Case Summary: EPA Issues Cleanup Order for North Field Properties Site in New Jersey

On September 19, 2013, EPA Region 2 issued an administrative order on consent (AOC) under section 7003 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to four corporations for appropriate site investigation and any necessary remediation of contamination of a 17.8 acre former industrial site in Woodbridge Township, N.J.

• Information about the Companies
• Information about the North Field Properties Site
• Pollutants and Environmental Effects
• Summary of the Agreement
• Contact Information

Information about the Companies

• Philbro Animal Health Corporation (formerly known as Philipp Brothers Chemicals, Inc.) is a manufacturer and marketer of animal health pharmaceuticals, animal nutrition products, and industrial chemicals.
• C.P. Chemicals (Chevron Phillips Chemical) is one of the world’s top producers of ethylene and polyethylene and a leading supplier of aromatics, styrenics and specialty chemicals.
• Legacy Vulcan Corp. (formerly known as Vulcan Materials Company) engages in the production and sale of construction aggregates for the infrastructure industry primarily in the United States.
• North Field Extension LLC was formed by the three above companies is a special purpose corporation to manage the AOC obligations.

Information about the North Field Properties Site

The North Field Properties site in Woodbridge Township, N.J. has not been used for industrial purposes for many years, but preliminary studies indicate the presence of soil contamination involving metals and other hazardous constituents, and the 3 corporate respondents, including predecessor corporations, previously carried out industrial activities affecting the site.  Chevron, which formerly operated an oil refinery and asphalt plant adjacent to the site, owned the North Field Extension property since 1958, but never used it for industrial purposes, and transferred the property to North Field Extension LLC prior to EPA’s issuance of the AOC.

Pollutants and Environmental Effects

Various contaminants are found in soil and ground water at the site including metals, volatile organic compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorides.  Many of these contaminants were found at concentrations that may exceed water quality and health based standards.

Summary of the Agreement

The AOC requires the companies to complete studies necessary to fully characterize site conditions and thereafter to conduct a Corrective Measures study to serve as the basis for necessary remedial measures, which will be subject to EPA review and approval. The companies are obligated to carry out the approved remediation measures according to an EPA approved implementation timetable, and to provide post-remedial care.  Also, the companies are obligated to provide financial assurance for completion of the remedial work and post-remedial care, and are subject to stipulated penalties for non-performance of the AOC's requirements.

Contact Information

For more information contact:

Phil Flax
Corrective Action Section Chief
Region 2
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New York, NY 10007-1866
212-637-1469
[email protected]

Robert Hazen
General Attorney
Region 2
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New York, NY 10007-1866
212-637-3215
[email protected]