EPA REGION 2
IMPERIAL OIL CONGRESSIONAL DIST. 12
COMPANY, INC./ Monmouth County
Morganville
CHAMPION CHEMICALS
NEW JERSEY Other Names:
Birch Swamp Brook Dumps #1 and #2
EPA ID# NJD980654099
Site Description
The 15-acre Imperial Oil Co./Champion Chemicals site consists of six production, storage, and
maintenance buildings and 56 above-ground storage tanks. Imperial Oil Co. blends oil on the site,
which is leased from Champion Chemicals. Several companies have operated at the site in the past.
One, a reprocessor of waste oil, may have discharged wastes to a nearby stream. Another company
which operated at the site produced arsenical pesticides. The site formerly contained a waste pile
contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The process area is protected by a fence that
completely encloses it. Surrounding the site are many areas that could be critically affected by the
contaminants in the soil and water. A fire pond, located in the northeastern corner of the property
line, is contaminated. A small stream from the pond eventually flows into Lake Lefferts. Samples
collected from Lake Lefferts during the remedial investigation indicated that the lake is not
significantly impacted by the contaminants found at the Imperial Oil site. Also located around the site
are a wetland and wooded area.
NPL LISTING HISTORY
Site Responsibility: This site is being addressed through Proposed Date: 12/01/82
Federal and State actions. Final Date: 09/01/83
1 December 2003
Threats and Contaminants
The ground water is contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PCBs,
metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), petroleum hydrocarbons, and
phthalates, a plastics by-product. Off-site sediments contain numerous contaminants
including arsenic, lead, phthalates, and PCBs. The surface soil is contaminated with
heavy metals including chromium, lead, and arsenic, as well as PCBs. Surface water
contains arsenic. Potential health threats include direct contact, accidental ingestion, or
inhalation of airborne contaminated dust, groundwater, or soil. Wetland areas also are
affected.
Cleanup Approach
This site is being addressed by immediate actions and three long-term remedial phases
focusing on cleanup of off-site soil and sediment contamination, on-site soil
contamination, and ground water contamination.
Response Action Status
Immediate Actions: In 1991, EPA excavated and disposed of an on-site
waste filter clay pile pursuant to a removal action. An impermeable tarp was
placed over the remaining waste filter clay material to prevent the infiltration
of rainwater and human contact. The waste filter clay material was contaminated with
VOCs, PCBs, metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons. In 1991, EPA installed and began
operation of an oil/water treatment system to remove an oily layer or "floating product"
from the surface of the ground water beneath the site. Currently, the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is operating the oil/water treatment
system. Also, EPA excavated and removed several buried drums that were discovered
during the installation of the floating product recovery and treatment system. In 1997,
EPA posted warning signs on foot and bicycle trails near the site and the tarp covering the
remaining waste filter clay pile was replaced to prevent any human contact with the
contaminants and to limit the migration of the contamination. In April 2002, EPA
excavated and dispose of a 25 foot by 25 foot area of soil containing a tar-like material
discovered outside of the fenced area. The presence of elevated levels of PCBs and lead
in this material may have presented a dermal contact threat to trespassers.
Off-Site Contamination: In 1990, EPA selected a remedy for operable
unit one (OU1) involving off-site contamination. The remedy calls for
excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soils from wetland areas
located north of the Imperial facility, restoration of affected wetlands, and installation of a
fence to control access to the contaminated soil areas. The design of the cleanup is being
December 2003 IMPERIAL OIL COMPANY, INC.
managed by NJDEP. In 1991, EPA installed a fence around the off-site contaminated
area. Additional sampling of nearby residential properties, wetlands and surface waters
including Lake Lefferts was performed as part of the design effort. The additional
sampling demonstrated that arsenic and lead were found in high concentrations on nearby
residential properties, in the wetlands, and in Birch Swamp Brook. In 1996, the U.S.
Geological Survey completed an investigation into the sources of elevated arsenic
contamination in soil in the vicinity of the site. The investigation found elevated
concentrations of site-related arsenic in the soils on four residential properties. In
September 1997, EPA issued an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) to explain
changes made to the OU1 remedy. In addition to the remediation of the originally
identified off-site areas, the ESD provided for the excavation and off-site disposal of
contaminated soils found on the residential properties, and the installation of engineering
controls in the areas surrounding the fire pond, the wetlands, and Birch Swamp Brook to
prevent the recontamination of the off-site areas. In March 1998, EPA initiated the
excavation and off-site disposal of the contaminated soils on the residential properties. In
August 1998, EPA completed the excavation work and restored the properties. In July
2002, EPA issued a second ESD to explain additional changes made to the OU1 remedy.
The second ESD provides for the cleanup of sediment in the Birch Swamp Brook from
the Fire Pond to Texas Road, and the cleanup of contaminated soil found on two
residential properties located adjacent to the Birch Swamp Brook. Design of the OU1
remedy was completed in June 2003. EPA anticipates that NJDEP will initiate
construction of the OU1 remedy during the Spring of 2004.
On-Site Contamination: In September 1992, a Record of Decision was
signed for Operable Unit 2 (OU 2) to address the remediation of contaminated
ground water. The remedy calls for the extraction of the contaminated ground
water, treatment of the extracted ground water via precipitation and carbon adsorption,
and discharge of the treated water to Birch Swamp Brook. The remedy also includes the
continuation of the floating product extraction and treatment system. Currently, NJDEP
is conducting remedial design work for OU 2.
NJDEP has completed a remedial investigation to determine the nature and extent of the
soil contamination located in the vicinity of the Imperial Oil facility, which is referred to
as Operable Unit 3 (OU3) . In 1998, NJDEP prepared a Feasibility Study Report to
evaluate cleanup alternatives for addressing the soil contamination found in the vicinity of
the Imperial Oil facility. A Record of Decision for OU3 was signed in September 1999.
The OU3 remedy calls for the excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil,
removal and off-site incineration of floating product, dismantling of site buildings and
tank farms, as necessary to complete excavation of contaminated soil and removal of
floating product, and restoration of wetlands affected by cleanup activities. Consistent
with the OU3 remedy, EPA dismantled an on-site abandoned masonry building which
was in danger of collapse during the Fall of 2000. Demolition of the masonry building,
and disposal or recycling of the resulting debris was completed in November 2000.
NJDEP is currently conducting design work for OU3.
Cleanup Progress
IMPERIAL OIL COMPANY, INC./CHAMPION CHEMICAL 3 December 2003
The immediate actions taken at this site have reduced the risks associated with the
contaminated ground water and soil.
In 1991, a fence was installed around Off-site Areas 1 and 2 to prevent any human
contact with contaminated soils prior to the planned excavation of this material. In
November 1991, EPA excavated and disposed of approximately 660 cubic yards of PCB-
contaminated material from a waste filter clay pile located on site. The contaminated soil
beneath the former pile is covered with an impermeable material to prevent the infiltration
of water and human contact. Also, EPA has installed extraction wells and an oil/water
treatment system to remove the floating oil layer from the ground water. NJDEP is
currently operating the extraction system. To date, NJDEP has removed and disposed of
over 20,000 gallons of PCB-contaminated oil.
In the spring of 1998, EPA began to excavate and dispose of contaminated soil found on
four residential properties. The work was completed in August 1998. A total of 6,488
cubic yards of contaminated soil was excavated and disposed of from the residential
properties.
Five-Year Review
Pursuant to Section 121(c) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act of 1980, EPA completed a five-year review in September 2000 to ensure
that the remedial actions selected for the site remain protective of public health and the
environment. The five-year review found that interim remedial actions taken at the site have
provided temporary protection of human health until permanent remedies are implemented.
In addition, the five-year review concluded that the site will be protective of human health
and the environment once the selected long-term response actions are implemented.
December 2003 IMPERIAL OIL COMPANY, INC.
