RETURN TO USE INITIATIVE 2011 Demonstration Project W.R. GRACE & CO., INC./WAYNE INTERIM STORAGE SITE (USDOE): Wayne Township, New Jersey THE SITE: The 6.5-acre W.R. Grace & Co., Inc./Wayne Interim Storage Site (USDOE) Superfund site (the Site) is located in Wayne Township, New Jersey. Rare Earths Incorporated began operating on the Site in 1948 and specialized in the extraction of thorium and other rare earths from monazite ore. Rare Earth continued these efforts until 1957 when W.R. Grace & Co. took ownership of the facility and continued similar extraction operations until 1971. Although extraction activities had ceased, W.R. Grace & Co. continued to store radioactive materials on the property until 1974, when they decontaminated the property by burying all contaminated material. In 1975, the land was released for unrestricted use, though the deed indicated subsurface radioactive material was present. In 1980, an aerial survey showed elevated radiation levels at the plant site and surrounding developed properties. In 1984, the federal government acquired the property and created the Wayne Interim Storage site. After subsequent surveys confirmed elevated radiation levels, EPA placed the Site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984. Cleanup activities included excavation and disposal of contaminated soil and materials; extraction and treatment of contaminated ground water; and implementation of a monitoring program. EPA declared the Site Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use (SWRAU) in September 2011. THE OPPORTUNITY: In 2006, after completion of soil cleanup efforts, the federal government transferred the property to Wayne Township for recreational use through the National Park Service Land to Parks Program. As part of ongoing site monitoring, EPA conducted a five-year review of the remedy at the Site in 2008. The five-year review found that contamination only remained beneath a roadway crossing the Site and called for institutional controls to ensure this inaccessible soil would be remediated if the roadway were ever removed. EPA performed confirmatory sampling in 2009 and found that these restrictions were not necessary, clearing the Site for reuse. PICTURED: Ongoing remedial efforts at the Site in 1999. (source: EPA) BEFORE: Vacant remediated property previously used to house radioactive materials. AFTER: Community recreational park that includes fenced dog park areas, a children's playground and a walking trail. PICTURED: A view of the revegetated, remediated property at the Site, (source: EPA) POTENTIAL BARRIERS: Building a recreational park with limited funding. SOLUTION: Local government officials accept a community member's generous donation towards the development of a dog park. Parties worked together to develop a vision for the park that would be an asset to the community. United States Environmental Protection Superfund Redevelopment Initiative 1—J jr % Agency kAgency February 2012 1 ------- Because the site had been cleaned up to unrestricted use standards, the Township's new property provided an opportunity to offer additional recreational facilities to the community. However, this development would require additional funding. The Township applied to the Passaic County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust for financial support and was granted $99,000 to begin the park. Wayne Township officials drafted long-term development plans for the Site that would ultimately need to be funded by tax dollars. THE POTENTIAL BARRIERS: The park plans prepared by Wayne Township included fields for soccer, lacrosse, baseball and softball - a very expensive development. At a time when the economy was in constant fluctuation, long-term recreational developments were often overlooked. Recreational reuse on a Superfund site could easily be passed over in the face of more pressing projects, but additional funding would expedite the process and ensure the project's completion. THE SOLUTION: Brett Sherman, a former Wayne Township resident and executor of his neighbor's estate, saw the value in redeveloping a Superfund site for the benefit of the community. Sherman sought out Township officials involved in the redevelopment plans at the Site and donated $350,000 through the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program in July 2011. After discussions, Sherman and local stakeholders came to the agreement that this donation, in addition to the Passaic County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust funding, would be used to construct a dog park on the Site. Park plans were modified to exclude the ball fields and to include a separate fenced-in areas for large and smaller- sized dogs, a children's playground and a walking path. "They [Vanguard] called us recently and asked us if we wanted money to build a dog park, and we're very happy they did," Mayor Christopher Vergano said. "So we're building a park." THE SITE NOW: Sherman's gift has sped up the redevelopment process and construction of the park is expected to be completed spring 2012. Thanks to the communicative efforts of a proactive community member and Wayne Township, a once contaminated, unused plot of land will be transformed into a recreational asset for Township community members. EPA continues to monitor the remediated property and to work with site stakeholders to ensure protectiveness. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Gloria Sosa, Region 2 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at (212) 637-4283 or sosa.aloria@epa.aov. &EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Redevelopment Initiative February 2012 2 ------- |