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

-------