Global Landfill
Old Bridge Township, Middlesex County
PI#
G000003352
January 2012 Update
This Fact Sheet Update was produced by Golder
Associates on behalf of the Global PRP Group. It provides information
related to the current status of the Global Landfill Site and
updates information provided in the May
2010 Fact Sheet.
Background
The Global Landfill Site is approximately 60 acres in size. The
northeastern property line is also the municipal boundary between
Old Bridge Township and the Borough of Sayreville. The Site is
bordered by wetlands to the northeast, southeast, and southwest,
in the drainage basin of Cheesequake Creek. Cheesequake Creek
is located approximately 900 feet southeast. Residential areas
of Old Bridge Township and the Borough of Sayreville are north
and west-northwest of the Site, respectively, and include several
apartment complexes, as well as single-family homes, located off
of Westminster Boulevard and Ernston Road.
Global Landfill Reclaiming Corporation (GLRC) operated the landfill
from approximately 1968 to 1984. In 1984 a slope failure occurred
that was attributed to rapid filling of waste followed by periods
of heavy rain and unusually high tides. Since April 27, 1984,
when the NJDEP ordered the disposal operations to cease, the landfill
has remained inactive, but has been the subject of various investigations
and interim remediation measures. The site was placed on the National
Priorities List in 1989 because of the presence of contaminated
leachate and the discovery of buried drums containing hazardous
waste in a portion of the landfill. During the late 1980s and
1990s, DEP and EPA conducted pollution containment activities,
as well as soil, water and wetlands investigation and monitoring.
In 1993 a Consent Decree was entered between the NJDEP and certain
parties (collectively referred to as the Global PRP Group) to
perform additional investigations, interim measures to contain
and stabilize the landfill waste materials, and ultimately implement
the design and construction of the landfill remediation. These
subsequent activities evaluated the geotechnical properties of
the subsurface soils, investigated the nature and extent of contamination
in the adjacent wetlands, and monitored the time-dependant improvement
of slope stabilization measures. Studies showed that shallow ground
water beneath the Global Landfill is contaminated with volatile
and semi-volatile organic compounds, pesticides and metals. However,
shallow ground water is non-potable due to natural conditions
unrelated to the landfill (salt-water influence of the tidal Cheesequake
Creek). Also, impacts to the wetlands were limited to a small
area (about ¼-acre) bordering a portion of the landfill.
There are no public wells in the vicinity of the landfill.
In 2008 the Consent Decree with the Global PRP Group was amended
to include wetlands remediation and monitoring of the improvement
of groundwater quality expected to occur after a low permeability
cap is constructed on the landfill. In 2009 and 2010, the remedy
design was completed, permit equivalencies were obtained including
those required for wetlands mitigation, and fill materials were
delivered and stockpiled at the site in preparation for construction
of the cap and landfill gas management system.
Current Status
Landfill remedy construction began in the summer of 2010 with
the construction of a landfill gas management trench and venting
system. This work was performed by WRS Compass under the management
and oversight of the Global PRP Group and NJDEP. Fill materials
used for cap construction were also delivered and stockpiled in
approved areas at the site, until winter conditions caused a hiatus
in the construction activities.
The Global PRP Group awarded a second construction contract in
the fall 2010 to CETCO Contracting Services, Co. for construction
of the landfill cap and other remedy components. CETCO’s
work is being managed by the Global PRP Group in coordination
with NJDEP oversight. Beginning in the winter of 2010, CETCO placed
approximately 150,000 cubic yards of stockpiled fill material
to grade the top of the landfill in preparation for installation
of the geosynthetic (low permeability geomembrane and leachate
collection drainage layers) components of the cap. To date grading
fill has been placed over approximately 95% of the landfill surface.
Five leachate collection blankets have been constructed to intercept
leachate that previously flowed from the slopes into a portion
of the wetlands at the landfill perimeter. Leachate pump stations
and conveyance piping installation commenced in the late fall
of 2011. Leachate collection tanks and an equipment building are
anticipated to be installed in the winter or spring of 2012. Leachate
collected by the system will be transported by tanker truck for
disposal at an off-site treatment facility. Twenty seven (27)
deep gas wells have been installed through the waste in conjunction
with twenty seven (27) shallow gas vents installed just below
the grading fill layer in order to manage the landfill gas that
will be trapped beneath the geomembrane cover in conformance with
NJDEP air quality discharge requirements. Fifteen (15) additional
vents will be installed in the spring/summer to complete the management
system. The geomembrane (black polyethylene waterproof barrier
layer) has been placed over approximately 75% of the landfill
surface. The contractor will import approximately 35,000 cubic
yards of additional protective cover soil which will be placed
to cover and protect the geosynthetic cap components. Topsoil,
which will be placed above the protective cover, will be planted
with a mix of grass seed. To date protective cover soil has been
placed over approximately 60% of the landfill surface. Topsoil
has been placed over approximately 40% of the landfill surface.
Approximately 500 cubic yards of contaminated sediment was removed
from the impacted portion of the adjacent wetlands, and placed
in the landfill. The wetlands excavation area was backfilled with
soil to promote restoration of the area with wetlands shrubs and
trees native to the Cheesequake Creek area. This work was completed
in September 2011. Work has also been completed at a nearby 5-acre
wetlands site to enhance the vegetation and ecological habitat
also required as a remedy component. That work was completed by
AWT Environmental Services, Inc. in July 2011 and included the
removal of marsh vegetation and soils and the installation of
approximately 55,000 wetland plants and shrubs. The wetlands site
will be monitored for a period of 3 years to assess plant growth.
Soil that excavated from the wetlands enhancement project site
is to be spread in an area adjacent to the landfill and seeded
in early Spring.
The majority of the work at the landfill was scheduled to be completed
by December 2011. However, due to a number of factors it will
be necessary to curtail construction activities at the site through
the winter, with the possible exception of installation of leachate
collection system components, material deliveries and activities
such as inspection of the site and maintenance of erosion and
sediment controls. CETCO will resume work in the spring of 2012
and will complete placement of geosynthetic materials and soils,
plant grass seed, complete cleanup activities, and startup of
the leachate and landfill gas management systems and other miscellaneous
tasks. The targeted completion date is August 2012.
Future Actions
After completion of construction activities the site will enter
into a long-term monitoring and maintenance program. This program,
which will be implemented by the Global PRP Group under NJDEP
oversight, will include regular inspection of the perimeter security
fence, collection and analysis of gas and groundwater samples,
maintenance of the mechanical systems, collection and disposal
of leachate at an off-site wastewater treatment facility, inspection
of surface water drainage features, mowing grass and monitoring
of ecology at pre-established locations in the surrounding wetland.
Monitoring reports will be prepared and submitted to NJDEP during
the maintenance period.
For more information about the remedial activities associated
with the Global Landfill, please contact: Frank Adams
Golder Associates Inc. on behalf of Global PRP Group
(856-793-2005) Sana Qureshi
NJDEP's Office of Community Relations
(609-984-2038)
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