Evaluation of Early Actions for

Evaluation of Early Actions for Remediation of the Lower Passaic River

Scott E. Thompson(1), R. Bruce Fidler(2), and Liam Bossi(3)

Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., White Plains, NY,

The Lower Passaic River Restoration Project is an interagency effort to remediate and restore the Lower Passaic River watershed, which includes a 17-mile tidally influenced stretch of the river from the Dundee Dam to the river’s confluence with Newark Bay. For the first time, on a project of this magnitude, a joint WRDA-CERCLA approach is being taken to address the restoration (including remediation) of one of the most degraded waterways in the U.S. In a partnership among federal and state agencies (USEPA, USACE, NJDOT, NJDEP, NOAA and USFWS), an integrated remedial investigation/feasibility study is in progress to develop a comprehensive remediation/restoration plan for this highly degraded urban waterway and the surrounding 170 square mile watershed.

The 17-mile stretch is an operable unit of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site. The hazardous contaminants found in the sediments of the Study Area include dioxins, pesticides such as DDT, PCBs, PAHs, and metals such as mercury, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc. The Early Action Evaluation seeks to determine the feasibility of taking early action to address threats to human health or the environment while the integrated Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) proceeds.

Early action goals have been developed, which include: (1) to remediate contaminant mass, (2) to address areas of concern that may be unstable, eroding, or acting as sources, and (3) to ensure consistency with any final remedy selected for remediation of the entire Lower Passaic River. Technologies have been screened and alternatives assembled on the basis of their ability to achieve these goals.

As the Early Action evaluations are being conducted in parallel with RI/FS activities, a framework approach was used to allow for integration of data into the evaluation as RI/FS data become available. This approach has allowed for engineering analyses to occur while target areas were being evaluated and selected. Upon incorporation of new data and identification of target areas, the design considerations and cost estimates generated using the framework approach will be adapted, and refinements made as necessary to address any additional site-specific considerations not encompassed by the framework approach.

The focus of this presentation will be to describe the Early Action evaluation process and status. The presentation will also identify any potential benefits to the overall RI/FS project from this early feasibility evaluation of remedial alternatives.