NEW YORK (August 19, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting public input on proposed changes to its cleanup approach for the Welsbach & General Gas Mantle Superfund Site, also known as Camden Radiation. This site, located in Gloucester City and Camden, New Jersey, includes the Gloucester Marine Terminal, an active port facility, on the Delaware River. Specifically, EPA is proposing to modify its original cleanup plan that was selected in 1999, based on new information and conditions identified since then. EPA’s proposed changes only involve radiological contamination at the former Welsbach facility located within the footprint of the Gloucester Marine Terminal.

The 30-day public comment period begins on August 19, 2024. EPA will host a public meeting at the Gloucester City Courthouse at City Hall, 313 Monmouth Street Gloucester City, New Jersey on August 29, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed amended cleanup plan.

“Based on scientific study, EPA is adapting its approach to its original cleanup at the Gloucester Marine Terminal to ensure a safe and effective cleanup, while also taking into account this portion of the site is an active and thriving port business,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA looks forward to its continued coordination on this project with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, our contract partner at this Superfund site, and with the port community and port business.” 

EPA’s amended cleanup plan involves:

• Removal of radiologically contaminated soil and waste material from selected areas at the Gloucester Marine Terminal, including under buildings, to a depth of approximately 10 feet.
• Disposal of excavated material at an off-site, licensed, and EPA-approved facility.
• Backfilling of excavated areas with clean soil to restore the site.
• Restoring paved areas to their previous condition.
• Putting in place institutional controls, such as deed restrictions, to limit access to remaining contaminated areas.

EPA’s changes to the original cleanup plan are necessary after the discovery of a greater volume and depth of soil contamination than initially assessed, including radiologically contaminated materials beneath structures at the port facility. Removing these materials would significantly increase the original cleanup costs, delay the project, and cause major disruptions to port operations. EPA’s study confirms that the amended cleanup plan will protect public health and the safety of port workers, even with some contamination remaining at depth and under certain structures after the cleanup is completed. Removal of contaminated material under structures would only be completed if and when those structures are demolished by the property owner.

EPA added the Welsbach/General Gas Mantle site to the federal Superfund list in 1996. Because of the nature, size and complexity of the site, EPA divided the investigation and cleanup into multiple phases. In 1999, EPA selected a plan for the first phase of the cleanup, which included the excavation and off-site disposal of radiologically contaminated soil and building materials, and backfilling of the areas with clean soil. To date, EPA has removed more than 200,000 cubic yards of radiologically contaminated soil and building materials from more than 90 properties in the Gloucester City and Camden areas and has investigated more than 900 properties.

Written comments on the proposed plan may be submitted to Thomas Dobinson, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway – 19th Floor, New York, NY 10007 or via email: dobinson.thomas@epa.gov.

For additional background and to see the proposed amended cleanup plan, visit the Welsbach & General Gas Mantle Superfund site profile page.

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