EPA ADDING FRANKLINVILLE METAL FINISHING PLANT TO SUPERFUND NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST
Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the addition of six sites to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) where releases of contamination pose human health and environmental risks. EPA is also proposing to add another four sites to the NPL, including Pioneer Metal Finishing Inc. in Franklinville, Gloucester County while removing one previously proposed site that was never finalized.
“Communities with sites on the National Priorities List are a true national priority,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler in a press release. “Many of the sites we are adding are in vulnerable, low-income, and minority communities that deserve our attention.”
Before being added to the NPL, a site must meet the listing requirements and be proposed for addition to the list in the Federal Register, subject to a 60-day public comment period. The site will be added to the NPL if it continues to meet the listing requirements after the public comment period closes and the agency has responded to any comments received.
“Proposing to add the Pioneer Metal Finishing Inc. site to the National Priorities List is an important first step toward protecting human health and the environment in affected communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. “By elevating our focus on the Superfund program, we are making progress to accelerate cleanups and return sites to safe and productive use.” The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection supports inclusion of the site to the Superfund NPL.
Pioneer Metal Finishing Inc. is a former electroplating facility that began operations in the mid-1950s and discharged untreated waste from the facility into an adjacent wetland until the mid-to late-1970s. The untreated wastes consisted of metallic salts and process sludge. Around 2005, the electroplating activities at the facility ceased. Samples conducted by EPA and Pioneer Metal Finishing Inc. indicate that soil near the facility and sediment within the adjacent wetland are contaminated with chromium, copper, and nickel at levels that pose a threat to human health and the environment. The soil is also contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
In October 2018 documents and files were released from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Emergency Removal Action at the Pioneer Metal Finishing Site located at 2034 Coles Mill Road (CR538) in Franklin Township, Gloucester County where hundreds of hazardous drums and containers were stored. Fred Trotz is the property owner.
On June 27th, 2018, two NJDEP inspectors initiated an inspection at the location and encountered minor skin irritation and were forced to conclude their inspection early. On July 5th,2018 an inspection was made by several individuals including the Franklin Twp Fire Marshall’s office, Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management and the NJDEP-Bureau of Emergency Response. During that inspection, NJDEP representatives observed approximately (150) 55 gallon drums containing chrome plating bath solution, wastewater from the chrome plating process and chrome plating residues. Smaller containers were also found scattered throughout the facility and two of the containers are believed to contain Sodium Cyanide. The roof was collapsing where the drums and containers were stored.
Franklin Township Environmental Commission Chairwoman Barbara Halpern commented on the announcement to say, “The Franklin Township Environmental Commission has been concerned about the contamination at Pioneer Metals for decades. We appreciate the EPA SuperFund designation, and the discovery and removal of hazardous materials from the building. We are hopeful the EPA will continue their investigation and conduct further clean up and containment of the hazardous material contamination that still remains outside the building. The Environmental Commission remains concerned about the downstream and ground water impacts.”