Second Phase Metropolis Towers Chromium Cleanup

1
Second Phase Metropolis TowersChromium Cleanup

• Presentation to Residents
• September 4, 2013

2
Overview

• Chrome processing in Hudson County
• Settlement agreement
• Health and safety measures
• Scope of Metropolis Towers cleanup
• Review of first phase
• What to expect during second phase
• Preparations for third phase
• Update on basement of Building No. 2
• Questions and answers

2
3
Chrome in Hudson County

• From 1905 to 1976, Hudson County was a center for
  chrome manufacturing, processing chromite ore
  imported from around the world
• Waste from two plants in Jersey City and one in
  Kearny was used as fill at construction sites
• PPG Industries purchased a plant on Garfield
  Avenue in 1954 and ceased operations in 1963,
  selling the facility and property in 1964

4
Settlement Agreement

• In 2009, NJDEP, Jersey City and PPG signed a
  settlement in Superior Court in which they agreed
  to a process to clean up PPG chromium sites in
  Hudson County, including Metropolis Towers
• Created new position of an independent,
  court-appointed Site Administrator with
  responsibility to develop a master schedule and
  to facilitate cleanup-related activities among
  the parties
• Created new position of an independent technical
  consultant to assist site administrator and
  provide technical review and work plan evaluation
  in support of NJDEP regulatory responsibilities

5
Health and Safety Measures

• Health and safety of the surrounding community
  and workers during site excavation is a top
  priority
• Multiple, overlapping, prevention and protection
  measures have been adopted at all sites,
  including Metropolis Towers
• Dust Suppression Plan
• Entire Site Air Monitoring Plan
• Resident Safety and Security Plan
• Traffic Safety and Control Plan
• Developed by experienced experts for PPG
• Reviewed by Independent Technical Consultant,
  NJDEP and City/ERFS

6
Scope of Cleanup Phases 1, 2, 3

• Chromium contaminated soil is being removed at
  Metropolis Towers in accordance with NJDEP
  Chromium Policy residential requirements
• Contaminated soil is being hauled off-site to a
  licensed disposal facility
• Clean fill is being placed in excavated areas
• When complete in September 2014, 37,000 tons of
  soil and debris will have been removed

7
Phase 1 is Complete

• Work began in March
• Approximately 6,000 tons of contaminated soil
  and debris were excavated and hauled away
• Excavation was completed in accordance with DEP
  regulations
• Work area was completed in July
• No injuries or lost-time incidents

8
Air Monitoring Results

• Chrome and dust were well within safety levels
  during first phase
• Air monitoring conducted 24/7
• Stringent air monitoring and dust control
  continue in Phase 2 and 3
• Multiple air monitors located throughout the site

9
Examples of Air Monitoring Locations
Work Zone
Worker Hand Held
Air Monitors
10
Air Monitoring Website

• Website displays results for dust and chrome
• Dust concentrations serve as a real-time
  indicator for possible hexavalent chromium
  concentrations
• Hexavalent chromium samples require laboratory
  analysis
• www.chromecleanup.com

11
Phase 2 Begins Sept. 23

• Contaminated soil between buildings 1 and 2
  (formerly the old mall/plaza) will be excavated
• Work will be conducted weekdays beginning at
  730 a.m. and could last until 6 p.m.
• Approximate average depth of excavation is 12
  feet
• Phase 2 to be completed March 2014

12
Resident Access

• Fence will separate work zone from residents.
• Entrance on Montgomery will be closed to
  vehicular and pedestrian traffic so PPG can use
  gate as construction entrance and exit.
• Residents who park in the north and east lots
  will use a gate being opened on Columbus.
• Residents who park in the west lot will use a
  gate being opened on Montgomery.
• A pedestrian gate on Montgomery will be installed
  to provide access to the south.

13
Temporary Parking

• Residents who park in areas affected by the
  second phase of the cleanup will be offered
  temporary parking passes at the 66 Columbus Drive
  garage.
• Residents affected by the parking restrictions
  should attend one of three meetings to obtain
  their pass
• Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 17, 630 to 830 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 19, 630 to 830 p.m.
• All cars in affected area must move offsite by
  Saturday, Sept. 21.
• Look for a flier with more information.

14
Phase 3 to Completion

• Phase 3 follows immediately after Phase 2
• Health and safety measures continue
• Before Phase 3 can begin electrical lines in the
  path of excavation owned by PSEG must be
  deactivated and rerouted
• Average depth of excavation will 8 to 10 feet.

PSEG ELECTRICAL LINES
PHASE 3
PHASE 2
PHASE 1
15
New Route for Electrical Lines

• New lines will be installed in easement on north
  side of property
• New lines will bypass excavation and connect
  with existing lines on north side of Building
  Nos. 1 and 2
• New lines will be installed and switched on
  before Phase 3 begins next March

PSEG ELECTRICAL LINES
16
Meeting Before Phase 3

• A meeting to brief residents on what to expect
  will be conducted before the third phase begins
• Work is expected to begin immediately after the
  second phase is finished, which is scheduled for
  next March
• Cleanup work and restoration of the property are
  expected to be complete by next September

17
Basement of Building No. 2

• Workers for PPG discovered a small patch of
  hexavalent chromium on a support column in the
  boiler room as part of a post-Hurricane Sandy
  inspection
• A protective seal was immediately placed over the
  area preventing any exposure to workers and
  residents
• Since then, PPG has conducted an investigation
  and taken samples throughout the basement
• Delineation of the column is complete and the
  protective seal will continue to cover the
  affected area
• Final boiler room remedial action plan will be
  shared with residents

18
Questions and Answers
19
Contact Us

• Site Administrator
• Telephone [phone]
• Email info_at_chromecleanup.com
• Mail P.O. Box 15981, Jersey City, N.J. 07305
• PPG Industries
• Telephone [phone]
• Email info_at_garfieldavenuerenewal.com
• Mail P.O. Box 15756, Jersey City, N.J. 07305
• Office 90 Forrest St., Tuesdays and
  Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by
  appointment
• NJDEP
• Telephone [phone]