Iterative Planning of Ecological Restoration and its Incorporation into Soil and Groundwater Remediation

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1 Woodbridge, New Jersey Iterative Planning of Ecological Restoration and its Incorporation into Soil and Groundwater Remediation Monica LaSelva July

2 Site Description 185 acre site in Woodbridge, NJ 95 acres of wetlands and open water Brownfield Development Area Raritan River Watershed 1,100 square miles, 16 miles long Site lies within the Raritan River estuary subwatershed Primarily industrial land use Decades of urbanization and industrial development has altered the watershed Brown and Caldwell 2

3 Former Nuodex Site Brown and Caldwell 3

4 Site History Brown and Caldwell Altered Tidal and Freshwater Flows 4

5 Conceptual Site Model Remediation Goals Remediate Site Contaminants of Concern (COCs) Create a parcel suitable for redevelopment Aerial Photograph: 1957 Mitigate ecological impacts of remediation Cost effective Aerial Photograph: 2011 Brown and Caldwell 5

6 Project Team Brown and Caldwell 6

7 Remediation: Approved Remedy Initiated in 2010 Soil/sediment excavation or treatment VOCs, SVOCs and PAHs Metals Pesticides Low-level radioactive soil Filling/grading Surface cover/cap Hydraulic containment system Monitored Natural Recovery Restoration Institutional controls: Deed Notice Conservation Easement Brown and Caldwell 7

8 Remediation: Approved Remedy Brown and Caldwell 8

9 Restoration: Pre-Construction Ecology 95 acres of wetlands and open water 3 open water ponds West Lake Middle Lake Hartman s Pond Northeast Wooded Wetlands Northeast wetland Central Wetland Southern Wetland Tidal Wetland Raritan River Brown and Caldwell 9

10 Restoration: Pre-Construction Hydrology Open water ponds collected drainage from north. Onsite drainage directed through ditches that discharge to Crows Mill Creek (Raritan River tributary). Freshwater entered the site from the north through culverts under Riverside Drive. 7 subwatersheds onsite Brown and Caldwell 10

11 Restoration: Pre-Construction Hydrology Brown and Caldwell 11

12 Restoration: Challenges and Goals Remediation mandated Large remediation site Large disturbance area Complicated regulatory structure Compensatory mitigation Onsite mitigation Public waterfront access Invasive species management Onsite features Sanitary sewer Property easements Maintain protection of human health Brown and Caldwell 12

13 Restoration: Conceptual Mitigation Approximately 90 acres of Mitigation: Wetland Creation Wetland Enhancement Open Water Creation Riparian Zone Enhancement In-place/In-kind Wetland Restoration Upland Enhancement Preservation within a Conservation Easement 1.7 to 1 mitigation ratio Brown and Caldwell 13

14 Conceptual Mitigation Plan Brown and Caldwell 14

15 Restoration: Water Budget Pre-construction hydrology evaluated during site investigation activities. Growing season water budget created based on 30- year averages Wet year Average year Dry year Considered gains and losses for: Direct precipitation Evapotranspiration Stormwater runoff Groundwater Brown and Caldwell 15

16 Innovative design features Collaborative team effort. Simultaneously meets goals of remediation, redevelopment and restoration. Waterfront access to Raritan River. Comprehensive hydraulic modeling and water balance calculations. Freshwater delivered to ecosystems, while controlling contact with and transport of contaminants. System relys on surface, storm and groundwater management from remediation design to develop a functional ecosystem. Storm resiliency. Brown and Caldwell 16

17 Project Triumphs CPV to open Woodbridge Energy Center $845MM power plant Generated approximately 500 construction jobs and will create 2 dozen permanent jobs Planned opening in 2015 Remediation to be completed in 2015 Public waterfront access planned to open in 2015 Brown and Caldwell 17

18 QUESTIONS? Monica LaSelva Brown and Caldwell 18