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    Southeast Community Information

    ​Alliance 51st Street Property & Bartram’s Garden Mile Trail

    This page was last updated on October 9, 2024

    Site Facts

    Area of Concern:
    Schuylkill Banks/Bartram’s Mile Trail (currently closed)

    Former 51st Street Terminal Location:
    1630 - 1646 South 51st Street, Philadelphia PA

    Historical Uses of the Property:
    1923: Lumber Storage
    1923-1945: Cardboard Container Manufacturing
    1951-2021: Fuel Oil Terminal

    Previous Property Owners and Operators:
    51st Street Terminal, PBF Logistics Products Terminal, Plains Products Terminals, Allied Oil Company, Hess Oil & Chemical Corporation

    Current Property Owner:
    Alliance 51st St LLC (Alliance) purchased the property in December 2021.

    Primary Contaminant of Concern:
    Hexavalent Chromium (Chromium VI)


    What Happened?

    • On April 5, 2024 (PDF), the National Response Center notified DEP of a complaint near the Bartram’s Mile Trail. The caller reported that "strange looking water is leaching from a former refinery...The material looks greenish."
    • DEP was one of 28 local, state, and federal agencies that received the notice from the National Response Center.


    Can people still use the Bartram’s Mile Trail?

    • The section of the trail impacted by these chemicals is currently closed. Please reach out to the City of Philadelphia or visit the Bartram’s Garden website for additional information about the trail.
    • Visitors walking, running, or riding a bike on the trail through the area are at very low risk for exposure. Children should avoid playing in soil contaminated with chromium. Again, this section of the trail is closed so people should continue to stay away from the closed area in an abundance of caution.


    What is Chromium?

    • Chromium is a naturally occurring element and can be found in several forms. A known carcinogen, its toxicity depends on the type of chromium (0, III, and VI). Hexavalent chromium (VI) and trivalent chromium (III) are two variations of this element. Chromium is used in many industries, including metal production, welding, steel foundries, cement production, and more.
    • Chromium exposure can occur by breathing in contaminated air or dust. Inhalation is the greatest concern in terms of exposure to chromium. You can also be exposed to chromium by skin contact with contaminated soil or water, unintentional ingestion (eating) of contaminated soil, or eating food or drinking water containing chromium.
    • Long-term inhalation exposure (many years) to hexavalent chromium has been linked to lung cancer. This is most common among workers who are exposed to high levels of chromium on a regular basis for many years. It is unlikely that short term exposure to chromium at low/moderate levels found in the environment will result in cancer or other severe health effects.


    Should I be concerned about my health?

    • The PA Department of Health (DOH) reviewed DEP’s sampling data from July 2024 and determined that there was no health hazard  associated with short-term exposure (less than a year) to Hexavalent Chromium from ingestion or contact with soil.
    • DEP collected more samples from the site in October 2024. No results exceeded standardized levels of hexavalent chromium. 


    What is being done at the site?

    • DEP is committed to performing bi-weekly inspections and post-severe weather inspections to ensure adequacy of stormwater​ control measures at the site. DEP has also agreed to participate in regular update calls with stakeholders from the City of Philadelphia, and will keep this web page updated with the most current data to keep Pennsylvanians informed about progress at the site.
    • As soon as DEP was notified of the complaint, DEP immediately coordinated with the Philadelphia Water Department, which collected material at the site for lab analysis.
    • DEP inspected the site several times and directed the owner of the property to find the source of the chemical discharge. During their investigation, the property owner found two types of chromium on site – trivalent and hexavalent chromium. DEP received those test results on June 10 and directed the property owner to come up with a plan to remediate the chemicals.
    • On July 22, 2024, DEP collected 11 soil samples from along the bike path and riverbank and subsequently found that four of the samples exceeded standardized levels of hexavalent chromium. DEP also tested four surface water samples from the Schuylkill River – none exceeded water quality standards and hexavalent chromium was not detected in any of those samples.
    • On August 13, 2024, DEP collected ten soil samples from along the bike path and found that two samples exceeded standardized levels of hexavalent chromium. Two surface water samples collected on the same date from standing water located within the drainage ditch on the Alliance property exceeded the human health criteria for hexavalent chromium.  At the time of the soil and surface water sample collection, no surface water was observed on or migrating toward the Bartram's Mile Trail.​
    • DEP is continuing to work with the property owner to address the impacts of chromium and remediate the site through the Act 2 Land Recycling Program. The goal of that Program is to have private property owners clean up contaminated and/or vacant properties and put them to productive use again.
    • On October 18, 2024, the property owner provided the results of soil samples collected following cleanup activities they conducted in mid-September.  No results exceeded standardized levels of hexavalent chromium.   
    • On October 24, 2024, DEP collected eight confirmatory soil samples from locations where cleanup activities were completed and other locations along the bike path.  No results exceeded standardized levels of hexavalent chromium. 
    • Every Pennsylvanian has a Constitutional right to clean air, pure water, and a healthy environment – and DEP is going to do its part to ensure the contamination on the site is properly remediated and any remaining offsite contamination caused by discharges from the site is addressed.

    Report an Environmental Health Concern

    Philadelphia residents with an environmental health concern are encouraged to report it to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

    Pennsylvanians living outside of the City of Philadelphia that have environmental health related questions can contact the PA Department of Health (PA DOH), where they will be evaluated and referred to an appropriate program area for potential investigation and follow-up. Please indicate in your message that your concern is related to Bartram’s Garden.


    Community Outreach and Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ)

    • DEP has long worked with communities around Pennsylvania to further environmental justice in line with the statutes and authorities administered by the Department and will continue to reach out to communities living in EJ areas when they are facing an environmental crisis or dealing with a newly permitted facility.
    • In an effort to build long-lasting relationships with EJ communities outside of individual projects or emergencies, the Shapiro Administration has directed DEP to increase proactive outreach and engagement. OEJ’s goal is to increase strategic community education, outreach, engagement, and capacity building through intentional action.
    • DEP responds to hundreds of non-emergency incidents, like the one reported on April 5th, where it is determined that there is no immediate threat to the public.
    • On July 31, 2024, DEP participated in a virtual townhall hosted by State Representative Young. View DEP's presentation here: 


    Community Updates

    To subscribe to updates, please send an email to: RA-EP-SEROECB@pa.gov. Please indicate in the subject line or text of the email that you’d like to receive updates related to Bartram’s Gardens.

    Inspections, Investigation, & Background 
    DEP's Inspections and Investigation of the Site​

    • DEP Clean Water program staff and DEP emergency response team immediately coordinated information with the Industrial Waste Unit at the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)
    • PWD was the first agency to visit the site on April 5, 2024, and inspected the site again on April 9, 2024.
    • PWD collected samples of the greenish looking material and sent it to their lab for analysis.
    • On April 12, 2024, (PDF) DEP conducted an inspection. No active discharge of "green liquid" was observed at the time of inspection. The inspector recommended that the property owner collect samples from their property to determine the composition of the green material, and that they install additional control measures (berms) to prevent any further discharge from the site. 
    • DEP Inspections on May 2, 2024, (PDF) and on July 18, 2024, confirmed the construction of earthen berms across the drainage ditch by the property owner. 
    • On July 17, 2024​ (PDF), DEP personnel visited the site to inspect areas of noted offsite discharge, to ensure berms were still in place, to observe if continued offsite discharge was occurring and to scout locations for sampling. 
    • On July 18, 2024 (PDF), DEP conducted an inspection, in conjunction with the PWD, to evaluate site conditions. The inspection report indicated a failure to implement and/or maintain erosion and sedimentation control best management practices, failure to comply with DEP regulations and/or Clean Streams Law, and failure to take necessary measures to prevent pollutants from reaching waters of the Commonwealth. 
    • On July 22, 2024 (PDF), DEP collected 11 soil samples from along the bike path and riverbank and four surface water samples from the Schuylkill River. The soil sample results indicated that several locations along the trail contained moderate levels of hexavalent chromium. No surface water samples exceeded their respective water quality standards. 
    • On July 29, 2024 (PDF), DEP conducted a follow-up inspection which noted some erosion and sedimentation control improvements. Specifically, it was recommended during this inspection that the large stockpile of dirt on the site be temporarily stabilized with an erosion control blanket. ​
    • On August 8, 2024 (PDF), DEP conducted an unannounced site inspection and cited the property owner for failure to stabilize the large stockpile of dirt on the site. 
    • On August 13, 2024 (PDF), DEP collected ten soil samples and two duplicate samples from along the bike path, and two surface water samples from standing water located within the drainage ditch on the Alliance property. 
    • On August 14, 2024 (PDF), DEP acknowledged receipt of the updated Notice of Intent to Remediate. 
    • On August 14 (PDF) and 20, 2024 DEP conducted site inspections. The August 20, 2024 (PDF) inspection report indicated a failure to maintain erosion & sediment control best management practices for earth disturbance. ​
    • On August 27, 2024 (PDF), DEP provided the property owner with copies of the laboratory reports for the samples collected on August 13th and requested follow-up actions.  
    • On September 4, 2024 (PDF), a follow-up inspection was conducted. No violations were noted during this inspection. 
    • On September 17, 2024 (PDF), DEP conducted a follow-up inspection. No violations were noted during this inspection. 
    • On September 19, 2024, DEP finalized a Sampling Evaluation Report (PDF) which discusses the results of DEP's sampling events conducted on July 22, 2024, and August 13, 2024. ​
    • On October 1, 2024 (PDF), DEP conducted a follow-up inspection. No violations were noted during this inspection.
    • On October 8, 2024 (PDF), DEP conducted a follow-up inspection. No violations were noted during this inspection.
    • On October 22, 2024 (PDF), DEP conducted a follow-up inspection. One violation was cited fro failure to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation on the large fill dirt stockpile. 
    • On October 24, 2024 (PDF), DEP collected 8 soil samples and 1 duplicate sample from along the bike path. 
    • DEP is preparing an addendum to the September 19m 2024 Sampling Evaluation report to discuss the October 2024 sample results.

    Property Owner's Activities

    • On June 10, 2924 (PDF), Arcadis U.S., Inc. (Arcadis), consultants working on behalf of Alliance reported that soil berms had been constructed "across the low-lying area on the eastern portion of the site to prevent any discolored water from leaving the site to prevent any discolored water from leaving the site. "Results from monitoring well sampling conducted on Mya 30, 2024, revealed the presence of chromium (trivalent and hexavalent) in the groundwater. Tests pits revealed yellow-green stained soil. Analysis of the stained soil confirmed the presence of trivalent and hexavalent chromium.
    • On July 11, 2024 (PDF), Arcadis indicated that five test pits were installed on the southern property boundary on July 3rd. The stained soil layer was encountered a few feet below the ground surface and varied in thickness in each test pit.
    • On July 29, 2024 (PDF), Alliance provided results of sampling they conducted alongside DEP and an updated NIR. The soil sample results revealed concentrations of hexavalent chromium at concentrations low than what had been detected in DEP samples. Note, that samples were collected from the same sample locations as DEP, after DEP had collected its sample.
    • On August 1, 2024 (PDF), Alliance reported that cleanup efforts to address areas of elevated hexavalent chromium concentrations beside Bartram's Trail had been completed. 
    • On August 8, 2024 (PDF), Alliance provided results of confirmatory samples collected on August 6. NO hexavalent chromium was detected in their samples. 
    • On August 29, 2024 (PDF), the property owner provided a document (PDF) replying to public comments received. 
    • On September 19, 2024 (PDF), Alliance reported that additional cleanup efforts to address areas of elevated hexavalent chromium concentrations beside Bartram's Trail had been completed.
    • On October 18, 2024 (PDF), Alliance provided the results of soil samples collected following September cleanup efforts. No results exceeded standardized levels of hexavalent chromium.
    • Alliance will remediate the property in accordance with the Act 2 Land Recycling Program which will include the submittal of a Remedial Investigation Report which will describe the nature and extent of the contamination, a Cleanup Plan, and other reports as necessary. Additional information on the Act 2 Land Recycling Process is available on DEP's website: Land Recycling Program(pa.gov), and by reviewing these Fact Sheets: Cleanups Using the Site-Specific Standard or Opportunities for Public Participation in the Land Recycling Program. 

    Site Background

     

    • ​In August 2021, twelve regulated Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs) were demolished and removed from the property. On August 30, 2021, DEP received a Notice of Contamination (PDF).
    • On December 15, 2021, DEP received an AST closure report (PDF).
    • On February 14, 2022 (PDF), Alliance entered into the Act 2 cleanup program by filing a Notice of Intent to Remediate (NIR) to address nonregulated releases through the Act 2 program for lead, volatile organic compounds, and semi volatile organic compounds.
    • On February 2, 2023 (PDF), the November 2022 Site Characterization Report (SCR) (PDF) was disapproved. 
    • On June 27, 2023, a Revised SCR  (PDF)was submitted to DEO and was approved on September 27, 2023. (PDF)
    • On September 5, 2023, DEO in conjunction with Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit (NPDES) Permit No. PAD510225 (PDF)  to Alliance 51st Street, LLC. 
    • On November 27, 2023 a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) (PDF)was received. The RAP was approved on February 22, 2924.(PDF)​
    • On September 17, 2024​ (PDF) DEP approved a minor amendment for the NPDES Construction Permit, PAD510225 A-1, per the authority of the federal Clean Water Act of Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law.​​​