Trust for Public Land

Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and Preliminary Assessment - Boonton Township, NJ

JMS was retained by the Trust for Public Land (TPL) to conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Preliminary Assessment for a parcel of land (Ellinwood Property) located in Boonton Township prior to TPL obtaining title for the property. TPL intended to purchase the property in order to preserve the land as open space and the final assessment would be submitted to the NJ Green Acres Program for their approval. The property consisted of approximately 64 acres of undeveloped woodlands and a vacant residential dwelling. Historical use of the property consisted of a small portion being utilized for residential purposes, agricultural uses on another section, and historic records indicated that a mine may have been present on the property in the late 1800’s. JMS did not find any signs of a former mine during a thorough inspection of the property.

JMS identified several potential areas of concern (AOCs) involving the vacant residence on the property. These AOCs included a septic system, an above-ground storage tank, and possible underground storage tank (UST). The residential dwelling was demolished as part of the pre-acquisition activities. After demolition, JMS conducted a limited site investigation of the former aboveground storage tank (AST) located at the residence. Analytical results for the soil samples collected were all below the strictest NJ standards. JMS also utilized a magnetometer to inspect the area for a possible underground storage tank (UST). No signs of an UST were observed.

JMS also identified a section of the property that may have been historically used for agricultural purposes. As required by the NJ Green Acres program, JMS conducted a soil investigation of this area. A total of eleven (11) soil samples were collected and analyzed for the full pesticide scan, arsenic, and lead. All analytical results were below NJ soil standards. However, exceedances of the default Impact to Groundwater initial screening levels for lead and dieldrin were detected in several samples. In order to determine if these concentrations could impact site groundwater JMS utilized the SESOIL modeling program. Based on the results of the SESOIL modeling program, JMS determined that leachate concentrations would not impact site groundwater.

NJDEP Green Acres reviewed the Preliminary Assessment and investigation and approved funding for the acquisition of the property.