.
Activities. During this quarter, we met with community and technical representatives on several occasions, to review documents submitted by responsible parties to NJDEP and respond with technical comments. Community concerns related to the industrial portion of the landfill, which produces methane that is either vented or destroyed using a thermal treatment system, were discussed at one of the meetings. We also attended a meeting with responsible parties to resolve open technical issues that were raised in comments made in the second quarter relative to the decision logic of methane management, as well as monitoring data quality. The community refined the conceptual plan for the landfill site and has begun to actively explore redevelopment funding sources.
Camden, NJ (Fettersville Community Organization/Macedonia Historical Association)
This community group is seeking support for phytoremediation/retreeing of a city-owned brownfield site using the Paulownia tree. The community hopes this process will begin improving the neighboring properties of this disadvantaged community along the Delaware River. Fettersville has a rich history, including serving as a key stop on the Underground Railroad. The community would like assistance in the form of a hydrologist and a geologist, on the use of perched water as a source for garden and tree plantings, and assistance on the implementation of phytoremediation for this type of property. A site visit was conducted during the fourth quarter of 2002, and the third quarter of 2003.
Activities. Followup discussions with community members were scheduled and accomplished during the quarter. We met with community members and held discussion with city planners to explore the potential for phytoremediation/tree planting for the 80-block area. We toured the entire area to examine the neighborhood and to discuss community objectives and goals that need support at higher government levels. We have identified the technical resources to support the community's desire to embark on phytoremediation and tree planting.
Fort Edwards, NY
EPA Region 2, Fort Edwards Field Office requested TOSC community services
support for the Fort Edwards Superfund project (the Web site for the project
is http://www.epa.gov/hudson 
). CHSUE agreed that, because of the visibility
of this Hudson River cleanup, some support would be necessary, dependent on
the scope of services and funding availability. At this stage, what distinguishes
the community group from others is that this group had not believed that taking
action, as outlined in recent project descriptions, was needed. During the
latter part of September, CHSUE was asked to prepare a collateral funding request
for support of the Fort Edwards community; the budget and scope were developed
and submitted. This project not only is intriguing from an outreach perspective,
but also technically challenging given the scope and complexity of the cleanup.
Activities. The scope of work was developed, and agreement was reached with EPA Region 2 during the last quarter; funding was finalized during the third quarter. During this quarter, the Region also developed several extensive documents (including an outreach document) that were reviewed in preparation for the start of the project.
Heart of Camden
CHSUE was requested to provide technical assistance to a South Waterfront Redevelopment Plan sponsored by the Heart of Camden, a community organization located in South Camden. The area has been plagued by the encroachment of industrial uses and abandoned property, including sites listed on the NJDEP Known Contaminated Site List, U.S. EPA Superfund program, and the target of NJDEP enforcement actions. The area is disadvantaged, but there is strong grassroots community involvement. Our assistance activities were focused on a technical evaluation of the Environmental Risk Management Framework and Mitigation Strategies Interim Report prepared by Vita Nuova, LLC under funding from the Heart of Camden. We provide technical suggestions on land-use issues and building design for brownfields.
Activities. During this quarter, our involvement with the community leaders, City of Camden, NJDEP, and others continued to be extensive to achieve the community's redevelopment objective for the Waterfront South area. The environmental investigation was completed this quarter and presented to leaders. A NJDEP Air Toxics study was started during the third quarter to assess land-use impacts on the residential neighbor that was under study and targeted for revitalization.
Ironbound Community Corporation
As a carryover from HSRC-1, CHSUE has had a longstanding involvement with the Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC); we continue to support the ICC on technical issues related to land reuse in the community. The ICC is the principal community group for the eastern section of Newark, called the Ironbound. The area was and remains home to most of Newark's industrial base and also is home to Superfund sites, and treatment facilities (including the county's solid waste incinerator); there also is and a growing demand for housing in this area.
Activities. During this quarter, we were asked to review the results of the preliminary environmental investigation of the Murphy Varnish site prepared by consultants for the SCC. The investigation focused on soil, groundwater, interior surfaces, and air space of the city-block building. The community and school district had identified the property as a potential school site. The draft report of the investigation revealed that contamination in all media existed; we were asked to give our interpretation of the report and possible next steps. We also began to explore alternative site scenarios that would preserve or maximize open space in the area, which has been under intense redevelopment pressure. During the quarter, press and political coverage of the site continued. A site visit was conducted, and a facilitated meeting with the community, school district representative, and SCC was held to review findings and explore alternatives.
Long Branch Coal Gasification
CHSUE was requested to assist community members with concerns over the cleanup of a former coal gasification site near a residential area; within 1/4 mile are about 500 people, including two adjacent housing authority sites. This is a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) listed site but NJDEP-lead cleanup that will be reviewed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) for potential health impacts. We conducted a site visit late in 2002 to review cleanup activities. In the first half of 2003, press coverage increased due to indoor-air quality concerns at the neighboring housing development.
Activities. No activities took place this quarter.
Camden, NJ Martin-Aaron
Under the Superfund pilot project in the City of Camden, the 5.9-acre Martin-Aaron site has been identified by community members and industrial interests alike as potentially usable. The site was host to a former barrel recycler that has been subject to EPA and NJDEP removal actions. The community has developed a plan that calls for locating a farmers’ market on the site, whereas a neighboring industrial complex has expressed an interest in using the land for expansion. The city would like to use this project not only to arrive at a best-use option, but also to empower the community and create academic linkages. The city believes that community members would benefit from capacity building in the form of risk-skills training modeled after the North Camden training conducted through CHSUE several years ago. The city also believes a planning analysis (with economic/feasibility components) would be useful to determine the viability and desirability of either (or both) land-use option. A final component will be facilitation related to redevelopment in a former industrial area. With Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, we are exploring the potential to jointly provide a planning (with economic/feasibility components) analysis to determine the viability and desirability of either (or both) land-use option, and the risk-skills training.
Activities. Additional discussion was held with a planning representative from Camden during the quarter to determine if the project remains viable. Although the project is still viable, the objective for the site is uncertain, and it appears that it may be used for industrial expansion. The site was identified in community redevelopment objectives that were not entirely consistent with city objectives. Funding for the project also was uncertain.
Ford Avenue Redevelopment Project
At the request of NJDEP, CHSUE provided technical support to facilitate the systematic planning and work plan preparation phases of the Triad Approach. The Ford Avenue Redevelopment Project is a former Michelin Tire manufacturing facility located on 20 acres of land in Milltown, NJ. The Ford Avenue Authority was created to provide a mechanism to redevelop this site into senior housing, market-rate residential, and mixed use commercial. The project involves coordination of key stakeholders, including Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA), the NJDEP, the developer, EPA Region 2 Brownfields, EPA Region 2 Mobile Laboratory, the MCIA consultant, Argonne Laboratories, and the EPA Technology Innovation Office.
Activities. We organized several systematic planning sessions with stakeholders, assisted the selected consultant in developing the Site Conceptual Model (SCM), and facilitated a series of Technical Subgroup meetings to focus on technical specifics of the Triad application.
New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal
The New York Department of Housing and Community Renewal (NYDHCR) is the agency responsible for funding and approving affordable housing projects in the State of New York. Under state law, an environmental review is necessary for a significant state action, similar to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review under federal law. New projects often involve reviews that have land-based impacts, such as soil contamination or groundwater contamination that could affect future residents. CHSUE and NYDHCR have begun discussions to determine if TOSC can provide technical support to the Environmental Analysis Unit of the NYDHCR. TOSC support could positively affect many communities and future residents that have been impacted by soil and groundwater contaminants.
Activities. During the quarter, CHSUE began exploration of TOSC support through phone conferences to determine the extent and type of support to be provided.
Lamont-Riggs Park
In 1989, the Chevron station reported a leaking underground storage tank (LUST). Maryland Department of the Environment installed a pump-and-treat system with monitoring to remove the gasoline. In 2001, the gasoline plume was detected under Lamont to Riggs Park, a residential area in Washington, DC. EPA Region 3 was asked to take over the remediation because it crossed jurisdictional lines, and EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program became involved at the site. Recently, EPA's Superfund program has been included to help address some of the contaminants detected during sampling that are not coming from the gas station, mainly perchloroethylene (PERC).
EPA Region 3 has recommended this site for TOSC assistance to help identify stakeholders, provide education and information, and create a venue where all voices can be heard.
Activities. Outreach staff interviewed various members of the remediation team including representatives from the District of Columbia Department of Health, Maryland Department of the Environment, EPA's RCRA, EPA's Superfund, and ATSDR to gather background information and perception of community needs.
Outreach staff has begun interviewing community members via the phone and in person to gather their perception of issues and needs and to determine the most effective way to inform and engage the community at large. The Center is collaborating with Councilman Fenty's Office as well. Staff will participate in an introductory meeting led by the Councilman's office and EPA and will visit the site and surrounding community.
Hamilton Park
The community has multiple concerns related to sites of former tanneries, defunct foundries, nearby Superfund sites (National Priorities List and state), and currently operating facilities. The neighborhood, made up of 106 residences built in 1900-1950s, is contaminated with arsenic, lead, and various other toxics. The Hamilton Park Advisory Council is seeking guidance on: (1) understanding the site-related data and documents, and the possible health effects of exposure; and (2) education on possible remediation technologies.
Activities. In July 2003, Elder McDuffy telephoned regarding the Standard Chlorine of Delaware, Inc. (Metachem) Superfund Site in Delaware City. He expressed concerns over an EPA model used to predict leaking of chlorobenzenes from storage tanks and rail cars left onsite when it was abandoned in May 2002. He requested that the Center work with Michael Towle, EPA Region 3, in determining the appropriateness of the model. Outreach staff called Mr. Towle and left a voice message offering assistance on the matter.
Metachem
Standard Chlorine of Delaware, Inc., produced chlorinated benzene compounds onsite from 1966 to 2002. The 46-acre site was listed on the NPL in 1987 because of chlorobenzene spills in 1981 and 1986. Chlorobenzenes have been found in the groundwater, soil, sediments, and surface water. People may be exposed to the chemicals by direct contact with contaminated soil or accidentally ingesting contaminated soil or water. About 152,000 people draw groundwater from public and private wells within a 3-mile radius of the site. Approximately 30 people reside within 1 mile of the site. Wetlands near the site are threatened. Chlorobenzenes have been found in the tissue of fish obtained from Red Lion Creek.
In May 2002, the EPA, in coordination with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), initiated an emergency response following the abrupt closure, bankruptcy, and abandonment of the plant by its owner, Metachem Products, LLC. EPA and DNREC are performing a number of immediate actions to stabilize the site. Such actions include maintaining security, operating the wastewater treatment plant, reactivating the groundwater pump-and-treat system, and securing chemicals left in tanks and rail cars. Due to its bankruptcy, Metachem will be unable to perform further cleanup, so EPA will complete the remainder of the original cleanup, including the completion of a groundwater barrier and pump-and-treat system and thermal treatment of contaminated soils. EPA will evaluate the need for additional cleanup resulting from the abandonment of the plant.
Activities. The Center received a call from Elder McDuffy, a concerned citizen who lives about 15 miles from the site. He requested that the Center call the EPA to work with them on the emergency removal actions. Outreach staff performed a search and reviewed site-related documents available on the Internet. Staff spoke with Michael Towle, EPA Region 3, Emergency On-Scene Coordinator for the site, to gather information about the current status and activities. The Center offered assistance for community outreach, and he indicated he would pass it along to the Citizens Information Committee (CIC). Outreach staff left a message for Elder McDuffy informing him of the conversation.
Staff also spoke with Trish Taylor, of the CIC for the site, about a letter the Committee had received from Elder McDuffy. She requested input on a response to the letter and coordination of community involvement around the site.
Future Activities:Aberjona River/Industri-Plex Superfund Site. TOSC representatives will continue to act as facilitators among EPA, the city, and community groups. We will officially submit the reports and orally present our findings to the city council during the next quarter. Additionally, we will set up an educational program for the council and the public to present the findings in lay terminology, and we will answer any questions regarding our interpretation and review of the assessment.
Ninigret Park. We plan to start the initial visioning process for the site design with the students of the Conway School. TAB will set up a series of meetings where all stakeholders can share their vision for the park, and an overall site design concept can evolve.
Newhall Coalition. TOSC will continue to act as facilitators between the Coalition and the CTDEP. TOSC representatives will attend the community meetings, both Newhall Coalition and the CTDEP led informational meetings. We will be reviewing future site assessment and remediation plan documents during the next quarter.
Mallory Hat Factory. TAB representatives will continue to act as facilitators between the city, community, and CTDEP. We will continue to work with the city and the community to assess data gaps and act as third-party reviewers. The community and town have tabled the risk assessment, but this may be required in the future.
Massachusetts Military Reservation. We will continue to review documents as they become available. TOSC staff will continue to attend monthly IART meetings and weekly Technical Team meetings.
Regional Growth Partnership. TOSC/TAB will be closing this program during the next quarter.
Abbott School Districts. Frequent meetings will continue, and we will continue to provide technical assistance to the SCC/stakeholders, as funding allows.
Bloomfield, NJ. Continued contact will take place during the fourth quarter to discuss next steps and support activities.
Buzby Landfill. Attendance at future Task Force meetings and additional document review and comment are expected. It is anticipated, based on the community’s and responsible parties’ interests, that we may support the evaluation on the use of methane for power generation or recovery for use as a fuel. In addition, it is expected that we will be asked to comment on future planning and design efforts.
Camden NJ (Fettersville Community Organization/Macedonia Historical Association). Additional meetings will be attempted during the fourth quarter of 2003, to agree on specifics and to identify how objectives will be met. We will explore the possibility of linking the Fettersville community efforts to those of the South Waterfront area of Camden.
Fort Edwards, NY. The project will be kicked off during the fourth quarter of 2003 with the community and EPA representative meeting at Fort Edwards.
Heart of Camden. Continued interaction with the community is expected during the fourth quarter to determine if followup activities that were envisioned can be funded, as well as to assist interpretative aspects of the NJDEP Air Toxics study.
Ironbound Community Corporation. Continued contact will take place during the fourth quarter to continue to explore alternatives and provide technical assistance.
Long Branch Coal Gasification. We will attempt to make contact with the community this quarter; if unsuccessful, we will close the project due to inactivity.
Camden, NJ Martin-Aaron. The scope of this project remains in flux. We will continue to seek clarification and refinement during the fourth quarter of 2003.
Ford Avenue Redevelopment Project. We will prepare a work plan with a dynamic work strategy for implanting the Triad approach program.
New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal. During the fourth quarter, a meeting with the assistant commissioner and staff of the Environmental Analysis Unit will be held to explore synergies and technical assistance opportunities.
Lamont-Riggs Park. The Center will continue identifying stakeholders and priority concerns. The Center will convene a listening meeting with all interested parties. The Center will participate in an EPA led public availability meeting.
Hamilton Park. The Center will followup with Michael Towle (EPA Region 3) and seek out other members of the community near the site to assess their interest (Mr. McDuffy lives about 15 miles from the site).
Metachem. If requested, community members around the site will be identified, and the Center will help organize a listening session to identify concerns and questions. The Center will assist the community with informational and technical needs as requested.
Journal Articles:No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 10 publications for this subproject
Supplemental Keywords:Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments, CHSUE, outreach program, Johns Hopkins University, hazardous substance, hazardous waste, environmental contamination, brownfields, Technical Outreach Services for Communities, TOSC, Technical Assistance for Brownfields, TAB, Training and Technical Assistance to Brownfields, TTAB, community, remediation, public health, health risk, heavy metals, soil, groundwater, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAH, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, BTEX, mercury. , Scientific Discipline, Waste, Health, RFA, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Brownfields, Risk Assessments, Health Risk Assessment, Physical Processes, Ecological Risk Assessment, Hazardous Waste, Hazardous, Ecology and Ecosystems, environmental justice, urban environment, outreach material, brownfield sites, environmental hazards, human health risk, technical outreach, outreach and education, community support, contaminant dynamics, contaminant transport, web site development, hazardous substance contamination, exposure, technology transfer, human exposure, web development
Relevant Websites:
http://www.jhu.edu/hsrc/
http://www.epa.gov/hudson/
Progress and Final Reports:
2002 Progress Report
Original Abstract
2004 Progress Report
2005 Progress Report
2006 Progress Report
Final Report
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R828771 HSRC (2001) - Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments
Subprojects under this Center:
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R828771C001 Co-Contaminant Effects on Risk Assessment and Remediation Activities Involving Urban Sediments and Soils: Phase II
R828771C002 The Fate and Potential Bioavailability of Airborne Urban
Contaminants
R828771C003 Geochemistry, Biochemistry, and Surface/Groundwater Interactions
for As, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cd with Applications to Contaminated Waterfronts
R828771C004 Large Eddy Simulation of Dispersion in Urban Areas
R828771C005 Speciation of chromium in environmental media using capillary
electrophoresis with multiple wavlength UV/visible detection
R828771C006 Zero-Valent Metal Treatment of Halogenated Vapor-Phase Contaminants in SVE Offgas
R828771C007 The Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments (CHSUE) Outreach Program
R828771C008 New Jersey Institute of Technology Outreach Program for EPA Region II
R828771C009 Urban Environmental Issues: Hartford Technology Transfer and Outreach
R828771C010 University of Maryland Outreach Component
R828771C011 Environmental Assessment and GIS System Development of Brownfield Sites in Baltimore
R828771C012 Solubilization of Particulate-Bound Ni(II) and Zn(II)
R828771C013 Seasonal Controls of Arsenic Transport Across the Groundwater-Surface Water Interface at a Closed Landfill Site
R828771C014 Research Needs in the EPA Regions Covered by the Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments
R828771C015 Transport of Hazardous Substances Between Brownfields and the Surrounding Urban Atmosphere