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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Site Description

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center site covers an area of approximately 5,000 acres, eight miles northwest of Atlantic City. The site borders the Garden State Parkway in southeastern New Jersey. Installations on the site include the Atlantic City International Airport, a New Jersey Air National Guard Station, and extensive FAA facilities. Activities at the site started in 1942 with the construction of a Naval air base. In late 1958, the FAA, then known as the Airways Modernization Board, took over the operation and has used the facility as an airport and aviation safety research center. The FAA has identified over 20 areas of concern at the Technical Center. Atlantic City's municipal water supply is provided by nine ground water supply wells located on the FAA property, in addition to water drawn directly from the Upper and Lower Atlantic City Reservoirs. The Upper Reservoir is located on FAA property and the Lower Reservoir is adjacent to the FAA property. An estimated 37,000 residents and 113,000 visitors at peak season obtain drinking water from the Atlantic City wells and reservoirs. The reservoirs are fed by the North and South Branches of Doughty's Mill Stream, which cross portions of the Technical Center grounds.

Site Responsibility:

This site is being addressed through Federal actions.

NPL LISTING HISTORY

Proposed Date: 07/13/89
Final Date: 08/30/90

Threats and Contaminants

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, 1,1-dichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, metals, and pesticides are present in groundwater above NJMCLs. Although the Atlantic City municipal wells are not contaminated, a potential health threat exists if pollutants migrate to the wells. PCB contamination and metals are present in soils at the FAA Tech Center.

Cleanup Approach

The site is being addressed in approximately 13 longterm remedial phases (operable units) at the site. Cleanup phases will be refined at those areas grouped into operable units, and additional areas may be designated in the future as site studies continue.

Response Action Status

Area D (Jet Fuel Farm): A Record of Decision was signed September 29, 1989. JP-4 jet fuel has contaminated soil and groundwater at this area. Contaminants of concern include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and Base Neutral Acid (BNA) extractable compounds. The selected remedy includes free product extraction and incineration, in-situ biodegradation of VOCs and soil venting. It is estimated that 360,000 gallons of floating product and 33,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil are located at this area. A removal action for extraction of the free floating product was initiated in September 1988. Remedial design is completed and remedial action commenced in March 1995 with ongoing operation and maintenance. To date, approximately 105,645 gallons of jet fuel product have been extracted and sent off-site for treatment, and approximately 72 million gallons of groundwater have been treated on-site. Only 1,000 gallons of free product per quarter are currently being removed from the extraction system. Existing drawdown may not be as great as the system design. The operation of the soil vapor extraction (SVE) has been troubled by high water levels.

Area 20A (Salvage Yard): A Record of Decision was signed September 28, 1990. In addition, an Explanation of Significant Differences was issued on June 16, 1995 for a change in PCB soils treatment and disposal. Storage of scrap materials and drummed hazardous materials has contaminated soil and groundwater at this area. Contaminants of concern include VOCs, BNA extractable compounds, PCBs, and metals. The selected remedy includes groundwater extraction with air stripping, and excavation and landfill disposal, of PCB contaminated soil. An interim remedial measure to pump and treat groundwater from the intermediate aquifer has been fully operational since February 1992, and the remedial design and construction for the shallow aquifer contamination is also completed, with ongoing operation and maintenance of the treatment system since September 1996. Approximately 1,261 million gallons of groundwater has been treated on-site. The final design and draft remedial action workplan for PCB soil remediation was completed in July 1996, and removal action started on May 26, 1998. Soil remediation was completed in September 30, 1999. EPA is awaiting RA report for the soil remediation.

Area 29 (Fire Training Area): A Record of Decision was signed September 20, 1996. Test burning and extinguishing of fuel fires has contaminated soil and groundwater at this area. Contaminants of concern include VOCs and PCBs. The selected remedy calls for extraction of VOC contaminated groundwater with on-site carbon adsorption treatment, and excavation of PCB contaminated soils with off-site landfill disposal. Remedial design was accepted by EPA in June 1997. Construction was expected to start in Dec 1999, however, bids came over 50% higher than government estimate. A contractor is now in place and ready to start construction by second week of May 2000, EPA is awaiting copy of NTP.

Area B (Navy Fire Test Facility): A Record of Decision was signed September 20, 1996. The former test facility was used for aircraft fire training exercises and motor pool parking. VOCs, aromatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons were identified in the groundwater. Pre-design sampling conducted in the summer of 1996 identified mercury contamination in the groundwater. A study of mercury and its potential sources in the NJ Pinelands is underway by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as well as a mercury study specific to the FAA Technical Center. Once the USFWS studies and another round of groundwater sampling are completed, both the preferred in-situ remedy and contingency remedy consisting of a groundwater extraction system will be evaluated for their effectiveness. Remedial design expected to start on December 1, 1999 has been delayed due to a recently found TCE vertical plume.

Area 41 (Fuel Farm and Photo Lab): Investigations of the nature and extent of contamination at the 14.5 acre area have been expanded to include adjacent areas, identified in a site wide U.S. Fish and Wildlife study, as being contaminated with PCBs. Past activities at a photographic laboratory, fuel farm, and impoundment areas have contaminated soils, sediments and groundwater with the following contaminants: VOCs; PCBs; pesticides; metals; phthalate esters; and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Public meeting for the proposed paln was held on Apri 4, 2000. Draft ROD received by EPA on May 5, 2000.

Area A (R & D Landfill), Area J (Excavation Area Near Runway) and Area N (Building 214, Catapult Test Area): A Technical Report of Investigations at Proposed No Action Areas A, J and N is complete. Environmental investigations and risk evaluations at these areas demonstrate that contaminant concentrations do not pose a threat to human health or the environment. The EPA signed a ROD on July 22, 1997, which stated no further action for Areas J and N, and continued monitoring required for Area A.

Area 27 (Fuel Mist Test Area), Area 56 (Abandoned Navy Landfill), Area F (Air Blast Facility), Area R (Trash Dump In the Vicinity of Building 169), and Area S (Excavation West of Tilton Road): A Technical Report of Investigations at Proposed No Action Areas C,H,M,P,R,S and 56 is complete. A non-time critical removal action at Area 27 took place in the late 1980's, which involved the removal of approximately 800 tons of contaminated soil. Environmental investigations and risk evaluations at these areas demonstrate that contaminant concentrations do not pose a threat to human health or the environment. A ROD for Areas 27, 56, F, R, and S was signed on September 28, 1999 as residential site use restrictions except for Areas 56 and R which require continued groundwater monitoring as well.

Area C (Butler Aviation Fuel Spill), Area H (Salvage Yard Near Sewage Treatment Plant) and Area M (Building 202 Gelled Fuel Test Area): Environmental investigations and risk evaluations at these areas demonstrate that contaminant concentrations do not exceed regulatory and cleanup criteria levels. The EPA signed a ROD September 30, 1994 which stated that no remedial action is required, with continuedgroundwater monitoring at Area C to insure that an upgradient, off-site jet fuel spill at Butler Aviation is not impacting the groundwater at this area.

Area G (Transformer Storage Area): A Record of Decision (ROD) was signed September 30, 1992 to document the decision of no further action. Two non-time critical removal actions of PCB contaminated soil and concrete took place in the Fall of 1989 and the spring of 1990. Approximately 62 tons of excavated soil and concrete debris were disposed of in an approved TSCA facility.

Area I (Former Incinerator Building and Area Q (Fire Station):   Environmental investigations and risk evaluations at these areas demonstrate that contaminant concentrations do not exceed regulatory and cleanup criteria levels. The EPA signed a ROD August 17, 1994 which stated that no further action or continued monitoring is required.

Area P (Building 204 Fuel Spill):  A Technical Report of Investigations at Areas C,H,M,P,R & S is complete. A non-time critical removal action involving fuel-contaminated soil and ground water took place in June 1987; approximately 700 tons of soil was excavated and treated and disposed off-site. Environmental investigations and risk evaluations at this area demonstrate that contaminant concentrations do not exceed regulatory and cleanup criteria levels. The EPA signed a ROD February 13, 1997 which stated that no further action or continued monitoring is required.

Other Areas: Ongoing investigations are being conducted to determine the nature and extent of contamination at other areas at the FAA Technical Center Site. An recently designated Area U was assigned to a mercury investigation on the Absecon Creek Watershed. Based on the results of these investigations additional remedial actions will be selected.

The New Jersey Air National Guard (NJANG) began site investigations in November 1991 at four areas of concern which they lease from the FAA Technical Center. FAA and NJANG signed a Memorandum of Agreement in March 1995 outlining the coordination for completion of investigations and remedial activities. NJANG submitted a preliminary report of investigations to the EPA in May 1993. Remedial activities for the NJANG sites are being managed by FAA and supplemental investigation sampling was conducted during the summer of 1996. Draft SI report was issued on March 1999, which is been revised based on EPA comments.

Site Facts: An Interagency Agreement between the EPA and the FAA became final on May 17, 1993.

Environmental Progress

As discussed above, several initial actions have removed contaminated soils and groundwater remedies have been implemented which have limited the potential for exposure to hazardous wastes. Several remedial designs and actions for groundwater and additional soil contamination have been completed while investigations are being concluded at the remaining areas of concern at the FAA TechnicalCenter site. A Five-Year Review signed September 29, 1999, states that all remedies are protective of human health and the environment.

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