Abandoned almost 30 years ago, local community groups and environmental advocates have long sought the remediation of the 2.9-acre former Nearpara Rubber Factory site. The site currently houses three dilapidated, asbestos-filled buildings in conditions unsafe for entry. Numerous hazardous waste materials are stockpiled throughout the site, and soil and groundwater contamination which were first identified more than 20 years ago remain.
In 2021, VHB assisted the Township with obtaining a Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) grant for the preliminary assessment (PA), site investigation (SI), and remedial investigation (RI)—activities required to characterize the site for remediation and eventual development. VHB’s PA identified multiple areas of concern (AOCs), including aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), underground storage tanks (USTs), rail spurs, drums storage area, waste piles, a coal storage area, former transformer areas, roof leaders, pits, surface impoundment, underground piping, and groundwater contamination.
Additionally, VHB prepared and submitted a United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Brownfield clean-up grant application. The Township was awarded a $500,000 grant to use for several of the remedial action activities required before the Township can market the site for redevelopment.
