PB97-963807
                                 EPA/541/R-97/080
                                 January 1998
EPA  Superfund
       Record of Decision:
       Naval Air Engineering Center OU 21
       (Areas A & B Groundwater)
       Lakehurst, NJ
       7/7/1997

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NAVAL AIR ENGINEERING STATION, Lakehurst, NU
                  Final
           Record of Decision for
         Areas A & B Groundwater
               7 May 1997

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 7 Mav 1997
                                     RECORD OF DECISION
                                  DECLARATION STATEMENT
                                AREAS A AND B GROUNDWATER
                              NAVAL AIR ENGINEERING STATION
 FACILITY NAME AND LOCATION

 Naval Air Engineering Station
 Lakehurst, New Jersey  08733


 STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE

 This decision document presents the selected alternative to address Areas A and B groundwater at the
 Naval  Air  Engineering Station in  Lakehurst, New Jersey.  The selected alternative was chosen  in
 accordance  with  the  Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and  Liability  Act
 (CERCLA). as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act  (SARA) and, to the
 extent practicable, the National Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan.

 This decision is based on information contained in the Remedial Investigation (RJ) Report (October 1992).
 the Endangerment Assessment (EA) Report (October 1992), the Focused Feasibility Study for Areas A and
 B Groundwater (July 1996), the Proposed Plan for Areas A and B Groundwater (February  1997), and
 sampling data obtained from the Area A interim pump and treat facility (December 1993 - October 1996).
 These reports and other information used  in the remedy selection process are part of the Administrative
 Record file for Areas A and B, which is available for public review at the Ocean County Library in Toms
 River. New Jersey.

 This document provides background information on the Area, presents the selected alternative, reviews the
 public's response to  the Proposed Plan and  provides  answers  to comments raised during the public
 comment period.

 Both the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Region II Regional Administrator and
 the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) concur with the
 selected remedy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED REMEDY

The selected alternative to address groundwater at Areas A and B is:  continued operation of the existing
groundwater treatment facility with modifications to enhance system performance.

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 The objectives of the selected action are to: 1) protect human health and the environment by reducing the
 dmvngradient  migration of contaminated groundwater,  2) remediate source  areas with  the  highest
 concentration of contaminants through the ongoing operation of a vapor extraction system al Site 13 and
 the installation of a dual phase extraction system at Area A-west; and 3) reduction of .Areas A and  B
 ground\vater contamination to meet applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs).
STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS

This final action for Areas A and B is protective of human health and the environment.  The results of this
action will attain Federal and State applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs).
                                  #97
Captain Leroy Farr
Commanding Officer
Naval Air Engineering Station
Lakehurst. New Jersey
(Date)
With the concurrence of:
JeanAtftox                (Date)
Regional Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II

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                                       DECISION SUMMARY
                                      RECORD OF DECISION
                                 AREAS A AND B GROUNDWATER
                               NAVAL AIR ENGINEERING STATION
 SITE DESCRIPTION

 The Naval Air Engineering Station  (NAES)  is located in Jackson and Manchester Townships, Ocean
 County, New  Jersey,  approximately 14 miles  inland from  the Atlantic Ocean (Figure  1). NAES is
 approximately 7,400 acres and is bordered by  Route 547 to the east, the Fort Dix Military Reservation to
 the west, woodland to the north (portions of which are within Colliers Mill Wildlife Management Area),
 Lakehurst Borough and woodland, including the Manchester Wildlife Management Area, to the south.
 NAES and the surrounding area are located within the Pinelands National Reserve, the most extensive
 undeveloped land tract of the Middle Atlantic Seaboard. The groundwater at NAES is currently classified
 by NJDEP as Class I-PL (Pinelands).

 NAES lies within the Outer Coastal Plain physiographic province, which is characterized by gently rolling
 terrain with minimal relief.  Surface elevations within NAES range from a low of approximately 60 feet
 above mean sea level in the east central part of the base, to a high of approximately 190 feet above mean
 sea level in the southwestern part of the base. Maximum relief occurs in the southwestern part of the base
 because of its proximity to the more rolling terrain of the Inner Coastal Plain.  Surface slopes are generally
 less than five percent.

 NAES lies within the Toms River Drainage Basin. The basin is relatively small (191 square miles) and the
 residence time for surface drainage  waters is  short. Drainage from NAES discharges to the Ridgeway
 Branch to the north and to the Black and Union Branches to the south. All three streams discharge into the
 Toms River. Several headwater tributaries to these branches originate at NAES. Northern tributaries to the
 Ridgeway Branch include the Elisha, Success, Harris and Obhanan Ridgeway Branches. The southern
 tributaries to the Black and Union Branches include the North Ruckles and Middle Ruckles Branches and
 Manapaqua Brook. The  Ridgeway and Union Branches then feed Pine Lake; located approximately  2.5
 miles east  of NAES before joining Toms River. Storm drainage from NAES is divided between the north
 and south, discharging into the Ridgeway Branch and Union Branch, respectively.  The Paint Branch,
 located in the east-central part of the base, is a relatively small stream which feeds the Manapaqua Brook.

 Three small water-bodies are located in the western portion of NAES:  Bass  Lake, Clubhouse Lake, and
 Pickerel Pond.  NAES also contains over 1,300 acres of flood-prone areas, occurring primarily in the south-
 central part of the base, and approximately 1,300 acres of prime agricultural land in the western portion of
 the base.

There are  913 acres on  the eastern portion of NAES that  lie  within Manchester  Township and the
remaining  acreage is in Jackson Township. The combined population of Lakehurst Borough, Manchester

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 and Jackson Townships, is approximately 65,400, for an area of approximately 185 square miles.  The
 average population density of Manchester and Jackson Townships is 169 persons per square mile.

 The areas surrounding NAES  are, in general, not heavily developed.  The closest  commercial area is
 located near the southeastern section of the facility  in the borough of Lakehurst.   This is primarily a
 residential area with some commercial establishments but no industry.  To the north  and south are State
 wildlife management  areas which  are essentially undeveloped.  Adjacent to and south of NAES  are
 commercial cranberry bogs, the drainage from which crosses the southeast section of NAES property.

 For the combined area of Manchester and Jackson Townships, approximately 41 percent of the land is
 vacant (undeveloped), 57 percent is residential, one percent is commercial and the remaining one percent is
 industrial or farmed. For Lakehurst Borough, 83 percent of the land is residential, 11 percent is vacant, and
 the remaining 6 percent commercially developed.

 In the vicinity of NAES, water is generally  supplied  to the populace by municipal supply wells.  Some
 private wells exist that provide drinking water, however, the majority are for irrigation only.  In Lakehurst
 Borough there is a well field consisting of seven 50-foot deep wells, located approximately two-thirds of a
 mile south of the eastern portion of NAES. Three of the seven wells (four of the wells are rarely operated)
 are pumped at an average rate of 70 to 90 gallons per minute and supply drinking water for a population of
 approximately 3,000. Jackson Township operates one supply  well in the Legler area,  approximately one-
 quarter mile north of NAES, which supplies water to a very small population (probably less than 1,000) in
 the immediate vicinity of NAES.

The history of the site dates back to 1916, when the Eddystone Chemical Company leased property from
 the Manchester Land Development Company to  develop an experimental firing range for the testing of
chemical artillery shells. In 1919, the U.S. Army assumed control of the site and named it Camp Kendrick.
Camp Kendrick was turned over to the Navy and  formally commissioned Naval  Air Station (NAS)
 Lakehurst, New Jersey on June 28, 1921. The Naval Air Engineering Center (NAEC) was moved from the
Naval Base, Philadelphia to Lakehurst in December 1974.  At that time,  NAEC became the  host activity,
thus, the new name NAEC.  In January  1992, NAEC was renamed the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft
Division Lakehurst  (NAWCADLKE), due to a reorganization  within the Department of the Navy. In
January 1994, the  NAWCADLKE was  renamed the Naval Air Engineering Station  (NAES),  due to
continued reorganization within the Department of the Navy.

Currently, NAES's mission is to support programs of technology development, engineering, developmental
evaluation and verification, systems integration, limited manufacturing, procurement, integrated logistic
support management, and  fleet engineering support for Aircraft-Platform  Interface (API) systems. This
includes terminal guidance, recovery, handling,  propulsion  support, avionics support,' servicing  and
maintenance,  aircraft/weapons/ship compatibility, and takeoff.  The Station provides, operates,  and
maintains product evaluation and verification sites, aviation and other facilities,  and  support services
(including development of equipment and instrumentation) for API systems and other Department of

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 Defense programs. The Station also provides facilities and support services for tenant activities and units
 as designed by appropriate authority.

 NAES and its tenant activities now occupy more than 300 buildings, built between 1919 and 1996, totaling
 over 2.845.000 square feet.  The command also operates and maintains: two 5,000-foot long runways, a
 12,000-foot long test runway, one-mile long jet car test track, four one and one-quarter mile long jet car test
 tracks, a parachute jump circle, a 79-acre golf course, and a 3,500-acre conservation area.

 In the past, the various operations and activities at the Station required the use, handling, storage and
 occasionally the on-site disposal of hazardous substances.  During the operational period of the facility,
 there have been documented, reported or suspected releases of these substances into the environment.

 SITE HISTORY

 In the early 1980s an initial assessment study identified 44 "Sites" or locations of potential contamination
 at NAES. The sites were grouped into "Areas" based on geographic location. Groundwater at Areas A and
 B is considered to be a single unit since a continuous plume exists at both areas.

 Areas A  and B are adjacent to one another and located in the northeastern portion of the NAES (Figure 2).
 Due to its large size, Area A has been subdivided into two adjacent sections, Area A-East and Area A-
 West. Area A-East includes Sites 14, 29 and 37 (Figure 3), and Area A-West includes Sites 12, 18, 26, 33,
 42 and 44 (Figure 4).  Area B is located in the northeastern portion of the NAES to the immediate south of
 Area A (Figure 5). Sites 9. 13, 15, 36 and 39 are located within Area B.

The Ridgeway Branch forms the northern boundary of Area A. Route 547 is coincident with the NAES
property  boundary and forms the eastern boundary of Area A-East. Along the northern edge of Area A, to
the south of and adjacent to the Ridgeway Branch, is a wetland area. The remainder of Area A to the soudi
and west of the wetlands is developed land consisting of various facility buildings and roads. Included in
Area A-East are the Defense Property Disposal Office (DPDO) storage yard and the Construction Battalion
(CB) Compound. Area A-West encompasses the Hill water supply system which consists of potable water
supply wells PW-37, PW-5 and PW-9.  The Hill water system provides potable water to  NAES facilities.
Also included  in Area A-West are Steam Plant No. 1 (Building 15), the location of the former wastewater
treatment facility (no longer operating), and numerous buildings housing various NAES departments and
operations.

Area B consists entirely of developed land, primarily various facility  buildings, including Hangars 1, 2
(Bldg.  148)  and 3 (Bldg. 149).  A large percentage of Area B is paved; no stream or other surface water
bodies are present in the area. The nearest facility boundary to Area B,  Route 547, is approximately 2,000
feet to the east. The general direction of groundwater flow in Areas A and B is to the northeast, toward the
wetlands and Ridgeway Branch.

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 The results of previous investigations and removal actions have documented the absence or removal of
 contamination posing a threat to human health or the environment at Sites 9, 12,15, 18, 26, 33, 36, 37, 39,
 42, and 44 in Areas A and B. Proposed Remedial Action Plans (PRAPs) were prepared for these sites,
 proposing the "no-action"  alternative, and released for public comment.   Following the 30-day public
 comment period, the Navy with USEPA and NJDEP concurrence concurrence issued a Record of Decision
 (ROD), which determined that no further investigation and/or remediation was necessary at these Sites.
 The ROD for Sites 15, 18 and 26 was issued on September 16, 1991. The ROD for Site 44 was issued on
 December31; 1991. The ROD for Sites 9,12,33, 36,37,39, and 42 was issued on September 14,1993.

 More extensive remedial actions were implemented for Sites 13, 14 and 29, as discussed in this document.

 On March 16, 1992, an interim ROD was signed by the Navy and USEPA for recovery and treatment of
 groundwater at Areas A and B. The NJDEP also concurred with the Record of Decision.  This final ROD
 presents the selected alternative for groundwater in Areas A and B.  It does not address other areas of
 concern at NAES, or sites other than those in Areas A and B. Other sites and areas have been addressed in
 separate Records of Decision.

 INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS

 As part of the DOD Installation Restoration Program and the Navy Assessment and Control of Installation
 Pollutants (NAC1P) program, an  initial Assessment Study  was conducted  in 1983 to identify and assess
 sites posing a potential  threat to human health or the environment due to contamination from past
 hazardous materials operations.

Based  on information from  historical records,  aerial photographs,  field inspections, and personnel
interviews, the study identified a total  of 44 potentially contaminated sites. An additional site, Bomarc.
was also investigated by NAES. The Bomarc Site is the responsibility of the U.S. Air Force and is located
on Fort Dix adjacent to the western portion of NAES.  A Remedial Investigation (RI) was recommended to
confirm or deny the existence of the suspected contamination and to quantify the extent of any problems
which may exist. Following further review of available data by Navy personnel, it was decided that 42 of
the 44 sites should be included in  the Remedial Investigation.  Two potentially contaminated sites, an
ordnance site (Site 41) and an Advanced Underground Storage Facility (Site 43), were deleted from the
Remedial Investigation because  they  had  already been  addressed through previous investigations or
standard removal  procedures.  In 1987 NAES was  designated as a National Priorities List (NPL) or
Superfund site under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
(CERCLA).

REMEDIAL INVESTIGATIONS

A series of investigations were conducted between 1985 and 1992 to determine the extent of contamination
at Areas A and B.  Monitoring wells were installed and groundwater samples were collected from all wells
for comprehensive chemical analyses.  Analysis of groundwater samples revealed  contamination with

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 volatile  organic  compounds  (VOCs),  semi-volatile  organic  compounds  (SVOCs)  and  petroleum
 hydrocarbons (PHCs). Figure 6 presents a more recent depiction of the extent and concentrations of VOC
 concentrations in groundwater during treatment system O&M. The table on page 9 provides a summary of
 the volatile organic contaminants detected above EPA and/or NJDEP standards.  A detailed description of
 the  investigations and results  is contained in the Focused  Feasibility  Study for Areas  A  and B
 Groundwater.

 REMEDIAL ACTIONS

 Area A and B Pump & Treat (1991)
 The Navy determined that it had sufficient data to perform an interim remedial action at Areas A and B.
 Although an in-depth risk assessment and comprehensive feasibility study had not been completed,  a
 decision to halt groundwater plume migration and treat groundwater contamination from Areas A and B
 was made. The proposed plan was submitted to the public in August,  1991.  A ROD memorializing the
 interim action was signed, with NJDEP concurrence, by the Navy and USEPA on March 16, 1992.

 The interim remedial action implemented includes groundwater pumping, treatment and recharge of treated
 water back to  the aquifer.  Groundwater is extracted via six recovery wells  at a combined rate of 585
 gallons per minute. Four recovery wells are located at the downgradient edge of Area A-East controlling
 the migration of contamination into the downgradient wetlands, Ridgeway Branch and toward off-base
 residential property.  A recovery well is located within Area A-West to treat a smaller area of groundwater
 contamination.   A recovery  well  is located  downgradient of Site 13 to  treat the higher levels of
 contamination  migrating from  this  source area in Area B.  Figure 7 provides recovery well and treatment
 system locations.

The extracted groundwater is pretreated to remove metals, free product and solids. To treat the VOCs in
 the extracted groundwater, the water is passed through air stripping columns.  Granular activated carbon
polishing filters are used for residual VOC and SVOC removal.  The air stripper emissions are treated by
 granular  activated carbon air  filters before being discharged to the atmosphere. The treated water is
recharged to the aquifer via an irrigatioa'subsurface infiltration area located upgradient of the contaminated
groundwater to form a "closed loop" treatment system.

The treatment  system was designed  by  the Navy and awarded for construction in November 1991.
Construction of the facility was completed and operation began in October  1993.  This interim remedial
action was implemented  to halt the  spread of contaminated groundwater from entering ecologically
sensitive areas.

The interim action cost $3,100,000 to construct.  Additionally the system costs approximately 5445,000 per
year to operate and maintain, approximately $120,000 per year for power, and approximately $120,000 per
year for project oversight.

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 Landfill Study/Excavation at Site 29 (April 1992)
 Numerous damaged (crushed  or broken) drums were unearthed along the northern edge of the former
 landfill (Site 29) during the summer of 1992.  A geophysical survey and test pit investigation was
 conducted from September 1992 through January 1993 to delineate the extent of buried drums at Site 29.
 Based on the findings of these investigations, a source removal effort was conducted from April 21 through
 June 18, 1993. This effort resulted in the removal of 417 buried drums and approximately 1,100 cubic
 yards of contaminated soil. The contaminated soil was recycled on site into asphalt during the summer of
 1994 using a portable cold mix bituminous stabilization plant.  The asphalt produced by this process was
 utilized at the N AES for the paving of existing gravel roads and parking lots. A Record of Decision for this
 Site was signed on August 9. 1994 calling for no further remedial action for Site 29 soils.

 Remedial Action/Soil Removal at Site 14 (1994)
 Petroleum contaminated soil from an old fire-training area was removed pursuant to a September 14,  1993
 ROD. The soil was excavated and asphalt batched on-site as discussed above. The asphalt produced was
 used to pave on-base roads in accordance with the ROD.

 Remedial ActionA7apor Extraction at Site 13 (1995)
 The delineated contamination in the soil at Site 13 corresponds to an area directly under former Fuel Farm
 125.  This area is approximately sixty feet by sixty feet. Pursuant to  a September 14, 1993 ROD, two
 vertical vapor extraction wells and two vertical vapor injection wells were installed at the site.  The
 placement of these wells was chosen to ensure the total coverage of the site.  Valves are placed in the
 system as a means to control the amount of air injected and extracted from each point. The system consists
 of air extraction and thermal oxidation treatment as well as fresh air injection to provide oxygen to the site
 in order to stimulate bio-remediation. The system is being switched to carbon adsorption for treatment due
 to the successful removal of contaminants and  the decreasing levels requiring treatment.   System
 performance is monitored through biweekly sampling of system  influent and effluent and soil gas sampling
 at four key locations.

 Free-product Recovery at Area A-West (1995)
 Free product recovery of the weathered fuel product at Area A-west was initiated in August 1995 using a
 SkimRite™ active free product skimming system. The system consists of a pump, skimmer, and controller
 assembly which is  inserted into the well.  The system has air  supply and air return lines which are
 connected to  an external air compressor.  Free product collected by the skimmer is pumped through a
 product discharge hose directly into a 55 gallon drum equipped with a float switch which shuts off the
 system when the drum is full.  Over a three  month period beginning in August 1995 approximately 30
 gallons of free product were recovered from  Area  A-west and disposed of as hazardous waste.  Due to
 problems with free  product separation,  the use of this system was discontinued after three months of
 operation.

 Remedial Action/Sediment Removal at Site 14 Wetlands (1996)
 Sediment contaminated  with petroleum hydrocarbons was removed from the wetlands at Site 14  in
November 1996. Approximately 450 cubic yards of sediment were excavated and recycled.

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 Summary of Remedial Actions
 Previous remedial  and removal  actions at  several sites in Areas A  and B have  addressed sources  of
 groundwater contamination. In addition, the vapor extraction system installed at Site 13 will be capable of
 reducing soil  contamination  to  acceptable levels  and thus  remove a  main  source of groundwater
 contamination in Areas A and B.  Based on the results of the interim remedial action for groundwater, it
 appears  that  the  existing system  is capable  of remediating  groundwater  contamination.  However,
 modifications  to the  existing groundwater  recovery system  will be  implemented as part  of the final
 alternative to further optimize the remediation of area groundwater.
            Volatile Organic Compounds Which Exceeded EPA MCLs and/or NJDEP PQLs
Contaminant
Benzenc
Toluenc
Eihvlbenzene
Xylene (total)
Bromolbrrr.
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chloroform
Dibromochloromethane
1 .2-Dichloroethanc
I.l-Dichloroethene
1 .2-Dichloroethcns
1 .2-Dichloroproriani:
1.1.2.2-
Tetrachloroethane
Teirachloroethcne
I.I.I -Trichloroelhanc
Trichloroethenc
Vinvl Chloride
Highest Let els Detected
During Remedial
Investigation
 established under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water
Act. MCLs are periodically revised as more information becomes available When MCLs are not available, proposed MCLs were used as the comparison
criteria for some analytes.

On  13 January 1993. the revised N.J.A.C. 7.9-6 which includes the Groundwater Quality  Criteria was signed.  The criteria establish  the groundwater
classifications for the Pinelands. including Class 1-PL (Preservation Area) and Class I-PL (Protection Area). The actual groundwater criteria are the natural
quality and background quality, respectively (N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.7). However, for some constituents natural quality is often much lower than can be measured in a
laboratory, therefore, some measurable criteria are necessary to determine compliance. Practical Quantitation Levels (PQLs) are the lowest concentration of a
constituent that can be reliably achieved among  laboratories within specified limits of precision and accuracy during routine laboratory operating conditions.
PQLs will be used to determine compliance w.th  groundwater quality criteria for Class I-PL groundwater.

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 HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

 The Proposed Plan for Areas A and B was issued to interested panics on December 30, 1996. On
 December 21 and 22, 1996, a newspaper notification inviting public comment on the Proposed Plan
 appeared in The Ocean County Observer and The Asbury Park Press. The comment period was held
 from January 7, 1997 to February 7, 1997. The newspaper notification also identified the Ocean County
 Library as the location of the Information Repository.

 A Public Meeting was held on January 15, 1997 at the Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library
 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. At this meeting representatives from the Navy, USEPA and NJDEP were
 available to answer questions concerning Areas A and B and the preferred alternative. The attendance
 list is provided in this Record of Decision as Appendix A.  Comments received and responses provided
 during the public hearing are included in the Responsiveness Summary, which is part of this Record of
 Decision.  A transcript of the meeting is available as part of the Administrative Record.

 During the public comment period from January 7, 1997 through February 7, 1997, no written
 comments were received from the public pertaining to Areas A and B. On February 4, 1997, the NJDEP
 submitted additional comments to the Proposed Plan for Areas A and B groundwater.  The Proposed
 Plan was revised to include these comments. A copy of the Proposed Plan for Areas A and B
 groundwater, dated February 5, 1997, has been placed in the Administrative Record for NAES located at
 the Ocean County Library. Toms River, NJ.

 This decision document presents the selected alternative (i.e., continued groundwater treatment with
 dual phase extraction and groundwater  sparging) for Areas A and B, chosen in accordance with
 CERCLA, as amended by SARA and, to the extent practicable, the National Contingency Plan (NCP).
 The decision for Areas A and B groundwater is based on the information contained in the Administrative
 Record, which is available for public review at the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington Street, Toms
 River. New Jersey.

 SCOPE AND ROLE OF RESPONSE ACTION

 Based on the levels of contamination detected in Areas A and B groundwater during Phase I and II of the
 Remedial  Investigation,  an  interim Focused Feasibility  Study  (August 19, 1991) was  prepared  to
 evaluate alternatives for controlling contaminated groundwater migration.  The  1991 Areas A and B
 Focused  Feasibility Study  indicated  that the implementation  of an  interim  action consisting  of
 groundwater pumping, treatment and recharge would be most effective at containing the  groundwater
 contaminants. An interim ROD for this action was issued on March 16 1992. Documentation supporting
 the interim action conducted at Areas A and B can be found in the Administrative Record for the NAES,
 at the Ocean County Library in Toms River, NJ.

 The decision to recover and treat  groundwater in Areas A and B was made to protect human health and
the environment by preventing the further migration of groundwater contamination. The selected interim

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 remedy was not a final action for groundwater. The interim action for groundwater was the first cleanup
 phase of the remediation of Areas A and B.  Separate final remedial actions were taken to remediate
 Areas A and B soil and sediment.  This proposed plan and associated feasibility study investigate further
 action necessary to meet applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) for groundwater
 and will serve as the basis for making a final groundwater cleanup decision at Areas A and B.

 SUMMARY OF SITE RISKS

 In April 1992, an overall  endangerment assessment for NAES was conducted.  The objective of this
 Endangerment Assessment (EA) was to assess the potential current and future human health risks and
 potential environmental impacts posed by contaminated soils, groundwater, sediment, and surface water
 at NAES. Based on available information, NAES was considered to be a potential public health concern
 because of the risk to human health caused by the possibility of exposure to hazardous substances via
 contaminated groundwater, soil, sediment, and surface water.

 AREAA&BR1SK

 This is a summary of the  Endangerment Assessment (EA) findings for Areas A and B groundwater.  Soil
 and sediment contamination in Areas A and B  either has been addressed or is being addressed.   The
 assessment of these areas was conducted using all available data generated  during previous remedial
 investigations (RI).  This summary will address (1) the chemicals identified as contaminants of concern
 (COCs), (2) the land  use  assumptions  upon  which estimates of potential  human exposure  to  site
 contaminants are based, (3) the quantitative estimates of carcinogenic risk and noncarcinogenic hazard, and
 (4)  a summary interpretation of the EA findings with regard to need for site remediation..

 Contaminants of Concern
 For Areas A and B groundwater. contaminants of concern were determined to be the following: mercury,
 benzene,   toluene,   ethylbenzene,   xylenes   (BTEX),   1,1-dichloroethene,    1,2-dichloroethene,
 tetrachloroethene, 1,1.1-trichloroethane, trichloroethene, vinyl chloride, naphthalene,  pentachlorophenol,
 and phenol.

Land Use and Exposure Assumptions
Four different scenarios representing  current and potential future land  uses  were evaluated to assess
applicability to the site.  Evaluated scenarios included military, light industrial, construction and residential
land uses.  For each of these scenarios, human exposure is effected by mechanisms  that include direct
contact, inhalation and  ingestion.  Based on current land use conditions  within Areas A and B, a light
industrial land use scenario was quantified for direct exposure to contaminated groundwater via incidental
ingestion.  Although future  residential land use conditions  were not investigated as part of the  risk
characterization for Areas A and B,  groundwater cleanup  levels are based  on  residential land  use
assumptions.
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 Human Health Risk and Hazard Findings
 For the contaminant levels detected in groundwater during the Remedial Investigation, the Hazard Index
 for noncarcinogens is 3.38, which is above the EPA's Hazard Index criteria value of 1.0. The Hazard Index
 values ranged  from a minimum value  of 4.89 X 10"5  for phenol to a maximum of 2.35 for 1,2-
 dichloroethene.  Carcinogenic risk estimates for levels detected in groundwater during the Remedial
 Investigation are above EPA's acceptable risk range of 1 X 10"" to 1 X 10~6 and New Jersey's acceptable
 risk of 1 X  10~6. The overall area groundwater risk represented by the sum of the chemical-specific risk
 estimates is  1.34 X \Q~~. The risk estimates ranged from a minimum of 1.26 X 10"6 for pentachlorophenol
 to a maximum of 1.32 X 10° for vinyl chloride.

 For the contaminant levels detected in groundwater monitoring wells  during interim treatment, the Hazard
 Index for noncarcinogens is 0.29 which is below the EPA's Hazard Index criteria value of 1.0. The Hazard
 Index values ranged from a minimum value  of 4.89 X 10"5 for phenol to a maximum of 0.21 for mercury.
 Carcinogenic risk estimates for levels detected in  groundwater during treatment are within the EPA's
 acceptable risk range of 1 X  10"4 to 1 X 10"* and above New Jersey's acceptable risk of 1 X 10"6. The
 overall area groundwater risk represented by the sum of the chemical-specific risk estimates is 7.20 X 10"1.
 The risk estimates ranged from a minimum of 1.26 X 10  for pentachlorophenol to a maximum of 3.75 X
 10° for benzene.

 These risk numbers are based on non-residential assumptions.  If residential assumptions are used, the risk
 numbers would be higher and would fall out of the EPA acceptable risk range.

 Ecological Assessment
 As part of the Endangerment Assessment, a Baseline Ecological Evaluation (BEE) was conducted to obtain
 a description of the ecosystems at NAES.

 Currently, it does not appear that groundwater is having an impact on the ecology  of Areas A and B.
 However, groundwater is hydraulically connected to downgradient wetlands and surface water which does
 have ecological receptors.

 An Ecological Characterization and Field Sampling Study was conducted for the Site 14 wetlands. This
 document can be found in the administrative record for NAES.

 Endangerment Assessment Summary
 In summary, the results of the EA indicate that contaminants present in groundwater at Areas A and B pose
 a concern relative to current and potential  future exposed populations.  Therefore, alternatives for the
 remediation of groundwater contamination in these Areas are warranted.

 SUMMARY OF REMEDIAL ACTION ALTERNATIVES

Under CERCLA, the alternative selected must be protective of human health and the environment, in
accordance with statutory requirements and cost effective.  Permanent solutions to contamination are to

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 be achieved wherever possible. The remedial alternatives considered for the area are summarized below.
 Detailed descriptions of the remedial alternatives can be found in the FFS (May 1993), which is
 available in the Administrative Record for NAES.

 All alternatives include the establishment of a classification exception area (CEA) pursuant to N.J.A.C.
 7:9-6.6.

 ALTERNATIVE 1: NO ACTION

 Estimated Construction Cost: S 99,600
 Estimated Net O&M Cost: S 0
 Estimated Implementation Time Frame: immediately

 The groundwater contamination present in Areas A and B is believed to be a result of past activities
 conducted at various sites.  Contaminated soil currently undergoing treatment in Areas A and B may still
 provide a source of contamination for groundwater. This alternative involves no action to control or
 remove groundwater contamination at Areas A and B.  Under this alternative, the existing treatment of
 groundwater would be discontinued and the equipment abandoned or removed.

 This alternative has been included to provide a baseline for the comparison of other alternatives.

 ALTERNATIVE  2:  NATURAL   REMEDIATION/GROUNDWATER   MONITORING  -
 DISCONTINUE EXISTING GROUNDWATER TREATMENT

Estimated Construction Cost: S 205,000
Estimated Net O&M Cost: S 115,600/yr
Estimated Implementation Time Frame: 1 year

This alternative involves groundwater monitoring of the aquifer and study of the natural remediation
processes occurring within the Area. The existing groundwater treatment system would be discontinued.
Extensive monitoring of the plume extent and migration would be monitored through the existing well
network and additional monitoring wells if necessary.  Contaminants would not be treated but would be
allowed to reduce naturally. The natural remediation occurring at the site would be studied to determine
if the microorganisms at the site have the potential to degrade the VOCs to harmless products.

Additional costs involve the installation of up to 10 additional monitoring wells and an initial restoration
study to prove that this process will effectively remediate the Area.   Annual  O&M  costs include
quarterly sampling and analysis and project oversight.
                                                13

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 ALTERNATIVE 3:  CONTINUE EXISTING TREATMENT - GROUNDWATER PUMPING,
 TREATMENT, AND RECHARGE; AND FREE-PRODUCT RECOVERY AT AREA A-WEST

 Construction Cost: S 3.1 million
 Estimated Additional Construction Cost: S 0
 Estimated Net O&M Cost: S 628,000/yr
 Estimated Implementation Time Frame: already implemented

 This alternative involves groundwater pumping from the existing recovery wells located in Areas A and
 B (Figure 7).

 At the existing treatment facility, a tank serves as an initial flow equalizer. A pretreatment unit is used
 for metals, free products  and solids removal.  Air stripping columns and  granular activated carbon
 polishing filters are used to treat the volatile organic contaminants in the extracted groundwater.  The air
 stripper emissions are treated by granular activated carbon air filters and clean air is discharged to the
 atmosphere. The treated groundwater, which meets Primary Safe Drinking Water Standards is recharged
 to the aquifer at two irrigation/infiltration areas located upgradient of the recovery wells to form a closed
 loop system. Treated groundwater is spray irrigated over soils in Areas A and B during temperate
 months  and is  infiltrated during winter  months. This alternative has  been effective at halting the
 continued migration of the contaminated plume.  The construction cost provided for this alternative was
 the cost to build the existing facility.  No additional construction cost would be incurred under this
 alternative.

 The only modifications to  the existing system included under this alternative would be modifications to
 the sampling frequency. Based on previous sampling results, it is appropriate  to reduce the frequency of
 sampling.  The sampling of monitoring wells will be reduced from quarterly to biannually for VOCs and
 annually for SVOCs and  metals.  The sampling of deep monitoring wells that have not detected any
 contamination may be discontinued.  The frequency of sampling for semi-volatile organic compounds in
 the treatment process will also be reduced to annually for system influent  and quarterly for system
 effluent.

 ALTERNATIVE 4:  MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING TREATMENT

 Estimated Construction Cost: S 3.1 million
 Estimated Additional Construction Cost: $161,000
 Estimated Net O&M Cost: $ 727,900/yr
 Estimated Implementation  Time Frame: 1 year

This alternative would  utilize  the existing treatment system, however this alternative  will require
modifications of the  existing system which  include  changes in recovery well  locations and design,
recovery rates, and potential modification to existing treatment technologies, and/or the implementation
of additional groundwater  treatment technologies. Modifications to the existing groundwater  recovery

                                               14

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 system would be made based on the results of the interim treatment system performance and quarterly
 data and additional modeling conducted in February 1996 during the design phase of the project.

 Proposed changes in the recovery system include the following.  The pumping rate of RWAB-4 would
 be increased from 80 gpm to 125 gpm to improve the capture of contamination from Area B and limit
 potential  migration of contamination past this well.   This modification  would  be implemented to
 improve contaminant recovery and accelerate the remediation of groundwater.

 An additional well may be placed at the location of the high levels of benzene detected near the wetlands
 in Area A-east.  Locating a well this close to the wetlands, however, may have adverse impacts on the
 wetlands.  The construction cost for this alternative was the cost  to construct the existing treatment
 system. An additional construction cost of $161,000 would be incurred under this alternative.

 Natural remediation occurring in Areas A and B is considered to be part of this alternative

 Modifications to the sampling frequency are also included as part of this alternative.  Based on previous
 sampling results, it is  appropriate to reduce  the frequency of sampling.  The sampling of monitoring
 wells will be reduced from quarterly to biannually for VOCs and annually for SVOCs and metals. The
 sampling of deep monitoring wells that have not detected any contamination may be discontinued. The
 frequency of sampling for semi-volatile organic compounds in the treatment process will also be reduced
 to annually for system influent and quarterly for system effluent.

 Under this general alternative,  four potential modifications to the existing treatment system will be
 developed individually. Costs associated with each should be considered additional to those shown in
 Alternative 4.

The individual development presented here is conducted to aid any future  decision making processes
which center on  treatment system optimization.  However, in  the detailed  analysis of alternatives,
modification will be treated as a single alternative.

The influent data from the recovery system proposed as Alternative 4 will be  reviewed to determine if
modifications to the current treatment system are necessary.  These modifications could include one or
several of the following alternatives,

Elimination of pH Adjustment for Treatment
Sodium hydroxide is currently used in the Areas A and B treatment process for pH adjustment. The pH
of the plant influent is raised to allow metal hydroxides to precipitate out of solution. The use of this
chemical is currently increasing the sodium content in the Area groundwater. Under this alternative the
reduction and possible elimination of pH adjustment would be investigated.  The cost savings resulting
from the elimination of sodium hydroxide for treatment would be approximately 540,000 per year.  The
effects  of this  change  on  treatment  system  performance would  be  investigated  to  determine
implementability.

                                                15

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 Open Aeration to Treat Groundwater
 Based on the existing levels of VOCs in the treatment system influent, controls on air emissions are not
 required.   If the influent levels from  the new recovery system to be installed under Alternative 4
 continue to meet these requirements, the use of alternate open aeration treatment would be investigated.
 The use of this technology would require no pretreatment of groundwater.  However, the  level of
 contaminants entering the system would have to meet the NJDEP air pollution control requirements.
 The discharge.requirements would  have to meet applicable Federal and State requirements.  The cost to
 implement this  type of treatment varies depending on the type of open aeration system chosen.

 If the use of open aeration is implemented, the use of surface  infiltration basins may be required to return
 treated water back to the aquifer.  This type  of discharge system would be more capable of handling
 precipitated iron than subsurface infiltration since the basins are more easily maintained.

 The following additional technologies will be implemented to accelerate the remediation of groundwater
 contamination in Areas A and B.

 Free Product Recovery
 The free product recovery currently being conducted at Area A-West could be modified to accelerate the
 remediation of  groundwater contamination.  Free product skimming currently  being conducted at Area
 A-west could be enhanced through the  addition of additional wells to skim groundwater over a larger
 area. Combined product recovery and groundwater extraction could be implemented by  installing a
 specialized combination well  which contains a peristaltic  skimmer to remove free product.  With this
 system, the cone of depression created by groundwater pumping  would allow floating  product to
 accumulate and be removed from the well more efficiently.  A dual phase extraction system could also
 be installed at Area A-west which  would efficiently  recover the  floating product while simultaneously
 promoting biological treatment.  The cost to  install  a dual phase extraction system at Area A-west is
 5125,000 plus S90.000 per year for  system operation and maintenance.

 Sparging
 A line  of sparge  points  placed  along the  wetlands  in Area  A-east would  prevent groundwater
 contamination from entering the downgradient wetlands. This system would also be used to remediate
 the  higher levels of contamination detected at well KB located adjacent to the wetlands. The placement
 of a recovery well at this location may cause an adverse drawdown in the wetlands therefore a passive
 remediation system may be better  suited to remediate this area  of contamination. The sparge system
 would be designed to provide a continuous 'Vail" of sparge points along the  downgradient extent of
 Area A-east.  Vapor extraction could be used to enhance the effectiveness of a sparge system.  The cost
 to install  a sparge system at  Area A-east is $200,000 plus $80,000 per  year for  operation and
maintenance.

An  air permit equivalency would be obtained from the NJDEP, if required, for modifications to existing
system or additional treatment systems to be installed.

                                                 16

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 6.0 EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES

 During the detailed evaluation of remedial alternatives, each alternative is assessed against the nine
 evaluation criteria which are summarized below.

 1.  Overall  Protection of Human Health and The Environment draws on the assessments conducted
 under other evaluation criteria and considers how the alternative addresses site risks through treatment,
 engineering, or institutional controls.

 2.  Long-Term Effectiveness  and Permanence evaluates the ability of an alternative to provide long
 term protection of human  health and the environment and the magnitude of residual risk posed by
 untreated wastes or treatment residuals.

 3. Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility or Volume Through Treatment evaluates an alternative's ability to
 reduce risks through treatment technology.

 4.  Short-Term Effectiveness addresses  the cleanup time frame and any adverse  impacts posed by the
 alternative during the construction and implementation phase, until cleanup goals are achieved.

 5.   Implementability is an evaluation of the  technical  feasibility,  administrative  feasibility,  and
 availability of services and material required to implement the alternative.

 6.  Cost includes an evaluation of capital costs, annual operation and maintenance (O&M) costs.

 7.  Compliance With ARARs evaluates the ability of an alternative to meet Applicable or Relevant and
 Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) established through Federal and State statutes and/or provides the
 basis for invoking a waiver.

 8.   Agency  Acceptance indicates the EPA's and the State's response to the alternatives in terms of
 technical and administrative issues and concerns.

9.   Community Acceptance evaluates the issues  and  concerns the public may have regarding the
 alternatives.

 The first two criteria, protection of human health and the environment and compliance with Applicable
 or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) are considered by the EPA to be threshold criteria
 which each  alternative must meet.  The next five are balancing criteria, and the final two are considered
 modifying criteria.
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 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES

 Overall Protection of Human Health and Environment -
 Alternative 4 provides the greatest overall protection of human health and the environment through a
 combination of groundwater recovery and treatment and  in-situ treatment.  Based on the results of the
 interim action (Alternative 3) additional technologies will be implemented to treat both free-product and
 groundwater in Area A-west  and treat  groundwater  contamination  in  Area  A-east.   Therefore.
 Alternative 4 provides advantages over Alternative 3 through more extensive treatment.

 Alternative  3 provides protection  of human  health and  the environment through treatment of
 groundwater and  extensive monitoring. However, pH adjustment and chemical addition under this
 alternative may have an adverse effect on the aquifer. Removal of these problems may be implemented
 under Alternative 4.

 Alternative 2 offers no groundwater treatment.  This alternative would provide protection of human
 health through extensive monitoring of groundwater migration and natural remediation.

 Alternative i, which offers no groundwater treatment or monitoring, is not protective.

 Long-Term Effectiveness and Permanence -
 Alternative 4 provides the overall most effective and permanent options for protection of human health
 and the environment through combined active and passive treatment. Long term permanence is ensured
 since monitoring wells throughout and downgradient of the plume are monitored until all levels within
 the plume have been reduced below ARARs.  The estimated time for this alternative to meet ARARs
 through the combined effects of treatment and natural remediation is less than 10 years.

 Alternative 3 would provide long-term protection of human health through the removal and treatment of
 all contamination migrating from the sites in Areas A and B. The estimated time for this alternatives to
 capture and treat all contamination above ARARs is 10 to 15 years.

 Alternative 2 provides no  active treatment and is not considered to be effective because the  current
 levels of contamination appear to be too high for natural remediation to effectively control  contaminant
 migration. This alternative would be effective toward the closing stages of restoration when pumping is
 no longer an effective option.

 Alternative 1 provides no treatment and is not considered effective.

 Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility or Volume Through Treatment -
 Alternative 4 treats the largest volume of contamination  by  optimizing groundwater contaminant
 recovery and applying additional treatment technologies to the existing groundwater treatment system.
The  mobility and volume are reduced through enhanced capture and treatment of the plume.
                                                18

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 Alternative 3 offers less reduction of toxicity, mobility or volume than Alternative 4.

 Alternatives  1 and  2 offer no reduction of toxicity, mobility or volume  through  treatment of the
 contaminated media.

 Short-Term Effectiveness -
 Remedial  action Alternatives  3 and  4 in the short-term, would halt the continued migration of
 contaminated groundwater downgradient of residual source areas.  Alternative 4 would accelerate the
 existing rate of treatment. The estimated cleanup duration for Alternative 4 is less than 10 years to reach
 ARARs.  The estimated time to reduce all contamination below ARARs for Alternative 3 is 10 to 15
 years.

 Alternative 2 is effective at monitoring the movement of contamination but would not prevent the short
 term migration of contamination.

 Alternative 1 provides no treatment of groundwater and is not considered to be effective  in the short-
 term because residual risks are not reduced.

 Implementability -
 Alternative 1 offers the greatest  implementability. This alternative involves the shutdown of the existing
 treatment facility and no further action.

 Alternative 3 has already been implemented as an interim measure. This alternative requires continued
 operation and maintenance of the existing treatment facility.

 Alternative No. 2 involves the shut down of treatment and continued  monitoring of the aquifer.  This
 alternative can be implemented  in several months with the initiation of a study to determine the natural
 remediation occurring within the aquifer.

 Alternative No. 4 would be more difficult to implement due to the additional design  and  construction
 required.

 Cost-
Altemative No.  1, the no action/long term monitoring alternative, has the lowest associated cost.
Alternative No. 2 natural remediation/monitoring alternative has the second lowest cost.  The cost for
Alternative No.  3  involves operation and maintenance costs  only.  Alternative  No.  4  involves
modification  of  the recovery system and/or additions to  the existing treatment system.  Due to the
potential decrease in the estimated time for completion from 10-15 years for Alternative 3 to 10 years for
Alternative 4. the reduced O&M costs may make Alternative 4 less costly.
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 Compliance with ARARs -
 EPA considers drinking water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and because of the location of
 NAES within the Pinelands, State Practical Quantitation Levels (PQLs), whichever is more stringent for
 each contaminant of concern, to be ARARs

 Alternative No. 1 does not comply with ARARs because no remedial action takes place. Alternative No.
 2 will not reduce contamination to meet ARARs in a reasonable time frame before the contamination
 migrates to areas that could potentially harm human health and the environment. Alternatives 3 and 4
 are designed to meet ARARs.

 An air permit equivalency would be obtained from the NJDEP, if required, for modifications to existing
 system or additional treatment systems to be installed.

 Agency and Community Acceptance -
 Agency and Community Acceptance are addressed in the Responsiveness Summary Section of this
 document..
THE SELECTED ALTERNATIVE

The selected alternative to address ground water at Areas A and B is Alternative 4: Modifications to
Existing Treatment.

The existing groundwater treatment system will be modified to improve the capture of contaminated
groundwater. Modifications to recovery well pumping rates will be implemented as part of the proposed
action. Also, modifications will be made to improve the effectiveness of remediation by adding a sparge
wall along the downgradient edge of the plume, along the edge of the wetlands in Area A-east and a dual
phase extraction system in Area A-west to enhance recovery of the product which continues to act as a
source in this area.  Additional modifications to treatment are also included as part of the proposed
action and could be implemented based on system influent concentrations after recovery system
modifications are implemented if necessary.

A classification exception area (CEA) will be established pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7.9-6.6.

The objectives of the proposed action for groundwater are to: 1) protect human health and the
environment by reducing the downgradient migration of contaminated groundwater; 2) remediate  source
areas with the highest concentration of contaminants through the ongoing operation of a vapor extraction
system at Site 13 and the installation of a dual phase extraction system at Area A-west; and 3) ensure
groundwater quality complies with ARARs.
                                               20

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                                            RECORD OF DECISION
                                        RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY
                                               AREAS A AND B
                                     NAVAL AIR ENGINEERING STATION
        The purpose of this responsiveness summary is to review public response to the Proposed Plan for Areas
        A and B groundwater. It also documents the Navy's consideration of comments during the decision
        making process and provides answers to any comments raised during the public comment period.

        The responsiveness summary for Areas A and B is divided into the following sections:

        OVERVIEW - This section briefly describes the remedial alternative recommended in the proposed plan
        and any impacts on the proposed plan due to public comment.

        BACKGROUND ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - This section describes community relations
        activities conducted with respect to the area of concern.

is      SUMMARY OF MAJOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS - This section summarizes verbal and
        written comments received during the public meeting and public comment period.

        OVERVIEW

        Areas A and B are located at the NAES in Ocean County, Lakehurst, New Jersey.  This responsiveness
        summary addresses public response to the Proposed Plan, proposing continued operation of the existing
        groundwater treatment system with modifications made to improve the effectiveness of remediation.

        The Proposed Plan and other supporting information are available for public review at the information
        repository located at the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington Street, Toms River, New Jersey.

        BACKGROUND ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

        This section provides a brief history of community participation in the investigation and interim
        remedial planning activities conducted for Areas A and B. Throughout the investigation period, the
        USEPA and NJDEP have been reviewing work plans and reports and have been providing comments
        and recommendations which are incorporated into the appropriate  documents. A Technical Review
        Committee (TRC), consisting of representatives of the Navy, the USEPA, the NJDEP, the Ocean County
        Board of Health, the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, other agencies and communities surrounding
        NAES was formed and has been holding periodic meetings to maintain open lines of communication and
        to inform all parties of current activities.

        Prior to public release of site-specific  documents, NAES's public relations staff compiled a list of local
       public officials who demonstrated or were expected to have an interest in the investigation. Local

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 environmental interest groups were also identified and included on this list. The list is attached as
 Appendix B to this Record of Decision.

 On December 21 and 22, 1996, a newspaper notification inviting public comment on the Proposed Plan
 appeared in The Ocean County Observer and The Asbury Park Press.  The public notice summarized the
 Proposed Plan and the preferred alternative.  The announcement also identified the time and location of a
 Public Meeting and specified a public comment period, and the address to which written comments
 could be sent. Public comments were accepted from January 7,1997 to February 7,1997. The
 newspaper notification also identified the Ocean County Library as the location of the Information
 Repository.

 A Public Meeting was held on January 15,1997, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Manchester Branch of the
 Ocean County Library, Colonial Drive, Manchester, New Jersey. At this meeting representatives from
 the Navy, USEPA and NJDEP were available to answer questions concerning Areas A and B
 groundwater and the preferred alternative. NAES representatives present included:  CAPT Leroy Farr,
 Commanding Officer; CAPT Michael Dougherty, Executive Officer; Robert Kirkbright, Director of
 Public Works Engineering; Lucy Bottomley, Supervisory Environmental Engineer; and Environmental
 Branch personnel: Dorothy Peterson, Greg Bury, Ray Hahn, Jill Sarafin, Bob Previte, Michael Figura,
 Carol Uhrich. Larry Lemig, Bill Korosec, and Joe Rhyner; and Carole Ancelin, Public Affairs Officer.
 Mr. Jeff Gratz, represented the USEPA's Federal Facility Section; Ms. Donna Gaffigan represented the
 NJDEP's Bureau of Federal Case Management and Mr. Kevin Schick represented the NJDEP's Bureau
 of Environmental Evaluation and Risk Assessment. The complete attendance list is provided in
 Appendix A.

 SUMMARY OF MAJOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

 Written Comments

 During the public comment period from January 7, 1997 through February 7, 1997,  no written
 comments were received from the public pertaining to Areas A and B.

 On February 4, 1997,  the NJDEP submitted additional comments to the Proposed Plan for Areas A and
 B groundwater.  The Proposed Plan was revised to include these comments. A copy of the Proposed
 Plan for Areas A and B groundwater, dated February 5,1997, has been placed in the Administrative
 Record for NAES located at the Ocean County Library, Toms River, NJ.

Public Meeting Comments

Question 1: Does the Navy take samples  to determine if any contamination from off-base sources could
be migrating onto the base?

During three phases of remedial investigations conducted at NAES, soil, sediment, surface water, and
groundwater samples were collected from areas of known or suspected contaminant releases into the

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 environment.  These areas were determined through interviews with base personnel, literature searches
 and site inspections. The only off-base source of contamination that has been identified as having the
 potential to enter the base property was the Bomarc Site. The results for this site are addressed in the
 Record of Decision for Area L (September 16,1991) and are not included as part of this Area.

 An elevated area which runs east-west through the base acts as a groundwater divide. Groundwater flow
 on the base migrates to the Ridgeway Branch to the north and the Black and Union Branches to the
 south. Therefore, it is unlikely that any groundwater contamination from off-base sources could migrate
 onto the base.

 NAES samples 42 wells in Areas A and B and several hundred wells across the base semi-annually to
 monitor groundwater quality and movement.  A basewide groundwater model is used to predict
 groundwater contaminant movement in order to protect human health and the environment.

 Question 2: What is involved with the groundwater treatment in Areas A and B and how often does the
 system operate?

 Groundwater is extracted via six recovery wells at a combined  rate of 585 gallons per minute.  Four
 recovery  wells are located  at  the downgradient edge of Area A-East controlling the migration of
 contamination  into  the downgradient wetlands, Ridgeway Branch and toward  off-base property.   A
 recovery  well  is located within Area  A-West to treat a smaller area of groundwater contamination.  A
 recovery well is located downgradient  of Site 13 to treat the higher levels of contamination migrating from
this source area in Area B.

The extracted groundwater is pretreated to remove metals, free product and solids. To treat the VOCs in
the extracted groundwater, the water is passed through air stripping columns.  Granular activated carbon
polishing filters are used for residual VOC and SVOC removal. The air stripper emissions are treated by
granular activated carbon  air filters before being discharged to  the atmosphere.  The treated water is
recharged to the aquifer  via  an irrigation/infiltration  area located  upgradient of the contaminated
groundwater to form a "closed loop" treatment system.

The treatment system in Areas A and B operates continuously 24 hours per days.
A transcript of the Public Meeting is provided in the Information Repository at the Ocean County
Library, Toms River NJ.

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STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS

Under CERCLA, the alternative selected must protect both human health and the environment, be cost
effective and comply with statutory requirements.  Permanent solutions to contamination problems are
to be achieved whenever possible.

Based on the consideration of alternatives, Alternative 4 has been selected as the preferred alternative to
address the groundwater in Areas A and B for the following reasons:

- The selected alternative will provide protection of human health and the environment through active
treatment of groundwater.  The remedial system will be designed to meet ARARs.  Extensive
monitoring will be used to ensure protection of human health.

- The treatment system described in the selected alternative has already been implemented and will
continue to be operated with modifications made to enhance system performance.

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           APPENDIX A

Attendance List for Public Meeting Held
          January 15,1997

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                   NAVAL AiR ENGINEERING STATION
                      Public Meeting January 15,1997

                            SIGN-IN  SHEET
NAME
                      ADDRESS (for future mailings)
                                              HOW DID YOU HEAR
                                              OF THE MEETING?
                                              CIRCLE ONE
C 0
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NAVAL AIR ENGINEERING STATION
  Public Meeting January 15,1997

      SIGN-IN SHEET

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 updated 2-18-97
                                   APPENDIX B
                          LIST OF CONCERNED PARTIES
 Naval Air Engineering Station - Lakehurst

 Captain L. Farr                               (908) 323-2380
 Commanding Officer
 Naval Air Engineering Station
 Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5000

 Ms. Carole Ancelin, Public Affairs               (908) 323-2811
 Naval Air Engineering Station
 Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5000

 Commander Mike Murtha                      (908) 323-2601
 Public Works Officer
 Naval Air Engineering Station
 Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5000
Northern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command

Mr. Lonnie Monaco      -                     (610) 595-0567
Northern Division
Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Code 182
10 Industrial Highway
Mail Stop 82
Lester, PA 19113-2090
Federal Elected Officials

Senator Frank R. Lautenberg                    (609) 757-5353
208 White Horse Pike
Suite 18-19
Harrington, NJ 08007

Senator Robert Torricelli                       (201) 639-2860
1 Newark Center
16th Floor

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 Newark, NJ 07102

 Congressman Dick Zimmer                    (908)788-1952
 36 West Main St.
 Suite 201
 Freehold, NJ 07728

 Congressman Christopher H. Smith              (908) 350-2300
 lOOLaceyRoad
 Suite 38A
 Whiting, NJ 08759

 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.                 (201) 571 -1140
 540 Broadway
 Room 118
 Long Branch, NJ 07740
 State Elected Officials

 Senator Leonard T. Connors, Jr.                 (609) 693-6700
 620 West Lacey Road
 Forked River, NJ 08731

 Assemblyman Jefferey Moran                   (609) 693-6700
 620 West Lacey Road
 Forked River, NJ 08731

 Assemblyman Christopher J. Connors            (609) 693-6700
 620 West Lacey Road
 Forked River, NJ 08731
Other Federal Agencies

Mr. Steve Aoyama                           (404) 639-6070
Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry
1600 Clifton Road
Mail Stop E-56
Atlanta, GA 30333

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 New Jersey Pinelands Commission

 Mr. Todd DeJesus                            (609) 894-9342
 The Pinelands Commission
 P. O. Box 7
 New Lisbon, NJ 08064
Ocean County Officials

Mr. Alan W. Avery, Jr., Director                (908) 929-2054
Ocean County Planning Board
P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754-2191

Mr. John C. Bartlett, Director                   (908) 244-2121
Ocean County Board of Freeholders
P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754

Mr. Joseph Przywara, Acting Health Coordinator   (908) 341 -9700
Ocean County Health Department
P.O. Box 2191
175 Sunset Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08754

Mr. A. Jerome Walnut, Chairman                (908) 505-3671
Ocean County Environmental Agency
1623 Whitesville Road
Toms River, NJ 08755

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 Dover Township Officials

 Hon. George Whittman                        (908) 341-1000
 Mayor of Dover Township
 P.O. Box 728
 33 Washington Street
 Toms River, NJ 08753

 Ms. Janet Larson, Chairperson                  (908) 341 -1000
 Dover Township Environmental Commission
 P.O. Box 728
 33 Washington Street
 Toms River, NJ 08754
Manchester Township Officials

Hon. Jane Cardo Cameron                     (908) 657-8121
Mayor of Manchester Township
One Colonial Drive
Lakehurst, NJ 08733

Mr. Warren Sweeney, Chairman
Manchester Township Environmental Commission
One Colonial Drive
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
Jackson Township Officials

Vicki Rickabaugh, Mayor
Municipal Building
95 W. Veterans Highway
Jackson, NJ 08527

Mr. Richard Bizub, Chairman                  (908) 928-0900
Jackson Township Environmental Commission
128 Willow Drive
Jackson, NJ 08527

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 Borough of Lakehurst Officials

 Hon. Stephen Childers                        (908) 657-4141
 Mayor of Lakehurst Borough
 5 Union Avenue
 Lakehurst, NJ 08733

 Mr. Robert J. Morris                          (908) 657-4141
 Municipal Clerk, Borough of Lakehurst
 5 Union Avenue
 Lakehurst, NJ 08733
 Plumsted Township Officials

 Hon. Ronald S. Dancer                        (609) 758-2241
 Mayor of Plumsted Township
 P.O. Box 398
 New Egypt, NJ 08533-0398
Community Groups and Interested Citizens

Pine Lake Park Association
100 Oakdale Drive
Toms River, NJ 08754

Mr. Holmes Ertley                           (908) 657-4690
699C Friar Court
Lakehurst, NJ 08733

Mr. John Lewis                             (908) 657-1890
315BeckervilleRoad
Lakehurst, NJ 08733

Ms. Candy Vesce
733 Sixth Ave.
Pine Lake Park
Toms River, NJ 08757

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 Ms. Theresa Lettman                          (609) 893-4747
 Pinelands Preservation Alliance
 120-34B White Bogs Road
 Browns Mills, NJ 08015

 Ms. Susan Marshall
 1716 Ninth Ave.
 Toms River, NJ 08757

 Ms. Gisela Tsambikou
 1162 Beacon St.
 Pine Lake Park
 Toms River, NJ 08757

 Mr. Dieter Rand
 3288 Johnson Ave.
 Lakehurst, NJ 08733

 Mr. & Mrs. Blackwell Albertson
 135BeckervilleRd.
 Lakehurst, NJ 08733

 Heritage Minerals, Inc.
 Attn: Ms. Adele Hovnanian
 One Hovchild Plaza
 4000 Route 66
 Tinton Falls, NJ 07753

 Chuck Lindstrom
 526-D Crescent Ave.
 Jackson, NJ 08527

 Ben Epstein
 Ocean County Citizens for Clean Water
 2230 Agin Court Road
Toms River, NJ 08733

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 Media Organizations

 Advance News                              (908) 657-8936
 2048 Route 37 West
 Lakehurst,NJ 08733

 Alyn Ackerman                             1-800-822-9770
 Asbury Park Press
 3601 Highway 66
 P.O. Box 1550
 Neptune, NJ 07754-1550

 Ms. Debra Coombe                          (908) 244-7171
 Newark Star Ledger
 44 Washington Street
 Toms River, NJ  08753

 New Egypt Press                            (609) 758-2112
 37 Main Street
 P.O. Box 288
 New Egypt, NJ 08533

 Ocean County Leader                         (908) 899-1000
 P.O.Box 1771
 Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

 Ms. Lisa Peterson                            (908) 793-0147
 Ocean County Review
 P.O. Box 8
 Seaside Heights, NJ 08751

 Ocean County Reporter                       (908) 349-1501
 8 Robbins Street
 P.O. Box 908
 Toms River, NJ  08753

 Mr. Sam Christopher                         (908) 349-3000
 Ocean County Observer
 8 Robbins Street
 CN2449
Toms River, NJ  08753

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Radio

Mr. Shawn Marsh                           (908) 774-7700
WJLK Radio
Press Plaza
Asbury Park, NJ  07712

Ms. Joan Jones                              (908) 270-5757
WJRZ Radio
22 West Water Street
P.O. Box 100
Toms River, NJ 08754

Mr. Doug Doyle                             (908) 269-0927
WOBM Radio
U.S. Highway 9
Bayville,NJ 08721

Mr. Gary Myervich                          (908) 341-8818
Adelphia Cable
830 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ  08753

Mr. Abi Montefiore                           (908) 681 -8222
Monmouth Cable
P.O. Box 58
Belmar,NJ 07719

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Federal and State Case Managers

Mr. Jeffrey Grate, Project Manager              (212) 637-4320
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region II
290 Broadway
18th Floor East
New York, NY 10007-1866

Ms. Donna Gaffigan, Case Manager             (609) 63 3-145 5
Bureau of Federal Case Management, CN 028
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-0028

Ms. Linda Welkom, Geologist                  (609) 292-8427
Bureau of Groundwater Pollution Abatement
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-0028

Mr. Kevin Schick                             (609) 984-1825
Bureau of Environmental Evaluation
and Risk Assessment
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-0028

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FIGURES

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fft^"^SiSi^HPPEraWs


   Mtdlul
   Cehlei

\  LAKEWOOD
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J^    /    Alrporl
 ^s
                                         CKSgN
                                         £,.    v^Bruoi
  . . -S i'-^Wr.! i'l:i ;.-.:-.
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         MAES  Lakehurst NPL  Sites
2
at
g
5
Map shows locations of 45 sites.
Sites in close proximity have been
grouped into geographical areas
labeled A through L.
                             FIGURE 2

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M2.8CO 5
VI 2.400
N12.000
Mil.100
 "w:x  C
                                                                                                                     APPROXIMATE LIUI1 Of Sit

                                                                                                                     BOUNDARY Of WOOOE3 AREAS
                                                                                                                NOTt:
                                                                                                                  REFER 10 Slit SUMMARIES IN SECTION 4 2.2
                                                                                                                  FOR IKOIVIOUAI SITE HISTORIES
                                                                                                                             AREA  A  EAST
                                                                                                                      BASE MAP WITH SITE  LOCATIONS
                                                                                                                   'REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION  - PHASc.  U
                                                                                                                      KAVAL  AIR ENGINEERING CENTER
                                                                                                                         LtKEH'JPST.  NEW JERSEV
                                                                                                                             Dames & Moore
  NOTED
                                                                                                                                  RG.B.
7-3-90 I
                                                                                                                                  Cl.T.
                           79 30-:

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                                                X*1':.-.-:
"
         FxPlANAIION

              APPROXIMATE LIMIT Of SITE

              BOONOART Of WOOOEO ABEAS
         MOTC:
           REFER TO SITE SUMMARIES IS SECTION 4.2.2
           FOR INDIVIDUAL SlTC MISIORIES
                       100   200   30C   OOFEE
                      AREA  A  WEST
              BASE MAP WITH SITE  LOCATIONS
        """"'RtMLDIAL INVESTIGATION  - PHASE I
                AVAL AIR ENGINEERING  CENTER
                  LAKEHUPST.  NEV/ JtRS^
                            .
                      Dames & Moore

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                                                                                                                                                 LOCATION PI AM
119,600
H9.JOO
W.MO
                                                                                                                     EXPLANATION-


                                                                                                                       ;   APPROnuATI UMH Of Silt


                                                                                                                          BOUNDARY C-' WOOOED A9CAS
                                                                                                                     NOTC:
                                                                                                                       strtR i; SUE SUMMARIES IN SECDON <.2.2
                                                                                                                       TOR INDIVIDUAL Stl HIS10«IES
           AREA  B
BASE  MAP WITH SITE LOCATIONS
                                                                                                                                  (NVESTICAllOK,  - PHAS' li
                                                                                                                            -'VAi.  AIR ENGINEERING  CENTER
                                                                                                                              LAKEHUR5T. NEW J'R^EY

                                                                                                                                  Dames & Moore
                                                                                                                           NOTED I*" "  R.C.B.
                                                                                                                           3-90  I"*""  C.IT~

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              AREA A
ISOCONCENTRATCNS  OF 'J'^L WXA^LE
  ORCANICS (VOC'J)  IN t. :OUNOWATER

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                          ROD FACT SHEET

SITS	
Name                 NAEC Lakehurst,  Area A  & B
Location/State       Ocean County,  New Jersey
EPA Region           II
HRS Score  (date)     49.48 (July 22,  1987)
Site  ID  #            NJ7170023744

ROD	•
Date Signed          July 7,  1997
Remedy: Modifications  to improve  recovery well pumping  rates;
          addition of  a  sparge  wall  along the downgradient  edge
          of  the  plume,-  addition  of  a dual phase extraction
          system;  other  modifications to the treatment  system;
          and establishment  of  a  classification exception area
          pursuant toN.J.A.C.  7.9-6.6)
Operable Unit       OU-21
Capital cost         $3,261,000  (Construction)
Construction  Completion:  12  months
O & M                $727,900 per  year, 18 years
Present worth       $10,583,000

LEAD	
Remedial/Enforcement       Federal Facility
EPA/State/PRP              Navy
Primary contact  (phone)    Sharon Jaffess 212-637-4396
Secondary contact  (phone)  Robert Wing 212-637-4332
Main PRP(s)                Navy
PRP Contact  (phone)        Lucy Bottomley 732-323-2612

WASTE	
Type  (metals, PCS, etc.) VOCs, semi-VOCs,and petroleum
                         hydrocarjons
Medium  (soil, g.w.,etc.) Ground V;ater
Origin                   Various sites within Areas A and B,
                         predominantly, Site 29 landfill,
                         petroleum contamination from an old
                         fire-training area (Site 14) and a
                         former fuel tank farm  (sit-i 13) .
Est.  quantity            4 discreet plumes: approximately 660
                         feet x 480 feet; 600 feet x 240 feet;
                         450 feet x 120 feet; and 460 feet x 360
                         feet

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