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JUNE 2015
Welcome to the latest edition of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) DuPont Pompton Lakes
Works Newsletter. EPA issues this communication to keep the community informed of the cleanup activities
related to the DuPont Pompton Lakes Works Site.
Reminder: Weekly EPA "Open Hours"
Pompton Lakes Municipal Building
Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Acid Brook Delta & Lake Cleanup Update:
EPA issued a draft permit modification on
November 2, 2014 for the Acid Brook Delta and
Pompton Lake (described as the Pompton Lake
Study Area in the draft permit modification). The
study area is defined as Pompton Lake from the
Lakeside Avenue Bridge to the Pompton Dam
including the Acid Brook Delta as well as the
Upland Soil Areas of Acid Brook.
EPA held an information session at the Carnevale
Center on November 12, 2014 and presented the
components of the draft permit modification. On
December 8, 2014, EPA held a public hearing at the
Carnevale Center where approximately 22
individuals representing themselves and/or local
interest groups expressed their concerns.
A public comment period for interested parties to
provide written comments was held. The original
public comment period was from November 3,
2014 until December 18, 2014, but was extended
until February 3, 2015 at the request of two
interest groups.
In summary, the proposed environmental cleanup
for the Pompton Lake Study Area includes:
• Dredging of mercury impacted sediment
from the Acid Brook Delta. This area
encompasses approximately 36 acres.
• Removal of mercury impacted sediment
that was identified outside the Acid Brook
Delta between the Lakeside Avenue Bridge
and the Pompton Dam. Two specific areas
were identified and delineated as needing
corrective action. One area is designated
"Area A" and covers approximately 0,5
acres and the second area is designated the
"Island Area" and covers about 2.5 acres.
• Implementation of a Long-Term Monitoring
Program to establish baseline conditions
and conduct long-term monitoring of the
Pompton Lake Study Area. The long-term
monitoring program work plan will be
designed to measure key indicators of the
overall condition of the study area over an
initial five year monitoring period.
Additional Resources:
EPA Pompton Lakes website: www.epa.gov/region2/waste/dupont_ponipton
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: www.state.nj.us/dep/srp/community/sites/dupont_pompton_lakes
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 • 290 Broadway • New York, NY 10007 • 877-251-4575 • www.epa.gov/region2
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Dupont Pompton Lakes
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JUNE 2015
• Design and performance of an updated
Ecological Risk Assessment, if determined to
be needed. The performance of an
Ecological Risk Assessment, if done, will be
based on the evaluation of the empirical
data collected as part of the
implementation of the long-term
monitoring program as well as relevant
historical data, and would utilize updated
risk data, bioaccumulation factors, and
relevant collected site-specific information.
• Design and implementation of a revised
Upland Soil Areas Remediation and
Restoration Plan which ensures the
potential pathways for ecological receptors
to mercury contaminated soil are
addressed.
EPA evaluated and prepared responses to written
comments submitted by approximately 71
individuals, three public interest groups, the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service and DuPont. EPA's
responses to the written comments were compiled
in a document called a Responsiveness Summary.
EPA issued the permit modification, including the
Responsiveness Summary on May 20, 2015.
Following the required 30-day period during which
an appeal to the permit could have been filed (no
appeals were filed), the permit modification
became effective on June 22, 2015.
Within 90 days of the June 22nd effective date, or
by such other date approved by EPA, the Permittee
shall submit to EPA and New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for their review
and approval by EPA, a Corrective Measures
Implementation Work Plan, including a Project
Operations Plan, Health & Safety Plan and Quality
Assurance Project Plan with respect to the
dredging/removal operation. The EPA approved
work plan will incorporate any modifications
resulting from EPA and NJDEP reviews.
Upon EPA approval of the updated work plan, the
Permittee shall implement the approved work plan
in accordance with its schedule and the provisions
of the Permit Modification.
EPA has committed to the Pompton Lakes
community that as part of its on-going community
engagement process, EPA will review with, and
obtain input from interested parties, on documents
and work plans submitted prior to their final
review/approval by EPA. These documents are
related, but not limited to project implementation
areas such as air monitoring, traffic control, noise
control, and health and safety.
Field implementation of the corrective measures is
anticipated to begin in late 2015.
Additional Resources:
EPA Pompton Lakes website: www.epa.gov/region2/waste/dupont_ponipton
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: www.state.nj.us/dep/srp/community/sites/dupont_pompton_lakes
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 • 290 Broadway • New York, NY 10007 • 877-251-4575 • www.epa.gov/region2
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JUNE 2015
Vapor Intrusion Program Update:
In mid-July, the EPA will mail correspondence to
residents and property owners whose homes are
located in the vapor mitigation area (above the
contaminated shallow groundwater plume) to
provide a comprehensive update on the vapor
intrusion program. More than 400 residence-
specific information packages have been prepared
by EPA, the NJDEP and DuPont for distribution.
The information package will include:
1. Guidance sheet - summary of
information in the mailing
2. Map - depiction of the original vapor
intrusion investigation boundary based
on the 2008 groundwater vapor
intrusion screening levels and the
revised boundary based on the 2013
NJDEP screening levels
3. Property worksheet - list of activities
that have been completed at your
property under the NJDEP and EPA
approved work plans
4. Data tables - relevant data for your
property
5. Option details - detailed explanation of
the testing and/or mitigation options
available for your property
6. Contact information - who to contact at
the EPA, NJDEP and DuPont to further
discuss your options under the vapor
intrusion program being implemented
by DuPont with oversight by NJDEP and
EPA.
A summary of the options available regarding
sampling, vapor mitigation system installation,
vapor mitigation system termination and long-term
monitoring for the property will be provided in the
information package sent to homeowners in the
vapor mitigation area. These options are consistent
with DuPont's current vapor intrusion program
and/or NJDEP's Vapor Intrusion Guidance. This will
allow the property owner to make their own
informed decision regarding participation in the
vapor intrusion program.
EPA and NJDEP understand that the information
package may appear complicated and therefore,
encourage residents who receive it (or anyone with
questions about the vapor intrusion program) to
reach out to the contacts provided in this
newsletter or the information package.
Although the Vapor Intrusion Screening Levels have
changed, there have been no changes to DuPont's
2008 Vapor Interim Remedial Measures Work Plan
that allows for a vapor mitigation system to be
installed at any property located in the vapor
mitigation area (i.e. above shallow groundwater
contamination) associated with the DuPont
Pompton Lakes Works site.
It is important to emphasize three points regarding
the vapor intrusion program. First, while the
current vapor intrusion program allows for a vapor
mitigation system to be installed at any property
located above the shallow groundwater
contamination associated with the DuPont
Pompton Lakes Works site, NJDEP and EPA
encourage that sampling be performed in order for
you to make the most informed decision about the
need for a vapor mitigation system.
Additional Resources:
EPA Pompton Lakes website: www.epa.gov/region2/waste/dupont_ponipton
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: www.state.nj.us/dep/srp/community/sites/dupont_pompton_lakes
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 • 290 Broadway • New York, NY 10007 • 877-251-4575 • www.epa.gov/region2
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Dupont Pompton Lakes
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Cleanup Newsletter
JUNE 2015
Second, the ability of the homeowner to receive a
letter of no further action at your property from
NJDEP with respect to vapor intrusion would be
based on sampling in accordance with the NJDEP VI
Guidance and third, you should understand that
decisions made about vapor mitigation system
installation or termination go through the process
of review and approval/disapproval by NJDEP and
EPA.
DuPont Spin-off of Chemours:
The Chemours Company
In December 2014, DuPont announced plans to
spin off a portion of its chemicals business into a
new entity named The Chemours Company. Along
with the announcement, Chemours filed an initial
Form 10 registration statement with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission which
included business, market and financial
information. According to its Form 10 filing,
Chemours will be a provider of performance
chemicals. Chemours chemical products are used in
a variety of industrial processes.
Permit Modification & Permit Transfer
On May 20, 2015, the EPA issued the permit
modification, including the Responsiveness
Summary, which contained EPA responses to
comments received during the public comment
period. The permit modification addressed the Acid
Brook Delta and Pompton Lake Study Area
(described as the Pompton Lake Study Area in the
permit modification). The required 30 day period
during which a formal appeal could be filed with
EPA's Environmental Appeals Board ended on June
22, 2015 with no appeals filed. The permit is final
and DuPont has begun to initiate its requirements
(further described below).
EPA is processing a request for transfer of the
facility's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) permit from DuPont to The Chemours
Company FC LLC, to be effective as of July 1, 2015
after the Chemours Company becomes as
independent company. The Chemours Company FC
LLC will own and operate the Pompton Lakes
facility.
Cleanup Cost Estimate & Financial Assurance
With the proposed permit modification final, the
Permittee is required to provide financial assurance
for the approved corrective measures included in
the final permit modification, and for continued
implementation of interim measures by July 22,
2015. Financial assurance for the cleanup work will
be based on a cost estimate for the required work,
including post remediation care requirements, and
will identify and implement the method the
Permittee selects to provide the assurance.
New Jersey also requires financial assurance for
corrective measures at the DuPont Pompton Lakes
facility under their existing Administrative Consent
Order ("ACO"). New Jersey has added Chemours to
their ACO, specifying its obligation to provide
financial assurance for the corrective work at the
Pompton Lakes facility. In connection with its
financial filing with New Jersey, DuPont reported
that as of April 1, 2014 it had expended
$218,717,018 on remedial measures and
investigative activities at the Pompton Lakes site.
Additional Resources:
EPA Pompton Lakes website: www.epa.gov/region2/waste/dupont_ponipton
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: www.state.nj.us/dep/srp/community/sites/dupont_pompton_lakes
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 • 290 Broadway • New York, NY 10007 • 877-251-4575 • www.epa.gov/region2
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JUNE 2015
Community Outreach:
The NJDEP arid EPA are available to the community
to answer any questions regarding the changes to
the NJDEP Vapor Intrusion Screening Levels, other
aspects of the vapor intrusion program, or the
other components of the environmental cleanup.
Once the information packages are distributed,
EPA, NJDEP and DuPont plan to be available to
individuals or groups to discuss the content of the
information packages and answer any questions.
In addition to the newsletter, the EPA holds regular
public information sessions and provides weekly
"Open Hours" in the Pompton Lakes Municipal
Building (Thursdays from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.) where
people can drop by, ask questions and get
information in person. If residents prefer not to
come to the Municipal Building, EPA personnel are
willing to meet at other locations.
The NJDEP and EPA will continue to provide
oversight of DuPont's vapor intrusion program to
ensure protection of public health and the
environment in the Pompton Lakes community.
Vapor mitigation systems have been installed in
330 homes to date. The EPA and NJDEP continue to
encourage all homeowners with homes above the
"vapor mitigation area" (the contaminated shallow
groundwater plume) to test their homes to
determine the need for the installation of a vapor
mitigation system. If you would like DuPont to
install the vapor mitigation system, please contact
David Epps, DuPont Project Director, at 973-492-
7703. If you would like a third party contractor to
install the system, please call Pat Seppi, the EPA's
Community Involvement Coordinator, at 646-369-
0068.
Site Background:
From 1902-1994, DuPont manufactured explosives
on a 570-acre site located at 2000 Cannonball Road
in Pompton Lakes and Wanaque, New Jersey. Past
operations and waste management practices have
contaminated surface water, soil, sediment and
groundwater both on- and off-site. The primary soil
and sediment contaminants are lead, mercury and
copper. Primary groundwater contaminants are
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can
cause vapor intrusion in areas where the shallow
groundwater VOC plume extends beneath homes.
The DuPont Pompton Lakes Works site is regulated
under the federal Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA).
Additional Resources:
EPA Pompton Lakes website: www.epa.gov/region2/waste/dupont_ponipton
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: www.state.nj.us/dep/srp/community/sites/dupont_pompton_lakes
For More Information, Please Contact:
Pat Seppi, Community Involvement
Coordinator
U.S. EPA
(646) 369-0068
seppi.pat@epa.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 • 290 Broadway • New York, NY 10007 • 877-251-4575 • www.epa.gov/region2
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