Halliburton Company
R-31-12-4-1
COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN
CIBA-GEIGY CHEMICAL CORPORATION SITE (TOMS RIVER) TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY
EPA WORK ASSIGNMENT NUMBER 12-2V87.0 CONTRACT NUMBER 68-01-6699
NUS PROJECT NUMBER S905
APRIL 1985
CIB 009 2018 Park West Two Cliff Mine Road LMUS Pittsburgh, PA 15275 412-788-1080 CXDRRDRATON R-31-12-4-1
COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN
CIBA-GEIGY CHEMICAL CORPORATION SITE (TOMS RIVER) TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY
EPA WORK ASSIGNMENT NUMBER 12-2V87.0 CONTRACT NUMBER 68-01-6699
NUS PROJECT NUMBER S905
APRIL 1985
SUBMITTED FOR NUS BY: APPROVED:
GILBERT J. MEYER, JR. DONALD R. BRENNEMAN MANAGER, COMMUNITY RELATIONS REGIONAL MANAGER, REGION II
A Halliburton Company CIB 009 2019 CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1-1
2.0 BACKGROUND AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS HISTORY 2-1 2.1 SITE HISTORY 2-1 2.2 COMMUNITY RELATIONS HISTORY 2-5
3.0 ISSUES AND CONCERNS 3-1
4.0 COMMUNITY RELATIONS OBJECTIVES 4-1
5.0 COMMUNITY RELATIONS TECHNIQUES 5-1
6.0 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES 6-1
7.0 BUDGET AND STAFFING PLANS 7-1
8.0 LIST OF INTERESTED PARTIES 8-1
i TABLES
NUMBER
6-1 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
FIGURES
NUMBER
2-1 LOCATION MAP, CIBA-GEIGY CHEMICAL CORPORATION SITE 2-2 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT, CIBA-GEIGY CHEMICAL CORPORATION
ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Community Relations Plan (CRP) has been developed for use with remedial activities now being planned for the Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation (CG) Site. The purpose of this CRP is to encourage constructive interaction and meaningful two-way communications between the agencies conducting remedial actions and the community affected by the site. Because community relations is a dynamic process, this plan should be updated as the project develops and the community's concerns evolve.
Information for this document was obtained from files maintained by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region II Office (EPA), the New Jersey Depart ment of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and a recent public meeting held in Toms River, New Jersey. In addition, phone conversations with the Ocean County Health Department and the Ocean County Citizens for Clean Water (OCCCW) were conducted.
This CRP first outlines background information and the history of community relations. Issues and concerns of the community are then discussed. The objectives of this plan and the techniques recommended to meet these objectives are stated, after which a proposed schedule and estimated budget are provided. A list of groups and individuals who are interested in activities associated with the site concludes this CRP.
1-1
CIB 009 2022 2.0 BACKGROUND AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS HISTORY
2.1 Site History
The Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation Site (CG) is located in the western part of Dover Township, Ocean County, New Jersey (see Figure 2-1). The site is 1275 acres in size and is approximately 3 miles northwest of the business district of the unincorporated town of Toms River. The Toms River forms the northeast border of the site. The New Jersey Garden State Parkway is approximately 1 mile east of the site. Highway 37 runs close to the southwestern end of the property. An industrial park is adjacent to the western boundary of the site. Two senior citizen developments are located about 1 mile south of the CG site.
Presently located on the site are a manufacturing complex consisting of 30 major buildings, a wastewater treatment plant and a lined overflow storage reservoir for treated and untreated wastewater (see Figure 2-2). In addition to these structures, several waste disposal areas are located on the CG site. An 8-acre chemical landfill which was closed in 1978 and contains bulk wastes and approximately 92,000 drums, a seven and one-half acre inactive sludge disposal area, closed aeration lagoons, oxidation and settling basins, and sludge-drying beds are all onsite. In addition, an active landfill is located on the site.
The manufacturing of chemicals began at the Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation Site in 1952. The company was known as the Toms River Division of Ciba States Limited at that time. The plant manufactured vat dyestuffs and epoxy resins by the Bisphenol A process. By 1960, the Cincinnati Chemical Works, Inc. (a company also partially owned by Ciba' States Limited) had been moved to Toms River. Toms River Division was renamed the Toms River Chemical Corporation. The production of azo dyestuffs and' intermediates resulted in different types of wastes being generated at the site. The Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation assumed complete control of Toms River Chemical in 1981.
When operations began, there were: a wastewater treatment plant, four unlined aeration lagoons, unlined oxidation and settling basins, a chemical landfill and a
2-1
CIB 009 2023 PLEASANT 0.2 BASE MAP IS A PORTION OF THE U.S.G.S. TOMS RIVER,NJ QUADRANGLE (75 MINUTE SERIES, 1953, PHOTOREVISED 1970). CONTOUR INTERVAL 10*. FIGURE 2- LOCATION MAP CIBA-GEIGY CHEMICAL CORP SITE, DOVER TWP.NJ IMUS SCALE 1=2000 CORPORATION 2-2 A Halliburton P-nm^on^ CIB 003 2024 600 WOO CLOSED SETTLING LAOOONS FIGURE 2-2 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT CIBA-GEIGY CHEMICAL CORR SITE, DOVER TWR. NJ NUS SCALE' |"=I400'* CXJFFORATiaN A Halliburton Company sludge landfill in operation. The amounts of chemicals and sludge disposed of in the landfills are unknown. Drummed solid residues and waste lime sludge from in- house manufacturing processes were buried in the chemical landfill; filtercake sludge was buried in the sludge landfill. The wastewater from the treatment plant was discharged into the Toms River until 1966, when CG began to discharge the treated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean, replacing the discharge to Toms River. The use of the old wastewater treatment system was discontinued in 1976. The oxidation and settling basins and treatment system lagoons were excavated and backfilled. The four lagoons were reported to contain undetermined amounts of sludge after backfilling operations. These four unlined lagoons are located near the northeast boundary of the CG property and are 400-600 feet from the west bank of the Toms River. The new wastewater treatment plant was permitted and began operation in 1977. Since then CG's solid wastes have been disposed of in the currently active 18-acre multicell landfill. The first cell of this landfill has been closed and the second cell is now being used. The cells are doubled-lined along the bottom and sides. The landfill contains a leachate collection system between the two liners and nine monitoring wells are in place to monitor surrounding groundwater quality. Procedures for closing Cell I of the landfill were begun in 1978. Prior to the use of Cell II, an inspection by NJDEP was conducted and Cell I was observed to be leaking. Attempts were made to stop the leak. Toward the end of 1979 leaks were observed in the second cell of the landfill. Efforts to patch holes in the liner of Cell II did not result in a decrease of flow. In January of 1980, the EPA performed the identification and preliminary assessment of the CG site. Three site visits by EPA occurred during this year. Late in 1980, CG was ordered to close Cell I of the landfill so that no liquids could enter the cell through the top or sides and to redesign Cell II before any more wastes could be disposed of there. 2-4 CIB 009 2026 The landfill is situated above the Cohansey aquifer. The Cohansey is an important shallow water-table aquifer that supplies water to most of southern New Jersey. It also provides recharge to the underlying Kirkwood formation. Early in 1983, the NJDEP Office of Regulatory Services wrote a memo to the NJDEP Environmental Protection Section's Division of Law requesting immediate action against CG to obtain injunctive relief to stop ongoing, severe, potable water contamination. In June, NJDEP Division of Water Resources (DWR) sent a letter to the company stating that further acceptance of waste streams, either hazardous or non-hazardous, would result in prosecution. 2.2 Community Relations History Approximately 15 years after the Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation (CG) began operations, the first reports.of odors by local residents occurred. Investigations by the local health department revealed that the possible sources of the odors were the aeration ponds and a holding pond at the site. The plant was notified and undertook proper maintenance, which resulted in the elimination of the odors for about one year. The holding pond was not used for most of that year. In March of 1969, nearby residents again complained of odors that seemed to emanate from the plant site. A pumpline failure was discovered which necessi tated the use of the holding pond again. The holding pond subsequently was drained and then refilled with fresh water. No odors were reported near the site for the next year and one-half. On numerous occasions in September of 1970 "shoe-polish" type odors were reported by residents coming from the CG plant. This was coupled with the more severe problem of contamination of several potable wells of nearby residents. The installation of a public water supply for these residents decreased the number of groundwater contamination complaints. The responsible party or parties for the well contamination were never identified. 2-5 CIB 009 2027 The next incident to arouse public interest was a report in the Evening Times. Trenton, New Jersey of an indictment against CG for dumping potentially dan gerous wastes into the Atlantic Ocean without a permit in 1972. Between 1972 and 1974, there were numerous complaints from residents about air pollution and water pollution. During this same time, CG submitted an application for a permit for ocean dumping. The Mayor and the Council of the Borough of Seaside Heights opposed the issuance of this permit. During 1975 and 1976 CG submitted a registration statement for a solid waste facility, an application for certification to conduct a refuse disposal operation and met with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to discuss construction of an incinerator. The NJDEP during this time issued a Department Order to install a groundwater monitoring system. At the end of 1976, the Dover Township Board of Health met with CG to discuss waste disposal practices. A letter was sent from the Department requiring CG to submit well-water analyses results to the NJDEP Solid Waste Administration on a quarterly basis. The first of these quarterly reports was submitted in 1977. Even though nearby residents reported odors and possible groundwater contami nation before and during CG's applications for a solid waste facility and refuse disposal operation, there was not substantial public resistance to CG's requests. It was during 1981 and 1982 that the situation at CG began to attract more attention. CG was ordered to appear before a show-cause hearing due to numerous National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) violations. Wastes CG was receiving from a nearby company were identified as hazardous based on pH. CG complied with an order to stop accepting wastes classified as hazardous by EPA or NJDEP. When NJDEP personnel attempted to take samples at the site, they were denied access. The CG site was included on the EPA's National Priorities List in December of 1982. 2-6 CIB 993 2028 The singlemost significant event influencing community relations at Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation was not associated with the site itself. In the summer of 1984, a leak developed in the 10 mile-long outfall pipe that pumps effluent to the ocean. Although the leak was fixed relatively quickly and no well contamination has yet been detected, the event gained national attention when Greenpeace dropped anchor off the coast of New Jersey. (Greenpeace is an international environmental organization.) The climbing of CG's tower and sampling of the effluent from the outfall pipe by members of Greenpeace spurred public interest. Primarily as a result of the outfall pipe breaking in the summer of 1984, a citizens group has been formed - The Ocean County Citizens for Clean Water. This group has held several meetings to date. The first meeting was attended by 100 people; the second meeting drew about 250 people. Reports indicate that the residents are split on the issue. Some people fear for their jobs; others fear for their health. The break in the pipeline has resulted in increased public awareness that can be expected to continue and incorporate all work at the CG Site. During the summer of 1984 a hearing on CG's application for ocean discharge was held. Approximately 850 people attended. To date, no decision on the application has been announced. In January 1985, the Ocean County Ciba-Geigy Advisory and Oversight Committee was formed. Its membership is made up of county and local officials, representatives of the Ocean County Citizens for Clean Water and representatives from management and labor at Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation. In addition, EPA has held two public meetings (December 1984 and January 1985) in Toms River to discuss the work plan for the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study. 2-7 CIB 009 2029 3.0 ISSUES AND CONCERNS Numerous issues and concerns should be addressed at the CG Site. The foremost concern is contamination of groundwater. Various issues, such as the best method of disposing of the drummed wastes and the contamination of wells used for drinking water, are associated with the concern over groundwater contamination. Area residents believe the drums should be removed immediately and that efforts to clean up any groundwater contamination should then be undertaken. Most residents in the vicinity of the site are now tapped into a public water supply so the issue of well contamination has became somewhat less important. Contamination of the Toms River also concerns area residents. Recreational activities such as swimming and fishing take place in the river and parks along the river provide recreational opportunities. Some residents feel that keeping the river clean will depend on the disposal method selected for the drums. The perception is that if the drums are left in place, they will become a "time bomb" waiting to go off as the drums corrode, and they will then release their contents. Complaints have been voiced by local residents over "shoe polish"-like odors emanating from the site. Local and State health officials have investigated these complaints. The number of complaints fluctuates with the weather. As the temperature increases, so do complaints of odors. Accessibility to complete and accurate information regarding the types of wastes disposed of at the site and the potential health hazards also concerns local residents. A primary issue associated with this is the handling of the situation by local and State officials. There is a perception that people were not told the whole story. Residents feel that the NJDEP was slow to act. Although the NJDEP has investigated the site on several occasions and confiscated records, some citizens mistrust the organization. 3-1 CIB 009 2030 4.0 COMMUNITY RELATIONS OBJECTIVES Although community concern at CG is relatively recent, it is substantial. Organized meetings to discuss the CG Site have already been held by Ocean County Citizens for Clean Water. In order to facilitate the transfer of accurate information and also to maintain credibility of the program, the following objectives are suggested for the CG site: • To establish and maintain credibility and cooperation between the public and the various agencies involved with remediating the site. • To keep the public and local and State officials informed of ongoing site activities. • To ensure that the news media is provided accurate information in a timely manner. • To develop effective, reliable lines of communication from EPA to all levels of the concerned public and the local officials. • To provide the public the opportunity to review study findings. • To periodically reassess the community's concerns and to update this community relations plan accordingly. 4-1 2,831 CIB 5.0 COMMUNITY RELATIONS TECHNIQUES The following techniques are recommended to implement the previously discussed community relations objectives. These techniques are offered as a general guideline and may require modification as the remedial activities progresses. Objectives Techniques To establish and maintain credi Hold a public meeting, hosted by EPA, bility and cooperation between the with representatives from state and public and the various government local governments as well as the agencies involved with remediating general public. the site. Periodically develop fact sheets that present the proposed activities and background information concerning the site. Establish telephone contact between EPA and State and local officials. To keep the public and local and Conduct regularly scheduled telephone State officials informed of ongoing briefings with State and local offi- site activities. ficials and members of the organized citizens groups. Include local officials on a mailing list for progress reports, and fact sheets. Conduct briefings of public officials prior to any news conferences or public meetings. 5-1 CIB 009 2032 Objectives Techniques To ensure that the news media is Issue press releases to correspond to provided accurate information in a project milestones. timely manner. Include the news media on mailing lists for fact sheets, progress reports, and plans for remedial actions. Hold periodic press briefings during the course of site activities. To develop effective, reliable lines Conduct small group meetings including of communication from EPA to all the Ocean County Citizens for Clean levels of the concerned public and Water and the Lavallette Environmental to local officials. Committee. To provide the public the opportunity Hold public meetings to review the to review study findings. recommended alternatives proposed for the site and announce a minimum three- week comment period. Prepare and distribute a responsiveness summary. To periodically reassess the com Periodically review plan in light of munities concerns and to update this citizens concerns, using responsiveness community relations plan accordingly. survey as a tool. 5-2 CIB 009 2033 6.0 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES The schedule of activities on Table 6-1 may need to be adjusted and updated to reflect project developments. This schedule is recommended to meet the objectives stated in Section 4.0. As public interest is relatively recent, but intense, it is difficult to predict ongoing public interest. 6-1 CIB 009 2034 TABLE 6-1 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES Development of Remedial Investigation/ Feasibility Study Remedial Initiation of Completion of Total Work Plan Investigation, Feasibility Study Feasibility Study Activities Public Meetings 1 11 14 Fact Sheets 1 4 1 1 7 Small Group 1 Consultations 2 1 4 Briefings of 1 Public Officials 1 1 14 Revise CRP 1 1 Press Releases 1 2 1 15 Information 1 * * * i Repository Telephone * * * * * Contacts Responsiveness 1 1 Summary * Indicates ongoing activity Numbers indicate frequency of events 7.0 BUDGET AND STAFFING PLANS The following list is an estimate of the community relations activities that will be required during investigations, formulations of alternatives, and choice of the remedial action. Activity Work Hours Public Meetings (4) 256 Fact Sheets (7) 77 Small Group Consultations (4) 16 Briefings of Public Officials (4) 32 CRP Revisions 20 Press Releases (5) 20 Information Repository 15 Telephone Contacts 10 Responsiveness Summary 56 Total Hours 502 CIB 009 2036 8.0 UST OF INTERESTED PARTIES Federal Officials Senator Bill Bradley 731 Senate Hart Office Building 2nd Street and Constitution Avenue, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-3224 Home Office: 917 North Main Street Toms River, New Jersey 08753 (201) 349-3133 Senator Frank Lautenberg 372 Senate Russell Office Building Constitution Avenue, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4744 Home Office: 970 Broad Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 645-3030 Representative James J. Howard 2210 Rayburn House Office Building Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5035 8-1 Home Office: 25 State Highway 37th East E-1 Toms River, New Jersey 08753 (201) 244-2447 Lillian Johnson Community Relations EPA Region II 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 (212) 264-4534 Pat Wells Project Manager EPA Region II 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 (212) 264-1216 State Officials Senator John F. Russo 917 North Main Street Toms River, New Jersey 08753 (201) 240-2200 John Paul Doyle 917 North Main Street Toms River, New Jersey 88753 (201) 240-2200 Marlene Lynch Ford 2611 Spruce St. Point Pleasant, New Jersey 08742 (201) 899-1208 (201) 892-2323 Grace Singer, Manager, Community Relations New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection 8 East Hanover Street Trenton, New Jersey 08625 (609) 984-3141 Local Officials Roden Lightbody, Mayor Township of Dover P.O. Box 728 Toms River, New Jersey 08753 (201) 341-1000 Ralph J. Gorga, Mayor Borough of Lavellette P.O. Box 67 Lavellette, New Jersey 08753 (201) 793-7205 Charlotte Simpson, Director of Public Relations Joseph Pryzwara, Environmental Scientist Ocean County Health Department Toms River, New Jersey 08753 (201) 341-9700 8-3 CIB 009 2039 Private Interests Stephanie Wauters, President Ocean County Citizens for Clean Water Toms River, New Jersey 08753 (201) 929-9272 William Skowronski Vice President, OCCCW Toms River, New Jersey 08753 (201) 240-7241 (201) 240-2045 Nancy Menke Lavellette Environmental Committee P.O. Box 67 Lavellette, New Jersey 08753 (201) 793-5253 Media WNJR-AM 1700 Union Avenue Union, New Jersey 07083 (201) 688-5000 WCRV-AM Box 150 Route 31, North Washington, New Jersey 07882 8-4 WHWH-AM 211 Witherspoon Princeton, New Jersey 08540 (609) 921-9284 WPRB-FM Box 342 Princeton, New Jersey 08540 (609) 921-9284 WHTG-AM-FM 1129 Hope Road Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712 (201) 493-2000 (201) 542-1410 WJLK-AM-FM Press Plaza Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712 (201) 774-7000 WWHT-TV 390 W. Market Street Newark, New Jersey 07107 (201) 634-6800 WNJU-TV 1020 Broad Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 (201) 643-9100 WNJT-TV 1573 Parkside Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08638 (609) 292-5252 Asbury Park Press Press Plaza Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712 (201) 774-7000 Central Jersey Leader P.O. Box 349 Freehold, New Jersey 07778 (201)462-9797 Ocean County Reporter • 909 Fischer Boulevard Toms River, New Jersey 08753 (201) 270-1300 News Transcript P.O. Box 679 Highway 9 Freehold, New Jersey 07728 (201) 461-0292