Port Ivory Site

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) purchased a 130-acre former Proctor & Gamble consumer manufacturing facility, located in the Port Ivory section of Staten Island, New York, with plans to redevelop the property as an intermodal facility and container terminal.

HMM performed the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of the facility, identifying numerous environmental concerns associated with soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water.  HMM and PANYNJ entered into a Voluntary Cleanup (VCP) Agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to expedite the investigation and remediation.  The facility was split into three VCP sites based on the schedule for facility redevelopment, in order to efficiently use facility demolition and construction activities as part of the environmental investigative and remedial work.

HMM prepared  Remedial Investigation Work Plans (RIWP) for each VCP Site in coordination with PANYNJ and the NYSDEC.  All fieldwork (completion of geophysical surveys, drilling of 250 soil borings, installation of 20 monitoring wells, and collection and analysis of soil and groundwater samples) in the RIWP was completed within five weeks.  The results of this investigation indicated the site-wide presence of historic fill with numerous discrete areas of concern (AOCs).  Mobile petroleum product became the primary focus of the investigation.  Between field observations and the analysis of over 300 soil, surface water, groundwater, soil vapor, and indoor air samples, HMM developed a clear understanding of the extent of the mobile product and its effect on indoor air quality, surface water, and groundwater.  

HMM prepared Remedial Action Work Plans (RAWP) for each site.   Two of the three RAWPs have undergone public review and comment periods and have been approved by the NYSDEC; approval is pending for the third RAWP.  In general, the work plans require soil excavation and off-site disposal at limited “hot spots,” where contaminated soil has impacted groundwater, and removal of soil and petroleum products where the presence of mobile petroleum has been confirmed.  Residual (i.e., immobile) petroleum product will remain at the property. 

In addition to a site-wide Deed Restriction as an institutional control, engineering controls, including asphalt or concrete pavement or at least a foot of clean cover, will be established throughout the facility.  Where soil vapors may migrate into occupied buildings, sub-slab venting systems will be constructed.  The engineering controls will be inspected on a periodic basis following the remedial actions and groundwater and surface water monitoring will be conducted following remediation.  Sediment monitoring will be conducted only if the groundwater to surface water contaminant migration pathway is established. Upon completion of the remedial actions, HMM will prepare the Deed Restrictions, Site Management Plans, and Final Engineering Reports for these sites. 

In addition to the investigative and remedial activities, HMM also assisted the Port Authority with monitoring a closed landfill.  HMM successfully petitioned the NYSDEC to cease the requirement for groundwater and surface water monitoring.  HMM completed a wetlands survey used as the basis for a submission to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the NYSDEC.  HMM designed a barrier to prevent floating debris from migrating upstream in Bridge Creek and a riprap curtain and drain system to minimize erosion along the Arthur Kill.