Final Remedial Investigation Report [May 2022] The Remedial Investigation Report (RI) for the NBSA characterizes the distribution of contaminants in sediment, surface water, and biota, their fate and transport, and the risks they pose to human and ecological receptors. Document links are available here.

Conceptual Site Model Report for Newark Bay Study Area: The Conceptual Site Model (CSM) for the Newark Bay Study Area (NBSA) has been revised and updated to incorporate the findings of Phase III of the Remedial Investigation program. The CSM describes the current understanding of the NBSA, including the inter-relationship between contaminant sources, contaminated media, and human and ecological receptors in this complex and dynamic estuary.

Final Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment [December 2019]: The purpose of the baseline human health risk assessment (BHHRA) is to provide risk managers with an understanding of the potential current and future risks to human health and the environment that may be posed by a site in the absence of remediation or exposure controls, and the uncertainties associated with the assessment, and to inform the public regarding risks. Click here to download the BHHRA report and here for the appendices.

Conceptual Site Model Report for Newark Bay Study Area: The Conceptual Site Model (CSM) for the Newark Bay Study Area (NBSA) has been revised and updated to incorporate the findings of Phase III of the Remedial Investigation program. The CSM describes the current understanding of the NBSA, including the inter-relationship between contaminant sources, contaminated media, and human and ecological receptors in this complex and dynamic estuary. Click here to see the CSM document. Please click here to download a separate zip file for Appendix E to the CSM document, which contains a simulation of the sediment core investigations conducted in Newark Bay.

Phase III Field Sampling Activities Completed [2018]: The Phase III field sampling activities consisted of sediment and biota tissue sampling conducted from 2014-2016 in the Newark Bay Study Area to support the Remedial Investigation and preparation of the Baseline Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments. The final laboratory datasets associated with this work are expected to be released during the fall of 2018. Work for the Newark Bay Study Area has shifted in emphasis from the collection and analysis of field samples to the preparation of the Remedial Investigation Report, including the risk assessments.

Problem Formulation Document Outline (March 2012]: Click here to download the Baseline Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Problem Formulation Outline for the Newark Bay Study Area

Risk Assessment Workshop for the Newark Bay Study Area [June 2011]: On June 28 and 29 2011, a Human Health and Ecological Baseline Risk Assessment Workshop for the Newark Bay Study Area was conducted. The participants included representatives from the EPA, NOAA, USACE, USFWS and Tierra Solutions. Click here for the minute meetings and workshop presentations.

Final Phase I and Phase II Sediment Deposition Report [October 2011]: The Phase I and Phase II Sediment Deposition Report assesses the radiochemical data collected as part of the Newark Bay Study Area (NBSA) Phase I and Phase II Sediment Investigation Programs. The report provides a summary of methods used for sediment dating, estimates deposition rates, and estimates the 1940 horizon depth. Click here to download the Deposition Report.

Final Screening-Level Ecological Risk Assessment [December 2008]: In order to identify the potential for contaminants within the Newark Bay Study Area to adversely affect ecological receptor populations and to determine whether additional ecological evaluation is necessary, a screening-level ecological risk assessment (SLERA) was performed. This SLERA includes a conceptual site model, the contaminants of potential ecological concern, and a preliminary exposure assessment performed using conservative assumptions. Click here to download the SLERA. Click here to download the attachments and appendices to the SLERA.

New Newark Bay Fact Sheet released by EPA

Click here to download the March 2008 EPA fact sheet, which provides information on sampling activities completed during Phase I and Phase II of the Remedial Investigation.

Draft Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan for Comment

NOAA and USFWS announce the availability of a draft Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan for public comment. The Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan is one step in the damage assessment process. It serves to document exposure of natural resources to hazardous substances and identify anticipated procedures for evaluating natural resource injuries potentially caused by such exposure. Click here to download the plan.

Phase 2 Remedial Investigation Work Plan Approved [October 2007]:

EPA has approved the Newark Bay Phase 2 Remedial Investigation Work Plan (RIWP) which was developed by Tierra Solutions, Inc. (TSI) in accordance with the requirements of an EPA Administrative Order on Consent dated February 2004. The RIWP briefly summarizes the Phase 1 sediment sampling program (a detailed evaluation of the Phase 1 and 2 results will be performed upon receipt of the validated Phase 2 data), it describes the Phase 2 project quality objectives for the field work, and it outlines the tasks to be performed during the Phase 2 sediment investigation program. The primary purpose of Phase 2 is to characterize sediments in select areas of Newark Bay that have had significant accumulation of sediments since 1940. The characterization of sediments during Phase 2 will enhance EPA's understanding of contaminant deposition and distribution patterns over time in Newark Bay and it will help identify upland sources of contaminants. Collection and analysis of sediment cores began on October 23, 2007 within varied geomorphic units in Newark Bay (e.g., navigation channels, sub-tidal flats). Fifty-two sediment cores will be collected and analyzed for select contaminants. Phase 2 work is generally considered to be an extension of Phase 1 work. A Phase 3 effort will be needed in the future to fully accomplish all of the remedial investigation goals.

The Phase 2 RIWP includes an Investigation Work Plan, Sampling and Analysis Plan, Site Management Plan, and Quality Assurance Project Plan (Volumes 1 & 1a), and a Health and Safety/Contingency Plan (Volume 2). Click here to download the files that comprise the EPA-approved Phase 2 RIWP (Due to the large size of the file, downloading may take a few minutes). Click here to download a copy of the approval letter.

Click here to download the 2 sets of minor modifications that have been made to the workplan based upon observations made while implementing the field work.

Second Municipality Workshop Held

A second workshop for municipalities was held on July 12, 2007 in Newark, bringing together municipalities in the lower 8 miles of the Passaic River and in the Newark Bay area with federal-state partner agencies to discuss possibilities for integrating municipality plans and visions with federal-state cleanup and restoration projects. This workshop was a follow-up to the April 18, 2007 municipality workshop. Click here to find out more about the meeting by reading the work shop summary.

Workshop Held to Discuss Integration of Municipality Plans & Visions with Federal-State Cleanup & Restoration Projects

A municipalities workshop was held on April 18, 2007 in Newark, bringing together municipalities throughout the lower Passaic River and Newark Bay with federal-state partner agencies and key stakeholder groups to discuss possibilities for integrating municipality plans and visions with federal-state cleanup and restoration projects.

The partner agencies provided the more than 75 in attendance with an opportunity to initiate or continue a dialogue between waterfront municipalities and federal-state agencies. Discussions also took place on how to continue the coordination of municipal redevelopment activities with agency cleanup and restoration work. You can find out more about the meeting by reading the workshop summary here.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN FINALIZED

The partner agencies have prepared and completed the Community Involvement Plan (CIP) for the Lower Passaic River Restoration Project and Newark Bay Study. The commitment of the partner agencies to active and open public involvement forms the basis of this document. The CIP provides a toolbox of options for keeping the public informed and for soliciting input. As a living document for a dynamic project, the CIP will be reviewed annually, and updated as needed to reflect project progress and changes to community needs, concerns, issues, and contacts.

Click here for the Final Community Involvement Plan (Due to the large size of the file, downloading may take a few minutes).

For more information about the CIP or public involvement, contact:
David Kluesner, Public Affairs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Phone: (212) 637-3653
Fax: (212) 637-4445
Email: kluesner.dave@epa.gov

The Future Is Now.

EPA Demonstrates Bold, New Technology That Turns Contaminated Sediment into Useable Soil

On March 24, 2006, EPA hosted an event in Woodbridge, New Jersey demonstrating an exciting new technology that takes contaminated sediment and turns it into high quality top soil. This soil washing process is patented by BioGenesis Enterprises, Inc., and is being used to treat approximately 4500 cubic yards of sediment from the Passaic River.

Click here to read the entire story and see photos of the process here.