Story and photo by Laura D.C. Kolnoski
FORT MONMOUTH – When the Army closed the fort, nine landfills were left behind. Five of them “require no further action,” but four are “still being reviewed,” according to James T. Moore, project manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District, who delivered a report on the landfills at the June 15 meeting of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA).
“We take the most contaminated place and investigate it,” Moore said at the meeting. “If we can’t make a determination, we go to a more robust phase, then do a feasibility study and evaluate it. If you have a risk, you have to take action. We follow up and respond to all comments.”
The Corps of Engineers has been analyzing groundwater samples quarterly, semi-annually, and annually since 2013. Aerial photographs have been taken since the 1970s. Officials have determined most fort landfills contain primarily construction debris.
Other sites include a former contaminated wastewater treatment lime pit, hazardous waste, or other contaminated material.
For some potential purchasers of fort parcels, contaminated site remediation has been an obstacle. Under the terms of the Army’s agreement to turn the fort over to the state, which is expected to be finalized by this fall, the Army is responsible for remediation of all pollution and contamination in perpetuity. Before the transfer is formalized, a Finding of Suitability to Transfer, or FOST, the Army’s environmental clearance document, must be finalized. A public comment period on the FOST closed in May; the Army is currently preparing its responses to the public’s concerns.
“We find where the material ends and where the native soil begins, going down six feet to understand the size of the issue,” Moore said. Tests for methane gas are also performed. The source of the methane gas is mostly organic, from wood and leaves, but could be harmful if the gas builds up. Officials want to ensure methane gas doesn’t permeate buildings, he said.
Investigations included perimeter walks with equipment and combustible gas indicators to determine the presence and extent of methane gas. Two rounds of data will be collected to verify remediation.
All nine landfills will be capped with vegetative covers, which could take up to a year, Moore said, adding that appropriate drainage will be provided, “so there are no erosion issues.” Proposed remedies will have detailed descriptions and require approval. Follow-up action includes air monitoring, quality assurance, description of soil reuse, drainage, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the remedy and restoration.
“Even after the Army has gone through and determined the site has been fully remediated, the Department of Environmental Protection must sign off,” said Kenneth Kloo, the DEP representative on the FMERA board. “The purchaser does the same so they don’t become liable, so there are multiple layers to ensure the site has been properly addressed and remediated.”
Tours of the fort by potential purchasers are ongoing. Public tours are expected to resume soon and will be posted on the FMERA website, www.fortmonmouthnj.com.
