Montclair State University

Session I: Lower Passaic River Restoration Project

Yeh, A., Lower Passaic River Restoration Project.  (abstract) 

Houston, L., Shea, T., Henn, R., Brattain, R., Damiani, D., Perelson, A., Schneider, S., Shadel, W. and Goff, M., The Lower Passaic River Ecosystem Restoration Project.  (abstract)

Baron, L.  Lower Passaic River restoration feasibility study.  (abstract) 

Sacco, J., Natural Resource Damage Assessment.

Kubiak, T. J., Federal Natural Resources Trustees and the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project.  (abstract)

Session II: Contaminated Sediments

Chaky, D.A., Bopp, R.F. and Chillrud, S.N., 2,3,7,8-TeCDD and hexachlorobenzene as tracers of the Western Harbor influence on sediments of New York Harbor and the Hudson River mainstem.  (abstract)

Wilson, T.P. and Bonin, J.L., Summary of the contaminant assessment and reduction program for the NJ harbor/estuary system.  (abstract)

Kruge, M.A., A rapid screening method for organic contaminants in Passaic River sediments.  (abstract) 

Stern, E., Jones, K.W., Douglas, W.S., Feng, H., and Clesceri, N.L., Sediment decontamination for navigational and environmental restoration In NY/NJ harbor – Case study:  Passaic River, New Jersey.  (abstract) 

Session III: Biological Communities

Moese, M., Russo, A., Frankenthaler, V., Ellis, T. and Thompson, S., Lower Passaic River Restoration Project - Historical data review and future data needs.  (abstract)

Belton, T., NJDEP Historical and 2004 Planned monitoring for toxics in fish to support public health consumption advisories - Estuarine and marine waters.  (abstract)

Cooper, K.R.,  Reproductive impacts of persistent organic compounds on aquatic organisms.  (abstract)

McReynolds, D., Skinner, L. and Nichols, P., Chemical contaminants in New York New Jersey harbor biota.  (abstract) 

Session IV: Brownfields and Waterfront Revitalization

Filippone, E.F. and O’Hearn, W.P., The “Face the River, Fix the River™” campaign for the Lower Passaic River.  (abstract)

Johnston, C., Restoring our sense of wonder: a community’s dream for the Passaic River.  (abstract)

Willner, A.J., Passaic River Patrol: An opportunity for communities to restore the ecology and economy of a great American river.  (abstract) 

Craw, V., Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners around the watershed.  (abstract)

O’Connor, J., Joseph G. Minish Passaic River Waterfront Park and Historic Area, Newark, NJ: Flood damage reduction.  (abstract)

Devita,, R., Passaic River/Newark Bay restoration program.  (abstract)

Feng, H., Onwueme, V., Jaslanek, W.J. and Stern, E.A., Lower Passaic River sediment contamination study: using GIS as a visualization tool.  (abstract)

Gruber, E., Watershed Management Area 4 (Lower Passaic and Saddle Rivers).  (abstract)

Lerin, P., Bulking & tiering wetland system.  (abstract)

Maher, A. and Jafari, F., In-situ solidification of toxic sediments by cement deep soil mixing method.  (abstract)

Mankiewicz, P.S., Alderson, C. and Mankiewicz, J.A., Strategic approaches to the restoration of the Passaic River Watershed:  Comparing the scale of available properties to wetland and buffer area required to reduce pollutant loads.  (abstract)

Mansoor, N. and Slater, L., Integrating high-resolution geophysical technologies with a GIS-based decision support system into evaluation and management of wetlands.  (abstract)

Palmstrom, N., Mitchell, D. and Hobble, C., Screening level ecological risk assessment of contamination in wetlands considered for restoration in Hackensack Meadowlands District.  (abstract)

Pardi, R., Priority stream segment: Watershed Management Area #4 - Non-tidal segment of the Passaic River from Two Bridges to Elmwood Park.  (abstract)

Pecchioli, J.A., The NJ toxics reduction workplan for NY-NJ Harbor: Overview of the water quality sampling program.  (abstract)

Pollock, L.W., Environmental influences on macroinvertebrate communities of the Great Swamp tributaries of the Upper Passaic River, 2000-2003.  (abstract)

Quillinan, K., New Jersey Community Water Watch.  (abstract)

Rosman, L., Shorr, B., Brosnan T. and Steinbacher, J., An ecological risk assessment of DDT in a New Jersey urban industrialized waterway.  (abstract)

Russo, A., Educational outreach program of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners.  (abstract)

Schaffer, J. and Horne, M., Great Brook benthic community assemblages in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.  (abstract)
 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formed a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to remediate and restore the Lower Passaic River, which is the 17-mile tidal stretch of the river, from Dundee Dam to Newark Bay.  The agencies are bringing together the authorities of the Superfund program and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to produce a comprehensive watershed plan to improve water quality, address contaminated sediments, and restore or create habitat along the river.  The partner agencies are also working with the federal and state Trustee agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, and NJDEP) to ensure that Natural Resource Damages (NRD) are addressed in the comprehensive plan.

EPA is pursuing those parties responsible for the contamination of the river to pay for EPA’s costs of performing the study.  In May 2004, a group of 31 cooperating parties agreed to provide EPA with $10 million toward the Superfund portion of the study.  The agreement, embodied in an Administrative Order on Consent, is undergoing a 30-day public comment period, which runs through June 18, 2004.  USACE and NJDOT are sharing equally the estimated $9 million cost of the WRDA portion of the study.

EPA’s Superfund program has had a long history with the study area, beginning in the early 1980s with the discovery of dioxin-contaminated soil at the Diamond Alkali manufacturing site in Newark, NJ.  Clean up work was initiated, and, in 1984, EPA added the site to the National Priorities List.  An interim remedy is now in place to contain the contamination on the site, including a slurry wall and flood wall around the property, a cap over the land, and pumping and treating of groundwater.  Contaminants, such as metals, persistent organic chemicals, pesticides, and dioxin, were also found in the sediments of the Passaic River in front of the Diamond Alkali site.  In 1994, EPA reached agreement with Occidental Chemical Corporation to study a six-mile stretch of the Passaic River.  Based on extensive sampling under that study, in addition to work done in the area by a number of other agencies, EPA decided to expand the study of the Passaic River to include the entire 17-mile tidal reach from Dundee Dam to Newark Bay.  At the same time, USACE and NJDOT were also considering an investigation of the Lower Passaic River under WRDA.  The agencies decided to join forces to perform one comprehensive study of the river.

While the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project is intended to be an integrated effort, each partner agency brings its own technical expertise to focus on particular parts of the study.  Following is a summary of EPA efforts, with NJDOT and USACE work summarized in Lisa Baron’s and Tom Shea’s abstracts respectively.
 

• EPA, through its contractor Malcolm Pirnie, is leading the effort to compile and evaluate the historical data available on contaminants in river sediments, water, and biota.  This evaluation will identify data gaps to be filled with a field sampling program that will be conducted in 2005 and 2006 (with some hydrodynamic work beginning in Summer-Fall 2004).
• EPA, through Battelle, a subcontractor to Malcolm Pirnie, is conducting human health and ecological risk assessments, starting with a conceptual site model and an analysis of exposure pathways for people and various levels of organisms living in and along the river.  The risk assessments will be coordinated with the environmental resource inventory and ecological functional analysis being conducted by USACE and NJDOT under the WRDA portion of the study.
• EPA, through HydroQual, a subcontractor to Malcolm Pirnie, is developing a chemical fate and transport model of the Lower Passaic River watershed, that will be used to determine the relative significance of contaminant sources to water, sediments, and biota and to evaluate the effect of various remedies on the risks to human and ecological health.
• EPA, through TAMS EarthTech, a subcontractor to Malcolm Pirnie, is also developing a Community Involvement Plan (CIP) that will guide the partner agencies in their efforts to solicit meaningful public input throughout the study.  The effort begins with interviews of stakeholders to determine where people get information and how they expect to be involved in the study.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has been authorized by Congress to work in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to develop a comprehensive plan to restore the Hudson and Raritan Estuary (HRE) ecosystem.   The Lower Passaic River Ecosystem Restoration Project (LPRERP) is one of several projects initiated under this larger authority.  The LPRERP  is being conducted in partnership with the State of New Jersey, Department of Transportation, Office of Maritime Resources (NJDOT-OMR).  The Corps and NJDOT-OMR are working in concert with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the remedy for Superfund actions are developed.  This presentation will provide an overview the Corps’ role in the LPRERP.

The Lower Passaic River Ecosystem Restoration Project (ERP):   What  the Corps is Doing
 

• Work collaboratively with the State of New Jersey (DOT-OMR, US Environmental Protection Agency, NRDA Trust Resource Agencies, and Stakeholders) to maximize efficiency in data collection efforts, analyses, and report preparation,
• Establish framework for consensus building on ecosystem restoration goals,
• Work collaboratively with the State of New Jersey (DOT-OMR, DEP, Smart Growth), US Environmental Protection Agency, Trust Resource Agencies, and Stakeholders to identify “fast-track” restoration opportunities,
• Compliance for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the WRDA ERP, and all other environmental requirements,
• Preparation of a public scoping document summarizing data gap analyses, potential restoration goals and evaluation strategies, and interagency  coordination to elicit stakeholder/public input and comment
• Development of alternative ecosystem restoration plans, screening of alternatives to identify optimal strategies
• Compliance for the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for the WRDA ERP
• Preparation of a Decision Document for submission to Congress with a recommended ecosystem restoration plan, that screens alternative ecosystem restoration plans, and takes into account all NEPA, NHPA and other environmental compliance findings.

NJDOT is the local sponsor for the Lower Passaic River Restoration Feasibility Study (FS) in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), US. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  NJDOT and the USACE are cost sharing $9 million, and USEPA is contributing (through Potential Responsible Parties) $10 million towards the completion of the joint FS.  OMR provides support for the overall FS and conducts in-kind services to accomplish near term high priority tasks outlined in the Project Management Plan (PMP).   Check out our website – www.ourpasssaic.org to review draft project documents. 

Environmental Resource Inventory and Ecological Functional Analysis
Currently, OMR is funding and conducting activities for the Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) and Ecological Functional Analysis (EFA) to determine potential restoration opportunities in the river. An interim literature review/data gap analysis has been prepared by Earth Tech and Malcolm Pirnie, which outline ecological data available in the 17-mile stretch.  The next step is to ensure that all data is included in order to accurately identify necessary future sampling activities.  A draft EFA technical memo has also been submitted by Earth Tech in order to establish existing ecological conditions, outline habitat assessment techniques and assist in the formulation of habitat restoration alternatives. Potential restoration opportunities are currently being identified * so if anyone has ideas for restoration opportunities please share them with the team. These documents will lead to work plans, the NEPA public Scoping process and ecological field sampling to be conducted in 2005. 

Dredging and Treatability Pilot
OMR and USEPA, assisted by Earth Tech and Malcolm Pirnie, are currently conducting a Dredging and Treatability Pilot in the early stages of the FS.   In order to collect information to most accurately evaluate remedial alternatives to cleanup and restore the Passaic, a Dredging and Treatability Study has been a top priority.   This pilot will evaluate the performance of environmental dredging technologies, monitor sediment transport during dredging, and determine the effectiveness and economic viability of decontamination technologies in preparation of potential full-scale operations. 

This year, a Dredging Technology Review Report and Project Plans for Geophysical Survey and Sediment Coring were prepared in preparation for field efforts and the dredging NJDOT Request for Proposals.   An additional work plan will be prepared for the implementation of the dredging pilot, which will include dredging specifications, water quality monitoring and requirements for the treatability study.  The draft documents will soon be on our website – www.ourpassaic.org. 

The dredging pilot will take place within the Harrison Reach of the River.  AquaSurvey, OMR, USEPA and Earth Tech recently conducted side scan sonar and bathymetric surveys within the reach to determine the best location for the one and ½ acre dredging area.  Fifteen sediment cores will be collected within the selected pilot location to characterize the sediments (planned for late June).  Chemical and geotechnical analyses of these cores will characterize the material to be removed for decontamination and identify concentrations in sediments that will then be exposed following dredging. 

Dredging activities, planned for summer of 2005, will remove approximately 5,000 cubic yards of material to be decontaminated by several technologies to produce beneficial use end products.  Highly contaminated sediment will be treated by thermal destruction and sediment washing technologies to create cement, lightweight aggregate, glass and/or manufactured soil.  This program is integrated and coordinated with the WRDA/OMR Decontamination Technology Program that has demonstrated these technologies in the NY/NJ region (see abstract by Eric Stern – EPA).

Hydrodynamic Studies
In order to predict and efficiently monitor any sediment releases during dredging activities, additional hydrodynamic data will be needed.  OMR is working with the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences – Rutgers University, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and Earth Tech to conduct hydrodynamic studies in support of the pilot dredging.  The studies will characterize the circulation, dispersive nature, sediment transport, and other features of the Passaic River, and describe how these processes change in response to fluctuations in tides and river discharge. This characterization relates conditions during the short term (one-week) pilot dredging with the natural variability of the river system over a year, thus enabling planners to extrapolate to, and predict the effects of a potential full-scale dredging operation.  Moreover, the proposed work will help design a monitoring program for the sediment plume and identify appropriate water quality monitoring parameters for dredging pilot. Finally, data generated in this program are important for the sediment transport model being constructed for the feasibility study.

Studies will be conducted from July 04 through June 05 to describe the physical/chemical structure of the estuary, including the 3-dimensional river flow and tidal currents, the position and movement of the salt wedge and salinity/temperature stratification, the distribution and flux of suspended sediment, and rates of dispersion.  Long-term moorings, shipboard surveys and a dye study will be used.  The implementation of this study is being closely coordinated with activities conducted by EPA and the Malcolm Pirnie/HydroQual/Battelle team in the upper 12 miles of the river.  Further details of this work are presented in the abstract by Tim Wilson of the USGS.

In-Situ Stabilization Technology Demonstration
OMR will initiate a demonstration project with Rutgers University and Raito, Inc. to examine the efficacy of solidification of soft river sediments using a cement deep soil mixing technology (CDSM).  The Passaic River Feasibility Study will evaluate a removal alternative for the remedial selection process. The potential removal of the extremely contaminated “hot” sediments adjacent the Diamond Alkali facility, has many challenging issues associated with implementation.   One possibility for mitigating the risk of sediment dispersion and transportation of highly contaminated silty sediments, would be to implement in-situ solidification prior to dredging.

Rutgers and Raito have proposed demonstrating this technology through solidification of approximately 500 cubic yards of material located in the Raritan River.   The study consists of laboratory testing and full-scale field testing phases.  Laboratory testing will assess the strength of various mixtures of solidified sediment with different percentages of Portland cement slurry.  Once a formula has been selected, Raito will implement the cement deep soil mixing in the field.  After approximately 30 days of curing time occurs, the stabilized sediments will be excavated.  This demonstration will provide useful information to the Feasibility Study and help determine the most appropriate remedial actions for the river. 

 Federal Trustees, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are working cooperatively with the USEPA, Army Corps of Engineers and local sponsor, the State of New Jersey Department of Transportation, Office of Maritime Resources on the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project.  We also coordinate extensively on the project with the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection under our CERCLA Section 107 authorities as co-Natural Resource Trustees. 

We are at the very beginning of the formal coordination among Natural Resource Trustee agencies to work on the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process for the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site, related study areas and releases of hazardous materials.  The above-named Natural Resource Trustees signed a Memorandum of Agreement in 2003.  Under the Department of the Interior Natural Resource Damage Assessment Regulations, we are working towards finalization of a Preassessment Screen, which is a formal document which evaluates whether sufficient information is available to continue with a Natural Resource Damage Assessment. 

Federal Trustees have also established lines of communication with U.S. EPA, the Corps, NJOMR, and their contractors.  We are working towards sharing information in an efficient manner that respects the myriad authorities we are tasked with implementing.  Lastly, we have begun dialogues with Potentially Responsible Parties concerning the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process and the possibilities for cooperative undertakings.  Close coordination among agencies responsible for remediation (U.S. EPA) and restoration under the Water Resources Development Act (COE and NJOMR) is needed for transparency of process and substance with Natural Resource Trustees.

Simple ratios of contaminant concentrations measured in dated sediments provide a powerful tracer of Western Harbor (Newark Bay/Passaic/Hackensack/Arthur Kill influence on New York Harbor and Hudson River mainstem sediments. ¹³⁷Cs and ⁷Be-dated sediments were collected from locations indicative of “endmember” sources of organochlorinated contaminants to the New York/New Jersey Harbor complex.  These endmember indicators include: A core from Central Park Lake, Manhattan, which preserves a continuous record of atmospheric deposition spanning the last 100 years; a core from the Hudson River at Denning's Point (milepoint 59) which contains a record of inputs from upriver sources; ⁷Be-dated sediments collected approximately every 2 years from the mouth of Newtown Creek which provide an indication of discharges passing through wastewater treatment plants; dated cores and sediments from Newark Bay, Kill van Kull, and the Arthur Kill which provide historical records of mainly “industrial” inputs in the Western Harbor, including 2,3,7,8-TeCDD contamination from the 80 Lister Avenue site on the lower Passaic River.   2,3,7,8-TeCDD comprises ca. 80% of the total TeCDD in both historical and recent deposition at sites in the Passaic River and in Newark Bay. This is in marked contrast to the low recent and historical 2,3,7,8-TeCDD/Total TeCDD ratios in the each of the other endmember indicators. It is suggested that the elevated 2,3,7,8-TeCDD/Total TeCDD ratio observed in recent New York Harbor sediments can be attributed to the influence of Western Harbor 2,3,7,8-TeCDD.  Ratios in a dated core collected from the Hudson River near Hastings suggest that the harbor is tidally well-mixed with respect to PCDD/F to at least 26 miles upstream of the Battery.  The major loadings of hexachlorobenzene to the sediments of the Harbor appear to be most strongly influenced by sources on the Arthur Kill, and are largely independent of the dominant Western Harbor 2,3,7,8-TeCDD source.  The detection of HCB in Harbor sediments indicates the potential of this compound as a tracer in this and other systems.

This talk describes the work conducted as part of the Contaminant Assessment and Reduction Program, managed by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, and funded by the Port Authority of NY-NJ, and the Office of the Department of Maritime Resources, NJ Department of Transportation.  One goal of this program was to characterize the concentrations of chemicals-of-concern in the tributaries and estuaries, associated with Newark and Raritan Bays, including the Passaic River. Four groups of researchers were involved in this program. The USGS-NJ was responsible for characterizing the chemistry and the loads of chemicals, sediment, and carbon entering the estuaries from the major tributaries (the Passaic, Raritan, Hackensack, Rahway, and Elizabeth Rivers). Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT) characterized the chemistry of water and suspended sediment within the tidal reach of the estuaries, within Newark and Raritan Bays, and the Arthur Kill and Kill Van Kull. The New Jersey Harbor Dischargers Group characterized the effluent from publicly owned treatment plants (POTWs) and combined sewer-stormwater outfalls in the harbors. Finally, researchers from SIT and Rutgers University Center for Marine and Oceanographic Studies characterized hydrodynamics, currents, and sediment transport within the harbors.

Beginning in June 2000 and concluding in July 2003, samples of river water and suspended sediment were collected from the tributaries and the estuaries during low-flow and storm conditions.  Large volume samples (>50L of water, 1-3 grams of suspended sediment) of the water and suspended sediment were collected during low-flow and storm discharge conditions. Sediment and water phases were analyzed for concentrations of 114 PCB congeners, 17 dioxin/furan congeners, 26 PAH compounds, 27 organochlorine pesticides, and the metals mercury, methyl-mercury, cadmium, and lead. Concurrent with chemical sampling were measurements of the hydrodynamics and sediment distribution in the estuaries and bays. This data is currently being reduced using graphical and statistical methods. 

This talk presents an overview of the work completed in the NJTRWP, its current status, and future plans for the program.  A brief overview is also presented of work that will be conducted in the lower 17-mile stretch of the Passaic River estuary by the USGS-NJ and Rutgers (CMOS) Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences.  Particular emphasis is being placed on the Harrison Reach of the Passaic River, the site of the pilot dredge and other investigations. This work will involve measuring hydrodynamic properties and sediment transport in the river, and the dynamics of the salinity wedge in the estuary. This information will aid modeling and remedial efforts, and will also help design appropriate methods for monitoring releases from dredging activities in the Passaic River.

In recent decades, the growing awareness of the seriousness of urban environmental degradation has inspired intensive efforts at pollution prevention and remediation.  To better understand pollution dynamics over time in an aquatic urban setting, a program of intensive sampling and analysis leading to the creation of geographic information systems (GIS) would be desirable.  However, chemical evaluation of sediments for pollution remains a costly and time-consuming procedure, particularly for organic analysis.

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) offers a practical alternative for rapid, inexpensive molecular organic analysis, simply employing milligram quantities of dry, whole sediment.  (The technique is similar to that of EPA Method 8275A.)  The compounds detected comprise an information-rich mixture of thermally extractable components and the products of the thermal decomposition of (bio)polymers present in the sample.  These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), petroleum-derived hopanes, organonitrogen compounds, and methoxyphenols.  The presence of (thermally-desorbed) C29 and C30 hopanes provides clear evidence for contamination by heavy petroleum fractions.  n-Alkanes present are often the pyrolysis products of petroleum asphaltenes.  In the case of a sediment core taken in the Passaic River at River Bank Park in Kearny, NJ, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of two to five rings are readily detectable (Fig. 1) and the evident predominance of parent PAHs over their methylated counterparts suggests that fuel combustion products are the principal contributors.

Small, cyclic organonitrogen compounds (including pyrrole, pyridine, benzonitrile and indole) commonly occur in the pyrolyzates of coastal marine, estuarine and fluvial sediments.  These compounds are characteristic pyrolysis products of proteins and degraded proteinaceous matter, largely from aquatic algae and bacteria.  In the Passaic River core from Kearny, the subsample at 15-18 cm sediment depth is relatively enriched in these compounds, while the subsample at 0-3 cm show a larger terrestrial plant component, represented by the methoxyphenolic pyrolysis products of lignin.  Thus, in addition to indicating the type and extent of organic pollution, Py-GC/MS also provides information on sediment biogeochemistry and the environmental context.

The rapidity and low cost of sediment analysis by Py-GC/MS makes it a practical tool for the assessment of organic pollution in urban waterways.  Py-GC/MS data are amenable to interpretation using multivariate methods and GIS, providing valuable information for government, industry and public interest groups.
 

Figure 1.  Composite mass chromatogram showing the distribution of parent and methylated polycyclic aromatic compounds in a sample from the Passaic River sediment core (0-3 cm sed. depth, River Bank Park, Kearny, NJ).  Py-GC/MS conditions: CDS AS2500 pyrolysis autosampler coupled to a Thermo Finnigan Trace GC gas chromatograph and Polaris Q mass spectrometer.  J&W DB-1MS column (60 m X 0.25 mm id X 0.25 mm film thickness).  9 mg of dried, disaggregated sediment was heated in a He carrier flow at 610 °C for 20 s.  GC program: 40 °C for 5 min., then increasing at 6 °/min. to 300 °, then holding for 25 min.  The MS was operated in full scan mode, scanning from 50 to 550 Da.

I would like to acknowledge the collaboration of E. Stern during sample collection.

Sediments in the NY/NJ Harbor are widely contaminated with toxic organic and inorganic compounds.  Decontamination of these sediments is one tool that can be used to cope with the problems posed by the presence of these compounds.  We describe here a federal-state program that is testing different decontamination technologies in near-commercial scale projects during the 2004-2005time period.

We stress that sediment decontamination technologies must be integrated into a program that includes both navigational operation and maintenance (O&M) and environmental restoration dredging in order have enough flow-through capacity for these technologies to succeed economically on a large-scale.  Other programs and projects that may benefit from sediment decontamination technologies include brownfield restoration, aquatic Superfund sites, renewable confined disposal facilities (CDFs), hot spot removals, environmental sustainability in developing countries, and energy co-generation.  The decontaminated sediment may be used beneficially as manufactured soil, construction-grade cement, lightweight aggregate, bricks, tiles and/or structural fill. These products and the economic benefits derived from their manufacture may in turn serve as an economic driver for the redevelopment of impacted waterways, ports and harbors, and adjacent communities. 

Full-scale demonstration of a thermo-chemical rotary kiln process (cement) and commercial-scale start-up of a sediment washing system (manufactured soil and bricks) will be underway this year at sites in the NY/NJ Harbor. The full-scale demonstration of manufacture of lightweight aggregate using existing rotary kilns is also in preparation. Programmatic integration of sediment decontamination demonstrations with brownfields and Superfund tasks related to highly impacted contaminated in-water sites such as the Passaic River, NJ, and the Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek, NY is planned. Challenges to implementation such as long-term contracts, shared risk between public and private partnerships, and beneficial use testing and marketability will also be addressed.

Research supported in part by the US Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-98CH10886 and through Interagency Agreement DW89941761-01 between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

 Relevant Publications/Abstracts:

Feng, H., Onwueme, V., Jaslanek, W. J., Stern, E. A., Chopping, M., and Jones, K. W.  (2004). Using GIS to study pollutant source function in Passaic River System, New Jersey (abstract).  Presented at The Association of American Geographers 100th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 14-19, 2004. 

Stern, E. A., Lodge, J., Jones, K. W., Clesceri, N. L., Feng, H., and Douglas, W. S.  (2003). Decontamination and beneficial use of dredged materials. In: Dredged Material Management: Options and Environmental Considerations, J. Pederson and E. E Adams, Editors, pp. 112-116, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Wenning, Richard J.; Stern, Eric A.; Jones, Keith W.; and Douglas, W. Scott.  (2001). The WRDA Program and emerging decontamination technologies for contaminated sediments.  Contaminated Soil Sediment and Water, December 2001, pp. 38-41.

Jones. K.W., Feng, H., Stern, E.A., Lodge, J.L., and N.L. Clesceri.  2001.  Dredged Material Decontamination Demonstration for the Port of New York/New Jersey. Journal of Hazardous Materials.  85 (2001) 127-143.

Lebo, J.A., Huckins, J.N., Petty, J.D., Ho, K.T., and E.A. Stern.  2000.  Selective Removal of Organic Contaminants from Sediments: A Methodology for Toxicity Identifications Evaluations (TIEs).  Chemosphere. 40: 811-819. 

Thursby, G.B., Stern, E.A., Scott, K.J., and J. Heltshe.  2000.  Survey of Toxicity in Ambient Waters of the Hudson/Raritan Estuary: Importance of Small-scale Variations. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 19:2678-2682. 

Stern, E.A., Donato, K., Jones, K.W, and N.L. Clesceri.  1998.  Processing Contaminated Dredged Material from the Port of New York/New Jersey.  Estuaries. Vol.21, No. 4A.

Jones, K.W., Guadagni, A.J., Stern, E.A., Donato, K.R., and N.L. Clesceri.  1998.  Commercialization of Dredged Material Decontamination Technologies.  Remediation, Special Issue: Innovative Remediation Technology 8:43-54.

Ma, H., Jones, K.W., and E.A. Stern.  1998.  Scientific Visualization and Data Modeling of Scattered Sediment Contaminant Data in New York/New Jersey Estuary.  In: D. Ebert, Hagen, and H. Rushmeier (eds.). Proceedings of Vis98 (IEEE Visualization 1998). Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, October 18-23, 1998, IEEE Computer Society.  The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. ACM Press, New York, New York.  pp. 467-470.

Long, E.R, Wolfe, D.A., Scott, J.K., Thursby. G.B., Stern, E.A., Peven, C. and T. Schwartz.  1995.  Magnitude and Extent of Sediment Toxicity in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 88.  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD. p. 230

The Lower Passaic River has been identified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in their reconnaissance study of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary as a priority restoration area.  This area includes the tidal portion of the Lower Passaic River Basin, which extends from Newark Bay 17 miles up to the Dundee Dam, and its tributaries.  The preliminary assessment of water resource problems and needs in the Lower Passaic River Basin identified extensive habitat loss and degradation that has greatly reduced the structural and functional integrity of ecosystems within the study area.  In order to design a successful restoration plan for the River, a data set must be created that identifies and measures appropriate parameters so that restoration areas may be selected, created and monitored. The purpose of the historical data review was to assess the existing and available biological data for the Lower Passaic River, determine gaps in information regarding biological communities of the Lower Passaic, and assess the need for additional information to evaluate these communities.  At a further point in the restoration planning process for the Lower Passaic River, these biological communities will be reviewed in the context of other structural and functional aspects of the system in order to create an integrated database and plan for the River.

Historical data collection efforts in the Lower Passaic River have sampled and or surveyed the benthic community, fisheries resources, avian and mammal communities, wetland habitats, and phytoplankton and zooplankton populations. Our analysis has revealed that there is insufficient data available to characterize most of the biological communities for the Lower Passaic River.  For River Miles 1-7, there are data for most of the habitat types; however, some biological component data are limited.  There is little to no data currently available for the Upstream (River Miles 8-17) and Lower Reaches (River Mile 0-1) of the Lower Passaic River, the Second River corridor, or the Oak Island Yards wetland area. 

In order to develop a restoration program for the Lower Passaic River, additional biological data will need to be collected, depending on habitat type and section of the River to undergo restoration activities.  The end uses of these data will include: the establishment of existing ecological conditions in the project area, assisting in the formulation of habitat restoration alternatives, determining the success criteria following implementation of preferred alternatives, and quantifying the increases in ecological outputs associated with plans and plan scales.

Historical Monitoring 
Fish and shellfish consumption advisories due to toxic PCB and Mercury contamination were announced in New Jersey in the 1980s and 1990s. Data from the Division of Science, Research and Technology (DSRT) studies revealed that unacceptable risks existed for eating certain species of fish and shellfish from certain waters in the State. During the mid-1980s DSRT also began investigations into the environmental fate and sources of dioxins and furans. In addition to supplying near-field site-specific data for the hazardous waste site investigation at the Diamond-Alkali facility on the Passaic River, DSRT also investigated the environmental fate and transport of dioxin/furans to the ecosystem and human food chain (e.g., fish, crabs and lobsters) for the tidal Passaic River, Newark and Raritan Bays, and the oceanic waters of the New York Bight. Reports generated discussed the possible association with the then common practice of inshore ocean disposal for sewage sludge and dredged materials. Bioaccumulation results for fish, blue crabs, and American lobsters (collected from the Harbor Estuary and the New York Bight) revealed widespread dioxin contamination out to the continental shelf. 

Proposed 2004 Monitoring
Due to past budget constraints limited data for toxics in fish has been generated since 1992. Therefore, it is not known how appropriate fish consumption advisories are today. Subsequently a new Monitoring Program for Toxics in Fish has been developed and funded for the summer of 2004. The primary goal of the Monitoring Program is to update the human health consumption advisories for foodfish species and/or geographic areas where they already exist. The geographic scope of work will include: 1.) The Marine and Estuarine components of a proposed five year rotating statewide monitoring plan; and 2.) A separate stand-alone investigation of dioxin contamination on the tidal Passaic River and its downstream receiving waters. This second task will supplement the Department’s Natural Resource Damage (NRD) claim against Diamond Alkali as well as its Passaic River Directive. 

Task I. Coastwide Routine Monitoring: Estuarine & Marine Species (2004)
This estuarine/marine component reflects but one year of the five-year plan meant to assess on a routine rotating basis, all the critical waterways in New Jersey where fish consumption advisories are in place due to the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals (i.e., PCBs, dioxins, and mercury). Seven species of estuarine-marine fish/shellfish (striped bass, bluefish, white perch, white catfish, American eel, blue crab and lobster) which are under consumption advisories on a statewide, regional and waterway specific basis for PCBs and mercury contamination will act as a starting point for the design of the Fish Monitoring Program. Edible fillets from all coastal, estuarine, and marine species will be analyzed for both PCBs and total mercury, as well as lipids. Sampling includes alongshore-coastal areas, Delaware Bay and Estuary and Barnegat Bay. The results of this monitoring will expand upon the existing contaminant database used to develop fish consumption advisories. 

Task II. Tidal Passaic River and Downstream Receiving Waters (2004)
A separate yet interrelated study will be carried out concerning the Passaic River involving the collection of fish/shellfish/bird samples for dioxin/furan analysis. This is in recognition of the continuing public health advisories associated with dioxin contamination in foodfish and shellfish within the tidal Passaic River, Newark Bay, the two Kills, Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays, as well as the near shore ocean waters of the New York Bight. These locations will be sampled differentially for four species (white perch, striped bass, blue crab and American lobster) within their preferred ecological zones or habitats. An additional “species of opportunity” will be collected at two locations (e.g., winter flounder, bluefish, weakfish, or menhaden). Cormorant tissue (i.e., eggs and/or blood) will be collected at two locations. Each tissue (i.e., fillet, muscle, hepatopancreas, egg, and blood) will undergo analysis for dioxins/furans, PCBs/Pesticides, mercury and lipids.  Composite samples will be used for crab and lobster tissue. 

Schedule and Outputs
Task I sampling will begin in mid-late summer of 2004 and Task II sampling will take place in late summer to early fall of 2004 (i.e., August through October). This will allow capture of fish and shellfish that have migrated into the estuary and spent the summer there creating the largest potential for bioaccumulation. These samples will reflect the largest potential for ecological effects, as well as potential health effects on fish consumers.  All data generated will be summarized in a report and placed in the NJDEP’s STORET database, which will then be posted to USEPA’s national STORET database. This will ensure that the information is readily accessible to other state and Federal agencies as well as the general public. If indicated, and after consultation with NJDOH, NJDAG and affected stakeholders, revisions to the state fish consumption advisories will be posted on DSRT’s web site along with ArcView-based GIS maps with links to other relevant federal and state programs associated with contaminated food fish.

Studies have been carried out since the late 1980’s on impacts of persistent organic pollutants in the Newark Raritan Bay complex.  These studies have concentrated on the impact of these compounds on adult, juvenile and developing embryos collected from these systems.  It is apparent from the early studies that the most sensitive life stage is the developing embryo.  This is critical for explaining the potential impacts of these compounds on aquatic organisms at the population level. 

The earliest studies carried out demonstrated that exposure to sediments collected from the Passaic River and Newark Bay resulted in abnormal development in fish embryos.  These results were consistent with studies reported from the Great Lakes.  Levels of dioxins which were present within the sediments resulted in severe abnormalities.  Studies conducted on the suspended solids collected within the upper estuaries resulted in similar lesions as laboratory-controlled studies.

Studies examining shellfish from these areas had indicated thinning of the shell and other pathological lesions that were not present in the reference site organisms.  The most recent studies conducted using the American oysters have shown the transplantation even today results in poor growth and similar effects on the developing gonads and egg viability as produced with 2,3,7,8-TCDD.  Comparison between laboratory and field studies demonstrate that 2,3,7,8-TCDD at levels that are found in the field can result in dramatic effects on reproduction in bivalve mollusks.

In conclusion, it is apparent that aquatic organisms, both finfish and bivalve invertebrates, are impacted through their reproductive systems.  These impacts result in a dramatic decrease in reproductive viability resulting in decreased populations inhabiting these particular areas.  Further studies need to concentrate on the impact of low dose chronic exposure of aquatic organisms to persistent organic compounds such as dioxins and PCB’s.

In order to try and resolve the myriad of dredge management issues facing the harbor estuary, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation along with numerous agencies interested in the fate of the harbor, undertook a comprehensive monitoring effort for chemical contaminants in the water column, sediment and biota. 

The biological survey, specifically, was designed to: assess chemical contaminant levels in fish, bivalves, crustaceans, invertebrates and zooplankton taken from the New York New Jersey Harbor Estuary and relate them to human health and wildlife effects levels; provide a baseline database for chemical contaminants useful for predicting chemical changes in aquatic biota as a consequence of dredging and other remedial activities; and provide limited information on potential sources of contaminants. 

Collections consisted of: mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus), white perch (Morone americana), American eel (Anguilla rostrata), striped bass (Morone saxatilus) and winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), bivalves, decapods, amphipods, polychaetes, blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) and zooplankton.  Collections occurred during five seasons (spring 1999- spring 2000). Samples were collected at nine sampling locations: Poughkeepsie, Haverstraw Bay, Upper Bay, Newark Bay, Passaic River, Raritan Bay, Jamaica Bay, NY Bight and LIS Eatons Neck. 

Samples were analyzed for PCBs as 209 congeners, PCB Aroclors, dioxin and furan congeners, organochlorine pesticides, PAH’s and metals.   This presentation focuses on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish and dioxins in fish, invertebrates, blue crabs and zooplankton.  Review of dioxin and furan data is ongoing at the time of this writing. 

Examination of the PCB concentrations in fish showed elevated levels for virtually all species at all areas.  With the exception of mummichogs in Jamaica Bay, all species and area mean total PCB concentrations were greater than the NYSDEC criteria for protection of wildlife health of 110 ng/g (Newell et al., 1987). American eel and white perch generally showed mean total PCB concentrations greater than the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) tolerance of 2 ug/g (2000 ng/g). The highest mean concentration was from American eel in the Passaic River (4067 ng/g).  Mean total PCB concentrations per area for all species show a general trend from highest to lowest of Passaic River, Poughkeepsie, Newark Bay, Haverstraw Bay, Upper Bay, Raritan Bay, NY Bight, Eatons Neck and Jamaica Bay.  Mean total PCB concentrations for all areas per species show a general trend from highest to lowest of American eel, white perch, mummichog, striped bass and winter flounder.

Based on the concentrations of PCBs present in the fish sampled from this study it is evident that PCBs are still a contaminant of concern in multiple species of fish in the New York New Jersey Harbor and Hudson River area. Continued monitoring of white perch, American eel and striped bass throughout the harbor area is important for providing information necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of remedial and regulatory efforts and to update assessments on risks to both the environment and public health.

In 1980, the Passaic River Coalition and several communities along the Lower Passaic River reacted to some major discharges into the river by forming the Passaic River Restoration Project (PRRP).  Beginning with Rutherford, Lyndhurst, North Arlington, and Kearny, the PRRP decided to create a recreational corridor along the eastern bank of the Passaic below the Dundee Dam, and developed a Restoration Master Plan to accomplish this goal.  By 1986, nine municipalities had joined the PRRP, and expanded Restoration Master Plan became the main planning document used by the Army Corps of Engineers for all waterfront projects along this stretch of the river.

Eighteen years later, the time has come to review our progress on the PRRP and to set our sights on a total makeover of the Lower Passaic.  We call this campaign “Face the River, Fix the River,” because it involves more than just improving water quality and increasing access to the river.  Our logo is a park bench that faces the Passaic, because Face the River means persuading restaurants, marinas, hotels, supermarkets, and other businesses that the river can become an economic driver, just as it is in San Antonio, New York, Cleveland, Savannah, and hundreds of other cities across the U.S.

The PRC and its municipal partners are now embarking on a coordinated program that will result in the Passaic regaining its role as a treasured recreational, historic, and economic resource for the citizens of northeastern New Jersey.

The research behind the campaign began last year, when the PRC completed a photo survey and study of the Passaic River as it flowed through Passaic County municipalities, including the cities of Passaic and Clifton below the Dundee Dam.  The Coalition is now in the process of securing funding to prepare a comprehensive Master Plan for the Lower Passaic that will address the urban waterfront planning issues from a regional point of view.

This comprehensive plan will build on the PRC’s experience with the Essex and Passaic County Open Space Master Plans, the Clifton Natural Resource Inventory, and 30-year relationships with Lower Passaic communities to assist Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, and Essex Counties and the local towns along the river with action plans that will bring the river and its surrounding area back to life.

FACE THE RIVER

Master Planning Project

• Education and Outreach Element
• GIS mapping and aerial photography shared with towns
• Research on industrial history/architectural study of mill buildings, etc.
• Series of municipal meetings 

• Top Landscape Architect Tim Marshall will review existing and proposed parks and plans and provide drawings and suggestions at no charge to municipalities.
• Use of lighting and other attractions to increase the appeal of riverfront parks

Acquisition

• Garfield River Front Park, Garfield
• Dundee Island Recreation Area and Bird Sanctuary, Clifton
• Expansion of Nereid Boat Club, Wallington
• Expansion of Riverfront Park and Trail, Lyndhurst
• Nursery parcel, North Arlington
• Assortment of small projects, East Rutherford

FIX THE RIVER

Dredging of Polluted Sediments

• Dioxin, PCBs, and other pollutants from 150 years of manufacturing

Master Planning Project

• Identification of Polluters and Hot Spots along River 
• Photo survey/GIS database of riverbank conditions
• Mapping of existing and proposed land uses on river bank

Fish Ladder on Dundee Dam

• Shad, striped bass, blueback herring, and other anadramous fish allowed to spawn upriver to the Great Falls for the first time since 1859

Addition of a third PVSC skimmer boat above the Dundee Dam to intercept more floatables

Flow monitoring over Great Falls

Water quality reporting, similar to Chesapeake Bay and Seattle waterfront score cards 

Systematic river clean ups and tree plantings with Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission

Coordination with ongoing surveys of fish tissue, etc.

Continued work on the sewage treatment plants and combined sewer overflows upriver

Continued work on the new Stormwater Regulations, especially the Education element, to cut down on nonpoint source pollution.

For more information, please visit http://www.passaicriver.org/

Sometimes dreams emerge by just wondering how to meet an important community need.  The Ironbound section of Newark, densely populated with little open space and few options for recreation for its 50,000 residents, began this process ten years ago. Bringing neighborhood residents together with the staff of the Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC), the dream of a park along the river emerged – a strip of green along a swath of blue. Over the last 5 years, community residents have come together with clergy, business people and members of community groups to give shape to this dream.

ICC orchestrated this process and brought professional planners to the table to begin to translate ideas into a concrete plan.  Clearly, there was a need for open spaces where families and seniors can walk along the waterfront and sit and enjoy a summer’s evening.  At the same time, those interested in more active outlets needed space for rollerblading and cycling as well as athletic fields for young people and adults.  The plan was beginning to take shape – the need for what professionals call active and passive recreational spaces was clear.

The community also wanted to celebrate the river and the rich history of the City of Newark – the third oldest City on the US.  An Environmental Center was proposed that would place a major educational resource on the River and bring learners of all ages to programs that helped locate our community within the wider life communities that had populated the River. Underlying this was the hope that the River itself could be restored to its former magnificence.  A Cultural Center also was part of the design – a Center that would recognize and exalt the contributions made by generations of immigrants stretching back more than 350 years.

This presentation will explore the community-building involved in the process of creating the Ironbound Community Corporation’s Recreation and Open Space Plan and discuss the critical alliances that may move this plan from dream to reality.

The mission of the Passaic River Patrol is to protect, preserve and restore the environment of the Lower Passaic River and Newark Bay.  The NY/NJ Baykeeper, Hackensack Riverkeeper and Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic, forming partnerships with local groups, are working to return these waterways to their rightful owners – the citizens and communities of the Lower Passaic River Watershed.

The Passaic River Patrol is working with citizens and communities to improve environmental quality, to stop ongoing pollution, champion public access and influence land use decisions that best benefit people and watershed ecology.  The Passaic River Patrol advocates for clean water, open space protection, brownfields to greenfields conversions and habitat restoration.  We advocate for the resource’s biological and social importance, as well as its value as a recreational and cultural resource.

The Passaic River Patrol is putting citizens, officials, students and the media back on the river to explore its hidden beauty, face its challenges and place the ecology and economy of the Lower Passaic River Watershed on a fast road to recovery.  Our goals are to:
 

• Launch a permanent Passaic River Patrol, with dedicated citizen advocates and boats, creating a presence on the Lower Passaic.
• Create maps that guide the public to existing boat access points and waterfront parks.
• Organize a Passaic River summit, a river think tank where local groups can voice their views and help plan for the future of their river’s ecology and economy.
• Create and Open Space Preservation and River Restoration report that identifies opportunities for creating Lower Passaic neighborhood greenways, waterfront parks, stormwater management, boat ramps, wetland and wildlife habitat restoration projects.
• Support state and federal officials in taking action against Passaic River polluters, requiring that polluters pay for clean up, and for Natural Resource Damages.
• Work with communities to prevent inappropriate waterfront redevelopment, to remove bulkheads, fences and other barriers to access.
• Get school groups down to the water via boat trips, a boat building program, river clean ups and other activities.
• Work with local teachers to develop Passaic River and Newark Bay focused curriculum.
• Work with communities to create innovative plans for green development and green jobs on the Lower Passaic waterfront.

The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners (PVSC), keeping in step with their original mandate to alleviate pollution in the Passaic River, are working in conjunction with various federal, state, and local organizations to protect and restore our local environment.

PVSC partnered with neighboring sewerage agencies in northern New Jersey to form the New Jersey Harbor Dischargers Group (NJHDG).  The NJHDG consists of ten agencies, representing twelve treatment plants that discharge to the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary.  This group was established in the early 1990’s to implement Harbor related pollution control programs in a cost effective manner.

As a representative of the NJHDG, PVSC actively participates in the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program (HEP).  The vision of HEP is to establish and maintain a healthy and productive Harbor/Bight ecosystem with full beneficial uses.  PVSC holds a seat on the HEP Management Committee, along with representatives of EPA, NJDEP, NYSDEC, NYCDEC, NOAA, Port Authority, and the Department of the Interior.  PVSC also attends regular meetings of the following HEP workgroups: Toxics, Toxics TMDL, Nutrients, Pathogens, Dredged Material Management Integration, and the Contaminant Assessment and Reduction Project.  These workgroups were formed to assist the implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan of HEP.

The NJHDG, funded by the NJDEP, is conducting a toxics trackdown to evaluate loadings from publicly owned treatment works (POTW) outfalls, combined sewer overflows, and storm water overflows.  The purpose of this project is to provide toxic loading data to be incorporated into the CARP model, for use in the management of dredged material.  The NJHDG is also funding and performing a PCB trackdown pilot to locate unknown discharges of PCB’s to a local municipal sewer system.  The group additionally funded a metals monitoring and modeling program in the harbor which resulted in the need for the development of a TMDL for nickel in the Hackensack River. 

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently initiated a program to develop comprehensive management plans for clean and plentiful water for New Jersey’s watershed management areas.  PVSC is a stakeholder in Watershed Management Areas 4, 5, and 7.  A representative of PVSC holds the position of Vice-Chair on the Public Advisory Committee for WMA 4 (Passaic and Saddle Rivers) and is active in the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Education and Outreach Committee (E&O) for that watershed. 

PVSC also participates in the New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors program.  This is a community-oriented AmeriCorps program hosted by the NJDEP Division of Watershed Management. Through this program, an AmeriCorps member is placed in watershed management areas across the state, ready to serve their watershed community.  After two weeks of intensive training in volunteer monitoring techniques, watershed management issues and presentation skills, AmeriCorps members are placed with a host agency in their home watershed management area.  The PVSC serves as host agency for the WMA 4 Watershed Ambassador. 

Watershed Ambassadors monitor the rivers of New Jersey through River Assessments and Biological Assessments volunteer monitoring programs.  The members also train community volunteers in these two volunteer monitoring techniques.  Members are available to make presentations to community organizations and schools, which provide information about water and watershed issues in New Jersey.

DESCRIPTION:  The Passaic River Waterfront Park and Historic Area project is located along the west bank of the Passaic River between Bridge and Brill Streets in the City of Newark, New Jersey.  This reach of the Passaic River is eroded, deteriorated and environmentally degraded due to past heavy commercial and industrial use and flooding.   As documented in the Design Memorandum for the project, the project is proposed to have three phases.  The first phase will provide 6,000 feet of new bulkhead, 3,200 feet of restored riverbank, and wetlands creation.  The second phase adds a 9,200-foot waterfront walkway and the third phase adds park facilities, plazas, and landscaping.  Links to the Arts Center, Riverbank Park, and other sites will also be provided.  The project will reduce flooding and erosion and provide environmental restoration, recreation, and economic development benefits.  In light of the renewal of the commercial downtown area of Newark near the Passaic River, the project area is viewed as an environmental resource to be restored.

AUTHORIZATION: The project was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1990 (Public Law 101-640) as an element of the Passaic River Flood Damage Reduction Project on November 28, 1990, modified in the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-580) by extending the project area, and further modified in the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-303).

STATUS:  The final Design Memorandum and Environmental Assessment were completed in May 1996.  Plans and specifications for the first phase have been prepared.  The Project Cooperation Agreement for Phase I was executed in May 1999. A total of four construction contracts are anticipated for the Phase I Project.  The first construction contract at Center Street was completed in September of 2000.  A second construction contract from Center Street to Penn Station was completed in March 2003.  The third construction contract from Center Street to Bridge Street is currently being redesigned to minimize handling of contaminated materials in the Passaic River.  The fourth construction contract from Penn Station to Brill Street is to be advertised in the winter of 2004.   Additional appropriations will be required to complete the first phase. 

The City of Newark will act as the non-Federal sponsor for Phases II and III as per their letter of March 7, 2000.  Because of the recent progress with the Phase I, efforts to complete the Phase II/III design are underway; and conceptual plans will be completed in the fall of 2002.  The objective of Phases II and III of the project is to construct an urban park and river walk that extends along the Passaic River from Bridge Street to Brill Street in Newark, New Jersey.  The Phase II/III effort will focus on developing a more detailed design of the park elements outlined in our 1996 Design Report and will incorporate the standards of the Newark community along with the Cities December 1999 Passaic Riverfront Report.  A Project Cooperation Agreement negotiation and design efforts are currently underway. 

PROJECT COST: 
                                       Phase I     Phase II & Phase III
Estimated Federal Cost             $27,975,000              $31,125,000
Estimated Non-Federal Cost          $9,325,000              $10,375,000
Total                              $37,300,000              $41,500,000

Please visit the general information page at http://www.nan.usace.army.mil and the project web page at http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/business/prjlinks/flooding/minish/index.htm