If*
Streamlining
Site Cleanup in
New York City
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Brownfields and Land Revitalization
Technology Support Center
NYC Mayor's Office of Operations,
Office of Environmental
Remediation
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EPA 542-R-10-005
August 2010
www.epa.gov/brownfields
www.brownfieldstsc.org
Streamlining Site Cleanup in
New York City
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center
Washington, DC 20460
NYC Mayor's Office of Operations
Office of Environmental Remediation
253 Broadway, 14th floor
New York, NY 10007
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NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
This document was has been funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) under EPA Contract EP-W-07-078 to Tetra Tech EM Inc. The document
was subjected to the Agency's administrative and expert review and was approved for publication as an EPA
document. The information in this document is not intended to revise or update EPA policy or guidance on how to
investigate or remediate Brownfields or other land revitalization sites. Mention of trade names or commercial
products does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation for use.
This document can be obtained from EPA's Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center at
For further information, please contact Carlos Pachon of EPA's Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology
Innovation (OSRTI), Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center (BTSC) at 703-603-9904 or by
e-mail at
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EPA would like to acknowledge and thank the following organizations and individuals who contributed to the
development and review of this document:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology
Innovation
Technology Innovation and Field Services Division
Technology Integration and Information Branch
Arnold E. Layne, Division Director
Daniel M. Powell, Branch Chief
Carlos S. Pachon, Senior Program Analyst
Stephen Dyment, Technical Support
Program Manager
Cheryl Johnson, Environmental
Protection Specialist
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
Myra Blakely, Deputy Office Director
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region II, Emergency Remedial Response Division
Program Support Branch
Vincent Pitruzzello, Branch Chief
Ramon Torres, Chief, Brownfields Section
Benny Horn, Project Manager
Cover Photograph Sources
(Top right) Schaefer Landing, during demolition NYC
Department of Housing Preservation and Development,
Kent Waterfront Associates LLC.; (Bottom left) Schaefer
Landing, today NYC Department of Housing
Preservation and Development; Kent Waterfront
Associates LLC; (All others) U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
City of New York
Office of Environmental Remediation
Mayor's Office of Operations
Daniel C. Walsh, Ph.D., Director
Mark P. Mclntyre, General Counsel
Josslyn Shapiro, Ph.D., Deputy Director
Shaminder Chawla, Bureau Chief, City
Brownfield Cleanup Program
Chavy Chu, Chief, Agency Services
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation
James A. Quinn, P.E., Chief,
Remedial Section B
Tetra Tech EM Inc.
Technical Support Contractor
U.S. EPA Technology Integration and Information
Branch
Paul Brown, Program Manager
Jody Edwards, PG, Work Assignment
Manager
Robert Howe, Senior Geochemist
James Mack, LSRP, Hydrogeologist
Carolyn Pitera, Environmental Scientist
Kamlah McKay, Multimedia Manager
Kristen Vibbert Jenkins, Production
Specialist
Huyen Nguyen, Word Processor
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency NYC Mayor's Office of Operations
Brownfields and Land Revitalization Office of Environmental Remediation
Technology Support Center
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
Acronyms iii
Executive Summary iv
Introduction 1
The Triad Approach 1
Why Triad is Part of PlaNYC 2
Streamlining Cleanups 3
Benefits to Local Communities, Property Owners, Developers and Practitioners 4
Programmatic Applications of Triad 4
Brownfields 4
Voluntary Cleanup vs. "At Risk Development" 6
Uncertainty Management 7
How Triad Can be Applied in NYC 9
Use of Triad to Perform Environmental Investigations of Historic Fill 9
Composition of Historic Fill 10
Delineation of Fill Materials 10
Real-Time Measurement Technologies 12
Common Fill Contaminants 12
PAHs 13
Metals 13
Identifying and Delineating Contamination in Fill 14
Use of Triad to Perform Environmental Investigations at Water front Property 16
Redevelopment Opportunities and Challenges 17
Common Characteristics of Waterfront Properties Can Be Used to Build a CSM 17
Identifying and Delineating Intermingled Contaminants 19
Groundwater Discharge to a Water Body 19
Data Management, Visualization, and Communication 20
Conclusion 23
Resources 23
NYC Resources 23
New York City Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) 23
Brownfield Incentive Grant (BIG) Program 23
Searchable Property Environmental e-Database (SPEED) 23
OER's Green Team 24
Financial Incentive Consultation 24
NYC Brownfield Partnership 24
Pro-Bono Environmental Counseling 24
Green Job Training 24
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
EPA Resources 25
WebSites 25
Guidance Documents 25
Instructor-Led Training 26
Archived Web-Accessible Training 26
References 27
FIGURES
Figure Page
Figure 1 - Triad Approach Project Life Cycle 2
Figure 2 - Historic Fill Lands in New York City 9
Figure 3 - Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (FPXRF) Analyzer 13
Figure 4 - Direct Push Groundwater Screening Locations 21
Figure 5 - Delineated Chlorobenzene Plume 21
Figure 6 - Correlation of PDB Samples and Chlorobenzene Plume Discharge Points 22
Figure 7 - 3-D Visualization of Contamination Overlying Bedrock 22
TABLES
Table Page
Table 1 - Example Sites That Have Implemented Triad BMPs 3
Table 2 - Example Direct Sensing Tools and Applications for Fill Delineation 12
Table 3 - Contaminants Typically Found in Historic Fill Material 13
Table 4 - Example Sensing, Sampling and Analytical Technologies for Contaminant Delineation 15
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
ACRONYMS
2-D two-dimensional
3-D three-dimensional
AA Atomic Absorption
AOC Area of Concern
AST Aboveground Storage Tank
BIG Brownfield Incentive Grant
BMP Best Management Practice
BOA Brownfield Opportunity Area
BTSC Brownfields and Land Revitalization
Technology Support Center
CLU-IN Hazardous Waste Clean-Up
Information Web Site
COG Contaminant of Concern
CoP Community of Practice
CPA Chlorobenzene Plume Area
CPT Cone Penetrometer Testing
CSM Conceptual Site Model
DC Direct Current
DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
DNAPL Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid
DPT Direct-Push Technology
DWS Dynamic Work Strategy
EC Electrical Conductivity
EC/IC Engineering Controls / Institutional
Controls
BCD Electron Capture Detector
EPA United States Environmental
Protection Agency
ERI Electrical Resistivity Imaging
ESA Environmental Site Assessment
FID Flame-Ionization Detector
FFD Fuel Fluorescence Detector
FPXRF Field-Portable X-Ray Fluorescence
GC Gas Chromatography
GPR Ground Penetrating Radar
GPS Global Positioning System
IA Immunoassay
ICP Inductively Coupled Plasma
LIF Laser-Induced Fluorescence
LTM Long-Term Monitoring
MEG Munitions and Explosives of Concern
MIP Membrane Interface Probe
mgals Milligals
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
ms/m milliseconds per meter
mS/m milliSiemens per meter
NAPL Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids
NJDEP New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection
ns/m Nanoseconds Per Meter
nT nanoTesla
nT/m nanoTesla/meter
NYC New York City
NYC BCP New York City Brownfield Cleanup
Program
NYSDEC New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation
NYSDEC BCP New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation
Brownfield Cleanup Program
OER Office of Environmental Remediation
OP-FTIR Open Path Fourier Transform Infrared
ORD EPA Office of Research and
Development
OSRTI EPA Office of Superfund Remediation
and Technology Innovation
OSWER EPA Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
PAH Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon
PCB Polychlorinated biphenyl
PDB Passive Diffusion Bag
PID Photoionization Detector
PPRDA Paterson Plank Road Redevelopment
Area
PPM Parts per Million
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act
ROST Rapid Optical Screening Tool
ROW Right-of-Ways
SPEED Searchable Property Environmental e-
Database
SPP Systematic Project Planning
SVOC Semivolatile Organic Compound
TPH Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon
[igals Microgals
USAGE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USDA NRCS U.S. Department of Agriculture,
National Resource Conservation
Service
UST Underground Storage Tank
UV Ultraviolet
UVF Ultraviolet Fluorescence
VPD Vacant Property Database
VI Vapor Intrusion
VOC Volatile Organic Compound
XRF X-Ray Fluorescence
XSD Halogen Specific Detector
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Brownfields and Land Revitalization
Technology Support Center (BTSC) and the New
York City (NYC) Mayor's Office of Environmental
Restoration (OER) have jointly prepared this
document as a technical transfer resource for
organizations and individuals involved in the
redevelopment of contaminated properties in NYC.
This joint effort, supported by New York State,
advances the environmental cleanup goals of
PlaNYC 2030, the City's comprehensive
sustainability plan. The purpose of this document is
to present how Triad Approach best management
practices (BMP) for site investigation and
remediation advance EPA's and NYC Mayor's Office
initiatives in the areas of community revitalization
and Brownfields redevelopment.
In April 2007, NYC announced PlaNYC, a plan
developed by the City to meet the challenges of
growth over the next 2 5 years and create a
sustainable NYC. PlaNYC recognizes that land area in
NYC is finite and that to accommodate the expected
growth of one million people over the next two
decades, land must be effectively reutilized through
Brownfields redevelopment. As a result, the reuse of
low to moderate contaminated land is an important
component of PlaNYC because it provides
opportunities to maximize available space for
commercial, residential and recreational
development.
PlaNYC includes 11 Brownfields initiatives. Initiative
1 is to adopt on-site testing to streamline the
cleanup process. One of the core elements of Triad is
the use of real-time measurements, which allows
dynamic field programs and on-site decision
making. These BMPs result in effective and reliable
environmental investigations at Brownfields sites,
providing stakeholder confidence that the
appropriate cleanup approach has been selected and
cleanup levels achieved for the intended reuse.
The use of Triad in the New York metropolitan area
(and other urban settings nationwide) has shown
significant advantages for Brownfields
redevelopment programs, including those involving
the redevelopment of historic fill areas and
waterfront properties.
Historic Fill Areas. As much as 2 0 percent of
the urban areas in and around NYC contain
historic fill, placed years ago to raise the
elevation of land primarily around coastal areas
and heads of bays. Fill material typically
contains low to moderate levels of metals and
PAHs. Brownfields redevelopment experience,
however, has shown that these lands can be
safely reused if the appropriate precautions are
taken to protect human health and the
environment. Key to this is a thorough
environmental investigation that determines
the thickness and content of the fill as well as
the nature and distribution of chemicals
secondarily released into the fill originating
from past industrial uses. Direct sensing tools,
on-site measurement technologies, area-wide
investigation programs, advanced conceptual
site models (CSMs), and other aspects of Triad
provide the framework to effectively investigate
and redevelop historic fill lands. Since much of
the land available to NYC for reuse is historic fill,
streamlined methods for redeveloping these
lands provides a directly significant benefit.
Waterfront Property. Waterfront property is
another area that will be critical to NYC
development needs over the next 25 years.
Waterfront properties have several common
aspects, including the presence of historic fill,
secondary contaminants, groundwater
discharges to a water body, and nearshore
sediments. Triad can provide an effective
cleanup management approach for waterfront
properties by streamlining redevelopment-
related investigation efforts. For example, the
common characteristics found at these
properties can expedite the development and
design of the investigations approach. The use
of direct sensing tools, real-time measurement,
and dynamic work strategies (DSW) can also
streamline the investigation and remediation of
waterfront properties.
NYC OER will be integrating Triad into its existing
programs to help the City achieve its PlaNYC
Brownfields redevelopment goals. To be successful,
it will be important for environmental practitioners
to build skills and capacity in the application of
Triad through NYC OER and EPA supported
education and training programs. These consist of
guidance manuals, seminars, web-based technical
training, individual mentoring and case histories/
demonstration projects. NYC OER and EPA BTSC
support the expansion of Triad methods on
Brownfields sites by working with other entities
involved with Brownfield reuse planning and
funding. For example, NYC OER has developed a
Memorandum of Agreement (MO A) with the New
York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (NYSDEC) to allow more moderately
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
contaminated sites in NYC to participate in the NYC NYC OER supports regional and national goals of site
Brownfields Cleanup Program (BCP). More cleanup and reuse, economic development,
participation can increase the use of Triad environmental stewardship and community
techniques in the New York metropolitan area. engagement. A sustained Brownfields partnership
, . , ., will provide enhanced value to NYC and reinforce to
These are a few examples of how an , , , ., . , . , .,
, ,. , __. , others the value of Triad Approach BMPs.
intergovernmental partnership between EPA and
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
INTRODUCTION
With the ever increasing demand for sustainable
development in the city of New York, and available
land already scarce, sites with low to moderate
environmental concerns offer both a challenge and
an opportunity to leverage underutilized land assets.
To do so more effectively, it is critical to provide all
land redevelopment stakeholders with access to the
latest strategies and tools for environmental
assessment and cleanup.
To respond to this need, the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology
Support Center (BTSC) and the New York City (NYC)
Mayor's Office of Environmental Remediation (OER)
have jointly prepared this document as a technology
transfer resource for organizations and individuals
involved in the redevelopment of contaminated
properties in NYC. Supported by the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS
DEC), this joint effort advances the environmental
cleanup goals of PlaNYC 2030, the city's
comprehensive sustainability plan.
The purpose of this document is to present how the
Triad Approach best management practices (BMP)
for site investigation and remediation advance the
initiatives of EPA and the NYC Mayor's Office in the
areas of community revitalization and Brownfields
redevelopment.
Community Revitalization - A key component of
redevelopment, community revitalization is the
effort to renovate and rebuild vacant, commercial,
industrial, and residential sites to help stimulate
jobs and investment in the local community. In
addition to benefitting from new public and private
infrastructure, community revitalization programs
are intended to ensure equal access to the economic
benefits that stem from the process of
redevelopment. In order to realize these benefits,
small businesses and citizens need to be as informed
and engaged as those undertaking the development.
Investing in training for environmental services and
other development-related employment provide
options to community members to maximize their
potential and opportunities.
Brownfields Redevelopment - Brownfields sites
are generally defined as vacant, abandoned or
underutilized industrial or commercial properties
where redevelopment is complicated by actual or
perceived environmental contamination. With
certain legal exclusions and additions, the regulatory
term "Brownfields site" means real property, the
expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be
complicated by the presence or potential presence
of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant
(Public Law 107-118 (H.R. 2869). Brownfields vary
in type, size, location, age, and history of use. They
typically have lower levels of contamination than
other regulated sites which can be mitigated using
appropriate science and engineering. Brownfields
redevelopment is often stigmatized by uncertainties
of their past use.
The Triad Approach - The Triad Approach to Site
Characterization and Remediation (i.e., Triad)
supports effective and efficient decision-making for
cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous waste.
Triad provides a technically defensible methodology
for managing decision uncertainty based on use of
innovative BMPs, strategies and tools, including
systematic project planning, conceptual site models,
dynamic work strategies, and real-time
measurement technologies.
NYC has a history of award-winning redevelopment
efforts, including the Rheingold Brewery
Redevelopment Project in Brooklyn and the Fulton
Fish Market at Hunts Point in The Bronx. NYC's
initiative to Streamline Site Cleanup is intended to
improve and shorten the process of realizing the
benefits of high quality redevelopment efforts,
building on lessons learned from past sites.
THE TRIAD APPROACH
The Triad Approach is
a three-pronged
approach for
managing all forms of
project uncertainty in
order to improve
decision-making and
streamline
environmental
cleanup projects.
Triad draws on
science and technology advancements and
practitioner experience to develop strategies for
making site work more scientifically-defensible,
resource-effective, adaptive to changing project
needs, and responsive to stakeholder concerns. The
Triad Approach can be used to streamline site
investigation and remediation, enhance stakeholder
communication, and improve the quality of project
and site decisions.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
The three primary BMPs of the Triad Approach are:
Systematic Project Planning (SPP) - An
efficient method for comprehensive planning
design and implementation for all stages of site
investigation and cleanup projects. Generally
recognized to be common practice for all
projects, SPP is uniquely applied and critical to
the successful design and execution of a Triad-
based project.
Dynamic Work Strategies (DWS) - An agreed
upon sequence of dynamic data collection
activities that efficiently addresses identified
project concerns. DWS activities are
implemented and managed in the field using
real-time information to target and manage data
and decision uncertainty. Streamlined
workplans, developed in the context of a
project's regulatory framework, are used to
document DWS for project team use.
Real-time Measurement Technologies - Data
generation that enables reliable measurement,
collection or analysis of environmental media in
a time frame that facilitates real-time decision
making (i.e., execution of a DWS). These
measurements typically result in a much greater
density of information and are available to
direct field activities in time frames shorter than
those commonly achieved with conventional
sampling and analytical methods. Together with
the DWS, real-time measurement technologies
are used to focus when and where collaborative
sampling and analyses can provide the greatest
benefit.
A major emphasis of Triad is its use of the
conceptual site model (CSM) as the basis from which
data needs are identified, strategies for collecting
data to reduce uncertainty are designed, and site
uncertainties are managed throughout the life cycle
of a project. A CSM is a representation of
contamination concerns that are present as well as
predictions of the nature, exposure, and extent of
the contamination. They can be expressed through
text, tabular data and/or simplified graphic
renderings or more complex visualization tools in
order to capture, communicate, and leverage
existing information. The CSM enhances stakeholder
understanding of site conditions and helps to focus
future investigation and remediation efforts on key
uncertainties or data gaps.
Figure 1 illustrates the life cycle of a Triad
Approach-based project.
Figure 1 - Triad Approach Project Life Cycle
Preliminary Conceptual Site
Model Development
Systematic Project Planning
Baseline Conceptual Site Model Finalized
Work Plan Development
Based on Data Gaps Identified in the CSM
Dynamic Field Effort Using
Real-Time Measurement
Technologies
Collaborative Analytical Data
Additional Dynamic
Sampling
Update CSM
Data Gaps Addressed?
Delineation Complete?
Investigation Complete
WHY TRIAD IS PART OF PLANYC
The supply of land in New York City (NYC) is fixed
and, as a result, land must be used more efficiently
to accommodate growth while preserving the city's
quality of life. The City needs to maximize the value
of every piece of land, even those considered
Brownfields or sites where previous uses have
resulted in environmental impacts such as soil and
groundwater contamination. As much as 7,600 acres
in NYC have been impacted in this manner and in
many cases the presence of low to moderate levels
of contamination has stalled development.
In April 2007, the City announced PlaNYC, a plan to
address the critical challenges that lay ahead in
moving toward the goal of creating a sustainable
city. Brownfields redevelopment was included in
PlaNYC because it was recognized that in order to
support a healthier and more prosperous city, there
was a need to unlock the potential of contaminated
land to provide critical space for commercial,
residential, and recreational development.
In PlaNYC, the City has committed to promote the
redevelopment of sites by making Brownfields
cleanup programs faster and more efficient. The goal
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
of PlaNYC is to enroll more sites in NYC's Brownfield
Cleanup Program (BCP) and increase public
involvement in the process. To accomplish this,
PlaNYC includes 11 Brownfields initiatives,
including Initiative 1: Adopting on-site testing to
streamline the cleanup process. On-site testing
relates directly to Triad's use of real-time
measurement technologies to streamline
investigation and remediation.
One of the most important aspects of Brownfields
redevelopment is determining the nature and extent
of contamination with the appropriate level of detail
and accuracy needed to make critical cleanup and
redevelopment decisions. Conventional approaches
using non-dynamic work strategies specify the exact
type, quantity, quality, and location of data
collection prior to any field activities. In addition,
conventional uncertainty management can neglect
sampling uncertainty and instead focus primarily on
analytical uncertainty, which is often one of the
smallest contributors to overall site decision
uncertainty. Alternatively, DWS focus on
heterogeneity, spatial, and temporal factors, which
tend to be the largest contributors to overall
decision uncertainty. DWS approaches also consider
real-time management of project resources,
enhancing efforts to collect the appropriate data
necessary to comply with the requirements of the
sampling and analysis plan. The increased flexibility,
real-time feedback and reduced timeframes
embodied in the DWS approach results in significant
decreases in data gaps, which is the primary driver
of repeated site mobilizations and extended
characterization efforts.
Streamlining Cleanups
Using Triad can streamline the investigation and
cleanup process by significantly reducing the
number and length of field effort mobilizations,
expediting report and plan writing, maximizing the
efficiency and value of project meetings, and
focusing desktop investigation activities. The field-
based dynamic decision-making framework of Triad
allows project teams to monitor project progress via
maturation of the CSM as the field program unfolds.
Ideally, project teams will leave the field after a
single mobilization with a mature CSM which is
ready for use in determining the type and magnitude
of remediation needed to support site
redevelopment. Thus, the need to remobilize to
collect and analyze additional samples is eliminated
or significantly reduced. As a result, the
stakeholders can focus their collective resources on
redevelopment rather than a potentially protracted
period of uncertainty determining whether
characterization efforts have been adequate.
Table 1 presents a summary of a number of projects
showing Triad's benefits to the investigation and
remediation process.
Table 1 - Example Sites That Have Implemented Triad BMPs
Poudre River Site, Fort Collins, CO
Cos Cob, Greenwich, CT
Hartford Hydrocarbon Plume Site,
Hartford, IL
Ellsworth Industrial Park, Downers Grove, IL
Tree Fruit, Wenatchee, WA
Fort Lewis Small Arms Firing Range,
Tillicum, WA
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From "Advanced Triad Training for Practitioners" as prepared and presented by EPA via the CERCLA Education
Center, August 2009
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Benefits to Local Communities, Property
Owners, Developers and Practitioners
Two fundamental BMPs of the Triad Approach are
systematic planning and transparency in decision
making. Triad encourages all stakeholders to
participate in the process of characterizing and
remediating contaminated sites. Stakeholders
typically include community leaders, property
owners, developers and the scientists, engineers,
lenders, planners, and regulators who are the
practitioners of Brownfields redevelopment.
Significant benefits can arise from using Triad to
support Brownfields redevelopment, including:
Increasing confidence of local communities that
Brownfields redevelopment decisions are
properly accounting for protection of human
health and the environment.
Improving site cleanup-related communications
between communities, property owners,
developers and practitioners.
Improving environmental quality and health of
communities through carefully planned and
controlled redevelopment based on effective
characterizations of sites.
Moving underutilized properties back on to
local tax roles quickly, providing increased
revenue to the city and citizens that can be used
to upgrade other services and infrastructure.
Streamlining cleanup activities to support the
redevelopment plans and schedules of
developers, investors, and other key
Brownfields stakeholders.
Triad can enhance the quality and effectiveness of
active stakeholder engagement by providing
comprehensive and consistent opportunities for
information sharing. Open collaboration is
specifically beneficial to community organizations
and local officials, who might not be fully involved
with Brownfields redevelopment, but are directly
affected by the results. The CSM, a Triad BMP for
maintaining stakeholder consensus, is a highly-
effective method of presenting site and project-
related information to the public.
PROGRAMMATIC APPLICATIONS OF TRIAD
Triad can be applied to virtually any environmental
regulatory program. In fact, Triad has been used to
perform projects in every major federal program,
and a significant number of state regulatory
programs, including projects regulated by New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYSDEC). The NYC OER has also endorsed Triad as
an investigation program that can help streamline
Brownfields redevelopment and expedite the
redevelopment of the properties. For NYC, Triad is
anticipated to provide value to sites in both the
NYSDEC BCP and the new NYC BCP.
Brownfields
Brownfields properties represent one of the City's
greatest assets for economic development and
quality of life improvement. This is particularly true
for low income communities where contaminated
properties are commonly concentrated into zones
and corridors. The Triad Approach is ideally suited
for Brownfields redevelopment because of its
emphasis on creating and sustaining effective
project stakeholder involvement. Community
engagement initiated during SPP and sustained
throughout the project fosters trust and provides
confidence in investigation results and remedy
selection. It is for these reasons that a key aspect of
PlaNYC is the adoption of Triad as the basis for
streamlining efforts to define the extent of site
impacts and develop remedial solutions.
Triad provides the opportunity for all interested
parties to participate in the investigation,
understand the extent of impacts, and develop an
appropriate cleanup plan. In many instances,
Brownfields properties are found to be only
marginally impacted by contamination and cleanup
can be confined to "hot spot" removal and
engineering controls / institutional controls (EC/IC).
Even at sites with significant contaminant presence,
Triad can provide an approach to effectively and
more confidently address contamination.
Triad supports cleanup and redevelopment as a
function of several key elements:
Clear investigation and remediation goals based
on redevelopment plans.
Dynamic decision-making, coupled with real-
time measurement, significantly reduces
repeated field mobilizations, report and work
plan writing, and regulatory interface/review
time.
The use of CSMs to quickly build and sustain
stakeholder consensus and agreement on
investigations design.
The utilization of high-resolution sampling
methods increases the accuracy, thoroughness,
and comprehensiveness of an investigation and
provides more accuracy in identifying and
targeting contamination.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Case Study: Engaging Stakeholders to Characterize Multiple Brownfields Properties
New Jersey Meadowlands / Paterson Plank Road Redevelopment Area, NJ
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission
designated a 201-acre area of the district as the
Paterson Plank Road Redevelopment Area
(PPRDA). The PPRDA consisted of 148 properties
that included a mixture of commercial, industrial,
underutilized, and/or abandoned properties. A
number of the small-parcel Brownfields
properties needed to be combined to
accommodate the planned redevelopment. In
addition, Triad-based site characterization work
was confined to public right-of-ways (ROWs)
because of property access issues and municipal
concerns regarding property owner responses.
Systematic planning was performed with
stakeholders, and included direct mail outreach to
a large number of property owners, a property
owner workshop, and planning with local officials
regarding use and access to the public ROWs. The
area is currently undergoing transportation
improvements associated with the new New York
Giants Stadium and Sports Complex.
I I EPA-funded
Primary Priority
EPA-funded I I Municipality-owned;
Secondary Priority separately funded
Denning clear goals early before significant field
work begins allows the investigation team to focus
the sampling specifically to the property's use. By
considering the type of reuse and the
redevelopment design during SPP, a focused yet
comprehensive investigation of a property can be
designed. Remediation goals are clearly identified,
allowing project scientists and engineers to design
an investigation to achieve them. In addition, the
advance planning ensures that the information
collected meets the diverse needs of end users of
data such as communities, developers, practitioners
and regulators.
Dynamic decision-making using field-generated data
reduces the need for multiple mobilizations to the
field. Over a Triad project's life cycle, the CSM is
refined, enabling the team to leave the site with
confidence that it has been characterized adequately
to make reliable site decisions, saving time and
money. The Triad Approach provides the weight of
evidence necessary to ensure that the CSM is
accurate and site impacts have been identified and
delineated. Eliminating or reducing these
uncertainties can minimize delays that might
Map of PPRDA Showing Numerous Brownfields
Properties and Right-of-Ways
otherwise be caused by lack of information on the
effectiveness of the remediation to protect future
users of the property.
The use of real-time measurement technologies
increases sample density by allowing more
measurements to be taken without significantly
increasing time and project costs. Direct read
instruments, such as the field portable X-Ray
Fluorescence (FPXRF) detector collect
measurements with the press of a button enabling
the user to collect hundreds of readings in a
relatively short period of time. High resolution data
density provides more confidence in the delineation
of the impact zone, thus reducing uncertainty about
the distribution and concentration of contamination
at a site. When properties contain only low to
moderate impacts from contamination, realistic
remedial approaches can be used that both protect
human health and support cost-effective
redevelopment. The success of EC/IC approaches to
site risk management is based, in part, on the
confidence that these controls are placed at the right
location and provide the level of protection needed.
The quantity and quality of sampling and analytical
data produced by Triad programs generate the
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Case Study: Use of Triad Approach to Support Brownfields Redevelopment
Milltown Ford Avenue Redevelopment Area, NJ
In 2002, Milltown Borough, New Jersey
designated a 22 acre former industrial property
for redevelopment to mixed residential,
commercial and senior housing. An
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) was
needed to determine the extent of impacts from
130 years of industrial use to properly design
the redevelopment and establish site sales
pricing. During systematic planning, the ESA
was divided into five investigations consisting of
a site-wide investigation and four specific
studies based on past facility operations.
Additional systematic planning resulted in
agreement on remedial action criteria,
analytical methods, field testing instruments
and methods, sample and data management
protocols, and a communications plan to
support decision-making. Sample locations
Three Mobile Laboratories Generated Real-Time
Analytical Data to Support DWS Investigations
were identified daily using a global positioning system (GPS), transferred to an on-site mapping system
and co-plotted with chemical data generated by three on-site mobile laboratories. Data were displayed
in three-dimensional (3-D) imagery and communicated to project team members during weekly on-site
meetings and via secure internet access for monthly stakeholder meetings. Localized contaminated
zones were excavated, residual material capped and restricted-use covenants incorporated in property
records. Final redevelopment plans have been submitted for local planning board review and approval.
robust information that allows regulators and
stakeholders to support EC/IC approaches.
Voluntary Cleanup vs. "At Risk Development"
The State of New York provides a Brownfield
Opportunity Area (BOA) as well as its BCP program
to encourage voluntary cleanup under regulated
conditions. Both programs are incentive-based to
encourage participation.
Voluntary cleanups are those where a developer or
site owner makes a commitment to undertake
certain remedial activities under regulatory
oversight. PlaNYC encourages property owners and
developers to participate in voluntary cleanup
programs, specifically the NYSDEC BCP or the new
NYC BCP. OER's intention to streamline Brownfields
redevelopment efforts is demonstrated by its
commitment to using the Triad Approach. A direct
benefit to developers and site owners is an increase
in the confidence of investigation results (for
example, that "hot spots" have been identified and
addressed) as well as confidence that the
redevelopment can be achieved without significant
delays and cost overruns related to the cleanup
process.
Cleanups performed as part of "at-risk
development" are those where the developer
performs investigation and/or remediation without
active regulatory involvement, thus potentially
risking a situation where cleanup may be deemed
incomplete upon regulatory review. A good example
of this is vapor intrusion (VI) mitigation, a site
condition where volatile vapors from organic
chemicals in groundwater and soil can migrate up
into homes or other structures built over
contaminated areas. A development that proceeds
without addressing the potential for VI could be
significantly impacted by the discovery of VI after
the completion of construction. The thoroughness of
Triad systematic planning is such that VI concerns
would more often than not be addressed before
investigation begins, whereupon appropriate testing
would be included in site investigation plans. This
occurs because Triad systematic planning is
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
performed with the "end in mind." Since
Brownfields redevelopment usually results in some
type of human interaction with the site, VI issues are
a common concern. Soil gas and other vapor
samples can be collected early in the site evaluation
so that mitigation techniques can be incorporated
into the reuse design.
Uncertainty Management
A significant impediment to Brownfields
redevelopment is uncertainty with regard to the
nature and extent of contamination and the level of
cleanup needed to prepare the property for reuse.
Site contamination can impact the ability to develop
properties because of the uncertainties related to
cost of cleanup, timeframes and risks related to
residual contamination.
Uncertainty can be particularly acute when
considering reuse of low to moderately-impacted
sites. In these circumstances the perceived impacts
or site-related risks are commonly greater than the
actual impacts or risks. In many cases, remediation
efforts can be a combination of surgically-applied
extraction of localized contamination, and EC/IC
approaches to prevent development design and site
use from posing potential risks of direct contact to
residual contamination. However, the investigation
must be robust enough to clearly identify such areas
and delineate them with sufficient detail to support
a CSM that will gain the confidence of regulators and
other site stakeholders. Triad provides the
framework for performing investigations with
adequate data density to reduce site uncertainty to
levels that will facilitate cleanup and redevelopment
planning.
Historic fill underlying long-term commercial,
industrial, and even residential properties poses
inherent uncertainty due to the presence of localized
areas of contamination within a matrix of low- to
moderately-impacted material. The Triad Approach
is well-suited for addressing properties with historic
fill due to its utilization of adaptive, high resolution
sampling strategies.
The use of Triad is particularly relevant to NYC
because historical fill is commonly reported to be as
much as 20 percent of NYC's land (Walsh and
LaFleur, 1995). Brownfields sites are frequently
located in areas with historic fill. Studies in New
York and New Jersey, however, have shown historic
fill to contain a fairly consistent mixture of
contaminant types and physiochemical properties.
Typically, the chemicals are poorly-soluble with low
mobility which from a reuse perspective can be
managed with EC/IC approaches such as engineered
covers and use restrictions. Site uncertainty,
therefore, is primarily driven by the need to
distinguish between the baseline conditions of the
historic fill and those superimposed from
subsequent industrial or other use-driven impacts.
By carefully locating and removing the localized
contamination zones, remediation efforts can
substantially reduce site risks in a cost-effective and
streamlined manner.
The CSM-based approach of Triad is a highly-
effective method for addressing the unique
conditions posed by historic fill. A DWS based on a
thoroughly considered CSM and conducted using
real-time, field-based measurements allows
investigation teams to focus on the impact areas and
isolate them from the rest of the site material. The
use of direct sensing and other real-time
measurement tools, coupled with targeted soil and
groundwater sampling, can produce the high
resolution data density required to differentiate
generally widespread conditions from isolated
zones of contamination. The data from this type of
program can be visualized in 3-D using off-the-shelf
software, allowing depiction of the impacts. Data
visualizations help to effectively communicate the
CSM to build stakeholder consensus on the
completeness of the investigation, thus providing a
reliable basis to support remediation decision-
making. Detailed information on the process of
using Triad to characterize historic fill is presented
on page 12.
Once defined and isolated from the historic fill
matrix, localized contamination can be surgically
targeted with a number of in situ treatment
technologies (applied to media in place) or
addressed using ex situ treatment technologies
(applied to relocated media) that have proven
applications. For example, over the last 10 years,
significant advances have been made in the
application of in situ technologies for the treatment
of volatile organic compound (VOC) impacted zones.
Under appropriate geochemical conditions, VOCs
will go through a degradation process that results in
non-toxic residual constituents. For example,
groundwater with low dissolved oxygen content,
known as anaerobic conditions, support bacteria
that can degrade VOCs. A naturally occurring
process, anaerobic degradation has been
documented in the NYC metropolitan area. In situ
VOC treatment technologies seek to optimize the
geochemical conditions by adding supplements to
the subsurface and promote more rapid
degradation.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Case Study: Brownfields Redevelopment on Historic Fill
Harrison Commons, Harrison, NJ
In the early 2000's, the Harrison Commons area of Harrison, New Jersey, was designated for
redevelopment. It had been an area of extensive urban and industrial activities and was to be
developed into a mixed residential and commercial area with a parking garage for a commuter rail
station. Up to 15 feet of historic fill material had been placed in former marsh areas from the late
1800's to the 1940's. The fill consisted of mixed construction debris, demolition waste, coal and
incinerator ash, solid waste, soil, and other urban source material. Direct push electrical conductivity
(EC) probe investigations were effective in identifying the historic fill/native material interface and
two distinct layers of fill material. EC data also assisted in determining in the field where to collect
soil and groundwater samples within and immediately below the fill interface for real-time screening
and off-site analysis. Remediation consisted of removal of concentrated impact areas, construction of
a small-scale groundwater treatment system, and engineered cap/deed restriction risk management.
1000
Soil samples collected
in different historic fill
materials
Soil samples collected
Immediately above &
below historic fill/native
material interface
Depth (ft)
Soil Sample Intervals Selected in Field Based on Real Time Computer Readout from an EC Probe
Similar technologies are available for localized
petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. However,
because Triad practices, such as high resolution
characterization, provide clear definition of the
impact zone and total petroleum hydrocarbons
(TPH) releases typically remain relatively near-
surface, simple excavation is often appropriate.
Metals can also be excavated or treated in situ. The
common aspect of these remedial approaches is that
the high resolution sampling programs under Triad
allow distinction between the general historic fill
conditions and the localized contamination impacts.
Once these areas are isolated, engineers can design
treatment applications using a variety of
technologies and strategies.
Once localized contamination within the historic fill
has been addressed, risks to redevelopment from
the remainder of the material are typically
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
associated with direct contact exposure to the low to
moderate concentrations of metals and poly cyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the fill. Acceptable
levels of risks related to these contaminant types are
typically managed through engineered covers, deed
notice/restrictions, and regular integrity
inspections/reporting. Inherent in this approach is
the assumption that the areas of historic fill have
been identified and noted on a map attached to the
site management plan and identified in the property
deed. Triad methods for mapping historic fill can
provide more accuracy and assurance that the fill is
covered with protective surfaces and that risk has
been mitigated.
HOW TRIAD CAN BE APPLIED IN NYC
NYC is developing a streamlined, city-administered
cleanup program (i.e., NYC BCP) for moderately
contaminated sites including those with historic fill.
Utilizing the Triad Approach can streamline the
cleanup and redevelopment of these properties by
providing generally consistent testing and
remediation methods that account for the unique
aspects of each property, while capitalizing on
efficiencies driven by their city-wide similarities.
Since large areas of the city include historic fill
and/or are on the waterfront, use of the Triad
Figure 2 - Historic Fill
Approach will help support the revitalization of
these properties.
Use of Triad to Perform Environmental
Investigations of Historic Fill
The historic fill material or urban fill soil present in
areas of NYC is a reflection of over 400 years of
human activity and a common occurrence in older
industrialized cities in the Northeast United States.
Fill was commonly used to increase the elevation of
topographically low terrain and to reclaim marsh
areas for new development. Significant filling
activities primarily began in the late 1800's and
early 1900's and progressed until strict State and
Federal environmental regulations such as the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
prevented random disposal through close tracking
of waste material (Walsh and LaFleur, 1995).
As land for development has become increasing
scarce in the New York metropolitan area,
redevelopment of historic fill properties has become
a necessity. Much of the historic fill land is along
waterways and coastal areas of the city, which are
attractive for residential development. Today, fill
may be present on as much as 20 percent of the
City's land, primarily along the coastal areas and in
the headlands of the bays (Figure 2).
Lands in New York City
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Composition of Historic Fill
Historic fill material is a typically a heterogeneous
mixture of various waste products, including
construction and demolition debris, roadway
construction debris, rubble, backfill soil, boiler ash,
industrial debris, and/or coal and municipal
incinerator ash. Historic fill material does not
include any material which is substantially chemical
production waste or waste from processing of metal
or mineral ores, residues, slag, or tailings. In
addition, historic fill material does not include a
municipal solid waste landfill site built after 1962
when NYS Landfill regulations emerged. Because of
this heterogeneous content and unregulated
disposal, the environmental and geotechnical
characteristics of fill materials are critical
considerations when planning and performing
redevelopment. Similarly, environmental
investigations must consider site geotechnical
characteristics to ensure that selected field
investigation technologies will be effective at each
site.
Subsequent to infilling, areas of historic fill were
developed and used for a variety purposes, including
industrial and commercial activities. These activities
impacted the fill through general use and through
specific actions such as disposal of solid and
chemical waste materials from manufacturing
processes, as well as waste materials. Thus, many
properties have environmental impacts embedded
in the historic fill material that may or do pose
potential health risks. Fortunately, many of these
properties pose only a low to moderate health risk
through direct contact with materials of concern.
Regulatory agencies now recognize that the
presence of historic fill material must be
incorporated into the ESAs of redevelopment
projects and accounted for during remedial action
evaluation. The primary issue for regulators and
Brownfields redevelopers with regard to projects on
sites with historic fill is the legacy impact from past
industrial operations. Potential contaminant
presence is the basis in some jurisdictions for
historic fill material needing to be mapped and
tested to determine its condition and extent.
Information regarding any concentrations of
contaminants that remain on site above the
standards is commonly recorded with the property
deed. Typically, historic fill contains metals and
PAHs which exceed the low residential soil
standards, which when isolated by engineering
controls do not pose a health threat.
The primary issues in redevelopment of property
underlain by historic fill are prevention of direct
contact with the surface materials and geotechnical
suitability for structures. Using the Triad Approach,
historic fill sites can be investigated thoroughly and
efficiently to ensure that impacts have been
properly identified and remediated. Subsequently,
these sites can be redeveloped using constructed
covers and other engineering-based or land-use
controls.
Delineation of Fill Materials
Under the Triad Approach, the plan for delineation
of fill materials would be developed during
systematic planning, based on review of the CSM
and determination of specific data gaps that need to
be addressed. In addition, the nature of fill and the
immediate surroundings of the site would be
considered in order to select the most appropriate,
efficient and cost-effective technical methods of
delineating the fill. A common and effective starting
point for Triad project planning is the review of
Sanborn fire insurance maps and other historical
information sources to determine if contaminants of
concern (COG) in background soil may have resulted
from past industrial activities, waste-disposal
activities, or other potential sources.
By its very nature, historic fill lends itself to a fairly
consistent CSM which can be used to select
investigation tools. In most cases, fill has been
placed directly on top of a former marsh surface and
there is a sharp contrast between the composition of
the historic fill and marsh material. Compositional
contrast can quickly be detected by geophysical
systems and/or direct sensing probes because of the
significant variation in electrical conductivity (EC)
and other properties of the two materials.
Another element of the CSM is the characteristic of
the fill itself. Because urban fill material is primarily
anthropogenically-derived and extremely
heterogeneous, it creates a unique signature when
assessed with an EC probe driven with direct push
technology (DPT). Highly-conductive layers, such as
ash layers within the fill, are clearly discernable as
large spikes in conductance in the instrument read
out logs produced at the surface by the field
computer. Voids or gaps are identified by very low
conductance. These extremes are not found in
nature and give historic fill a unique EC log
signature.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Case Study: Delineation of Historic Fill for Brownfields Redevelopment
Former Chemical Manufacturing Facility, Port of Newark, NJ
A former chemical manufacturing facility built on top of historic fill was designated for redevelopment
to support an increase in trade at the Port of Newark, New Jersey. The fill material consisted of 5 to 15
feet of construction debris, demolition waste, coal and incinerator ash, solid waste, and other urban
material. It was believed that 50 years of manufacturing resulted in the fill being impacted by metals
and PAHs associated with two areas of concern (AOC); a wastewater lagoon and an aboveground
storage tank (AST) farm. Data from an electrical conductivity (EC) probe was used to define the native
material/historic fill boundary, distinguish between the different native soils and fill layers, and create
a 3-D lithologic model for understanding contaminant distribution and for communicating site
conditions to stakeholders. Soil cores were collected to verify EC results that the boundary was
impervious to downward migration of metals. Soils were sampled and analyzed, confirming that the
majority of contamination was indicative of historic fill versus releases from facility operations.
Contaminants in fill were determined to be stable and not a source to groundwater impacts and,
therefore, manageable through removal of concentrated areas of impact, and placement of capping and
deed notice/restrictions for historic fill.
Former site
buildings & tanks
(used for reference)
Land surface (based
on current
topographic survey)
EC probe logs
"hung" off the
land surface
Top of theQm
Finings upward
sequence
Top of the
Qal Passaic River
oodplain deposits
3-D Visualization of Site Lithology and Other Features
Historic fill can also be investigated through a parcel-
by-parcel or an area-wide approach. As most fill
activities occurred before the land was subdivided
into parcels for development, its distribution is a
regional issue and overlaps parcel boundaries. Area-
wide mapping can establish the overall extent and
characteristics of historic fill material, whose
composition can vary with disposal practices. In
certain areas, incinerator ash, which can contain
elevated metals and PAHs, was disposed along with
clean fill. EC testing will detect the differences in
these fill layers and through multiple test locations,
provide data on the area-wide distribution of the
materials. In certain cases, fill at individual parcels
could potentially be confirmed by simply verifying
that the material at the site is consistent with the
area's historic fill. Taking this action could streamline
decisions regarding the environmental contamination
investigation-related phases of an overall Brownfields
redevelopment strategy, by eliminating the need for
Page 11 of 27
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multiple workplans, mobilizations and reports, and
allowing remedial strategies to be developed earlier
in the redevelopment planning.
Real-Time Measurement Technologies
Direct sensing tools, which provide instantaneous
measurement data, can be used to evaluate the bulk
properties of the historic fill and delineate chemical
impacts. A surface geophysical survey, using
technologies such as ground penetrating radar (GPR)
or magnetometer, is a quick method to survey
historic fill sites for buried objects such as
foundations, tanks, metal debris, and pockets of
rubble. Since these methods do not provide definitive
determination of the object, it is common to use a
backhoe to excavate certain anomalies.
The EC probe is a rugged, downhole probe that can be
hammered or advanced into the subsurface using
DPT to determine the general stratigraphy of historic
fill materials based on the characteristic patterns of
typical fill materials in the instrument field read out
log. The tool is especially applicable to historic fill
conditions because it is hardened and can be
deployed in the semi-obstructive conditions often
encountered in historic fill situations. The instrument
read-out pattern of historic fill is readily
Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
distinguishable from naturally-occurring soil, thus the
interface between the fill and the underlying native
soil can be identified with high confidence. Real-time
data allows rapid mapping of fill thickness and bulk
properties. To confirm the field interpretation of
instrument read out patterns, select soil borings are
advanced to visually inspect the fill and underlying
soil.
Table 2 presents examples of direct sensing tools and
applications that can be used for physical delineation
of historic fill.
Common Fill Contaminants
Historic fill in the New York metropolitan area
commonly contains PAHs and a relatively standard
suite of metals. These compounds are usually spread
throughout fill materials at low to moderate
concentrations. If investigated and managed properly,
the presence of these compounds in historic fill
should not preclude Brownfields redevelopment.
Further, if investigated using the Triad Approach,
historic fill containing these compounds can be
addressed in a streamlined manner, avoiding
potential delays in redevelopment Table 3 presents
PAH compounds and metals commonly found in
historic fill material.
Table 2 - Example Direct Sensing Tools and Applications for Fill Delineation
Technology
Geophysical survey technologies
- Total field and Gradient Magnetometry
- Gravimetry / Microgravimetry
- Seismic Reflection / Refraction
- Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI)
- Frequency Domain Terrain Conductivity
- Time Domain Metal Detection
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
- Direct Current (DC) Resistivity
Matrices
Soil, fill, bedrock
Data Provided
Sources, pathways, macro-stratigraphy, and
buried objects
Downhole geophysical testing
- Natural gamma ray
- Self potential
- Resistivity
- Induction
- Porosity/density
- Caliper
Soil, fill, bedrock
Lithology, groundwaterflow, structure,
permeability, porosity, and water quality
Membrane Interface Probe (MIP) and
electrical conductivity (EC) probe
Soil, fill, water EC-based lithology, volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), hydrocarbons, and dense non-aqueous
phase liquid (DNAPL)
Neutron Gamma Monitors
Soil, water, material
surfaces
Radiation
Hydraulic conductivity profilers
Soil, water
Hydraulic conductivity, lithology
Cone penetrometer testing (CPT), high-
resolution piezocone
Soil, water
Lithology, groundwaterflow
For additional information concerning the technologies listed in this table, readers should refer to the resources
available on EPA's Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN) Web site (www.clu-in.org).
Page 12 of 27
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
The following are summaries of the nature, common
sources, and distribution of these contaminants, and
examples of commonly used testing methods to
identify them in the field.
PAHs
PAHs are commonplace in the environment, and are
also found in petroleum products including oil,
diesel fuels, aircraft fuels, coal, tar, asphalt, and even
some edible oils. They are produced from the
combustion of petroleum-based fuels and firewood.
PAHs are lipophilic, meaning they mix more easily
with oil than water, and as a result, are found
primarily in soil, sediment, and oily substances,
rather than in water or air. They are present in fill
material from buried road construction materials,
building construction materials, and disposed coal
and other ash.
Table 3 - Contaminants Typically Found in
Historic Fill Material
Figure 3 - Field Portable X-Ray
Fluorescence (FPXRF) Analyzer
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(a)pyrene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
Dibenz(a,h)anthracene
lndeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
PAHs can be detected in the field using a variety of
test methods, including immunoassay or ultraviolet
fluorescence (UVFJ test kits and field-portable gas
chromatographs (GC).
Metals
Metals come from natural sources such as soils and
bedrock, as well as a variety of anthropogenic
sources. As common constituents of historic fill,
metals can be considered components of fill
separate from other contaminant species that might
be present on site in high concentrations due to
subsequent industrial and commercial-related
contamination. With the exception of mercury,
these metals can be detected with a variety of
methods including screening or analysis using
FPXRF technology (See Figure 3) and standard
analysis conducted in mobile laboratories using
atomic absorption (AA) or inductively coupled
plasma (ICP) analytical methods.
The following are summary descriptions of metals
commonly associated with historic fill and
information on their origins.
Arsenic is commonly found in historic fill
materials, pesticide treatments, and disposed
coal and other ash. Obtaining regulatory
approval of an arsenic issue can be difficult
because of the metal's relatively ubiquitous
presence in natural and urban environments
and because New York's residential soil cleanup
standard for arsenic is near natural background
concentrations. Therefore, it is important during
redevelopment to ensure there is a reliable
approach to determining background
concentrations, such as available literature or
actual background measurements in adjacent
environments. While arsenic is frequently
found at elevated concentrations in historic fill,
due to its relative immobility and low solubility,
arsenic can be addressed through the
combination of engineered covers or barriers
and ICs such as well restrictions.
Beryllium is commonly found in fill materials as
a function of disposed coal and other ash and
miscellaneous petroleum compounds mixed
into fill during transportation and placement.
Beryllium is a hardening agent that is added to
other metals. Beryllium copper alloys are used
in many applications because of their high
strength and hardness and can become
embedded in historic fill as a consequence of
disposal of these materials. Beryllium is poorly
soluble and the principal health concern is
inhalation of beryllium containing dust.
Concentrations in historic fill are usually low
and can be managed through the combination of
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
engineered covers or barriers and ICs such as
well restrictions.
Cadmium can be present in historic fill as a
result of being a minor component of zinc ores,
pigments in paint, or corrosion resistant plating
on steel and battery electrodes. Cadmium is
much less mobile in soil than in air and water.
At Brownfields properties in the metropolitan
area, cadmium may be the result of a variety of
processes, including petroleum refinement,
fertilizer production, and historic agricultural
practices. Crumb rubber produced from the
wear of vehicle tires is believed to be one of the
primary sources of cadmium (and zinc) found in
road dust. The primary health risk from
cadmium at Brownfields properties is inhalation
and dermal contact. If concentrations are high,
soils are typically removed. Low concentrations
can be managed through the combination of
engineered covers or barriers and ICs. Typical
residential soil cleanup standards for cadmium
are usually in the low parts per million (ppm)
range.
Copper is commonly found in fill materials as a
function of electrical products containing
copper-based materials, demolition debris from
former industrial facilities, incinerator and coal
ash, and pigments from industrial paints. It is
used as a thermal and electrical conductor,
found in plumbing in building materials, and is a
constituent of various metal alloys. Copper is
fairly common in historic fill because of its
widespread use. Under certain circumstances,
copper can be soluble and, therefore, high
concentrations (hundreds of ppm) found in soil
are typically excavated.
Lead is commonly found in fill materials as a
function of the presence of construction
materials coated with lead-based paint, coal and
incinerator ash, demolition waste, lead acid
battery parts and miscellaneous disposal of
petroleum compounds. Common in the urban
environment, lead is a neurotoxin that can
accumulate in soft tissue and bone over time.
Elemental lead, which is poorly soluble and has
low mobility, is the most common form of lead
found in historic fill. Typical lead soil cleanup
standards are near 400 ppm. The primary
health risk from lead at Brownfields properties
is inhalation and dermal contact. Low
concentrations can be managed through the
combination of engineered covers or barriers
and ICs.
Mercury is commonly found in fill materials as a
function of municipal waste disposal and
incinerator ash, as well as building demolition
wastes. Mercury is unique in that it has the
highest solubility in water of any metal and
easily vaporizes into the air; thus these two
properties make it very mobile in the
environment. Mercury can be detected in the
field using various mercury vapor analyzers, as
well as specialty analytical methods in a mobile
laboratory.
Zinc is commonly found in fill materials as a
function of coal ash, demolition wastes
containing galvanized metals, rubble coated
with industrial paint and other painted wastes,
incinerator ash, and petroleum compounds. Zinc
has a fairly low toxicity and thus soil cleanup
standards are in the 1,000 to 3,000 ppm range.
Zinc in historic fill soil can be managed through
the combination of engineered covers or
barriers and ICs such as deed restrictions and
notices.
Additional information on the sources and human
health and environmental impact of these metals
can be found at
Identifying and Delineating Contamination in Fill
Once historic fill is mapped and basic bulk
properties have been defined (i.e., thickness,
variability, basic distribution, and concentrations of
COCs), real-time information produced by direct
sensing tools can be used to select intervals of
interest for sampling and analysis for known and
suspected fill-related contamination. The targeted
soil samples obtained from the fill and underlying
native soils can then be analyzed on site with field-
generated data technologies and testing methods
(such as XRF, IA test kits and PID instruments) and
USEPA SW-846 standard analytical methods
performed in mobile laboratories. In addition,
certain direct sensing tools can be used to identify
and delineate impacts from other contaminant
types, such as VOCs and heavier petroleum
compounds, such as fuel oils, coal tar and heating
oils.
Table 4 presents various direct sensing, sampling
and analytical technologies that can be used for
contaminant identification and delineation.
For additional information concerning the
technologies listed in this table readers should refer
to the resources available
technologies.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
In many cases, several technologies can be used
together to investigate unique site conditions in
urban environments like NYC. For example, often
the source of airborne contamination is not readily
obvious and might even appear to come from
several sources at adjacent sites. The first step in
addressing this situation would be to identify
airborne contaminants using real-time air
measurement devices to track them back to the
source areas, and then identify the specific
contaminants in soil or groundwater using other
intrusive techniques.
Table 4 - Example Sensing. Sampling and Analytical Technologies for Contaminant Delineation
Technology
Direct push samplers
Field-XRF analyzer (screening and
bench-top analysis modes)
Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), UV
methods (UVF, UV lamp)
Immunoassay (IA) test kits
Miscellaneous colorimetric kits
Mobile laboratory - definitive data
Field GC and GC/MS - screening data
Active and passive soil gas samplers
SUMMA canisters
Passive diffusion samplers
Open-Path Fourier Transform Infrared
(OP-FTIR) Spectroscopy
Permeameter
Membrane Interface Probe -
- photoionization detector (PID)
- flame ionization detector (FID),
- electron capture detector (ECD),
- halogen specific detector (XSD)
Conventional drilling technologies
Matrices
Water, soil, fill,
active soil gas
Soil, sediments,
fill, material
surfaces
Water, soil, fill
Water, soil, fill,
material surfaces
Water, air
Water, soil
Water, soil
Soil gas
Soil gas, indoor
air
Water, soil gas
Air, water, soil
Soil
Soil, fill, water
Water, soil, fill,
bedrock
Data Provided
Sample, physical /visual data
Metals
Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), petroleum as light and
dense non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL / DNAPL)
Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs),
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PAHs, pesticides,
and dioxins/furans, explosives, mercury
Water quality, hazardous vapor
VOCs, SVOCs, pesticides, PCBs, explosives, metals,
and wet chemistry
VOCs, SVOCs, pesticides, PCBs, and explosives
VOCs, unstable SVOCs
VOCs, unstable SVOCs
VOCs, SVOCs, and contaminant flux
VOCs (water), TPHs (soil and water), VOCs and other
gases (air)
Hydraulic conductivity
VOCs, petroleum hydrocarbons, and DNAPL
Physical/visual data, multiple constituents
For additional information concerning the technologies listed in this table readers should refer to the resources
available on www.clu-in.org.
These field techniques provide real-time results
which enable decisions to be made in the field, a
fundamental element of performing dynamic work
strategy field efforts under Triad. In addition to
supporting dynamic investigation, field-generated
data can streamline projects by bypassing the need
to submit samples to a fixed-base laboratory
analysis. As a result, large areas of historic fill can be
quickly and cost-effectively mapped in urban
redevelopment areas and on individual properties.
It is important to note, however, that some probes
can only be used after much of the bulk
characteristics of the historic fill have been defined
because they are less rugged and more sensitive to
damage by subsurface obstructions. In addition, if
contaminants are found at elevated concentrations
during a field screening effort at a Brownfields
property, confirmation samples may need to be
submitted to a fixed-base laboratory for analysis.
In summary, direct sensing tools are an efficient and
cost-effective method for delineating the extent and
structure of fill. Similarly, field-testing technologies
are an effective way of confirming and delineating
contaminants in real-time. Together, they directly
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Case Study: Delineation of Metals in Historic Fill Using Direct Sensing Methods
Brownfields School Redevelopment Project, Camden, NJ
The Camden, New Jersey Board of Education and the School Development Authority determined that
an existing school was deteriorating and needed to be replaced. Construction was halted during
installation of the foundation for the new school due to high arsenic levels being encountered in
historic fill. A Triad Approach investigation was used to quickly define the extent of arsenic impacts
so that construction could be restarted. An electrical conductivity (EC) probe was used to distinguish
between historic fill and underlying marsh/channel fill deposits. A clear EC probe signature also
identified a coal ash fill layer in a former stream bed, which allowed targeted soil sample intervals to
be selected in the field for arsenic analysis. A field portable x-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) analyzer was
used for field analysis with results confirmed by fixed base laboratory analysis. The high-density,
collaborative data set substantially reduced site uncertainty and enabled the selection of a remedial
strategy consisting of soil and asphalt caps over the entire site, isolated soil excavation in utility
corridors, deed notice, and a groundwater classification exemption area. School construction
resumed and the school was opened to the public in January 2009.
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2000
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Ash Fill Layer Defined by a Clear EC Signature Caused by the Higher Conductance of the Metals
in the Ash Material
support the use of a Triad DWS approach to assess
fill material, and as a result, their combined use is a
highly-effective means of streamlining site
redevelopment.
Use of Triad to Perform Environmental
Investigations at Waterfront Property
The NYC waterfront has changed substantially over
the years as the marshes and other low lying areas
have been filled and the shoreline has grown
outward. The city is a collection of islands and
waterfront property is abundant. Land uses have
changed as the needs for these properties have
shifted from industrial/maritime to
residential/commercial and recreational/open
space. City waterfront land is highly valuable and
underused, and redevelopment would provide
significant economic, recreational, and social
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
benefits for the people of NYC. Waterfront
redevelopment has the added benefit of acting to
control contaminated runoff and groundwater
discharge which can otherwise degrade surface
water quality in the adjacent water bodies. Thus
redevelopment of waterfront property not only
provides economic benefits to NYC, but can also
improve surface water and sediment quality in the
canals, bays, and other water bodies that ring the
City.
Waterfront property is one of the great assets of the
City of New York Many waterfront properties are
also Brownfields sites. Under PlaNYC, NYC has
developed programs to facilitate redevelopment of
its Brownfields sites, and doing so will benefit all
residents of the City. However, waterfront
properties have certain unique environmental
challenges that pose a significant hurdle to
redevelopment if they are not properly
characterized. The Triad Approach provides an
investigation framework and tools to effectively
investigate these properties and position them for
productive reuse.
Waterfront properties are sometimes the hardest
areas to redevelop because historic fill and past
industrial uses are intermingled which results in
complicated environmental conditions. Using the
Triad Approach to assess environmental concerns at
these sites helps to effectively address such site
conditions and support site redevelopment.
Redevelopment Opportunities and Challenges
Of the five boroughs, Manhattan is almost
completely developed and there are relatively few
opportunities for major new developments on its
waterfront beyond redevelopment of existing piers.
However, in the outer boroughs there are many
significant opportunities for redevelopment of
waterfront land, particularly along the Brooklyn
waterfront near Williamsburg, portions of Queens,
the north shore of Staten Island, and southeast
Bronx. These areas were once industrialized with
business that relied on the water for transportation
and maritime access. Much industry has since
withdrawn leaving these properties underutilized.
With the growing need for space in NYC, there is
increased interest in redevelopment of these areas.
An example of this is Schaefer Landing, a 1.7-acre
waterfront redevelopment project in the
Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. After the area's
manufacturing sector declined in the 1970's, the City
foreclosed on the site for failure to pay taxes. The
City decided to rezone the property from
manufacturing to residential in an effort to produce
affordable housing and reclaim the waterfront.
Currently, 12,000 square feet of commercial space
and 350 units of housing, including 140 affordable
units, are available at Schaefer Landing. The site also
improves water taxi service, which increases transit
to Lower Manhattan for the growing neighborhood
of South Williamsburg.
Redevelopment of waterfront property can face
many environmental challenges, both from the
historic uses of the uplands portion of the property
as well as the nearshore sediment conditions.
Because waterfront property is often filled land, one
common characteristic is that historic fill will most
likely be present. Investigation of the historic fill
conditions using the approaches discussed in the
previous section should, therefore, be included in a
waterfront property assessment. Another
environmental challenge associated with waterfront
property is the environmental impact after filling
that can occur from industrial and commercial uses.
These uses can leave behind contaminants not
normally found in historic fill such as CVOCs, PCBs,
and petroleum compounds such as fuel oil, motor
oils and lubricants. Thus, a significant
environmental challenge when redeveloping
waterfront properties is identifying and separating
the standard suite of historic fill contaminants from
the subsequently introduced industrial chemicals.
A further environmental challenge is the interaction
between upland properties and the adjacent water
bodies of concern. The two primary issues
associated with this environmental challenge are
discharge of impacted groundwater to the water
body and overland flow of water and sediment.
Triad programs can be used to streamline the
identification of the sources of these discharges.
Common Characteristics of Waterfront Properties
Can Be Used to Build a GSM
As with historic fill sites, Triad practices can provide
an effective site characterization approach for
waterfront properties that can provide increased
accuracy and thoroughness. Waterfront properties
have a common aspect, namely that they are in
proximity to a surface water body. In this context,
there are common components to waterfront
properties that produce similarities in their CSMs.
The common elements of a waterfront CSM can be
used to inform the design of investigation programs
and establish characterization goals which can be
applied to multiple waterfront Brownfields projects.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
3-D Isopleths of
ROST/LIF Response
Case Study: Brownfields Redevelopment of Waterfront Property
BCF Oil Site, Brooklyn, NY
The BCF Oil Site is a former oil distribution and
waste oil recycling facility that borders English Kills
and is adjacent to Newtown Creek in Brooklyn, New
York. The site requires investigation and
remediation work to support its commercial
redevelopment due to the detected presence of
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and petroleum
compounds in soils and sediment, non-aqueous
phase liquids (NAPL) (i.e., free phase product), and
dissolved volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in
groundwater. Complex near-surface geology
consisting of historic fill and marine and glacial
deposits prevented clear definition of site lithology.
The extent of contaminant impact to soils,
groundwater, and surface waters was also not
delineated. A variety of direct sensing tools were
used in a Triad Approach investigation to delineate
contamination, including cone penetrometer testing
(CPT), rapid optical screening tool (ROST)/ laser-
induced fluorescence (LIF), electrical resistivity
imaging (ERI), and ground penetrating radar (GPR),
as well as PCB field testing methods. Results verified
that PCB concentrations were generally below the
action levels anticipated for the site. LIF results were
used to place small gauge wells and piezometers
across the site to measure free product; which was
measured in a significant quantity in only one well.
Stratigraphic heterogeneity was found to be
extremely high at the site and free product was
determined not to be pervasive. Permanent
monitoring wells were installed and sampled. Site
closure requirements and remedy implementation under the NYSDEC Underground Storage Tank
(UST) program are anticipated for 2010. The collaborative use of LIF and PCB sampling data assured
that the low level PCBs will not likely need to be addressed via aggressive remediation.
- Increased LNAPL
presence
3-D Image of a Petroleum Hydrocarbon
Impacted Area
The diagram shows an example of petroleum
compound imaging using direct sensing
technology. Sensors on probes detect the presence
of fuels in the subsurface and 3-D visualization
software is used to illustrate the petroleum impact
area. The red lines in the figure indicate locations
of probes and where lines divert from vertical,
petroleum compounds are detected. An
approximation of the concentration of the
petroleum compounds is determined by the
extent to which the lines divert from the vertical.
Common aspects of waterfront property CSMs that
can be used to plan investigations include:
Historic Fill - Many waterfront properties are
underlain by land that was former marshland
prior to being filled in. The typically sharp
interface between the historic fill and former
marsh surface can be used to define an
investigation surface using real-time sensing
technologies in a Triad project framework.
Secondary Contaminants - Since early
industrial development in the City began along
creeks, canals, and other waterways, many
Brownfields waterfront redevelopment sites are
characterized by industrial releases mixed with
historic fill. The potential presence of
contaminants requires delineation of historic fill
horizons, and identification of areas of elevated
concentrations of industrial chemicals.
Groundwater Discharge to a Water Body -
Due to site proximity to waterways,
groundwater underneath waterfront properties
is usually a shallow water table condition with
flow being toward the surface water body.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Under these conditions, groundwater impacted
by upland contaminants may migrate and
discharge into the waterway. One of the critical
questions that need to be addressed with regard
to redevelopment of waterfront areas, therefore,
is to confirm whether and where impacted
groundwater is discharging to an adjacent water
body.
Nearshore Sediments - Ongoing nearshore
impact to sediment can result from past
industrial operations in the upland areas.
Nearshore sediments in City water bodies are
known to contain metals, petroleum
hydrocarbons and PCBs. Redevelopment needs
to consider these conditions, particularly if the
site includes opportunities for public access to
the nearshore environment.
Using these common CSM components to streamline
project planning, Triad field efforts can be quickly
designed. In addition, they can take advantage of the
common use of direct sensing tools, real-time
measurement technologies, and DWS to efficiently
delineate historic fill. Contamination related to
subsequent industrial releases to historic fill can
then be isolated and distinguished by their unique
characteristics.
Identifying and Delineating Intermingled
Contaminants
When historic fill contains metals and PAHs in
relatively low concentrations, a common remedial
strategy consists of engineering controls and deed
restrictions. However, when industrial chemicals are
mixed with the historic fill, impacts can be more
significant. Under these circumstances, the non-
historic fill impacts need to be isolated and treated.
The following describes attributes of contaminants
not typically associated with historic fill:
VOCs - Historic fill is derived from earlier
periods and contains primarily metals and
PAHs, which are generally not volatile. VOCs on
the other hand are very volatile and produce off
gases that can be detected using direct sensing
probes. The membrane interface probe (MIP) is
a cost-effective tool that can be used to map VOC
impacts because it only detects vapors from
VOCs not typically associated with historic fill.
Petroleum Compounds - Petroleum
compound impacts can be detected with a
variety of direct sensing tools. The typically low
to moderate concentration of PAHs frequently
present in historic fill are not sufficient to effect
performance of these instruments. Of the
several different tools available, such as the MIP
or LIF, the particular tool used needs to be
selected based on petroleum type and field
conditions conducive to direct push
technologies.
Concentrated Metals Impacts - While a
certain amount of metal impacts are typically
associated with historic fill, secondary metals
impacts can also originate from such industrial
operations as plating, photochemical
manufacturing and ore processing. These
impacts can be delineated in real-time using
FPXRF technology. Prior to defining the impact
zone, however, an understanding of metals
contained in the historic fill is necessary in
order to isolate the zone of elevated metals
relative to background fill conditions.
Additional information on the sources and human
health and environmental impact of the contaminant
classes listed above can be accessed at www»dlt
Direct sensing tools produce real-time, near-
continuous logs of the vertical profile of
contamination. When viewed in conjunction with
other direct sensing logs (such as the EC probe that
provides information on lithology and interfaces),
specific intervals for soil and groundwater sampling
can be selected. Narrowing the impacts down to one
or two groups of contaminants allows analytical
methods to focus on these compounds alone,
thereby streamlining the cleanup process. Important
considerations for selecting soil and groundwater
sampling intervals include:
Interfaces such as the boundary between
historic fill and underlying native materials
which effect vertical migration of certain
contaminants,
Obtaining soil samples with analytical results
below action criteria to bound the impact zone,
and
Collecting a range of soil and groundwater
samples from different portions of the core
impact zone for design of a site remedy.
Groundwater Discharge to a Water Body
Discharge of impacted groundwater originating
from an upland source into a water body can also be
addressed with Triad techniques. One key issue is
the need to identify and abate the upland
contamination source so the plume diminishes over
time. Another key issue is determining where the
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
discharge is occurring along the boundary between
the site and the waterway. Because groundwater
under waterfront sites is typically shallow, flows
toward the water body, and where unimpeded by
rip-rap or concrete retaining walls, can be easily
accessible with DPT-driven tools, the groundwater
plume can be efficiently mapped with direct sensing
technology and real-time interval-specific
groundwater sampling. Plume data can then be
visualized in 3-D and the on-site source areas
identified. Subsurface features can also be mapped
using surface geophysical survey technologies.
Unless broadly-impacted by contaminants from
other properties, removing or treating source areas
as part of site redevelopment will improve the
quality of water bodies adjacent to waterfront
redevelopment sites.
Finding groundwater to surface water discharge
points can also be accomplished using the high
resolution site characterization techniques inherent
in Triad methods. Changes in the permeability of
subsurface material (such as an interface between
historic fill and a former marsh surface) can channel
groundwater so that discharges of impacted water
can be isolated to sections of the shoreline rather
than as uniform flux front across the groundwater-
surface water interface. Samples collected at
multiple points distributed along the shoreline can
identify the discharge points.
An example of how the Triad approach was used to
characterize groundwater discharge at a
Brownfields waterfront redevelopment project is
shown below in Figures 4-6. At this property,
background research had indicated that an
industrial operation associated with rubber
manufacturing had occurred 300 feet inland. A
Triad investigation had mapped a shallow
groundwater chlorobenzene plume that originated
from an industrial vat under the manufacturing
building and was migrating toward the water body.
Figure 4 shows the distribution of the sampling
points used to map the plume distribution. A
combination of several testing methods were used
to map the plume including direct sensing, soil and
groundwater sample analysis using an on-site
mobile laboratory, and fixed based laboratory
analysis of select samples.
A collaborative data set was used to generate a 2-D
visualization which is illustrated in Figure 5.
Visualization of the plume indicated that two zones
along the shoreline appeared to be the primary
discharge points. One possible explanation for this
channeling of the groundwater flow was that a large
interceptor sewer line had been placed through the
study area in the past. The gravel envelope of the
sewer line was believed to be causing preferential
groundwater flow pathways. These discoveries
resulted in an immediate and significant
modification to the site CSM, a clear example of why
use of a flexible data management and visualization
system can be very effective.
To verify and calculate the flux of contaminants into
the water body, a series of passive diffusion bag
(PDB) samplers were placed along the shoreline and
allowed to remain for 2 weeks to reach equilibrium
(Figure 6). Analytical results of the water contained
in the PDB samplers subsequently confirmed the
exact locations of the discharge points and was used
to begin design of discharge control.
Data Management, Visualization, and
Communication
Triad-based investigations benefit from effective
management, visualization, and communication of
data. Information accuracy and deliverable
production efficiency are particularly important
when multiple stakeholders need to evaluate data
and make decisions in real-time or near real-time.
A critical aspect of a Triad project is high resolution
sampling, which results in more horizontal and
vertical sample points targeted in optimal locations
to provide meaningful data. Targeted increases in
data density integrate well with data visualization
methods such as 3-D imaging. In the last few years a
number of off-the-shelf 3-D imaging software
packages have become available which provide
powerful visualization tools and capabilities for data
communication.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Figure 4 - Direct Push Groundwater Screening Locations
Former
industrial vat
found under
building &
leaking
Chlorobenzene Plume Area (CPA) Impact Area
' Range of soil impacts categorized
by different soil action criteria
' Groundwater sample collected
using direct push screen points and
categorized by over/under
groundwater quality standards
(GWQS)
Figure 5 - Delineated Chlorobenzene Plume
Former vat under
building: source of
groundwater plume
Colors in plume map indicate
concentration ranges of
Chlorobenzene in groundwater.
The two shoreline areas in yellow
are the suspected discharge points
to the water body.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Figure 6 - Correlation of PDB Samples and Chlorobenzene Plume Discharge Points
PDB locations
PDB sample result for Chlorobenzene
greater than 4ppb
PDB sample result for Chlorobenzene
between 1 ppb and 4 ppb
PDB sample result non detect for
Chlorobenzene
Water samples from the PDBs
confirmed that groundwaterf rom
the plume was discharging to the
water body at two specific points
along the shoreline.
A data management approach should be developed
during systematic planning that addresses all meta-
data requirements for sample entry, tracking, and
reporting. A computerized data base management
system should be established at the start of the
project and used to record all sampling and
analytical information. Sample locations can be
recorded daily using GPS instruments. Maps
showing sampling results can then be generated
daily or weekly for the field team to use in making
real-time decisions.
Data visualization is particularly useful when
presenting results with community organizations
and other stakeholders. These methods are effective
in conveying site characterization results to non-
technical individuals. Stakeholders can see the
extent of impacts and more easily understand any
related risks. Figure 7 is an example of how 3-D
visualization tools can be used to clearly present
characterization data, in this case soil contamination
overlying bedrock.
Figure 7 - 3-D Visualization of Contamination
Overlying Bedrock
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
CONCLUSION
The partnership between EPA and the New York
City and State governments supports regional and
national goals of site cleanup while advancing the
environmental cleanup goals of PlaNYC 2030 to
leverage the City's underutilized land assets. By
using Triad BMPs for site investigation and
remediation, NYC intends to streamline cleanup and
redevelopment of historic fill and waterfront
properties to promote economic opportunity,
environmental stewardship, and community
engagement. EPA supports the NYC Mayor's Office
efforts to utilize Triad to streamline cleanup and
revitalization of low to moderate contaminated land
under its Brownfields Cleanup Program.
RESOURCES
A variety of resources are available to obtain
additional information on NYC's initiative to
streamline environmental cleanup. Following are
additional resources provided by NYC and EPA,
respectively.
WYC Resources
New York City Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP)
NYC has a strong interest in the cleanup and
redevelopment of contaminated and underutilized
property and has taken unprecedented steps
towards municipal Brownfields management. By
creating the NYC BCP, which is the first municipal
Brownfields cleanup program in the nation, NYC will
ensure that Brownfields sites with light to moderate
levels of contamination have the opportunity to be
cleaned up under governmental oversight utilizing
remedies that are protective of human health and
the environment. Benefits that result from
environmental cleanup and Brownfields
redevelopment include neighborhood revitalization,
job creation, an increase in local amenities and an
increase in City tax revenue. Properties that are
properly remediated through the NYC BCP receive a
Notice of Completion, which includes NYC liability
limitation against future environmental claims on
the property, and issuance of a NYC Green Property
Certification that symbolizes the City's confidence
that the property is protective of public health and
the environment.
Brownfield Incentive Grant (BIG) Program
To accelerate Brownfield cleanup and
redevelopment across NYC, OER in collaboration
with the New York City Economic Development
Corporation created the Brownfield Incentive Grant
(BIG) Program to assist with costs associated with
the transformation of Brownfields from
contaminated, underutilized sites into protective,
marketable, and productive properties. BIG
program resources are available to provide financial
assistance for qualifying Brownfields properties,
preferred community development projects, and
applicants for and recipients of BOA grants. Grants
can be used towards Pre-Development Design
studies, Environmental Investigations,
Environmental Cleanups, the purchase of
Environmental Insurance, technical assistance
services for not-for-profit groups, technical
assistance services for groups interested in
developing applications for the BOA program, and
Local Match Funding for existing BOA groups. The
BIG Program also offers bonus grants for permanent
(i.e., Track 1) cleanups, for BOA strategic properties
enrolled in the NYC BCP and for properties that have
a zoning map E-Designation or a Hazardous
Materials Restrictive Declaration following cleanup.
Maximum grant awards range up to $60,000 or
$100,000 depending upon the project and grant
type.
Searchable Property Environmental e-Database
(SPEED)
As OER's NYC BCP, BIG Program, and community
education events continue to increase interest in
Brownfields, the City is ready to assist developers
and other Brownfields stakeholders in identifying
potential project sites in a completely new way. The
SPEED portal is an on-line application that enables
users to examine environmental and other data on
properties throughout NYC. One Important data
layer in the SPEED portal, the Vacant Property
Database (VPD), provides previously difficult-to-
access historic land use and Phase I ESA-type
environmental information for over 3,000 vacant
privately-owned commercial and manufacturing
lots. The SPEED portal will be accessible from OER's
Web site beginning in 2010.
The SPEED portal also allows users to access
information about sites that has been collected from
city, state, and federal environmental remediation
programs. Furthermore, SPEED incorporates a
variety of map tools, aerial photos, political and
geographic districts, and building footprint maps.
Users can browse by navigating with the map
interface or by searching for desired properties or
locations, create reports, or print maps showing
spatial information.
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
OER's Green Team
OER has developed the Green Team in an effort to
assist OER's program enrollees throughout the
remedial process with basic information and
technical guidance on the submittal process and
procedures for various City permits and
applications. The Green Team is a group of OER
project managers who are available to assist NYC
BCP and E-Designation enrollees in the acquisition
of permits from various City agencies required for
activities during the investigation and remedial
phases of Brownfields redevelopment. OER Green
Team members serve as liaisons between OER and
various City agencies such as: the Department of
Environmental Protection, the Department of
Buildings, the Department of Transportation, the
Department of Parks and Recreation, the
Department of Sanitation, the Business Integrity
Commission, and the NYC Fire Department.
Enrollees are encouraged to contact their OER
project manager to obtain Green Team assistance.
Financial Incentive Consultation
In addition to OER's BIG Program funds, there are a
wide range of other financial incentives that are
offered by the City, State and Federal government.
OER provides a complimentary financial incentive
consultation to any property owner, developer, or
other interested party who may be interested in
learning about these various resources. Financial
incentives for Brownfields investigation and
remediation expenses include grants, loans,
technical assistance, and tax incentives. In addition
to incentives that are available for Brownfields
investigation and remediation, additional incentives
are available to assist with land acquisition costs,
business development opportunities, building
construction and renovation, reduced energy
consumption, and affordable housing projects. For
more information about these funding
opportunities, contact OER to set up a financial
incentives consultation to discuss which ones may
be right for your Brownfields project.
NYC Brownfield Partnership
Environmental resources available to all NYC
community members include those offered through
the NYC Brownfield Partnership (The Partnership),
a voluntary association of NYC's Brownfields
industry including developers, environmental
consulting firms, law firms, remediation contracting
firms, not-for-profit Brownfields development firms,
academic institutions, and community-based
organizations. The Partnership was founded by OER
in 2008 to provide services and benefits to NYC
communities and residents and to promote
sustainable Brownfields management in the City.
Specific services the Partnership offers include: Pro-
Bono Environmental Counseling, support for Green
Jobs Training programs, Brownfield Internships and
Scholarships and an annual Brownfield awards
program. The Partnership is not an agency of the
City of New York.
Pro-Bono Environmental Counseling
Under the NYC Brownfield law and the NYC BCP,
citizens are entitled and encouraged to review and
comment on Remedial Action Work Plans (cleanup
plans) for all NYC cleanup projects. However, these
plans can often be highly technical and difficult for
citizens to understand. As a result, community
representatives have expressed the need for
assistance in understanding and evaluating these
cleanup plans. To address this need, members of the
Partnership that are environmental consultants are
available to provide pro-bono counseling services.
The consultant will provide timely document review
and communication including a candid, impartial
assessment and consultation on the cleanup plan.
Member organizations of the Partnership provide
these services free of charge and independent of
NYC government.
Green Job Training
To sustain and support the growing Brownfields
cleanup industry in NYC, it is essential to have a
local, well-qualified environmental workforce that is
capable of conducting Brownfields site investigation
and cleanup. The Partnership envisions that local
workforce training can occur through a two-step
process. The first step is for local, unskilled workers
to complete preparatory employment training and
environmental technician training provided by
community workforce development organizations,
including STRIVE's Green Construction Skills
Training Program, St. Nick's Alliance Environmental
Remediation Technician Training Course, and
BuildingWorks Pre-Apprenticeship Training
Program. These training organizations provide
certifications in areas such as hazardous waste
operator training, soil vapor intrusion, lead
abatement, asbestos abatement, asbestos handling,
confined space entry and OSHA construction safety.
The second step is for newly qualified workers to
obtain entry-level jobs in the environmental
industry. Under the Partnership's Green Job
Training Program, member organizations in the
Partnership generally agree to provide specialized,
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
on-the-job training for one or more qualified
trainees each year.
For more information about the range of community
services offered by OER or to download OER's
Brownfield Community Service Report visit
www.nyc.gov/CSR.
EPA Resources
EPA develops and distributes environmental
technology transfer through a variety of resource
media, including Web sites, guidance documents,
instructor-led training, and archived Web-accessible
training.
Web Sites
The following are several EPA Web sites that offer a
myriad of information ranging from online training
and Web presentations, to requesting technical
assistance, to reading case studies and profiles
where Triad BMPs have been implemented.
Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Information
(CLU-IN) Web site (www.clu-in.org) -
Information about innovative treatment
technologies and site characterization
approaches can be found on www.clu-in.org.
The Web site includes descriptions of programs,
organizations, publications, and other tools for
federal and state personnel, consulting
engineers, technology developers and vendors,
remediation contractors, researchers,
community groups, and individual citizens. CLU-
IN also provides access to online streaming
videos, archives of internet seminars, and
schedule/registration information for upcoming
seminars and conference Web casts.
Triad Resource Center Web site
(www.triadcentral.org) - The Triad Resource
Center provides information that hazardous
waste site managers and cleanup practitioners
need to implement the Triad Approach
effectively. The Web site includes: an
introduction to key Triad concepts, principles,
and benefits; documents and resources for
technical staff implementing the Triad
Approach; regulatory information; project
descriptions where Triad BMPs have been
implemented; and references.
Brownfields and Land Revitalization
Technology Support Center Web Site
(www.brownfieldstsc.org) - The Brownfields
and Land Revitalization Technology Support
Center (BTSC) provides technical support to
federal, state, local, and tribal officials for
questions related to the use of innovative
technologies and strategies for site assessment
and cleanup. Partners in the BTSC include EPA's
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
(OSWER) and Office of Research and
Development (ORD); the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USAGE); and Argonne National
Laboratory. As a Center partner, EPA's
Brownfields Program helps to identify support
needed by EPA's Brownfields Program
participants.
Guidance Documents
Brownfields Technology Primer: Vapor Intrusion
Considerations for Redevelopment (EPA 542-R-
08-001), March 2008
www.brownfieldstsc.org/newPublications.cfm7t
abS=2
Brownfields Technology Primer: Requesting and
Evaluating Proposals that Encourage Innovative
Technologies for Investigation and Cleanup (EPA-
542-R-01-005), February 2001
www.brownfieldstsc.org/pdfs/rfpfinal.pdf
Demonstrations of Method Applicability under a
Triad Approach for Site Assessment and Cleanup
Technology Bulletin (EPA-542-F-08-006),
August 2008
www.brownfieldstsc.org/pdfs/Demonstrations
of Methods Applicability.pdf
Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable
Environmental Practices into Remediation of
Contaminated Sites (EPA 542-R-08-002), April
2008 www.brownfieldstsc.org/pdfs/green-
remediation-primer.pdf
Green Remediation: Best Management Practices
for Excavation and Surface Restoration (EPA-
542-F-08-012), December 2008 www.clu-
in.org/greenremediation/docs/GR Quick Ref F
S exc
OSWER Draft Guidance for Evaluating the Vapor
Intrusion to Indoor Air Pathway from
Groundwater and Soils (Subsurface Vapor
Intrusion Guidance), (EPA-530-D-02-004),
November 2 002
www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/correctiveaction/eis
/vapor.htm
Road Map to Understanding Innovative
Technology Options for Brownfields Investigation
and Cleanup, Fourth Edition (EPA-542-B-03-
002), September 2005 www.clu-in.org/
download/misc/roadmap4.pdf
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
Technical and Regulatory Guidance for the Triad
Approach: A New Paradigm for Environmental
Project Management, Interstate Technology &
Regulatory Council, December 2003
www.itrcweb.org/Documents/SCM-l.pdf
Triad Implementation Guide, Interstate
Technology & Regulatory Council, May 2007
www.itrcweb.org/Documents/SCM-3.pdf
Triad Issue Paper: Using Geophysical Tools to
Develop the Conceptual Site Model (EPA-542-F-
08-007), December 2008 www.brownfields
tsc.org/pdfs/Geophysics%20Issue%20Paper%2
OFINAL Dec%203%2020081.pdf
Understanding Procurement for Sampling and
Analytical Services Under a Triad Approach
(EPA-542-R-05-022), June 2005 www.clu-
in.org/download/char/procurement.pdf
Use of Dynamic Work Strategies Under a Triad
Approach for Site Assessment and Cleanup -
Technology Bulletin (EPA-542-F-05-008),
September 2005 www.clu-
in.org/download/char/dwsbulletin.pdf
Using the Triad Approach to Streamline
Brownfields Site Assessment and Cleanup -
Brownfields Technology Primer Series, June
2003 www.epa.gov/swertiol/download/misc/
triadprimer.pdf
Instructor-Led Training
The following courses are in-person training that is
offered by EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and
Technology Innovation (OSRTI). Additional
information about these and various other training
opportunities can be found on the Training
Exchange Web site [www.trainex.org]. otherwise
known as Trainex.
Advanced Triad Training for Practitioners
Advanced Triad Training for Practitioners is based
on BMPs implemented by the EPA and is designed to
educate environmental professionals from EPA's
regulated partnership organizations, other federal
and state partners, and consultants. In this 2.5-day
course, participants learn how the Triad Approach
and its BMPs can be used to efficiently perform
projects in a legal, technically sound, and cost-
effective manner.
Triad Training for Managers
Triad Training for Managers introduces the Triad
process, which can be applied to site
characterization, remedial design, remedy
implementation, remedy operation and
maintenance, and remedy optimization. In this 1-
day course, participants learn how the Triad process
consists of systematic planning, dynamic work
strategies, and real-time measurement tools; learn
how to design new procurements and use existing
contracting vehicles to facilitate use of the Triad
Approach; explore how the CSM serves as the
foundation of the Triad Approach and how dynamic
work strategies are planned and implemented; and
review the importance of devising an exit strategy
before beginning a project.
Archived Web-Accessible Training
The following are archived Internet seminars that
are available on the CLU-IN Web site [www.clu-
in.org). Additional information about these and
various other seminars can be found on CLU-IN's
Training and Events Archived Internet Seminars &
Podcasts Web site [www.clu-in.org/live/archive).
Implementation of Triad for Petroleum
Brownfield's Cleanup and Reuse
This presentation features the redevelopment of
a former Petroleum Bulk Terminal into
residential reuse in Alexandria, VA. The site
operated as a fuel depot since the late 1800's.
Environmental work began in the early 1980's
with a reported release. In the early 2000's, the
Triad philosophy was adopted. The property
has since been redeveloped into 18 townhomes
and 40 condominiums with a below-grade
parking structure. The discussion covers the
process from investigation up to redevelopment
and the perspective of the State Department of
Environmental Quality and City Office of
Environmental Quality.
"Triad Month" Sessions 1 through 7
Over 260 individuals gathered from the U.S. and
abroad at UMass-Amherst in Massachusetts to
discuss the use of the Triad Approach to
conduct investigations and remedial actions.
The Triad Community of Practice [CoP) decided
to update and repackage several of those same
sessions to benefit the greater CLU-IN audience
that either may not have been able to attend the
conference, or were not able to attend a specific
presentation while at the conference. Archived
Triad Month sessions include:
o Session 1: Introduction to Triad
o Session 2: Triad Communications and
Systematic Planning
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Streamlining Site Cleanup in New York City
o Session 3: Triad During RD/RA
o Session 4: Triad Measurement Techniques
o Session 5: Triad Implementation
o Session 6: Triad Case Studies
o Session 7: Dynamic Work Strategies
Management and Interpretation of Data
Under a Triad Approach
This session covers the BTSC bulletin on
implementing a data management program for a
Triad project. It includes a brief introduction to
the Triad Approach, answers to frequently
asked questions about data management on
Triad projects, three examples of data
management with state agencies as the primary
regulatory body, and sources of additional
information for project teams and stakeholders
who develop or provide input on a data
management.
Triad: Beyond Characterization to Long-
Term Management of Groundwater
Contaminant Plumes
This workshop is similar to one presented at the
June 2008 Triad Conference. It covers field
analytical approaches, followed by LTM
network design and implementation, then
integration of sensors and logistics into the
development of the CSM, and finally wraps up
with examples of automated monitoring (which
includes contouring and model update). The
workshop covers best-of-class approaches for
CSM development with an emphasis on DPTs,
and then integrates new approaches to update
this in the most time/cost-effective manner.
While the models are conceptual, the workshop
discusses analytical components to the model to
make quantification possible.
REFERENCES
Cadimum.org. Levels of Cadmium in the Environment.
Accessed March, 2010.
www.cadmium.org/env lev.html
CLU-IN Web site. Mercury Overview. Accessed
March, 2010. www.clu-in.org/contaminantfocus/
defaultfocus/sec/Mercury/cat/Overview
CLU-IN Web site. Poly chlorinated Biphenyls
Overview. Accessed March, 2010. www.clu-
in.org/contaminantfocus/default.focus/sec/Polychl
orinated Biphenvls fPCBsl/cat/Overview
CLU-IN Web site. Sediments Overview. Accessed
March, 2010. www.clu-in.org/contaminantfocus/
defaultfocus/sec/Sediments/cat/Overview
CLU-IN Web site. Soil and Soil-Gas Samplers.
Accessed March, 2010. www.clu-in.org/
characterization/technologies/soilandsoilgass
amp.cfm
CLU-IN Web site. Radioisotope Sources. Accessed
March, 2010. www.clu-in.org/char/technologies/
xrfsources.htm
EPA (2010, March). Soil Contamination. Accessed
March, 2010.
www.epa.gov/superfund/students/wastsite/
soilspil.htm
EPA (2010, March). Groundwater Contamination.
Accessed March, 2010.
www.epa.gov/superfund/students/wastsite/grndw
atr.htm
EPA (2004, July). Technology News and Trends, Issue
13. 542-N-04-004. www.epa.gov/nscep
EPA. 2000. EPA Method 8081B, Organochlorine
Pesticides by Gas Chromatography. EPA SW-846
Update IVB. www.caslab.com/EPA-Method-8081B
EPA. 2000. EPA Method 8310, Poly nuclear Aromatic
Hydrocarbons. EPA SW-846. www.cA-Method-8310
EPA 1999, Compendium of Methods for the
Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in
Ambient Air, Second Edition, Compendium Method
TO-16, Long-Path Open-Path Fourier Transform
Infrared Monitoring of Atmospheric Gases, Center for
Environmental Research Information, Office of
Research and Development.
www.epa.gov/ttnamtil/files/ambient/airtox/to-
16r.pdf
Public Law 107-118 (H.R. 2869). "Small Business
Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act"
signed into law January 11, 2002.
Retec, 2007. Characterization of Soil Background
PAH and Metal Concentrations, Manhattan, New
York.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2000, May). Cost and
Performance Report: Expedited Characterization and
Soil Remediation at the Test Plot Area, Wenatchee
Tree Fruit Research Center, Wenatchee, Washington.
www.clu-in.org/download/char/treefruit/
wenatchee.pdf
Walsh, D.C. & LaFleur, R.G. (1995). Landfills in New
York City, 1844-1994. Groundwater, 33, 556-560.
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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields and Land
Revitalization Technology Support Center (BTSC) and the New York City (NYC)
Mayor's Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) have jointly prepared this
document as a technical transfer resource for organizations and individuals
involved in the redevelopment of contaminated properties in NYC. This joint effort,
supported by New York State, advances the environmental cleanup goals of PlaNYC
2030, the city's comprehensive sustainability plan. The purpose of this document is
to present how Triad Approach best management practices (BMP) for site
investigation and remediation advance EPA's and NYC Mayor's Office initiatives in
the areas of community revitalization and Brownfields redevelopment.
E PA 542-R-10-005
For more information, contact:
Carlos S. Pachon
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Brownfields and Land Revitalization
Technology Support Center
pachon.carlos@epa.gov
Mark P. Mclntyre
City of New York
Office Of Environmental Remediation
Mayor's Office Of Operations
mmcintyre@cityhall.nyc.gov
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