Starting after the July Fourth holiday, Equilon Enterprises LLC dba Shell Oil Products US (Shell) will begin excavation at 85 Willow Street (Block 24.03, Lot 35) in East Rutherford to remediate soils impacted by its former operations. Site preparation is underway.
A community information session was held June 15, 2023 at the 333 Grove Street Community Center, formerly the American Legion building. Materials shared at the community information session will be placed on the project website, www.willowstreetproject.com.
The community is encouraged to contact us with any questions or concerns about the project. Please call our Project Information Line: (201) 494-4886 or email us at comments@willowstreetproject.com. Please check our project website www.willowstreetproject.com for updates and answers to frequently asked questions.
Anticipated work to be performed during the next two weeks
- June 19-23
- Remove existing PSE&G fence.
- Clear vegetation from PSE&G property line.
- Remove large trees along fenceline with permission of property owners. Some of this work will involve a crane.
- Snow fencing will be installed to secure the site until temporary, chain link fencing can be installed the week of June 26th.
- Begin to install soil and erosion controls.
- June 26-30
- Install temporary, chain link fencing.
- Excavate test pit for waste characterization.
- Ongoing – Continue to mobilize materials to site as needed.
Work completed: Week of June 12
- Mobilized construction trailer, dumpster and other materials to the site. Installed temporary power to trailer.
- Held community information session June 15th at the Grove Street Community Center.
Community Outreach
- Issued project update to Borough of East Rutherford, county health officials, and nearby property owners.
- The week of June 5th, Shell community liaisons notified neighbors and interested residents of the June 15th community information session.
- Community liaisons canvassed the neighborhood within 200 feet of the project site to provide a flyer and updated fact sheet.
- Residents near the site also were notified by mail of the community information session.
- Adjacent property owners also were notified by phone.
- A copy of the flyer and fact sheet were provided to the Borough of East Rutherford Clerk, Bergen County Health Services Health Officer and the residents of the Willow Street Square condominiums.
Project Background
Site preparation for the Shell 85 Willow Street Project, including mobilizing construction trailers, is underway. Excavation work will begin in early July and all work is expected to be completed in September 2023.
The purpose of the remediation is to remove and replace onsite impacted soils with clean fill between 1 and 13 feet below ground surface. Approximately 16,000 cubic yards of soil will be removed. Impacted soils will be transported offsite to a licensed facility for beneficial reuse. To access these soils safely, some trees located in the neighboring properties and other vegetation will need to be removed, with the permission of the respective property owners.
For restoration, onsite areas will be backfilled with stone to original grade. Off-site areas impacted by the soil investigation will be restored to their original condition in coordination with property owners and in compliance with all applicable Borough of East Rutherford ordinances.
All work is being performed in accordance with the guidance and regulations of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and under the oversight of the Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) of record.