Buzby Landfill Site Remedy Update
Groundwater Monitoring to be Conducted - Week of May 23rd
Subsurface Groundwater Remedy Being Constructed

May 19, 2005

GE and Voorhees Township are continuing to make substantial progress on the remedy for the Buzby Landfill Site and will soon be performing activities related to the groundwater remedy at the Buzby Landfill Site. The primary activity for the NJDEP-approved remedy is routine long-term monitoring of groundwater. The monitoring is conducted to confirm the continued improvements in groundwater quality and conditions related to the Buzby site.

During the week of May 23, 2005, representatives of GeoSyntec Consultants will be performing groundwater sampling at and near the Buzby site. In addition, water samples will be collected from several locations in Las Brisas Lake and Wilderness Lake. Fish samples will also be collected from Las Brisas Lake. The sampling is expected to be completed by May 27th.

In addition to regular monitoring, a subsurface treatment system is being installed by GeoSyntec Consultants to address a limited area where groundwater discharges to a small tributary stream that flows to Las Brisas Lake. The system consists of a number of wells used to deliver oxygen to groundwater beneath a limited portion of the site before discharging to the stream.

POTENTIAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. Why is this monitoring being conducted?

A. GE and Voorhees Township are conducting this monitoring as part of the groundwater remedy approved by the NJDEP for the Buzby site. The remedy includes routine monitoring of the natural processes that are effectively treating groundwater to acceptable levels. Groundwater monitoring is conducted on a routine basis (2 times per year) to confirm the continued improvements in groundwater quality and conditions due to natural attenuation processes.

Q. When will this monitoring event be conducted?

A. The monitoring is planned to take place during the week of May 23-27, 2005. Future monitoring events are planned for November 2005, and May 2006.

Q. Who will be conducting the MNA monitoring?

A. Monitoring will be performed by GeoSyntec Consultants (GeoSyntec) on behalf of GE and the Township. Representatives of GeoSyntec will conduct groundwater, surface water, and fish sampling.

Q. Where will samples be collected?

A. Most of the samples will be collected from existing monitoring wells located on the Buzby site properties, within fenced areas. Several groundwater samples will be taken from existing monitoring wells located just outside of the landfill property along public streets, including Wilderness Drive, Las Brisas Boulevard, Timberline Drive, Treebark Terrace, and Brownstone Boulevard. Surface water samples will be taken from Wilderness Lake, Las Brisas Lake (fish samples also will be taken from Las Brisas Lake), and the headwater stream tributary to Las Brisas Lake. Access to the lake and stream sample locations will be made via Township right-of-way and drainage easements to the extent possible or by permission of specific property owners. Owners of properties that may be used to access the sample locations have been notified in advance.

Q. Are there any safety concerns associated with the monitoring?

A. There are no safety concerns for the community associated with this monitoring. GeoSyntec’s field sampling crew will work in accordance with a health and safety plan, mainly for their own protection during work in public roadways, in heavily vegetated areas, and over water. The use of protective equipment, such as latex gloves, by the field crews serves primarily to assure the quality of the samples being collected.

Q. How will the monitoring results be reported?

A. In accordance with the NJDEP’s requirements, the activities and results from this sampling event are reported in a Remedial Action Progress Report (RAPR) that will be submitted to NJDEP. The next RAPR is scheduled for July 2005, and after its submittal to NJDEP, it will be part of the public record. A repository of documents submitted to NJDEP is maintained in the Camden County Library.

Q. What is the subsurface remedy that is being constructed?

A. The remedy approved by NJDEP includes the installation of a subsurface treatment system to intercept groundwater discharging to a small tributary stream that flows to Las Brisas Lake. The system consists of a number of wells used to deliver oxygen to groundwater beneath a limited portion of the site before discharging to the stream. Historical investigations and lab tests have demonstrated that natural bacteria in the aquifer at the Site possess the capability to degrade contaminants in groundwater to harmless levels when sufficient oxygen is present. The remedy also includes use controls and restrictions to ensure that no one will be exposed to contaminated groundwater in the future.

Q. Does the affected groundwater pose a risk to the community?

A. No. Numerous sampling has been conducted and studies were completed over a number of years to demonstrate that there are no impacts to the community related to groundwater.

Q. Why are fish samples being taken?

A. Studies have been previously conducted in Las Brisas Lake to evaluate any effects of mercury in sediment on fish and other wildlife. Those studies concluded that the low levels of mercury found in the sediment would not likely adversely affect fish eating wildlife such as the great blue heron. In order to ensure that wildlife remains protected in the long term, however, NJDEP has required that a fish tissue monitoring program be conducted as part of the remedy for the site. This program includes annual monitoring of fish samples for mercury. Analytical results will be reviewed, evaluated, and reported to NJDEP on an annual basis.