May/June 2007
Progress Update Ringwood Mines/ Landfill Site |
Ford Motor Company has been working closely with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to follow up on cleanup activities undertaken in the 1980s and 1990s at the Ringwood Mines Landfill Site in Ringwood, New Jersey, where waste materials from Ford's former assembly plant in Mahwah, New Jersey, were disposed from late 1967 through mid-1971. Other parties, including the Borough of Ringwood, used the site for the disposal of waste materials before, during, and after the period when Ford-related wastes were brought to the Site.
Ford is providing this Progress Update to share information about developments in the investigation and cleanup of the Site during the months of May and June 2007.
Status of Removal Activities
Ford's contractor, ARCADIS, conducted removal activities in SR-4, SR-7, west area of SR-9 and SR-10. Post-excavation sampling was performed in these areas under the oversight of USEPA.
On May 2, 2007, ARCADIS met with USEPA and the New Jersey Geological Survey to review removal activities proposed in SR-6. Ford anticipates that it will soon begin removal activities in SR-6.
Ford has submitted the results of post-excavation sampling in SR-9 and SR-11 to USEPA and has begun preparation for restoration activities in these areas. Restoration activities will take place in July and August.
Mine Tailings/Soil Investigation
From June 4-15, 2007, ARCADIS performed soil sampling in accordance with the USEPA and NJDEP-approved Mine Tailings/Soil Investigation Work Plan. The purpose of the Mine Tailings investigation is to determine (1) the relationship between ore and mine tailings from historic mining operations to arsenic that has been detected in some soils on the Site; and (2) to identify the 'background' or naturally occurring levels of arsenic in soils at the Site. As part of the investigation, soil samples were taken from Peters Mine Pit Area, SR-3, SR-6, SR-7, and the former O'Connor Landfill area. ARCADIS also tested samples of paint sludge removed in SR-6 to compare with native soil samples collected throughout the Site. EPA and the NJ Geological Survey were on-site during the sampling and also obtained samples at each location.
Ford will present the findings of the investigation to USEPA and NJDEP. Ford will post the final results of the survey on its web site, http://www.ringwoodsiteupdate.com/, once they are approved by the agencies.
Cannon Mine Investigation
In March, Ford submitted a revised work plan for the investigation of the former Cannon Mine Area, a landfill area that was used for many years by the Borough of Ringwood for waste disposal. Ford-related materials were landfilled in the Cannon Mine Area for only a few months.
Based on USEPA's comments, Ford submitted a revised work plan which includes installation of 3 directional borings and excavation of 12 test pits. ARCADIS will also install 4 additional groundwater monitoring wells in the area and collect 10 surface soil samples. Ford is awaiting final approval from USEPA to begin the investigation.
Geophysical Testing by the Borough of Ringwood
In response to a directive issued by the NJDEP on May 30, 2007, the Borough of Ringwood has agreed to perform additional geophysical testing in residential areas located in Upper Ringwood to address community concerns of potential sinkholes. Ford agrees that it is appropriate for the Borough to undertake the geophysical testing as potential public safety concerns associated with the long history of underground mining are best addressed by the Borough, which is responsible for community-wide safety issues.
As a part of the remedial investigation, EPA directed Ford to conduct vibration monitoring to determine whether Ford's removal activities could potentially trigger the development of sinkholes in residential areas. Ford hired a vibration expert, Vibra-Tech Engineers, to undertake this evaluation. After EPA approved Vibra-Tech's proposed work plan, Vibra-Tech conducted three ground vibration monitoring events in multiple areas throughout the site [SR-3, SR-6, Peter's Mine Pit and the O'Connor Disposal Area] in July 2005, April 2006 and October 2006. This work found that vibrations associated with Ford's investigative and removal activities are very low, and are significantly below the standards that the United State Bureau of Mines has established for residential areas. In fact, vibration levels generated by remedial/excavation activities were generally lower than 'background' vibration levels, including vibrations resulting from local traffic in the area. Ford also conducted geophysical tests in the Cannon Mine area at EPA's request to ensure that any voids in the area would be identified, and avoided, by equipment used to conduct investigative work in the area.
EPA confirmed the validity of the Vibra-Tech studies and concluded that Ford's activities did not cause the formation of sinkholes nor increase the likelihood of subsidence issues on residential properties. EPA directed Ford to continue with removal activities and to prepare a work plan addendum for the SR-6 area providing for vibration monitoring to occur during paint sludge removal activities as a further safeguard.
Air Monitoring
Ford's contractor, ARCADIS, is monitoring air quality at the Site on a daily basis to test for the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter. [For more information, view Ford's Q&A Fact Sheet on Air Monitoring at http://www.ringwoodsiteupdate.com.] Air monitors are located at the perimeter of the work area, and at an off-site location near the residences. To date, air monitoring has not detected VOCs or particulates beyond the boundary of the work area at concentrations above Minimal Risk Levels (MRLS) established by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ('ATSDR').
Ford understands that the identification of odors at the site can create concerns, and it encourages residents to immediately notify Ford's on-site contractor, ARCADIS, at 973-962-6311 if they detect odors of concern while removal activities are being conducted on the site. Jon Holt, Ford Community Relations Representative, also can be contacted at 908-832-0557 in addition, of course, to the Ringwood Police Department (973-962-7017).
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Ford is committed to addressing remaining environmental issues at the Ringwood Site associated with the disposal of Ford-related wastes. Ford is also committed to keeping the community informed and addressing questions or concerns about Site activities. If you would like a copy of previous issues of the Progress Update, or have any questions regarding activities at the Site, please contact Jon Holt, Ford Community Relations Consultant, at (908) 832-2557.
