Post-Construction Maintenance and Monitoring

A Final Inspection was conducted at the Marjol Battery Site on August 31, 2010.  Based on the inspection, construction of the Final Remedy was determined to be “substantially complete” as of August 27, 2010, and the site is in the post-construction period.   All lead-contaminated material at the Site has been  consolidated in the Containment (cap) Area (CA) and covered by the multiple layers of cap materials, so all surfaces of the Site are clean (average lead levels below 500 mg/kg).   (Click here for a drawing showing the layers of the cap.)

Activities at the Site have now become limited to those associated with Site inspections, monitoring, and the establishment of vegetation.  Conversion of the sedimentation basin at the Site to a stormwater management basin is expected to take place in the summer of 2012. In the meantime, Gould will continue to maintain and monitor the Site.

With major construction activities at the Site completed, there are several post-construction items Gould would like to provide information to the community about:

• Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Site Activities 
• Site Appearance
• Post-Construction Inspections and Monitoring
• North Woods Low Area Modifications
• Post-Construction Maintenance and Monitoring Calendar 

FALL/WINTER 2011- 2012 SITE ACTIVITIES
 
Site maintenance activities at the Site have been completed for 2011.  Inspections will continue to be done on a regular basis.  Any maintenance items requiring immediate attention will be addressed, but routine maintenance activities will not resume until the spring of 2012. 

 

SITE APPEARANCE
 
All trailers (except for a small storage trailer near the stockpile of soil that will be used for converting the sedimentation basin possibly in summer 2012) have been removed, guard service has concluded, and the gate to the Site is now locked when no activities are occurring. 

Fencing— A split-rail fence with wire mesh was installed on-site around the Containment (cap) Area (CA) and along the eastern property line to protect the vegetation on the CA and, to prevent motorized vehicle access and to deter pedestrian access.  Temporary fence panels were removed from the Site and chain link fencing was installed in some areas to deter motorized vehicles from accessing the property until significant vegetation is established.  There is no longer a 6-foot chain link fence around the perimeter of the Site.  

POST-CONSTRUCTION INSPECTIONS AND MONITORING

The USEPA/PADEP-approved 100% Design Plan includes required elements such as quarterly river monitoring, annual groundwater sampling, and the frequency of inspections. 

Post-Construction Inspections

Representatives from Advanced GeoServices will continue to be available on a daily basis and at the Site on a regular basis.  Weekly erosion inspections will take place while the NPDES Permit for the Site is in place (at least summer 2012) unless the ground surface is frozen and/or snow covered.  Formal monthly inspections took place in 2010, occurred quarterly in 2011, and will now take place semi-annually through at least 2014.     

The weekly erosion inspections focus on erosion and sedimentation controls, stormwater management features, discharge sampling if applicable, general site conditions, and site security. (Click here for the current calendar of inspections.)

Click on the dates below to review the monthly/quarterly inspection reports:

• September 28, 2010
• October 22, 2010
• November 19, 2010
• December 21, 2010
• March 22, 2011
• May 4, 2011
• August 2, 2011
• November 7, 2011

(Click here to view photos of post-construction Site conditions.)

Special Post-Earthquake and Storm Event Inspection - 2011

In response to the August 2011 earthquake and subsequent heavy rain events (Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee), Advanced GeoServices conducted a special inspection of the Containment Area (CA) on October 7, 2011.  Based on observations of the slope conditions, it is Advanced GeoServices' opinion that the stability of the CA slopes were not adversely impacted by the earthquake or subsequent storm events.  (Click here to review the special inspection report.)

Post-Construction Monitoring

See the table below for a list of some of the monitoring activities required in the Design Plan. 

NORTH WOODS LOW AREA MODIFICATIONS

In response to complaints from near-by residents, a plan was developed to modify the North Woods Low Area (low area behind homes on the west side of Martarano Drive).  Approval on the plan was provided by PADEP on August 30, 2010.  The modifications involved the placement of stone and installation of pipes to encourage stormwater to drain from the low area.  Modification to the North Woods Low Area were completed the week of November 1, 2010.   

Post-Construction Maintenance and Monitoring Calendar - February 2012