TABLE OF CONTENTSNew Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary
Environmental Impact Statement
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, IMPACTS AND MITIGATION This section
of the PEIS presents the existing environmental conditions of the
Project Area,
how the proposed Stadium Project will impact these environmental
conditions, and what
mitigation, if any, is necessary to compensate for any potential
adverse impacts to
environmental resources from the construction and operation of the
Stadium Project.
The Project Area currently consists of the existing Giants Stadium,
the existing Giants practice
fields and bubble, expansive paved parking areas, roadways and
grass medians. It contains no
regulated wetland areas or other environmentally sensitive areas.
The construction of the
Stadium and the other proposed Project components as well as the
use of existing
infrastructure on this currently developed site will avoid many
potential adverse environmental
impacts. In addition, the mixed-use development nature of the
Stadium Project will allow
ancillary uses to be located in close proximity to one another,
thereby allowing for sharing of
many common resources, such as parking and infrastructure. This
sharing of resources
reduces the land mass required for these various ancillary uses
compared to locating each use
on its own site and thus reduces potential environmental
impacts.
4.1 Land Form
4.1.1 Existing Conditions
The New Meadowlands Stadium Project is located on the Meadowlands
Sports
Complex, located in the HMD. The HMD is situated in a valley with
ridges on the east
and west sides rising more than 100 feet above sea level (Figure
2-1) (NJMC, 2004).
The topography of the Hackensack Meadowlands is generally flat,
although naturally
occurring geological outcrops such as Little Snake Hill and
man-made landfills provide
some topographic relief. The region also contains expanses of open
water and
wetlands associated with the Hackensack River.
The Meadowlands Sports Complex, with its expansive parking areas,
internal roadway
system and three major buildings (i.e., Giants Stadium, Meadowlands
Racetrack and
Continental Airlines Arena) can be considered a distinctive
landform in the HMD. The
Meadowlands Sports Complex was developed in the 1970’s by the
placement of fill in a
generally flat area of fields and wetlands north of Route 3 and on
both sides of Route
120 (formerly called Route 20). Several areas of wetlands still
remain within the
Meadowlands Sports Complex including a large wetland complex
located adjacent to
Berry’s Creek in the western portion of the Sports Complex just
west of the Project
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
Area and a small remnant wetland associated with Cedar Creek
located on the far
eastern portion of the Sports Complex adjacent to the New Jersey
Turnpike (see
Section 4.3.1.1). A stormwater management lagoon system is present
on the West
Site of the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
The Project Area is relatively level and consists of the existing
Giants Stadium, the
existing Giants practice fields and bubble, expansive paved parking
areas, roadways
connecting the site to the Meadowlands Sports Complex and the
regional roadway
system, and grass roadway medians located west of Route 120 along
the eastern
Project Area boundary (Figure 2-5). Topographical features within
and adjacent to the
Project Area are shown in Figures 4-1A through 4-1E. Elevations of
the roadways and
parking areas generally range between el. 4.5 and 15 feet (NGVD
1929 datum). The
highest elevation is approximately el. 35 and is found along the
South Connector Road
at the overpass to Route 120. Lower elevations extending to el. -5
are found on the
existing field of Giants Stadium.
4.1.2 Impacts and Mitigation
The new Stadium, Giants Training Facility and Ancillary Development
will be additional
structures on the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The new Stadium will
replace the
existing stadium, which will be demolished with the operation of
the new Stadium. The
new Giants Training Facility will replace and expand the existing
practice facilities
currently located onsite. The proposed Ancillary Development will
involve the
construction of new buildings on the Sports Complex. Given the
developed nature of
the Meadowlands Sports Complex, the construction of these new
structures and
buildings will not result in any significant impacts to existing
land forms.
The Stadium Project will require the regrading of portions of the
Project Area, mainly in
the location of the proposed structures, but will not result in a
significant impact to any
major land forms in the HMD. As discussed in more detail in Section
4.4, the Project will
not result in an increase in the overall impervious surface
coverage onsite. The finished
surface elevation for the new Stadium field and the service level
(pedestrian entrance) is
proposed at el. 7 and el. 11, respectively (NM Stadco, 2006). The
parking areas and
internal roadway network will be constructed at existing grades.
Filling will be
necessary in the order of 5 feet for the construction of the Giants
indoor training facility
to bring the elevation of the first floor of the building above the
100-year flood elevation.
Cuts and fills on the order of 1 foot are anticipated within the
proposed outdoor practice
field areas.
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
Following the demolition and removal of the existing stadium, the
remaining hole where
Giants Stadium is currently located will be filled with demolition
material and other
acceptable fill and paved for use as new roadways, parking areas,
paving, curbing,
landscaping and Ancillary Development. The proposed elevations in
this area will
generally be similar to the parking areas currently located in and
around the existing
stadium.
Given the developed nature of the Meadowlands Sports Complex and
surrounding areas
and the minimal changes proposed to the existing topography onsite,
the Project will
not result in any significant impacts to land form. As such, no
mitigation is proposed.
4.2 Geology and Soils
4.2.1 Existing Conditions
The Hackensack Meadowlands Region is located within the Hackensack
River basin of
the Piedmont physiographic province of the Appalachian Highlands
(USEPA and USACE,
1995). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the New
Jersey Geological
Survey Bedrock Geologic Map of Northern New Jersey (1996),
characterizes the
underlying bedrock in the region as reddish-brown silty to sandy
mudstone, siltstone,
and shale as part of the Passaic Formation (formerly Brunswick)
dating from the Lower
Jurassic and Upper Triassic Period (Figure 4-2). The Passaic
Formation is part of the
Newark Supergroup of sedimentary and bedded volcanic rocks. The
reddish-brown
mudstone, siltstone and shale of this bedrock originated from
non-marine sediments
deposited from erosion of much older rocks, primarily from the
Paleozoic and
Precambrian ages.
In more recent geological times, the Hackensack Meadowlands was
covered by glacial
advances (USACE and USEPA, 1995). The ice sheets scoured and eroded
the
Hackensack River Valley and then deposited the eroded material as
they retreated. As a
result, glacial deposits cover most of the bedrock in the
area.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
The most recent glacial advance carved out a depression in the
Hackensack
Meadowlands that allowed for the formation of what is called Lake
Hackensack (USACE
and USEPA, 1995). As the glacier receded, meltwater filled the lake
and deposited
alternating layers of sand, silt, and clay on the lake bottom.
Coarser soil particles, sands
and gravels were deposited during the warmer periods of a year.
Fine-grained,
suspended silt and clay particles settled out during the winter
when there was less
runoff into the lake. This deposition pattern resulted in one
coarse-grain varve and one
fine-grain varve per year. There are areas in the Hackensack
Meadowlands where the
varved clay stratum is nearly 200 feet thick. As water levels in
the ocean and lakes
rose, the natural dam that enclosed Lake Hackensack was eroded
away. The draining
of the lake caused a discontinuous layer of silty sand to deposit
over portions of the
area. As ocean levels continued to rise, the deposits of organic
matter (peat or
“meadow mat,” and organic silt and clay) created tidal marsh areas
in the Hackensack
River basin.
According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil
Survey
Geographic Database, two soils are mapped in the Project Area:
Urban Land (UR) and
Udorthents organic substratum (UdoB) (Figure 4-3). Neither of these
soils is identified
as hydric soils in the Bergen County hydric soils list. Urban Land
consists mostly of
areas that are either paved or built upon. The soils in the
remaining open spaces have
been reworked to the extent that the original profile cannot be
recognized. Udorthents
consist of areas where various types of material have been used to
fill tidal marsh.
Dredged material makes up a considerable portion of this
unit.
In compliance with New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
(NJDCA) regulations,
Langan performed a Preliminary Geotechnical Engineering Study of
the Project Area to
confirm the extent of fill soils and provide information for the
design of the structures,
utilities, and earthwork proposed as part of the Stadium Project
(Langan, 2005). The
study area for the Preliminary Geotechnical Engineering Study
included the proposed
location of the new Stadium and Giants Training Facility. Test pits
ranging from about
3 to 9 feet below existing grade were excavated in June 2005. Soil
borings ranging
from 11 to 65 feet below existing grade were drilled in June 2005.
Figure 4-4 shows
the location of the soil borings that were oriented to the proposed
footprint of the new
Stadium. The borings were analyzed in the field and further tested
in a laboratory for
water content, organic content, Atterberg Limit determinations,
grain size analyses,
consolidation and unconfined compression.
The Preliminary Geotechnical Engineering Study describes the
typical soil profile
encountered at the site (Langan, 2005). Asphalt covers the majority
of the Project Area
with subsurface conditions generally consisting of fill materials
underlain by organic silt
and peat (marsh deposits), varved clay, glacial till, and shale
bedrock. Figures 4-5 and 4-
6 depicts profiles of the June 2005 soil borings. A general
description of the observed
subsurface strata is provided in the following paragraphs. It is
anticipated that additional
geotechnical investigations will be undertaken to meet the
requirements of future
NJDCA submissions for new foundations and structures.
Surface Materials
The asphalt in the paved areas was generally observed to be 3
inches thick and
underlain by a 6-inch thick layer of stone or gravel base.
Fill
Underlying the surface materials of the existing Giants Stadium
parking lot areas is a fill
material consisting of sand, silt, and organics with varying
proportions of
cobbles/boulders and miscellaneous materials such as wood, plastic,
concrete, glass,
and red brick. The fill was generally encountered in thicknesses
ranging from 2.5 feet to
15 feet.
Marsh Deposits
A layer of marsh deposits consisting of dark brown peat (meadowmat)
and gray to
brown organic silt was encountered beneath the fill layer. The
marsh deposits range in
thickness from 6 inches to 7 feet, where encountered. The bottom of
marsh deposits
were encountered at depths ranging from approximately 10 to 14
feet.
Varved Clay
A stratum of brown varved clay and silt (identified herein as
“varved clay”) was
encountered beneath the marsh deposits. The thickness of this
stratum is believed to
range from approximately 7 to 32 feet.
Glacial Till
Glacial till consisting of red-brown silty sand and sandy silt with
varying proportions of
clay, gravel, and cobbles was encountered beneath the varved clay.
This stratum varied
in thickness from approximately 4 to 10 feet, and was typically
encountered in the
western portion of the study area.
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Shale Bedrock
Shale bedrock is located beneath the glacial till. The depth to
rock ranged from
approximately 22 feet on the southwestern side of the Project Area
to greater than
60 feet on the western portion of the area.
Based on the field investigation and sampling undertaken as part of
the Environmental
Site Remediation Report/Remedial Action Work Plan (SI/RAWP), which
is discussed in
more detail in Section 4.8, the entire Project Area has been
characterized as historic fill.
This historic fill does not extend more than 15 feet below site
grade.
4.2.2 Impacts and Mitigation
The construction and operation of the Stadium Project will not
result in any significant
impacts to regional geology. No adverse impacts to the bedrock and
glacial till strata
underlying the Project Area are expected due to the construction of
the Stadium Project.
The fill, marsh deposit, and varved clay strata present underlying
the proposed
structures could be compressed under the loads from the structures.
To avoid
compressing the soil layers, however, the larger structures to be
constructed as part of
the Stadium Project will be placed on pile supported foundations
that will transfer the
weight of the buildings directly to the shale bedrock.
To minimize any impact that the construction activities may have on
the surrounding
stormwater management drainage features and historic fill areas, a
Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control Plan and a Soil Reuse Plan will be prepared and
implemented. These
plans are discussed below.
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
Soil erosion and sediment control measures will be employed to
control erosion and
minimize sedimentation from the Project construction area into
nearby tidal creeks,
ditches, rivers, wetlands and floodplains. A site-specific Soil
Erosion and Sediment
Control Plan in accordance with the Standards for Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control in
New Jersey, certified by the Bergen County Soil Conservation
Service (SCS), will be
prepared and implemented as a part of the Stadium Project’s Best
Management
Practices (BMP) for construction.
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
Soil erosion and sediment control measures, as defined in the Soil
Erosion and
Sediment Control Plan, will be in place prior to any site
disturbance activities and will be
maintained throughout the construction phase of the Stadium
Project. The following
measures will be incorporated into the Soil Erosion and Sediment
Control Plan:
Turbid discharge from dewatering construction activities will be
contained in a
temporary dewatering basin to control sediment and provide water
filtration prior
to discharge;
Temporary soil stockpiles will be placed in well-drained areas with
adequate
temporary soil erosion and sediment control measures;
Soil erosion control measures will be inspected after each rain
event and
corrective measures implemented to ensure adequate function when
rip-rap
stones, coarse aggregate, silt fence, or hay bales are damaged due
to washouts
or siltation; and,
Sediment traps and basins will be cleaned and silt fences, stone
outlet
structures, and hay bales will have sediment removed when
material
accumulates, as required.
In addition, soil erosion and sediment control features coupled
with fencing will be used
to demarcate the various phases of the Project that are under
construction.
4.3 Water Resources
4.3.1 Existing Conditions
4.3.1.1 Wetlands
The New Meadowlands Stadium Project is sited on the Meadowlands
Sports Complex,
which is located within the HMD. The HMD contains extensive areas
of wetlands and
open water. Over the course of many years some of these wetlands
and water
resources have been filled or modified as a result of human
activities. The site of the
Meadowlands Sports Complex formerly contained wetlands that were
filled in the early
1970’s.
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
The National Wetlands Inventory Map does not depict any wetland
areas mapped in the
Project Area (Figure 4-7). An estuarine emergent marsh, commonly
known as Walden
Swamp, is the closest wetland complex and is located just west of
the Project Area
(see Figure 2-4). Berry’s Creek provides tidal inundation of the
Walden Swamp. This
wetland is the remnant of a larger expansive tidal wetland that
once occupied the area.
High levels of mercury and other contaminants have been documented
in the
sediments of Walden Swamp (NJSEA, 2004).
Wetland scientists from Langan Engineering and Environmental
Services, Inc. (Langan)
conducted an inspection of the Project Area to determine the
presence or absence of
wetlands and waters of the United States on 30 August 2005 and 9
February 2006. The
Project Area was inspected in accordance with USACE guidelines, as
specifically
referenced in the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation
Manual. This
methodology utilizes a three-parameter approach to identify and
delineate wetlands.
The technical criteria require a field evaluation of the dominance
of hydrophytic
vegetation, the presence of suitable wetland hydrology, and hydric
soils in a positive
determination. None of these three parameters were observed in the
Project Area.
Therefore, no wetlands or other waters of the United States were
determined to be
present within the Project Area (Langan, 2006h).
The NJDEP New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act Rules
(N.J.A.C.7:7A-1.1
et. seq.) do not apply in the HMD. Wetlands and Waters of the
United States within the
HMD fall under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE).
A request for a Jurisdictional Determination (JD) was submitted to
the USACE on 28
July 2006 to confirm the absence of any regulated wetlands and
Waters of the United
States within the Project Area (Appendix B). This request is
pending with the USACE
(see Section 6.2.2).
4.3.1.2 Surface Water
The surface waters within the vicinity of the Project Area and the
Meadowland Sports
Complex are described in the following sections. Specific surface
drainage
characteristics and water quality are also discussed.
4.3.1.2.1 Surface Drainage Characteristics
The HMD is located within the Hackensack River watershed, which is
part of
Watershed Management Area (WMA) 5 as identified by NJDEP’s Division
of Watershed
Management (NJDEP, 2004a). WMA 5 includes over 60 municipalities in
parts of
Hudson and Bergen Counties.
The Hackensack River is approximately 34 miles in length (USACE,
2002). It originates
as a freshwater stream in southern New York State (Rockland County)
and flows south
where it discharges into Newark Bay. In 1922 the Hackensack River
was divided into
two segments approximately 10 miles north of the Project Area (mile
22.5 of the River)
through the construction of the Oradell Dam. The upper, northern
segment consists of
freshwater supplying water to the Oradell reservoir, while the
lower reach remains
tidally influenced from waters of Newark Bay with a semi-diurnal
tidal cycle. The fluvial
flow into the lower reach is mainly limited by the Oradell Dam
(USACE and USEPA,
1995). The major inputs of freshwater to the lower reach of the
Hackensack River are
from Overpeck Creek and smaller waterways of Berry’s Creek,
Chromakill Creek,
Bellman’s Creek, and Sawmill Creek.
Over the last 150 years the Hackensack River and its tributaries
have been modified to
accommodate barge traffic, provide potable water, meet recreation
needs, and control
the flow of water in the tidal wetlands found in the watershed
(USACE, 2002). Because
of these modifications the flow regime of the Hackensack River
estuary has been
significantly altered. The estuarine portion of the Hackensack
River now acts as a
“trough” in which tidal waters slosh back and forth and are slowly
released to the
Atlantic Ocean. In addition, since the river empties into the
Atlantic Ocean between
New Jersey (Kill van Kull) and Staten Island (Arthur Kill), tidal
flows have been restricted
in the river. The mean tidal range of the Hackensack River is
approximately 5.46 feet,
with a mean high water of 3.18 feet and mean low water of -2.28
feet (NGVD 1929)
(Woods Hole Group, 2000).
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
The Project Area is located within the Berry’s Creek Drainage
Basin, which is comprised
of six sub-basins with a total area of approximately 6,114 acres
(Figure 4-8) (USACE and
USEPA, 1995). From the north, the Berry’s Creek basin drains the
Teterboro Airport and
Moonachie area through the East and West Riser Ditches. The
narrower northern
portion of Berry’s Creek widens in a downstream direction from 80
to 200 feet adjacent
to Walden Swamp. The southern portion of Berry’s Creek drains the
surrounding
marshlands. The lower reaches of Berry’s Creek basin and Berry’s
Creek Canal flow
into the Hackensack River.
The main waterways in the vicinity of the Meadowlands Sports
Complex and the Project
Area are the Hackensack River, Berry’s Creek, and Berry’s Creek
Canal (Figure 2-5). The
Hackensack River is located to the southeast of the Sports Complex.
Berry’s Creek
flows in a north/south direction along the western boundary of the
Meadowlands Sports
Complex, just west of the Project Area. Berry’s Creek eventually
connects to Berry’s
Creek Canal, a man-made channelized diversion of Berry’s Creek.
Berry’s Creek Canal
is located south of N.J. Route 3. Two small tidal creeks are
present in the vicinity of the
eastern boundary of the Sports Complex. These creeks provide
drainage into the
Hackensack River. Cedar Creek is a channelized waterway that flows
easterly from the
eastern side of the Meadowlands Sports Complex, beneath the western
spur of the
New Jersey Turnpike, and into the Hackensack River.
The United States Geological Survey Topographic Survey 7.5-minute
quadrangle map of
the area does not show any streams or other surface waters within
the Project Area
(Figure 2-4). In addition, Figure 4-7 does not depict any surface
waters within the Project
Area. The site wetland investigations conducted by Langan confirmed
the absence of
surface waters within the Project Area.
Table 4-1 presents the flow characteristics of the water bodies
within the vicinity of the
Sports Complex including the annual mean freshwater discharge, mean
tidal discharge
and mean tidal range that was presented in technical studies
conducted by the New
Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) in 1986 (USACE and USEPA, 1995 and
LBA, 1996).
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Table 4-1
Flow Characteristics of Tidal Water Bodies in the Vicinity of the
Meadowlands Sports Complex
Drainage Area
(197 mi2) 5 cms
(170 cfs) 680 cms
28 cms (980 cfs)
1.6 meters (5.2 feet)
Cedar Creek 0.49 km2
0.5 cms (19 cfs)
1.6 meters (5.1 feet)
0.02 cms (0.6 cfs)
0.3 cms (9.4 cfs)
1.6 meters (5.1 feet)
Notes: a Combined drainage area of Berry’s Creek and Berry’s Creek
Canal b Annual mean freshwater discharge: the arithmetic mean of
individual daily mean discharges for the year. c Value differs from
Woods Hole Study due to collection of data from different gauging
stations Source: USEPA and USACE, 1995; LBA, 1996
The majority of the Project Area drains to Berry’s Creek through an
on-site stormwater
management system. The Meadowlands Sports Complex stormwater
management
system consists of a series of inlets and drainage pipes that
collect stormwater from
the expansive parking lots and building and directs it towards
three lagoons (Figure 2-3)
(Langan, 2006a). Lagoon 2 receives drainage from approximately 114
acres of the
western portion of the Sports Complex. Lagoon 3 receives drainage
from approximately
118 acres of the southern and eastern portions of the Sports
Complex. Lagoon 4 is
located within the Meadowlands Racetrack and receives drainage from
approximately
237 acres of the northern portion of the Meadowlands Sports
Complex. Lagoons 2, 3
and 4 are detention facilities that are interconnected with
underground equalizer pipes.
Water from Lagoon 2 is pumped into Lagoon 1, where water is
discharged to Berry’s
Creek. Lagoon 1 is located next to Berry’s Creek in the southwest
corner of the Sports
Complex property adjacent to Lagoon 2. Although the four lagoons
are located outside
the Project Area, they will be utilized to store and treat
stormwater from the Project
site. (see Appendix C and Section 4.10 for additional details
regarding the stormwater
management design). Stormwater runoff from the infields to the
Sports Complex
entrances and exits along Route 120 South located in the eastern
portion of the Project
Area currently discharge to the east. Runoff from the northern
infield area is directed to
Cedar Creek through a series of pipes. Runoff from the southern
infield area is directed
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
to the radio tower site located adjacent to the New Jersey Turnpike
through a series of
pipes (see Figure 4-16 in Section 4.10 for existing drainage
areas).
4.3.1.2.2 Surface Water Quality
The water quality of the Hackensack River estuary has been
significantly influenced by
the urbanization of the surrounding area, including the commercial
and industrial
development that has occurred in the watershed in the last century
(USACE and
USEPA, 1995). In a typical estuary, freshwater fluvial flow
maintains a net seaward
movement of the water mass, along with any pollutant loads that may
exist. The
estuarine system of the Hackensack River, however, does not
maintain normal water
flow movement due to man-made changes including the Oradell Dam.
Therefore,
pollutants discharged into the lower Hackensack River tend to
diffuse more slowly than
in a typical estuary (USACE and USEPA, 1995).
The NJDEP has established Surface Water Quality Standards for all
water bodies in the
State of New Jersey (N.J.A.C. 7:9B). These standards assign
designated uses for each
water body and specifically water quality criteria that must be
maintained to protect
these designated uses. The criteria evaluated to assess the water
quality of a particular
waterbody include bacterial quality (fecal coliform counts),
dissolved oxygen (DO),
petroleum hydrocarbons and other oils and grease, pH, total
phosphorus, radioactivity,
suspended solids, total dissolved solids, sulfates, odors,
temperature and heat
dissipation areas, and toxic substances.
NJDEP has assigned different classifications with corresponding
water quality standards
(Standards) to various reaches of the Hackensack River and its
tributaries as well as
Berry’s Creek (Table 4-2). The Standards classify the reach of the
Hackensack River
closest to the Project Area as an SE-2 water body. The “SE”
classification refers to
waters that are estuarine, with salinities greater than 3.5 parts
per thousand (ppt) at
mean high tide. The category “2” refers to the designated uses of
the waterbody,
which includes secondary contact recreation and maintenance of
wildlife. The entire
length of Berry’s Creek is identified as an FW2-NT/SE2 waterbody.
The FW2
classification refers to a general surface water classification
that applies to fresh waters
that are not identified as FW1. The FW1 classification includes
waters identified to be
maintained in their natural state of quality and not subjected to
any man-made
wastewater discharges or increases in runoff from anthropogenic
activities. The “NT”
designation refers to non-trout waters.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
The overall designation FW2-NT/SE2 indicates that Berry’s Creek is
an estuary stream,
which by definition receives hydrologic influence from freshwater
flowing from the
upstream watershed as well as from the downstream tidal water body.
In addition,
Berry’s Creek does not support any trout population because of the
saline nature of the
water body and water quality conditions in general.
Table 4-2
Surface Water Classifications of the Hackensack River and Berry’s
Creek
RIVER SEGMENT CLASSIFICATION Main stem and saline tributaries from
Overpeck Creek to Routes 1 & 9 Bridge SE-2
Main stem downstream from the Route 1 & 9 Bridge SE-3
Tributaries joining the main stem downstream of Overpeck Creek
FW2-NT/SE-2
Berry’s Creek (entire length) FW2-NT/SE2
CLASSIFICATION TERMS: SE = the general surface water classification
applied to saline waters of estuaries. SE-2 = saline waters of
estuaries with the following designated uses: maintenance,
migration and propagation of the natural and established biota;
migration of diadromous fish; maintenance of wildlife; secondary
contact recreation; and any other reasonable uses. SE-3 = saline
waters of estuaries with the following designated uses: secondary
contact recreation; maintenance and migration of fish populations;
migration of diadromous fish; maintenance of wildlife; and any
other reasonable uses. FW = the general surface water
classification applied to fresh waters. FW1 = those fresh waters
that are to be maintained in their natural state of quality (set
aside for posterity) and not subjected to any man-made wastewater
discharges or increases in runoff from anthropogenic activities.
FW2 = the general surface water classification applied to those
fresh waters that are not designated as FW1 or Pinelands Waters. NT
= nontrout waters. Source: N.J.A.C. 7:9B
The USEPA continues to list the lower estuary of the Hackensack
River as an “impaired
waterway” (USEPA, 2005). The impairments for the lower estuary are
listed as
chlordane and dioxin in fish tissue, mercury and the presence of
PCBs.
The NJMC has collected water quality data for the period between
1994 and 2006 for
two monitoring stations in the general vicinity of the Project
Area. These sampling
stations are Station 3, located along the Hackensack River
immediately north of the N.J.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
Route 3 crossing and Station 8, located along Berry’s Creek
immediately north of the
confluence with Berry’s Creek Canal (Figure 4-9) (CIMIC, 2006;
NJMC, 2006a). Tables
4-3 and 4-4 provide water quality data from Station 3 and Station
8, respectively.
During the monitoring period from 1994 through 2006 water quality
attributes measured
at station 3 and station 8 have degrees of variability. Measured
salinity levels vary in a
manner characteristic of an estuarine system with a maximum range
of 0.3 to 13.2 ppt
found at in the Hackensack River Station 3 (Table 4-3). In 1999,
salinity measurements
were discontinued when the water quality monitoring program was
taken over by the
Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute (MERI).
The pH values at both monitoring stations were generally within the
NJDEP Surface
Water Quality Standard of 6.5-8.5 Standard Units (S.U.) (Tables 4-3
and 4-4). The DO
standard of 4.0 mg/l for SE-2 surface water classifications was met
during most of the
sampled years. The fecal coliform NJDEP Surface Water Quality
Standard of 770
counts/ml was frequently exceeded at both sampling locations, with
the highest counts
reaching up to 16,000 counts/ml (Tables 4-3 and 4-4).
Water quality data for the discharge of stormwater runoff from the
Meadowlands Sports
Complex, including the Stadium Project Area, to Berry’s Creek are
also available
(NJDEP, 2006). The NJSEA is required to sample the discharge from
Lagoon No. 1 to
Berry’s Creek on a monthly basis in accordance with NJPDES Permit
No. NJ0023345.
The sampled parameters include flow, biological oxygen demand
(BOD5), suspended
solids, total nitrogen, oil and grease, phosphorus, fecal coliform,
temperature, and pH.
Table 4-5 lists the past three years of monthly sampling of the
lagoon system surface
water discharge to Berry’s Creek from May 2003 to May 2006. The
results were
consistent for certain discharge parameters measured including
suspended solids and
chemical oxygen demand. The range of observed values was 1.0 to
23.8 mg/L for total
suspended solids and 7.7 to 46.6 mg/L for chemical oxygen demand.
The only
parameter of the NJPDES permit that had some high levels is fecal
coliform based on
measurements recorded in August, September, October, and December
2004. The
observed fecal coliform levels in 2004 have since been corrected
and the permit
renewed.
4-26
Date Cadmium Chromium Copper Iron Lead Nickel Zinc Fecal Coliforms
BOD COD NH 4 TSS TDS Turbity Temperature Conductivity Salinity*
Chloride Sulfate pH DO ug/L ug/L ug/L ug/L ug/L ug/L ug/L MPN/100ml
mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L NTU °C mS/cm ppt mg/L mg/L SU mg/L
3/8/1994 8.4 65.7 39.6 717.1 717.7 190.2 20.96 500 3.78 156.9 8.2
68.9 3527 10.2 6.4 6.15 3.6 1715 261.5 7.38 6.1 8/1/1994 28.95 0
60.17 0 138.6 300.25 175.49 500 3.38 40 4.48 42.6 3850 8 27.5 7.73
4.8 2429 409.8 7.15 3
11/14/1994 0 17.68 13.58 0 9.14 25.44 67.67 300 4.23 97.56 0 18.3
9270 6 11.7 13.25 8.4 0 587.4 7.5 5 2/22/1995 11.78 15.69 20.52 0
83.85 92.86 70.96 20 3.36 92.68 5.6 8.8 7716 5 3.3 13.58 8.4 8048
561.4 7.62 8.5 5/22/1995 24.7 14.9 65.6 0 68.7 235.4 37.9 1100 8.25
76.1 4.6 93.9 8775 10 20 11.62 7.4 4149 607.1 7.5 4.8 7/19/1995
20.6 24 8.2 0 118 67.2 180 9000 2.32 176.16 6.94 87.3 9425 6 27.2
11.91 7.7 5248 606.9 7.12 1.6 10/17/1995 10.7 12.6 16.8 0 250 256
151 230 10.4 64 4.3 5 7123 7 17.6 10.92 10.4 3876 478.6 7.21 4.6
2/27/1996 14.3 18.7 6.2 540 55.2 52.9 34.3 20 3.5 104 2.5 14 2197
18 7.3 1.99 4.7 997 116 7.58 10.7 6/11/1996 13 12.3 16.2 260 68.5
88.2 32.9 1700 2.1 51.2 1.8 38 3445 21 25 4.55 1 1912 284.5 6.93 5
12/4/1996 4.35 2.53 6.38 160 34.58 14.98 19.64 230 3.3 43.4 3.1
21.1 337 7 7.1 0.78 10.4 199 34.2 7.41 8 2/18/1997 4.3 8.1 4.6 60
38.6 27.1 18.8 40 3.8 67.5 5 0.6 1665 14 6.8 3.03 1.7 813 110 7.37
10.5 5/13/1997 9.8 7.8 18.1 194 46.1 56 35.8 20 4.1 54.8 4.03 13.5
2535 11 15.6 4.24 2.5 1226 195 7.4 8.3 7/15/1997 24.8 16.8 25.5 300
43.7 216 48.6 230 6 118 6.7 13.9 8575 13 30.3 13.18 8.6 4420 587
7.83 11.1 12/9/1997 11.7 11.5 13.9 280 207 103 54.5 130 3.7 136 7.4
10.7 6487 14 6.8 9.87 6 3339 475 6.65 3.9 3/4/1998 8.5 11.1 10.3
269 102 73.4 31.2 40 2.3 29.7 1.96 39.6 4628 18 8.1 7.7 4.7 2439
316 6.37 4.9
4/22/1998 1.6 5.4 7.1 316 20.4 22.1 25.7 130 4.4 73.5 5.15 43.7 991
21 14.8 1.76 1 458 78.9 7.2 4.8 7/14/1998 23.4 12.2 21.3 350 143
118 30.7 1400 3.2 67.2 4.7 17.5 6489 13 25 10.3 6.6 3439 447 6.98
1.7 10/14/1998 31.4 12.1 47.2 384 162 121 55.3 130 3.2 138 4.7 1.9
10261 7 17.6 16 10.4 5478 695 7.2 4
3/8/1999 18.8 8.6 19.7 332 70.6 76.1 42.6 40 5.1 32 6.6 17.5 4177
14.5 3.8 7.25 4.3 2339 348 6.17 9.9 6/8/1999 35.9 12.6 18.1 305 121
134 37.4 170 8.4 54.2 6.2 5.5 5940 7.6 25.2 9.48 6 3279 421 7.07
2.3 7/6/1999 30.3 16.9 32.7 488 133 170 39.2 300 5.3 160 4.9 25.6
9661 4.4 29.3 14.43 9.5 5278 782 7.36 6.5
10/19/1999 10.3 9.1 11.8 277 98.9 67 35.6 300 7.2 22.6 5 24.6 3315
6.5 16.2 5.57 1789 246 7.21 6.7 2/29/2000 10 20.3 19.1 240 77.1
68.8 34.1 90 5.9 70.6 7.4 11.9 5501 8.2 7.1 9.06 2939 394 5.84 7.2
5/9/2000 12.4 21.3 15.6 332 82.9 72.4 27.3 500 5.2 46.5 3.6 26.4
4864 19 22.1 7.81 2589 426 6.7 3.8 8/8/2000 6.8 6.1 9.3 327 57 30.5
16.6 230 9.6 27.4 2.8 35.1 2718 14.5 26.6 4.4 1545 212 7.33
7.6
12/5/2000 17.3 24.5 26.3 209 111 108 26.3 110 3.5 56.6 5.8 1.3 8161
6.2 6.5 11.98 4579 679 7.36 6.26 3/19/2001 6 24.5 13.8 189 40.1 29
32.6 500 5.9 18.9 4.7 26 4582 5.6 9 7.01 2449 317.5 7.56 9.3
5/14/2001 17 15.4 22.5 512 67.8 98.8 35.1 300 11.6 49.2 5 95 5276
19.5 19.9 8.16 2879 387 7.69 8.28 7/17/2001 17.3 34.2 19.5 370 87.4
129 23.6 70 5.4 82.1 5.4 21.2 6276 5 25.3 9.36 3597 507 7.33 2.36
10/22/2001 33.08 20.75 43.23 0.5 271.13 206.07 52.94 170 3.71
129.46 2.02 6.8 10057 7.3 16.1 15.02 5948 675.5 7.1 2.48
3/5/2002 30.6 25.8 44.2 404 230 203 62.6 40 7.3 86.8 5.8 20.5 10480
10.5 6.5 17.48 5478 763 7.4 7.32 4/23/2002 13.6 9.06 27.3 390 112
88.8 42.5 170 6.4 52.7 5.8 16 7750 4.1 16.26 12.17 4179 575 7.4
3.91 7/16/2002 24.1 20.4 24.2 540 143 180 72.7 170 7.33 43.1 4.26
9.5 8838 8.4 26.1 15.4 4878 629 7.56 5.96 10/28/2002 14.8 5 14.5
122 59 159 29.9 80 0 60 3.5 6 6645 5.2 13.8 11.5 3389 451 7.34 10.7
3/11/2003 7 3.66 9.71 242 113 38.3 42.4 80 5.71 66.8 3.7 7 3144 8.3
4.6 6.2 1819 216 7.3 8.68 5/13/2003 15.2 6.48 14.07 586 142.1 36
111.4 220 7.33 6.5 4.48 26 6645 5.8 0 6.85 2639 321.1 7.36 6.5
7/22/2003 11.76 9.92 17.01 455 96.3 55.4 30.5 2400 14.75 32.7 3.25
14 4843 0 25.7 8.7 2439 298.3 7.3 3.7 11/18/2003 9.12 22.6 23 426
31.4 31.4 71.5 70 7.92 28.2 4.14 11.5 4294 3.4 9.36 7.54 2089 304
7.55 7.59
3/2/2004 16.38 6.5 20.2 0 142.1 36 39 170 5.69 42.6 6.38 6.5 5930
4.57 7.4 9.3 2639 354 7.5 8.3 5/11/2004 5.72 13.1 15.5 1 63 34.4
38.6 3000 4.38 10.4 5.49 23 3339 16.2 19.7 5.3 1572 227 7.49 10.39
7/13/2004 12.91 18.6 25.4 0 122.9 98.2 39.5 5000 12.43 40.6 3.7 24
6405 16.2 23.59 11.03 0 391 7.9 8.03 12/8/2004 0.07 8.99 11.3 511
5.83 8.45 27.9 500 5.84 42.9 4.03 12 2115 8.2 7.88 3.88 995 153
7.73 8.51 2/15/2005 16.4 19.7 18.56 392 112 67.2 36 500 4.91 67.6
3.7 12.5 5987 12.9 4.09 10.02 3289 374 7.63 10.7 6/1/2005 13.3 12.7
18.3 625 182 119 50.4 5000 9.03 71.1 4.03 18 6530 11.9 19.8 11.1
4179 587 7.75 7.75
8/31/2005 38.4 23.6 35.6 374 286 184 34.4 70 8.02 224 1.62 12 14424
7.95 26.9 22.1 7078 939 7.43 3.46 10/25/2005 2.06 7.89 11 657 9
11.7 24.4 300 2.33 16.8 2.18 12.5 1530 8.54 13.56 2.93 876 113 7.74
7.86
2/6/2006 8.3 7.64 11 649 60.3 24.2 37.4 300 4.72 37.5 2.18 15 1738
16.4 878 115 9.8 Min 0.00 0.00 4.60 0.00 5.83 8.45 16.60 20.00 0.00
6.50 0.00 0.60 337.00 0.00 0.00 0.78 1.00 0.00 34.20 5.84 1.60 Max
38.40 65.70 65.60 717.10 717.70 300.25 253.10 9000.00 14.75 224.00
8.20 95.00 14424.00 21.00 30.30 22.10 10.40 8048.00 939.00 7.90
11.10
Median 13.00 12.60 18.10 305.00 96.30 76.10 37.40 230.00 5.20 56.60
4.48 16.00 5930.00 8.30 15.85 9.18 6.00 2639.00 391.00 7.37 6.70
Average 15.05 15.00 21.14 293.31 115.64 98.40 48.64 778.09 5.66
69.50 4.35 23.03 5711.94 10.13 15.44 9.12 6.10 2932.15 405.46 7.29
6.56
Notes: (1) This monitoring location is identified as Station 3 of
the NJMC's water sampling station, located on the Hackensack River
southwest of the project site.
State Plane coordinates Easting Northing Latitude Longitude
612,340.48 715,594.88 40 48 17 74 03 07 00 (2) In 1999, the water
quality monitoring program was taken over by the Meadowlands
Environmental Research Institute (MERI). Salinity measurements were
discontinued at that time. Source: NJMC website. Data
cimic.rutgers.edu/hmdc_public/wq/ and
(meri.njmeadowlands.gov)
Table 4-3
Water Quality Data From Station 3 in the Hackensack River from 1994
to 2006
4-28
Date Cadmium Chromium Copper Iron Lead Nickel Zinc Fecal Coliforms
BOD COD NH4 TSS TDS Turbidity Temperature Conductivity Salinity*
Chloride Sulfate pH DO ug/L ug/L ug/L ug/L ug/L ug/L ug/L MPN/100ml
mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L NTU °C mS/cm mS/cm mg/L mg/L SU mg/L
3/8/1994 1.1 0 16.8 410.9 113.5 117 32 1500 7.57 156.9 3 12.5 2453
9.9 4 4.23 2.5 1225 178.7 7.55 8.2 8/1/1994 20.94 26.9 51.4 0 0
462.08 253.07 230 10 47.8 0 41.3 2850 13 27.7 7.27 4.5 2149 338.4
7.65 4.7
11/14/1994 0 12.38 10.32 0 12.63 21.3 63.89 70 9.2 70.24 0 23.8
9734 7.5 10.9 14.43 9.2 0 635.7 7.52 6.6 2/22/1995 13.08 8.09 0 0
43.87 81.04 69.63 20 3.67 53.66 4.9 5.2 6788 6.5 1.8 10.97 6.7 5478
469.8 7.62 7.8 5/22/1995 29.8 14.9 49.2 0 68.7 278.5 50.7 9000 6.9
48.78 1.1 173.5 8475 10 20.4 12.28 7.9 4099 527.7 7.76 9.7
7/19/1995 18.4 97 3.2 0 76.3 77.8 147 3500 0 150.25 2.24 49.9 6940
9 25.7 7.68 4.9 3399 485.6 7.2 3.4 10/17/1995 14.7 11.4 19.5 0 203
213 190 2400 3.2 48 1.3 9.21 5893 10 17 8.82 10.3 3322 2267.6 7.45
10 2/27/1996 5.3 229.7 13.2 1180 581.2 97.8 49.1 20 8.4 125 2 15.2
2050 8.2 6.5 2.84 4.1 901 102 7.52 10.1 6/11/1996 11.9 16.1 16.2
430 52.5 88.2 43.7 1700 4.2 32 2.3 29.6 3622 24 24.5 5.39 1 1811
147 7.5 6.3 7/24/1996 7 12.92 12.65 430 67.79 51.1 37.33 500 5.71
68.5 0.2 35.4 2028 18 23.5 3.79 6.1 1080 168.8 7.35 5.7 12/4/1996
1.77 2.53 8.29 220 19.49 19.33 42.82 1300 2.1 22.5 0.4 14.7 747 8.4
7.5 1.46 10.3 375 49.3 7.36 6.6 2/18/1997 4.3 6 11.4 230 57.7 45
52.1 80 3.7 67.5 1.5 19.6 1932 17 5.7 3.33 1.9 975 130 7.41 10.2
5/13/1997 8 3.2 11.7 222 65.1 60.7 37.5 40 5.3 41.1 1.34 6 2485 11
16.4 4 2.4 1236 151 7.51 10.8 7/15/1997 22 19.1 36.7 350 64.9 200
64.3 500 10.2 96 0.8 14.7 8137 18 30.6 12.78 8.3 4420 544 8.02 15.4
12/9/1997 9.8 11.5 13.9 280 189 103 55.6 170 2.1 120 4.4 16.2 6706
4.1 5.8 10.16 6.2 3389 512 6.24 4.7 3/4/1998 8.5 11.1 41.1 240 68.4
58.8 32.8 110 1.6 73.5 1.01 13.3 3973 8.2 8.5 6.84 4.1 1939 246
6.35 4.5
4/22/1998 3 5.4 9.5 556 20.4 30.5 26.5 170 4 67.3 1.68 65.5 1088 24
14.8 1.9 1 570 85 7.9 14.4 7/14/1998 18.2 12.2 28 449 90 89.9 34.9
3000 3.2 33.6 2 35.3 5896 18 24.7 9.66 6.1 3189 378 6.97 2.6
10/14/1998 26.1 16.8 43.2 349 125 145 44.7 220 2.8 96 3.5 7.6 10228
8.4 17 15.8 10.3 5378 668 7.3 3.9 3/8/1999 19.2 12.7 18.4 385 94.2
73.3 43.9 170 4.8 44.8 5.5 40.5 4482 20 3.3 7.34 4.3 2489 345 6.51
9.8 6/8/1999 32.3 18.8 19.8 559 190 131 41.8 220 9 54.2 1.9 25.7
6206 14.5 25.4 10.3 6.4 3479 445 7.01 2.7 7/6/1999 28.8 19.1 36.9
541 180 111 41.8 230 7.2 122.8 2.1 20.8 9456 10 30 14.12 9.3 5078
746 7.32 11.1
10/19/1999 5.3 6.5 53.5 165 73.6 60.8 29.2 80 13.3 22.6 0.6 9.8
3706 10.2 15.8 5.94 2089 259 7.8 8.07 2/29/2000 6.9 15.9 17.4 356
60.9 73.9 23.8 20 3.4 113 4 16.8 5591 10 6 9.02 3039 383 6.01 7
5/9/2000 12.3 21.3 15.8 368 73.4 54.8 26 110 7.1 46.5 2.9 19.6 4814
15 23.3 7.53 2539 415 6.92 7.3 8/8/2000 6.8 9.1 11.8 514 16 33 20.1
80 7.5 34.7 2 36.1 3297 16 27.3 5.16 1839 223 7.83 13.1
12/5/2000 18.8 21.6 22.3 249 97.5 111 29.8 40 2.4 39.2 4 1.1 7499
4.4 4.5 10.94 4179 582 7.3 6.65 3/19/2001 5.2 21.6 17.8 671 36.5
24.9 66.5 20 6.4 12 1.9 312 3207 13 8.6 5.01 1713 215 7.35 8.7
5/14/2001 13.1 16.4 20.8 613 26.3 76.8 34.4 80 9.9 55.4 1.7 166
5254 30.5 18.9 8.14 2939 381 7.54 9.2 7/17/2001 20.8 31.3 28.4 1037
124 151 40.9 20 5.2 57.2 3.6 19.6 6445 20.2 24.3 9.72 3791 507 7.47
4 10/22/2001 45.92 26 46.16 0.61 294.71 272.73 65.53 20 3.14 209.13
3.25 8.9 11868 6.4 16.6 11.17 6965 830.1 7.43 3.45 3/5/2002 21.5
24.1 42.1 470 142 152 64.4 80 7.6 80.3 3 18.5 8964 10.3 5.7 13.57
4779 717 6.75 6.8
4/23/2002 3.57 11 23.7 629 34 43.3 43.5 3500 6.5 40.6 1.3 57 4979
23 14 7.82 2679 383 6.65 4.8 7/16/2002 26.7 26.7 27.3 1058 106 185
42 2400 6.19 16.2 1.57 21.5 9482 22 24.7 16.8 5278 715 7.32 5.19
10/28/2002 10.9 4.1 12.7 229 49 102 36.6 1700 0 32.7 2.4 5 5222 5.3
11.8 9.02 2814 257 7.41 5.87 3/11/2003 6.71 6.02 14.1 944 102 38.3
137 20 9.23 218 1.01 47.5 2008 4 3.4 4.75 1382 162 7.28 6.1
5/13/2003 12.5 8.99 11.41 873 127 66.8 136.6 1400 6.19 15.1 1.23
17.5 5222 4.5 16.4 5.67 1903 235.9 7.31 6.2 7/22/2003 13.71 11.48
18.09 645 67.4 59.7 41.9 16000 12.11 12 1.34 34 5222 0 25.4 8.5
2368 302.7 7.5 6.6 11/18/2003 6.69 24.4 15.2 563 29.5 29.5 45.1 20
6.01 22.9 1.9 14 3643 21.3 7.74 6.61 1917 270 7.61 10.39 3/2/2004
6.5 9 11.7 0 127 66.8 33.9 20 2.89 27.8 1.68 4.5 5460 4.16 6.2 8.6
2839 358 7.5 8.5
5/11/2004 3.35 14.8 12.4 1 18.2 7.4 29.9 300 6.16 31.1 1.12 32 2355
26.21 21 3.89 1123 144 7.77 13.91 7/13/2004 6.16 20 26.2 1 50.6
32.7 50.3 16000 9.06 22.6 2.91 33 5630 32.5 22.95 9.54 0 270 7.57
10.88 12/8/2004 1.86 8.97 15.7 793 123 12.4 41.5 0 4.19 19.5 2.13
10.5 2188 13.6 6.03 3.83 1145 153 7.64 8.7 2/15/2005 17.7 22 18.8
420 93.4 72.6 37.7 20 4.32 46.2 4.03 14 6253 14.8 3.13 10.41 3364
418 7.37 11.6 6/1/2005 17.7 16.3 20.8 1065 141 140 49.8 170 7.31
75.6 1.34 20.5 7106 11 20.7 11.7 4329 474 7.5 5.77
8/31/2005 26.2 17.9 28.8 454 235 125 41.8 130 23 115 0.95 19 13802
10.1 28.3 17.4 5528 687 7.84 3.2 10/25/2005 2.13 10.8 13.9 1412 7.3
14.4 44.5 1700 2.9 16.8 1.57 19 1484 30.4 12.06 2.82 786 115 7.62
6.86 2/6/2006 10.3 20 17.2 2402 110 30.5 40.4 20 6.45 48.8 1.57
31.5 2223 28.1 0 0 1183 144 0 5.5
Min 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.40 20.10 0.00 0.00 12.00 0.00 1.10
747.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 49.30 0.00 2.60 Max 45.92 229.70
53.50 2402.00 581.20 462.08 253.10 16000.00 23.00 218.00 5.50
312.00 13802.00 32.50 30.60 17.40 10.30 6965.00 2267.60 8.02
15.40
Median 11.40 14.85 17.60 415.45 73.50 73.60 42.41 170.00 6.09 48.39
1.80 19.60 5222.00 11.00 16.10 7.98 6.10 2514.00 351.50 7.44 6.83
Average 13.20 20.71 21.57 474.26 98.94 95.68 56.42 1439.58 6.11
63.99 2.00 34.68 5314.44 13.85 15.14 8.10 5.81 2676.90 400.44 7.19
7.57
Notes: (1) This monitoring location is identified as Station 8 of
the NJMC's water sampling stations. The station is located on
Berry's Creek southwest of the project site.
State Plane coordinates Easting Northing Latitude Longitude
604,971.06 720,794.16 40 48 41 74 05 31 00 (2) In 1999, the water
quality monitoring program was taken over by the Meadowlands
Environmental Research Institute (MERI). Salinity measurements were
discontinued at that time. Source:
http://cimic.rutgers.edu/hmdc_public/w/q
Table 4-4 Water Quality Data Fom Station 8 in Berry's Creek
From 1994 to 2006
4-29
4-30
May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Average Max/Min 7.02 6.14
5.70 5.70 13.20 7.15 6.60 5.30 7.10 13.2/5.3 7.68 7.70 7.60 8.10
7.90 7.10 7.92 7.30 7.66 8.1/7.3 1.80 7.00 5.50 5.20 4.00 2.80 1.70
3.25 3.91 7.0/1.8
19.40 32.70 22.40 7.70 17.00 22.90 36.30 20.30 22.34 30.3/7.7 5.80
4.90 5.30 5.30 5.30 4.70 4.70 5.70 5.21 10.3/4.7
<0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
<0.01 <0.1 <0.1/<0.1 1.0/1.0 1.4/1.4 1.3/1.3 1.3/1.3
1.3/1.3 1.1/1.1 0.9/0.9 0.7/0.7 1.125/1.125 1.4/1.4, 0.7/0.7 300.00
290.00 110.00 110.00 200.00 300.00 300.00 150.00 220.00
300/110
Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec Average
Max/Min 8.60 7.90 5.30 8.95 9.00 6.30 8.40 15.80 11.60 8.60 8.80
5.30 8.71 15.8/5.3 7.90 7.10 7.50 8.25 6.70 7.40 8.00 7.60 7.60
7.80 7.69 8.26 7.65 8.26/6.7 2.80 1.00 2.30 2.25 4.00 4.00 5.80
10.30 6.50 9.80 8.30 2.00 4.92 10.3/1 8.40 15.20 27.80 10.40 13.80
23.30 46.60 16.20 27.80 22.50 41.50 23.40 23.08 46.6/8.4 2.00 5.40
5.40 3.02 4.60 4.80 5.20 4.50 4.80 4.70 5.15 4.30 4.49
5.4/2.0
<0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
<0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.1
<0.1/<0.1 0.6/0.6 0.2/0.2 0.2/0.2 <0.03/<0.03 0.4/0..4
0.1/0.1 0.3/0.3 0.8/0.8 0.6/0.6 0.5/0.5 0.4/0.4 0.4/0.4 0.4/0.4
0.8/0.8/, <0.03/<0.03 40.00 <20 40.00 20.00 <20 <20
330.00 2800.00 16000.00 5000.00 352.00 420.00 2778.00
16000/<20
Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Average
Max/Min 11.10 6.60 13.80 6.30 9.45 13.8/6.3 7.10 7.90 8.20 8.09
8.20 8.50 8.17 8.40 8.35 8.30 NODI 7.85 8.10 8.5/7.1 1.00 1.00 1.40
13.20 2.00 1.80 6.50 9.50 4.80 23.80 NODI 4.00 6.27 23.8/1
17.80 21.30 11.30 11.30 8.90 11.10 20.10 33.50 29.30 12.90 NODI
22.40 18.17 33.1/12.9 4.40 4.59 4.50 4.60 4.50 2.46 2.70 2.46 2.60
2.50 NODI <0.01 3.53 4.6/2.4
<0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
<0.01 <0.01 <0.01 NODI <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.8/0.8
0.2/0.2 0.3/0.3 <0.03/<0.03 0.2/0.2 0.3/0.3 0.1/0.1 0.2/0.2
2.2/2.2 <0.1/<0.1 NODI <0.1/<0.1 0`.412/0.412 0.8/0.8,
<0.03/<0.03
<2 <20 20.00 110.00 <20 40.00 40.00 130.00 300.00 340.00
NODI 20.00 125.00 340/<20
Jan Feb Mar April Average Max/Min 15.8/26.3 5.3/5.3 8.42 7.53
7.58 7.40 7.50 7.59 7.52 7.59/7.4 8.5 6..7 7.79 7.80 8.23 8.20 7.40
6.60 7.61 8.2/5.2 23.8 1 5.44 4.00
22.50 22.30 22.70 24.30 22.95 24.3/20.9 46.6 7.7 21.26 22.30 2.35
2.50 4.30 2.60 2.94 4.3/2.35 10.3 2 4.16 4.60
<0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
<0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.1/<0.1 <0.1/<0.1 1.3/1.3
0.7/0.7 0.446/0.446 1.3/1.3, <0.03/<0.03 1.4/1.4 <0.03
0.57 0.60
<20 20.00 <20 230.00 62.00 230/<20 16000 <20 1023.62
200.00
NODI = No discharge therefore samples were not collected (1)
Sampling location at the discharge from Lagoon #1 into Berry's
Creek. (2) All water samples were collected at times of low water.
Source: www.state.nj.us.dep/dwg/database.htm
2006 3-year Minimum
3-year Maximum
3-year Average
3-year Median
Lagoon System Surface Water Discharge to Berry's Creek Water
Quality Data from Meadowlands Sports Complex
2003
2004
Standard Units MGD
Unit Description
Petrol Hydrocarbons (Avg./Max)
Flow Rate (Avg) pH (Max) Suspended Solids ((Max) Oxygen Demand,
(Chem) High Level (Max) MG/L
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L
Flow Rate (Avg./Max) pH (Max) Suspended Solids ((Max) Oxygen
Demand, (Chem) High Level (Max)
Petrol Hydrocarbons (Avg./Max) Fecal Coliforms (Max)
Total Nitrogen (Max) Total Phosphorus (Max)
Parameter Description
Table 4-5
Total Phosphorus (Max) MG/L
Total Phosphorus (Max) MG/L
Total Nitrogen (Max) MG/L
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
4.3.1.3 Groundwater
The NJDEP Ground Water Quality Standards (N.J.A.C. 7:9-6) classify
the groundwater
within the Project Area as “Class III – Ground Water with Uses
other than Potable
Water Supply”. Class III groundwaters are not suitable for potable
water use, due to
natural hydrogeologic characteristics or natural water quality
(i.e., saline ground water).
Class III groundwaters do not meet the special ecological
significance criteria for Class I
groundwater formations, such as those that contribute to a
freshwater Level 1
watershed or those located on State park lands.
As documented in the SI/RAWP Report completed for the Stadium
Project, overburden
groundwater was encountered in nearly all of the test pits and
borings performed as
part of this SI, some of which were advanced to a maximum depth of
16 feet below site
grade (Appendix F). Groundwater was encountered anywhere between
four feet and
eight and one-half feet below grade (Langan, 2006c). Additional
groundwater
information is provided in Section 4.8 of this PEIS.
4.3.2 Impacts and Mitigation
4.3.2.1 Wetlands
As previously described (Section 4.3.1.1), based on observations
made during an
investigation of the Project Area on 30 August 2005 and 9 February
2006 there are no
wetlands located within the Project Area (Langan, 2006h). The NWI
map shows no
wetlands occurring within the Project Area (Figure 4-7). Therefore,
no wetlands are to
be impacted from the Stadium Project. As such, no mitigation is
required or proposed.
The stormwater from the Project will be discharged to the lagoon
systems, which
contains no wetlands.
4.3.2.2 Surface Water
4.3.2.2.1 Surface Drainage Characteristics
The Stadium Project will maintain the current overall stormwater
drainage system for
the West Site of the Meadowlands Sports Complex. All drainage pipes
from the new
buildings, realigned roadways and modified parking areas will be
directed to the on-site
lagoon system (Langan, 2006a). Drainage from the two Route 120
infield areas located
in the Project Area, which currently drain easterly to Cedar Creek
and Blackmans Creek
parking areas, will be redirected to the Sports Complex lagoon
system as part of the
construction of expanded parking areas. The Project will require
the installation of some
4-31
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
new drainage pipes but not require any changes to the overall
lagoon system. No direct
construction is proposed in any of the lagoons located on the
Meadowlands Sports
Complex. All stormwater runoff from the Project Area will continue
to be managed on-
site by the existing lagoon system in accordance with the existing
Sports Complex
NJPDES permit. The Project will have minor changes to the overall
surface drainage
characteristics of the Meadowlands Sports Complex and will not
impact the lagoon
system. As further discussed in Section 4.10, the Project will
slightly modify the
existing drainage areas directed at the lagoons. A net total of
approximately 4.4 acres of
new drainage area will be directed to the lagoons. Peak flows will
slightly decrease due
to increases in pervious surfaces associated with the playing
fields.
4.3.2.2.2 Surface Water Quality
Stormwater from the Project Area will continue to be collected and
treated within the
existing Sports Complex lagoon system in accordance with the NJPDES
permit. The
Project will result in a slight net decrease in impervious surfaces
and will include an
increase in rooftop surfaces (see Section 4.10.2.1 for further
details). The replacement
of existing paved parking areas with rooftop area will minimize
contact between
rainwater and pollutant sources currently found on the existing
parking surfaces,
thereby resulting in a minor improvement to water quality. The
stormwater discharged
from the Project Area and retained by the lagoons will continue to
meet the required
water quality effluent levels of the NJPDES Permit at the discharge
point to Berry’s
Creek. Therefore, the Project is not expected to significantly
affect quality of surface
waters in the region.
A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP) and Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control
Plan (SESCP) will be implemented prior to each construction phase
and will be
maintained throughout that period of construction to minimize
temporary impacts to
water quality. The SPPP consists of a soil erosion and sediment
control component and
a construction site waste control component. The first component is
governed by the
certified SESCP, and the second component outlines requirements for
material
management to prevent or reduce waste and waste handling. The SESCP
will show the
location(s) for stockpiling soils and erosion controls that will be
used for the stockpiles
(e.g. silt fencing surrounding the stockpiles, plastic sheeting
beneath and over each
stockpile, dust control measures, etc.). As discussed in the
Section 4.8 and the RAWP
(Appendix F), these measures will be implemented to minimize
environmental impacts
during handling and transportation of the contaminated soil and to
prevent the spread of
contaminated soils (historic fill) during the course of the
earthwork. The SESCPs will be
prepared in accordance with the Standards for Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control in
4-32
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact
Statement
New Jersey and certified by the Soil Conservation District prior to
the start of each
construction phase. These plans will be implemented as part of the
Project’s Best
Management Practices (BMPs) for construction. Details of the SESCPs
are provided in
Section 4.2.2.
4.3.2.3 Groundwater
Potential impacts to groundwater are expected to be minimal as a
result of the
construction and operation of the Project. During the construction
phase of the Project
soil excavation for utility line installation and earthwork
associated with foundation
placement will occur. These activities will most likely be deep
enough and encounter
groundwater. Temporary dewatering will be necessary to complete
construction of
these Project-related items. It is anticipated that water from
dewatering activities will
need to be treated prior to discharge to the local waterways.
As discussed in Section 4.8, additional sampling being completed as
part of the RAWP
includes a limited groundwater investigation. Unless major
groundwater contamination
is encountered, a Classification Exception Area (CEA) will be
instituted and natural
attenuation will be selected as the remedial action for the
remaining groundwater
contamination. Additionally, as discussed in Section 4.8.2, several
isolated areas of
benzene and PCB soil contamination will be further delineated and
excavated, thus
removing any potential impacts to groundwater. A limited
groundwater investigation will
be performed in the area of the dieldrin contamination to determine
if groundwater has
been impacted. If any impacts are detected, they will be addressed
accordingly.
The Project is being designed and will be constructed to develop an
effective
engineered remedial “cap”, such as paved surfaces and building
foundation over the
historic fill on the Project site in accordance with NJDEP
oversight. This capping
approach will limit rainfall from penetrating the historic fill.
The stormwater
management system will be designed to prevent recharge of
groundwater due to the
presence of historic fill on the Project site. The Project design
attempts to isolate the
historic fill from contact with any rainfall. During operation of
the Stadium Project no
active pumping of groundwater will be performed. Therefore, the
Project is not
expected to result in any significant impacts to groundwater.
4-33