FORT DIX (LANDFILL SITE] NEW JERSEY Other Names: U.S. Army Garrison Fort Dix Fort Dix, New Jersey EPA ID# NJ2210020275 Site Description The U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Dix encompasses approximately 33,000 acres. It includes the 126-acre Fort Dix (Landfill Site) which operated as a sanitary landfill from 1950 until 1984. The U.S. Army's Fort Dix Military Reservation and McGuire Air Force Base used the Landfill to bury wastes in a series of trenches, which were then recovered with the soil that had been excavated from those trenches. Types of waste disposed of in the landfill included sludges, waste paints and thinners, and pesticides. Cannon Run and an unnamed stream are located near the landfill and flow into Rancocas Creek. A hardwood swamp is located near the landfill. The site is surrounded by woods and dense vegetation which are open to the public during the hunting season. Unauthorized recreational activities such as dirt biking occur near the site. As many as 5,000 people have lived in military housing about 4,000 feet upstream of the landfill. Approximately 500 people live in Pemberton Township, which also is 4,000 feet from the landfill. As many as 7,300 residents once had been served by domestic wells within 3 miles of the landfill. In addition to the landfill, the Army had identified 21 past disposal and spill areas which were possibly contaminated; 14 of these areas were determined to merit further investigation. In preparation for either lease or transfer of certain parcels of Fort Dix to other parties under the Base Realignment and Closing Act (BRAC), the Corps of Engineers had prepared an Enhanced Preliminary Assessment. In response the Army has completed an Environmental Investigation and Alternatives Analysis (EI/AA) of an additional 19 sites which might require remediations. Although the Army plans to lease or transfer some sites as early as possible, a core site will remain as Garrison Fort Dix, an active training facility for the Army Reserves and National Guard and as a power projection platform. Site Responsibility: This site is being addressed through Federal actions. NPL LISTING HISTORY Proposed Date: 10/01/84 Final Date: 07/01/87 FORT DIX (LANDFILL SITE) 2002 1 March ------- Threats and Contaminants The groundwater and surface water have been contaminated with various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as heavy metals including manganese, lead, and magnesium. Potential threats to health include drinking and touching contaminated groundwater and the hardwood swamp surface water. However, no potable water supply wells are threatened by the groundwater contamination. There is also a potential health risk associated with eating contaminated plants and animals from the swamp. A point source release of lead and related heavy metals from soils which are believed to have been relocated from a firing range have been investigated. The Army has agreed to provide promptly all required removal and remediation actions which may be required. Cleanup Approach This site is being addressed in two long-term remedial phases focusing on cleanup of the Landfill and the disposal and spill areas. In addition to the Landfill, the Army identified 21 past disposal and spill areas which were possibly contaminated; 14 of these areas were determined to merit further investigation.Contaminations in several of the areas were of petroleum origin and are not subject to CERCLA. The Corps of Engineers has provided a subsequent report (an enhanced Preliminary Assessment) in preparation for the leasing of certain parcels of Fort Dix to other parties under the BRAC. Subsequently the Army has conducted an Environmental Investigation of an additional 19 sites for possible contamination. EPA is reviewing the Army's recommendations for cleanup. Few will require significant remediation. Response Action Status r*v Landfill: The Army and EPA signed a Record of Decision on September 24, 1991 to cap the southernmost 50 acres of the landfill and to conduct 30 years of environmental monitoring. Remedial Action for the Phase I cap (maintain 2 feet of cover and a perimeter chain link fence) had been completed early. The Phase II cap was completed within FY 1997. Within FY 1999 EPA has approved a Five-Year Report, a Pre-Closure Report and a Final Remedial Action Report for the Landfill. The Landfill now qualifies for inclusion on the Construction FORT DIX (LANDFILL SITE) 2002 2 March ------- Completion List. Te effectiveness of the remedy is being evaluated. r*v Disposal and Spill Areas: In addition to the Landfill, the Army identified 21 past disposal and spill areas potentially contaminated with hazardous wastes. After evaluation, 14 of these areas were recommended for further study to determine the nature and extent of apparent contamination. For these areas the Army submitted Remedial Action and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) reports which recommends further actions required for remediation. The Army has completed additional fieldwork and has offered proposed plans for several of the specific sites. A Final RI/FS Report for the MAG-1 Area, which is one the 14 sites, has been reviewed by EPA and the Proposed Plan for the required cleanup is being evaluated. A Final Report for the remaining 13 IRP Sites has been reviewed by EPA and the Army has prepared recommendations for various remedial actions. Proposed plans for some of the 13 Sites have been submitted to EPA for review. The Corps of Engineers has submitted an Enhanced Preliminary Assessment in preparation for the leasing of certain parts of the Fort to other parties. Subsequently the Army has prepared and followed an approved Environmental Investigation Workplan for 19 additional sites. Fieldwork for this was conducted during the summers of 1993 and 1996. The Final EI and Alternatives Analysis (EI/AA) Report has been reviewed by EPA. Some of these sites are contaminated only by petroleum products, which are excluded from CERCLA. Those sites are being remediated in accordance with requirements of the State of New Jersey. The Army currently is providing recommendations for cleanup of remaining sites which are subject to CERCLA. These are being reviewed and evaluated by EPA. Site Facts: Fort Dix is participating in the Installation Restoration Program (IRP), a specially funded program established by the Department of Defense (DoD) in 1978 to identify, investigate, and control the migration of hazardous contaminants at military and other DoD facilities. In 1985, the EPA, the State, and the Army signed an Administrative Consent Order for closure of the Landfill. In addition to the Landfill the DoD agreed to investigate all contamination at Forft Dix, to define the contaminants and to recommend alternatives for final cleanup. In 1991 the Army also signed an Interagency Agreement with EPA under CERCLA. This incorporates the study and closure of the NPL Landfill Site plus the investigation and the required remediation of other disposal and spill areas in accordance with applicable regulations. Environmental Progress Upon listing the site on the NPL, the EPA performed an initial assessment and determined that the FORT DIX (LANDFILL SITE) 2002 3 March ------- Fort Dix landfill and related IRP sites do not pose an immediate threat to nearby residents or the environment while studies leading into final cleanup are underway. The Army is working towards deletion of the NPL Landfill Site and plans to complete environmental requirements at the additional sites under the continuing Interagency Agreement. FORT DIX (LANDFILL SITE) 2002 4 March ------- |