CHICAGO, Il. — Geosyntec Consultants is pleased to announce that the Berry's Creek Study Area (BCSA) Cooperating Parties Group, in conjunction with ELM, selected Geosyntec in association with Integral Consultants to conduct a remedial investigation (RI) and feasibility study (FS). The purpose of the RI is to identify the nature and extent of contamination in the BCSA as well as the potential human and ecological risks posed by the contamination. The study results are then to be used to prepare a FS to assess possible remedies for the site.

This project is unique in that the study encompasses the entire watershed — it is one of the first sites within the U.S. EPA Superfund program to undergo a watershed-wide investigation. Geosyntec selected Integral Consultants as its primary teaming partner on this sediment mega-site. Integral complements the team by bringing specialized risk assessment services to the project.

"The Berry's Creek Study Area RI/FS is a unique and challenging project," said Susan Hill, Geosyntec principal. "Berry's Creek is located in the Meadowlands and is part of the rich history of northern New Jersey. The project will assess and address impacts to the creek and marshes on a watershed basis; which is a new direction for RI/FS projects. Geosyntec has assembled a team of national experts and is excited to be part of this interesting project."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated the RI/FS, which has a project span from 5 to 7 years, to cost approximately $18 million. In addition, the RI/FS will be followed with several years of design and then implementation of the remedy.

The BCSA is located in Bergen County, N.J., and traverses the Boroughs of Rutherford, West Rutherford, Carlstadt, Wood Ridge, Moonachie and Teterboro. Berry's Creek is a tidal tributary of the Hackensack River. The Berry's Creek watershed encompasses approximately 12 square miles of wetlands inside the Hackensack River watershed. The area, which contains industrial, commercial and residential properties, has been found to contain elevated levels of numerous compounds of potential concern (COPCs) that have migrated to the watershed from various point and non-point sources.