 
The scientists and engineers of Najarian
Associates were retained by a major residential developer to conduct
environmental studies in support of the redevelopment of a former
brownfield site in Jersey City, New Jersey. Initially, these studies
consisted of a comprehensive monitoring program designed to: (a)
determine the contaminants of concern at the site; and (b) assess
the spatial extent (both horizontally and vertically) of such
contaminants. Najarian Associates' investigations were bolstered by
the developer’s efforts to ensure that the site would be rendered
safe and in compliance with the most stringent residential
standards. The sampling
program revealed that Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+) was a
key contaminant of concern and that it was confined to certain
portions of the site.
A team of scientists and professionals
of the developer, in cooperation with the Jersey City Redevelopment
Agency (JCRA), has generated a meticulous plan for remediating the
site based on the extensive sampling database. The proposed remedial work
plan has been approved by NJDEP and is ready for
implementation. The
plan entails the removal of all soils that exceed the residential
standards for Cr6+ and are situated above
the water table. These
tainted soils will be disposed at an approved, off-site
landfill. The plan also
calls for the installation of a slurry wall along the boundary of
the site to isolate the project from possible contaminant sources
within the adjacent properties. In addition, certain
portions of the site will have a capillary break and liner installed
to provide added protection from potential groundwater sources. Finally, the entire site
will be capped with clean soil having a minimum thickness of
one-and-one-half (1.5) feet.
The contractor work will be
supervised by the consultants of JCRA and by the staff of Najarian
Associates on behalf of the developer. Completion of this remedial
plan will ready the site for the proposed
380-townhome-development.
At another brownfield site
in Milltown, New Jersey, Najarian Associates was retained by the
Middlesex
County Improvement
Authority (MCIA) to
perform
an environmental characterization of a 22.44-acre site that was
formerly occupied by the Michelin Tire Company. The site is
the subject of a redevelopment effort by the MCIA and the Milltown –
Ford Avenue Redevelopment Agency, with support from the USEPA
Brownfields program.
As
a starting point, Najarian Associates completed a Preliminary Site
Assessment to provide background information and identify potential
Areas of Environmental Concern. Upon reviewing the
Preliminary Assessment Report, the NJDEP designated the Site as a
pilot project for the Triad Approach. The Triad Approach was
selected because of its ability to provide the environmental data
needed for remedial alternatives analysis with greater resolution
and accuracy, and in less time than approaches that are currently
in practice.
The
Triad Approach is composed of three interdependent components: (1)
Systematic Planning; (2) Dynamic Work Strategy; and 3) Field Analytical
Methods. Systematic Planning is
the critical first step to ensuring that project goals are clearly
articulated, that stakeholders have been heard, and that
decision-makers are in agreement on the desired endpoints. A multi-disciplinary
technical team translates project goals into realistic objectives
from which a Conceptual Site Model is derived. The Conceptual Site Model
evolves and progresses as data gaps are filled. Dynamic Work Strategy
is used for making real-time decisions in the field. It
consists of stakeholder-approved decision logic developed under the
Conceptual Site Model.
Field Analytical
Methods are the final component of the Triad Approach
that is used to generate real-time data for rapid, team-based
field decisions. In
theory, this integration of components can improve decision-making
by reducing the timeframes associated with data acquisition while
providing a better data set at lower
cost.
The
Milltown Project comprises the first full-scale application
of the Triad Approach in New Jersey. Along with Najarian
Associates, the Project’s multi-disciplinary team includes
scientists and managers from the USEPA, NJDEP, NJIT, Argonne
National Laboratories and S2C2 — a
full-service real-time on-site laboratory. Results of this
undertaking may set the foundation for future site-remediation
projects in New Jersey.
Milltown’s
long-term plan for the 22.44-acre site includes a mixed-use of
retail, office, health care, day care and a variety of housing,
parking and recreational spaces. Redeveloping the Milltown
site is a unique opportunity to bring much-needed development and
housing back to the community.
It will revitalize an underutilized property in downtown
Milltown in addition to creating a hub of activity and a place that
will enhance the overall fabric of the community.
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Najarian Associates
