GIBBSBORO — Citing the ongoing spread of COVID-19, Sherwin-Williams has halted the cleanup of numerous Superfund sites in Gibbsboro and Voorhees for the safety of project workers and the surrounding communities.

The paint corporation announced a temporary halt to its continuing investigations and remediation of those sites in an announcement Tuesday; the company said is was acting in response to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendation.

"This pause in activities is for a minimum period of two weeks, during which EPA will monitor the situation and provide further guidance," Sherwin-Williams said in a news release.

"During this pause in field activities, the Sherwin-Williams technical team will continue to work on remediation designs and other tasks remotely and will work diligently to keep the overall project moving forward despite these changes in the schedule."

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For decades, arsenic and lead penetrated and contaminated the soil at multiple sites from the manufacturing, dumping and burning of pain and solvents that began under Lucas Paint Works.

Lucas later was purchased by Sherwin-Williams and closed in 1977.

On Friday EPA's Region II, which covers New Jersey and New York, recommended a pause in field work due to uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

"EPA remains committed to protecting human health and the environment as we continue to adjust to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

“This guidance will allow us to keep workers and the residents in these communities safe while also being able to respond to any emergency that may present an imminent danger to the public health or welfare.”

Sherwin-Williams is temporarily suspending its activities at the Sherwin-Williams/Hilliards Creek Site Superfund site; the site includes the former factory property, the related Route 561 Dump Site and the United States Avenue Burn Site, all in Gibbsboro.

Gibbsboro Mayor Edward Campbell hopes the pause will be of short duration but said the rise of COVID-19 cases in Camden County is a complicating factor that must be addressed.

"The protection of workers and the public is paramount in the implementation of the Superfund remedies," he said, adding that challenges include maintaining adequate EPA and Army Corps of Engineers supervisory staff and coordinating with many subcontractors working with the primary contractor.

He also said he hopes work can resume more quickly on more remote sites that are not near residential areas like the burn site and Route 561 dump site.

Earlier this month the company delayed the start of remediation activities on four residential properties along Kirkwood Lake in Voorhees. Work had been scheduled to start this month, but has been delayed until at least midsummer.

However, the company intends to finish remediation activities on a retail plaza on Route 561 in Gibbsboro associated with the Route 561 Dump Site within the next week to 10 days before securing that site and postponing further work.

In addition, transportation of contaminated soils to an EPA-approved landfill may continue as necessary.

Contaminants also seeped into waterways from the lake surrounding the former paint manufacturing plant in Gibbsboro, and into the Kirkwood Lake downstream from Hilliard's Creek.

Alice Johnston, leader of the Kirkwood Lake Environmental Committee, said she expected a suspension of the remediation work.

"I am disappointed the remediation work is stopping though I understand the rationale behind it," said Johnston, whose lakeside property is among the contaminated sites.

Just a week ago Sevenson Environmental Services posted traffic signs near the lake and its bordering residences in Voorhees in anticipation of more project work, Johnston added.

On March 31, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the closure of nonessential businesses, but the construction industry was not covered under that directive. Social distancing remains in effect to avoid contracting the virus.

As of Tuesday, more than 2,800 state residents had died of the virus and more than 68,800 tested positive for it.

Sherwin-Williams officials said they are committed to working cooperatively with the EPA to address environmental conditions related to the former paint manufacturing plant in Gibbsboro, and will restart field activities as soon as possible based upon EPA’s guidance.

For project updates visit www.SWHilliardsCreek.com.

Carol Comegno loves telling stories about South Jersey history and our military veterans. Her book, “The Battleship USS New Jersey: From Birth to Berth” is the definitive history of the battleship. If you have a story to share, call her at 856-486-2473 or email ccomegno@gannettnj.com.

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