Feds Have Plan To Clean Up Polluted Creek In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Federal authorities have proposed a plan to clean up contaminated sediment, soil and industrial waste at a polluted Superfund site in Newark.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released details about its cleanup plan for the Pierson’s Creek site on Thursday. See related documents online here.

According to the EPA, the 1.5-mile waterway flows beneath Newark Airport and the New Jersey Turnpike before emptying into Newark Bay. Contamination in the creek and along its banks comes largely from historical chemical manufacturing activities at nearby properties, including a former facility at One Avenue L.

Due to its complexity, the Pierson’s Creek site cleanup will take place in two phases, the agency said.

The first phase focuses on contamination in the creek and along its banks. The plan targets remediation in areas with high levels of mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead and other hazardous substances linked to historic industrial operations.

A separate area at the former chemical manufacturing facility at One Avenue L is still under investigation. The EPA expects to propose a cleanup approach for that area in 2027.

Here’s what will take place during phase one, the EPA said:

• Remove contaminated creek sediment – “The EPA would excavate and dispose of the top two feet of contaminated sediment along the full length of the creek. In a smaller, highly contaminated area near the upper section of the creek, EPA would remove all impacted sediment.
• Install a protective cap – “This involves placing an engineered cap over remaining sediment to prevent exposure and stop contaminants from spreading.”
• Remove heavily contaminated bank soil – “This would be achieved by fully removing soil along portions of the creek banks that contain oily chemical waste (known as non-aqueous phase liquid or NAPL) from past industrial activity.”
• Clean enclosed sections of the creek – “The EPA would flush out and dispose of contaminated sediment from sections of the creek that flow underground through enclosed pipes and concrete channels.”
• Restore wetlands and monitor over the long term – “The EPA would restore disturbed wetlands by replating native species as needed and conduct long-term monitoring to ensure the cleanup remains protective.”

“This plan marks major progress in our work to protect human health and clean up a waterway that has long suffered from industrial pollution,” EPA regional administrator Michael Martucci said.

The EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed plan for 30 days, beginning Jan. 15 and ending Feb. 17. The public can submit written comments to Holsten.Brandon@epa.gov, or c/o: Brandon Holsten, remedial project manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2890 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837.

The EPA will also hold a virtual public meeting on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. to provide an overview of the cleanup proposal and answer community questions. To receive the meeting link, register on the meeting registration page.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.