One of the worst cases of illegal dumping in recent years is that which occurred on the S. Yaffa & Sons, Inc. (the Yaffa) Site. For a period exceeding three years, nearly two entire blocks of private property in the Bergen Square section of the City of Camden have been subjected to illegal dumping and the storage of imported contaminated fill material by the operator/owner of the site. The mounds of more than 40,000 cubic yards of solid waste—including contaminated soil, construction and demolition debris—rise to up to 45 feet or over two stories in height. These piles engulf the 600 Block of Chestnut Street and loom over its surrounding residential neighbors. Sampling of the soil pile material indicates the soil is contaminated with metals, pesticides, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds at levels similar to historic fill material that is found throughout the City of Camden. Prior to importation of the fill material, this site was allegedly used as a junkyard.
On behalf of the City, Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is tasked with conducting the environmental assessment and cleanup.
Accomplishments to date:
-
County Health Violation: Under the authority provided by local health ordinances, Camden County issued a notice of violation on August 12, 2022. The owners of the Yaffa property were given 30 days to remove the contaminated soil. Upon expiration of the 30-day period, the owners failed to abate the public health issue by removing the contaminated soil piles. This prompted the City of Camden, via CRA, to proceed to enforce the ordinance. On September 26, 2022, the locks to the gates were cut and removed. Removal of all soil pile material is on track to be completed in 2023.
-
Property Ownership: Due to unpaid property taxes, the City of Camden was able to foreclose on this property in November 2022. The City is now the owner of this site.
-
Funding for Soil Pile Removal: Over $5 million in funding has been secured to conduct the environmental investigation and remove the soil piles from this site:
-
NJEDA’s Brownfield Impact Fund: $157,142 grant
-
CRA’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund: $164,560 grant
-
State Hazardous Site Remediation Fund: $54,765.32 grant
-
City Allocation of Federal Pandemic Relief Money: up to $5 million grant
-
CRA will oversee removal of the soil piles in three phases. The Agency entered into a contract for the first soil pile removal. The other two phases of soil pile removals will follow later this year.
-
During the testing of the soil piles, 15 drums were discovered on this property. CRA is working to designate a vendor and enter into a drum removal contract so the drums can be removed and properly disposed of this spring.
-
After the soil piles are removed from this site, CRA will conduct an environmental assessment to ensure that any remaining contamination is addressed.
YAFFA SOIL PILE COMMUNITY MEETING: Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Chestnut Street UAME Church, 722 Chestnut Street, Camden NJ 08103 at 5:30 PM
English-Language Flyer
Spanish-Language Flyer
Reports Generated to Date: N/A
Waste Pile Sample Results:
NJDEP 2020 Sampling Data Summary:
https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/2oGVl9LgSp
CRA 2022 Sampling Data Summaries:
https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/akk5GPerxJ
Drum Sample Results:
CRA 2022 Sampling Data Summary:
https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/q480C2fvrM
Drum Removal Report: Click
HERE
Site Map: Click
HERE
Site Map for Soil Removal: Click
HERE
SOIL PILE D:
Location
: 1112-1114 S. 6th Street
Site Map for Soil Removal: Click
HERE
Contractor Work Plan for Soil Pile D Removal: Click
HERE for work plan
Soil Pile A Removal Starting May 1, 2023: English Flyer | Spanish Flyer
Location: 619 - 635 Chestnut Street Click HERE for Truck Route
Contractor Work Plan for Soil Pile A Removal: Click HERE for work plan
Photo Gallery: 1 2 3 4 5