The Weak Link In the D&R Canal Linear State Park

Industrial Sites In Trenton Damage and Pollute Canal

what appears to be a leachate seep from Scarpati Recycling crosses canal path and discharges into canal

[Important Update below]

I’ve ridden the segment from Milford to Trenton along the Delaware, but there are two segments of the D&R Canal State Park system I have not ridden yet on my bike.

So, the other day I took the trip along the Canal from Princeton to Trenton.

I would not recommend it.

The trail quality is lousy in stretches from Princeton to Lawrence (rocky, single track) and the adjacent industrial land uses below the pedestrian bridge across Rt. 1 really negatively impact the experience.

Coming south, just as you enter Trenton, you ride a thin strip of land between an active industrial site on your right (air emissions and hazardous waste drums and all) and heavily traveled Route 1 on your left.

As I hit Scarpati Recyling facility, I saw a broken storm water or discharge pipe had washed out a portion of the trail and the canal bank, creating a physical trail hazard and likely storm water industrial discharge to the canal (see photos):

broken pipe washes out trail and canal bank

broken old industrial discharge or storm water pipe

Just a 100 feet of so south of that point, the trail was being washed out with what appeared to be a leachate seep, which also was discharging to the Canal (see photos)

leachate seep (right) crosses canal path and discharges to canal

rusty metallic leachate discharges into canal

I contacted the D&R Canal Park Superintendent, who has been professional and very responsive in the past.

The Superintendent responded the next day to advise that NJ Water Supply Authority was aware of the situation and planned to repair one of the problems (not sure which one) this summer.

Still, I suggested that she contact DEP industrial storm water permitting and solid waste enforcement to determine compliance with DEP permits.

In addition to the physical washout of the canal path and bank, the pollution discharge likely coming from Scarpati Recycling probably contains nasty pollutants like oil, grease, anti-freeze glycols, gasoline, and toxic heavy metals.

The trail ends at Perry Street, where the Canal goes underground through Trenton. But, just a few hundred feet north of Perry Street, I came across an illegal dumping scene:

garbage dumped illegally just north of Perry Street trailhead

We’ll keep you posted and see if the Park Superintendent refers this to enforcement – if not, we’ll contact the DEP Hot Line tomorrow.

urban art under bridge near Perry Street terminus

[Update – 5/6/15 – The D&R Canal Park Superintendent immediately responded and then followed up with NJ Water Supply Authority.

Here is the NJWSA response:

* NJWSA staff observed the broken clay pipe entering the Canal behind Scarpati. NJWSA was aware of the situation and already has the materials to repair it. By July 2015, the repair should be complete and the area of the embankment that is eroded will be stabilized and re-seeded. It appears that the pipe is a City of Trenton stormwater pipe that passes under Scarpati’s facility rather than originating from it. This is based on observation of the location of the pipe and catch basins and manholes on New York Ave. NJWSA has no agreement for this pipe with the City of Trenton or Scarpati.

* NJWSA staff observed the wet areas of the towpath in the vicinity of Scarpati Recycling. It should be noted that NJWSA staff have also observed that this type of towpath wetness is not uncommon in this stretch of the Canal. It appears that the runoff is coming from the direction of the Scarpati facility but visual observation was not conclusive as to the origin or makeup of the runoff. NJWSA forwarded a report of the runoff to NJDEP on April 30, 2015.

The other reported concern was the presence of garbage and graffiti within the Park. Parks maintenance staff will respond to these items directly.  By the weeks end the trash should be gone, I’ll see if we can find a local volunteer/scout group for the painting.  That’s something the kids enjoy doing and can see a tangible result from their efforts.

Just to be clear, I have no problem with the “graffiti” and think it should remain. That’s why I called it urban art.

I’ll try to followup on how DEP responds to the NJWSA runoff report and see what this means – it sounds like an illegal discharge:

NJWSA has no agreement for this pipe with the City of Trenton or Scarpati.