Final Screening-Level Ecological Risk Assessment [December 2008]: In order to identify the potential for contaminants within the Newark Bay Study Area to adversely affect ecological receptor populations and to determine whether additional ecological evaluation is necessary, a screening-level ecological risk assessment (SLERA) was performed. This SLERA includes a conceptual site model, the contaminants of potential ecological concern, and a preliminary exposure assessment performed using conservative assumptions. Click here to download the SLERA. Click here to download the attachments and appendices to the SLERA.

New Newark Bay Fact Sheet released by EPA

Click here to download the March 2008 EPA fact sheet, which provides information on sampling activities completed during Phase I and Phase II of the Remedial Investigation.

Draft Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan for Comment

NOAA and USFWS announce the availability of a draft Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan for public comment. The Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan is one step in the damage assessment process. It serves to document exposure of natural resources to hazardous substances and identify anticipated procedures for evaluating natural resource injuries potentially caused by such exposure. Click here to download the plan.

Phase 2 Remedial Investigation Work Plan Approved [October 2007]:

EPA has approved the Newark Bay Phase 2 Remedial Investigation Work Plan (RIWP) which was developed by Tierra Solutions, Inc. (TSI) in accordance with the requirements of an EPA Administrative Order on Consent dated February 2004. The RIWP briefly summarizes the Phase 1 sediment sampling program (a detailed evaluation of the Phase 1 and 2 results will be performed upon receipt of the validated Phase 2 data), it describes the Phase 2 project quality objectives for the field work, and it outlines the tasks to be performed during the Phase 2 sediment investigation program. The primary purpose of Phase 2 is to characterize sediments in select areas of Newark Bay that have had significant accumulation of sediments since 1940. The characterization of sediments during Phase 2 will enhance EPA's understanding of contaminant deposition and distribution patterns over time in Newark Bay and it will help identify upland sources of contaminants. Collection and analysis of sediment cores began on October 23, 2007 within varied geomorphic units in Newark Bay (e.g., navigation channels, sub-tidal flats). Fifty-two sediment cores will be collected and analyzed for select contaminants. Phase 2 work is generally considered to be an extension of Phase 1 work. A Phase 3 effort will be needed in the future to fully accomplish all of the remedial investigation goals.

The Phase 2 RIWP includes an Investigation Work Plan, Sampling and Analysis Plan, Site Management Plan, and Quality Assurance Project Plan (Volumes 1 & 1a), and a Health and Safety/Contingency Plan (Volume 2). Click here to download the files that comprise the EPA-approved Phase 2 RIWP (Due to the large size of the file, downloading may take a few minutes). Click here to download a copy of the approval letter.

Click here to download the 2 sets of minor modifications that have been made to the workplan based upon observations made while implementing the field work.

Second Municipality Workshop Held

A second workshop for municipalities was held on July 12, 2007 in Newark, bringing together municipalities in the lower 8 miles of the Passaic River and in the Newark Bay area with federal-state partner agencies to discuss possibilities for integrating municipality plans and visions with federal-state cleanup and restoration projects. This workshop was a follow-up to the April 18, 2007 municipality workshop. Click here to find out more about the meeting by reading the work shop summary.

Workshop Held to Discuss Integration of Municipality Plans & Visions with Federal-State Cleanup & Restoration Projects

A municipalities workshop was held on April 18, 2007 in Newark, bringing together municipalities throughout the lower Passaic River and Newark Bay with federal-state partner agencies and key stakeholder groups to discuss possibilities for integrating municipality plans and visions with federal-state cleanup and restoration projects.

The partner agencies provided the more than 75 in attendance with an opportunity to initiate or continue a dialogue between waterfront municipalities and federal-state agencies. Discussions also took place on how to continue the coordination of municipal redevelopment activities with agency cleanup and restoration work. You can find out more about the meeting by reading the workshop summary.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FINALIZED

The partner agencies have prepared and completed the Community Involvement Plan (CIP) for the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project and Newark Bay Study. The commitment of the partner agencies to active and open public involvement forms the basis of this document. The CIP provides a toolbox of options for keeping the public informed and for soliciting input. As a living document for a dynamic project, the CIP will be reviewed annually, and updated as needed to reflect project progress and changes to community needs, concerns, issues, and contacts.

Click here for the Final Community Involvement Plan (Due to the large size of the file, downloading may take a few minutes).

For more information about the CIP or public involvement, contact:
David Kluesner, Public Affairs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone: (212) 637-3653
Fax: (212) 637-4445
Email: kluesner.dave@epa.gov

The Future Is Now.

EPA Demonstrates Bold, New Technology That Turns Contaminated Sediment into Useable Soil

On March 24, 2006, EPA hosted an event in Woodbridge, New Jersey demonstrating an exciting new technology that takes contaminated sediment and turns it into high quality top soil. This soil washing process is patented by BioGenesis Enterprises, Inc., and is being used to treat approximately 4500 cubic yards of sediment from the Passaic River.

Click here to read the entire story and see photos of the process.