Review Zone Application for D&R Canal Commission Decision

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Review Zone Application for D&R Canal Commission Decision MEETING DATE: February 15, 2017 DRCC #: 16-1627B PROJECT NAME: Belle Meade Army Depot North Parcel Remediation Latest Submission Received:

1 Review Zone Application for D&R Canal Commission Decision MEETING DATE: February 15, 2017 DRCC #: B PROJECT NAME: Belle Meade Army Depot North Parcel Remediation Latest Submission Received: February 9, 2017 Applicant: Steven McCombs US General Services Administration 20 N. 8 th Street Philadelphia, PA Engineer: Timothy Hand, PE AECOM 30 Knightsbridge Road, Suite 520 Piscataway, NJ Project Location: Township County Block/Lot Road Property Owner Hillsborough Somerset Block 12, Lot 13 Amwell Rd Hillsborough Properties, Hillsborough Somerset Block 175, Lot Pleasant View Rd Hillsborough Properties, Hillsborough Somerset Block , Lot East Mountain Rd Hillsborough Properties, Hillsborough Somerset Block 177, Lot Mountain View Rd Hillsborough Properties, Township of Hillsborough Hillsborough Somerset Block , Lot Pleasant View Rd Hillsborough Somerset Block 177, Lot 55 Pleasant View Rd County of Somerset Hillsborough Somerset Block , Lot 49 Pleasant View Rd Pleasant View Farms Homeowners Assoc Jurisdictional Determination: Zone B Major Governmental Subject to Review for: Drainage Visual Subdivision Stream Corridors X X Documents Received: s from Timothy Hand, AECOM dated February 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10; Letters (4 pages) dated January 9, 2017, (1 page) dated October 12, 2016, and (2 pages) dated September 27, 2016 from AECOM; Revised Restoration Grading Sheet (1 page), dated January 13, 2017, revised February 8, 2017; DRCC Application Addendum dated February 2017 (22 pages); Revised Stream Corridor Exhibit (1 Sheet) dated February 6, 2017, and list of existing intrusions (6 pages) received by February 7, 2016; Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission Application dated September 2016; Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission Application Engineering Memorandum dated January 6, 2017; Exhibit B-Engineering Report dated June 2016; DRCC Stream Corridor Exhibit (1 sheet) dated January 6, 2017; G-403 Permanent Stabilization Notes Summary of PO BOX 539 STOCKTON, NJ FAX

2 2 Work (2 sheets) dated October 14, 2016; Site Plans (32 sheets) dated June 16, 2016, revised January 3, 2017; Site Plans (60 sheets) dated June 6, 2016, last revised October 6, 2016; NSPS Worksheet dated January 6, 2017; Consolidation Area Plans (sheets CS 1 01, CS 1 02, CS 3 01, CS 3 02, CS 5 01) dated September 16, 2016; Stormwater Maintenance Plan dated February 2017; LP-1 Wetland Restoration Plan (1 sheet) with Notes, received February 8, 2017; CG-1 Restoration Plan (1 sheet) dated January 13, 2017, received February 8, 2017; North Parcel TSS Removal Calculation (1 page); prepared by AECOM. Copy of NJDEP Land Use Regulation Wetland and Flood Hazard Area Permits dated December 15, The application is complete and shall be presented to the Commission for their action with a staff recommendation of approval at the February 15, 2017 meeting, based upon the following analysis: Existing Conditions: The North Parcel Belle Mead Army Depot (North Parcel BMAD) site is located within the Township of Hillsborough, Somerset County, and the Commission Review Zone B. As a note, a small portion of the project area is located outside of the Commission Review Zone. The Belle Mead General Services Administration (GSA) Depot property was a former military depot originally utilized by the U.S. Army Supply Services Network. When in operation, BMAD covered about 800 acres and contained barracks, storage warehouses and sheds, railroad sidings, pistol ranges, petroleum storage tanks, a gasoline decanting facility, open air storage and a wastewater treatment plant. In 1958, GSA took over the operation of the depot and continued active operation until 1991 when the depot ceased activity, with the exception of the outdoor stockpiling strategic ore, terminated in Starting in the mid-1980s, GSA progressively divested itself of BMAD and does not currently own any part of the former depot. In 1986, about 70 acres of the northernmost part of the depot was transferred to Hillsborough Township, which was developed into a recreational use, Ann Van Middlesworth Park. In 2009, about 369 acres of the southern portion of the depot was transferred to the Somerset County Improvement Authority for development of open space and parkland. About 339 acres of the North Parcel BMAD was purchased in 2003 by Hillsborough Properties, and is currently vacant, inactive and fenced. Most of the buildings and structures that once were on the site have been demolished and removed. Starting in 1989, GSA conducted multiple environmental investigations of BMAD to assess potential contamination that previous use of the site may have caused. In 2000, GSA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with NJDEP that established the GSA cleanup obligation for BMAD. In March 2016, the Commission issued a Certificate of Approval for the first phase of cleanup of the North Parcel BMAD site, which involves the excavation and management of contaminated surface soils from the rear yards of six adjacent residential properties. At present, about acres of the North Parcel BMAD site is covered by impervious surfaces. Proposed Project: The applicant, US General Services Administration (GSA), is proposing the second phase of the remediation of soil contamination associated within the North Parcel BMAD, as well as additional offsite properties where impacts will occur as a result of the remediation activities. The remediation of the property will be accomplished to the NJDEP residential standards for unrestricted use. The remedial

3 3 action includes removal of the upper 12 inches of soil from portions of the site and surrounding properties, and consolidation of the soils in the northeast corner of the site. This will include the removal of existing impervious surfaces and the clearing and grubbing of existing vegetation. The work will focus on remediating the bulk of the North Parcel BMAD to the applicable soil remediation standards and limiting the amount of materials to be disposed offsite. This would be accomplished by removing from the site only materials that may be considered hazardous, while the remaining contaminated soils would be consolidated on the site (consolidation area). The consolidation area would be capped to prevent direct contact and migration of the contaminants. The area would be less than 10 percent of the site s total extent in order to limit the area where engineering controls will be needed. To accomplish the remediation, a haul road would be established on the North Parcel BMAD for the duration of the proposed remediation activities. The two-lane road would provide access for construction vehicles from Mountain View Road and extend northwesterly about 3.2 miles through the site, terminating at the Conrail Lehigh Valley Railroad. Secondary entrance points would be established at the intersection of the haul road with Amwell Road and East Mountain Road. The haul road would be graded to a finished width of about 30 feet and a driving surface consisting of an 8-inch layer of course aggregate and geotextile fabric. In the out parcels, the haul road would intersect with Royce Brook, where a temporary culvert crossing would be established. In addition, secondary haul roads may be established at various locations across the site to facilitate the transport of soils to the consolidation area. When the remediation is complete, portions of the haul roads north of Royce Brook would be removed, while portions south of Royce Brook would remain in place as permanent access roads for future site access. Based upon the submitted application, the total area of permanent access roads within the Commission Review Zone will be 6.1 acres. In addition, the amount of temporary haul roads is 4.2 acres, of which 2.8 acres will be located within the Commission Review Zone. The proposed total area of project disturbance is acres, of which acres will be located within the Commission Review Zone. Stream Corridor: Watercourses within the vicinity of the project include Royce Brook and its unnamed tributaries, as well as Pike Run and its unnamed tributaries. The main stem of Pike Run and a series of tributaries are located to the south, while the main stem of Royce Brook and its unnamed tributaries (designated as Royce Brook Tributaries A, B and C) are located within portions of the proposed project area. Stream corridors for each watercourse have been delineated by the applicant based upon a 100-foot buffer adjacent to the FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplain. Based upon a review of these stream corridor delineations and plans, the proposed remediation work will be located within portions of the defined Commission stream corridor. Therefore, this project is subject to stream corridor impact review. The stream corridor on the North Parcel site is approximately acres. First, staff note that there are numerous structures that are within the stream corridor and pre-date the Commission s authority and stream corridor regulations. These include an existing pipeline, utilities, railroad bridge, roadways, and a portion of Amwell Road. These are grandfathered structures. Second, the project also proposes the construction of a temporary culvert crossing over Royce Brook and a roadway. A culvert may be considered to be a conditional use within the stream corridor pursuant

4 4 to N.J.A.C. 7:45-9.4(a)4. Staff notes that the culvert meets the requirements of a conditional use approval as it will cross Royce Brook as directly as possible, and will not impede fish passage. In addition, the culvert and roadway will be removed upon completion of the remediation. Staff notes that the new permanent road is outside the stream corridor. Third, the project proposes prohibited uses including (1) regrading of existing soil and (2) grubbing of existing native vegetation, N.J.A.C. 7:45-9.3(a). The intrusions within the stream corridor are approximately 8.44 acres on the project site and 1.44 acres on adjacent township park property and a homeowner association property. The applicant is seeking a waiver based on compelling public need, N.J.A.C. 7: An applicant shall be deemed to have established compelling public need if, in part, the project serves an essential public health and safety need and there is no alternative available to meet the established need, N.J.A.C. 7: (c). The applicant states that the removal of topsoil and vegetation within the stream corridor is being proposed as part of the remediation needed to address contamination under the 2000 NJDEP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The applicant further states that strict adherence to the review standards and specific requirements conflicts with a compelling public need as it would not allow the remediation to proceed, would not be protective of human health and the environment, and would not allow GSA to meet its obligations under the MOU with NJDEP. It is staff s opinion that the project meets a waiver based on compelling public need. The applicant notes that the property will be replanted with native vegetation. An approximately acre wetland area will be replanted with riparian plantings as approved through DEP and the remaining 3.74-acre area will be replanted with native meadow mix and trees. Restoration work will also include removal of existing grandfathered intrusions including 0.44 acres of gravel and asphalt roads, a concrete block wall, concrete block from a former weir on Royce Brook, 0.39 acres of a former railroad bed, and removal of culvert on a Royce Brook Tributary and restoration of the stream corridor. The 15.8-acre stream corridor, which excludes the existing pipeline easement, will be placed in a Commission stream corridor easement. Stormwater Runoff Quantity: The proposed project shall establish a series of haul roads, consisting of course gravel aggregate over geotextile filter fabric. Upon completion of the project, portions of the haul roads north of Royce Brook would be removed, while portions south of Royce Brook would remain in place as permanent access roads for future site access. The total area of permanent access roads within the Commission Review Zone will be 6.1 acres. In addition, contaminated soils that are not considered hazardous will be consolidated onsite within an approximate 9.3-acre Consolidation Area that would be capped to prevent direct contact and migration of the contaminants. The creation of the proposed Consolidation Area will result in a change in land use from existing meadow and a change in soil classification for the area since the hydrologic soil group (HSG) in the area is considered to be of C type and the capping would change this to a D type. HSG D type soils exhibit more of a runoff quantity than C type soils. Therefore, the applicant proposes to meet stormwater quantity requirements through a combination of measures including the removal of already existing onsite impervious surfaces and the construction of an extended detention basin. The extended detention basin will be located near the easterly end of Swale

5 5 10 outside of any wetland areas. At present, about acres of the North Parcel is covered by impervious surfaces, consisting of asphalt roads, building foundations and concrete slabs. All but 0.32 acres of the impervious surfaces will be removed under this project. For the runoff analysis, the North Parcel was divided into eight distinct sub-watersheds for the stormwater analysis. Pre-development and post-development runoff from each sub-watershed were calculated utilizing the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Technical Release No. 55 (TR-55) hydrologic methodology, to compute and compare peak runoff quantity rates and volumes. Based upon a review of the submitted stormwater calculations, the project will provide enough peak flow attenuation to meet the specific runoff quantity standards of N.J.A.C. 7:45-8.6(a). Water Quality: The Commission requires that all proposed full depth pavement including newly and reconstructed parking and access drives that are being renewed, must meet water quality standards in accordance with Commission regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:45-8.7). This includes reduction of the post-construction load of total suspended solids (TSS) in stormwater runoff generated from the water quality design storm by a rate of 80% of the anticipated load from the developed site, expressed as an annual average. A series of haul roads will be established onsite. Portions of these haul roads north of Royce Brook would be temporary, while portions south of Royce Brook would remain in place as permanent access roads for future site access. The total area of permanent access roads within the Commission Review Zone will be 6.1 acres. As a note, the remaining roads will not be open to the public and the site will be fenced, with the only vehicles expected to use the roads to be those of personnel inspecting the site, maintaining the site and police patrols. The applicant proposes to meet the water quality requirements by the permanent removal of 9.6 acres of existing onsite asphalt roadway pavement. These areas will be permanently converted to pervious surfaces and will not generate any total suspended solids in the future. As the total amount of existing asphalt roadway pavement to be removed is greater than the amount of permanent gravel access roads that will be constructed, the stormwater quality requirements of N.J.A.C. 7: have been met. Groundwater Recharge: The Commission regulations require that stormwater management measures maintain 100 percent of the average annual preconstruction groundwater recharge volume for the site; or that any increase of stormwater runoff volume from preconstruction to post-construction for the 2-year storm is infiltrated. The North Parcel was divided into eight distinct sub-watersheds for analysis. Groundwater recharge analysis calculations (NJDEP GSR-32 spreadsheets) have been submitted for each sub-watershed, which demonstrates that the combined annual groundwater recharge for the entire site is actually a net increase of 192,114 cubic-feet. Therefore, the groundwater recharge requirements of N.J.A.C. 7: have been addressed. Nonstructural Methods: To assist in determining that sufficient nonstructural stormwater management strategies have been incorporated into the project site design to the maximum extent practical, a Nonstructural Strategies Point System (NSPS) spreadsheet has been completed for this project. The results indicate that the ratio of proposed to existing site points (158%) is greater than the required site points ratio (95%). Therefore, the project has been designed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:

6 6 Stormwater Management Maintenance Plan: A stormwater management operation and maintenance plan document has been prepared and submitted for any best management practice (BMP) elements proposed for the Belle Mead North Parcel Remediation project. The plan includes maintenance details for the proposed onsite best management practice (BMP) measure, which consists of the proposed extended detention basin. The plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7: Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval. Sincerely, Marlene Dooley Executive Director C: Hillsborough Township Planning Board Somerset County Planning Board

Review Zone Application for D&R Canal Commission Decision

Review Zone Application for D&R Canal Commission Decision MEETING DATE: June 15, 2016 DRCC #: 15-4748 Phase I and II Latest Submission Received: May 4, 2016 Applicant: Kevin Hayes Country Club Meadows,