Return to Use Initiative
2009 Demonstration Project
Crater Resources
Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania
The Site:
The Crater Resources Superfund site consists of four quarries in Upper
Merion Township, Pennsylvania. Beginning in 1919, various industries,
primarily nearby coking facilities, used the quarries 1, 2, and 3 to dispose of
organic and tar wastes. Three of the quarries (1, 2 and 4) were also filled
with debris and solid wastes. Initial ground water investigation began in
1983, and in 1990 EPA took additional soil and ground water samples.
Wastes, liquids, soils, and sediments at Quarry 3 and soils of Quarries 1 and
2 were determined to be contaminated with phenolic compounds, polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, cyanide, and heavy
metals. Elevated levels of cyanide, ammonia, and phenol also impact area
ground water. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List
in 1992. Ongoing cleanup actions at the site include removal of all
contaminated soils and sediments in Quarry 3, construction of a multi-layer
cap to prevent direct contact and infiltration of surface water into the
Barrier: Complexities
involved with allowing
development to occur
simultaneously with EPA
cleanup efforts
Solution: Close collaboration
among EPA, the Township,
and developers to
appropriately sequence EPA
cleanup efforts and
developer's construction
contaminated soils of Quarries 1 and 2 and other contaminated soil areas, and monitored natural attenuation of
ground water. Quarry 4 will be further evaluated to determine if a cap is required.
The Opportunity:
The Crater Resources site is located in a busy office park section of Upper
Merion Township. Before EPA finalized cleanup decision documents,
developers expressed interest in purchasing and building on portions of the
95-acre site. This immediate interest allowed for EPA and developers to
engage in remedial planning, cleanup, and redevelopment simultaneously.
The Barriers:
Cleanup of Superfund sites can often be lengthy and complex, and new
development construction efforts are often dependent upon shifting
economic and financial variables. Coordinating construction timetables of
developers and EPA's cleanup schedule and requirements could have proved challenging. In addition, Upper
Merion Township required developers to meet all environmental cleanup standards before issuing building
permits.
The Solution:
EPA worked closely with developers and the township throughout the cleanup and redevelopment process to
ensure that the cleanup remedy was protective and to coordinate the cleanup and construction sequencing
Before: Site in need of
cleanup in desirable
commercial district
After: Site undergoing
synchronized cleanup and
commercial redevelopment
United States
Environmental Protection
I Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
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appropriately. In addition, EPA implemented appropriate institutional controls, which ensure that the land
would be used properly. The willing collaboration among the Township, EPA, and the developers allowed for
the construction schedule and cleanup efforts to be fully integrated. This close working relationship meant that
EPA could play a beneficial role when developers sought funding. In particular, EPA was able to reaffirm for
local government and financial institutions that EPA-approved work plans will resolve any environmental
issues.
The Site Now:
In 2001, Liberty Property Trust funded the cleanup and constructed an office building on one parcel. Since
then, O'Neill Properties Group has erected another office complex by entering into a prospective purchaser
agreement with EPA that allowed them to complete the cleanup without concern that they would be held liable
for pre-existing contamination. Future commercial building is anticipated on two other parcels. Because
construction activities could disrupt a permanent cap, EPA has approved the construction of temporary caps
over the quarries at these parcels and will wait to install permanent caps until construction is complete. This
ensures the integrity of the remedy once cleanup is complete. EPA, Liberty Property Trust, O'Neill Properties
Group, and Upper Merion Township continue to work together to coordinate cleanup and construction
activities.
For More Information, Please Contact: Joe McDowell, Remedial Project Manager, at (215) 814-3192 or
mcdowell.joseph@epa.gov: or Chris Corbett, Region 3 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at (215) 814-
3220 or corbett.chris@epa.gov.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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