EPA finalizes Superfund plan at former Woolwich trucking terminal

WOOLWICH — The federal environmental agency announced Tuesday it will install underground treatment walls and excavate contaminated soil at a Superfund site that was a former trucking terminal.

Before the 70-acre site on Route 322 in Woolwich became the Matlack truck terminal in 1962, it was used for maintenance and washing of trucks and tankers that transported solvents and petroleum products.

Consequently, the site became contaminated with volatile organic compounds that can potentially harm human health.

“Our cleanup will significantly reduce the risk that people will be exposed to contamination from the site,” said Catherine McCabe, acting Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator.

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“EPA’s Superfund work is central to our mission to protect people’s health and at Woolwich we are applying a proven, effective technology to address contamination in the groundwater.”

The cleanup plan, projected to cost $4 million, also is expected to improve the condition of ground surface water.

Sediment will be excavated along Grand Sprute Run stream and soil will be removed from a contaminated lagoon, according to an EPA news release Tuesday.

"The permeable underground walls are designed to trap harmful contaminants as groundwater flows through them.  EPA plans to monitor groundwater beyond the wall to ensure the success of the technology,” the release said.

Before EPA involvement the state Department of Environmental Protection removed nine storage tanks used for waste and petroleum and approximately 255 tons of diesel-contaminated soil.

The EPA received public input at a hearing on the plan Sept. 14 in Woolwich. To view the cleanup plan, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/matlack.

Carol Comegno (856) 486-2473; or ccomegno@gannettnj.com