Radioactive Manufacturing Facility Coming to Millburn?

RobB said:
Worst case scenario: Canary Island Landslide. Which I've already claimed as my WWF stage name so back off.

I'd point out its now the WWE, after the World Wildlife Federation sued the F out of them. You're old. neener neener neener.


dk50b said:

I would suggest that the claim there is any flood protection on this section of the East Branch of the Rahway is incorrect.


You mean, "the claim there ISN'T any flood protection on this section... " right?


marylago said:


dk50b said:

I would suggest that the claim there is any flood protection on this section of the East Branch of the Rahway is incorrect.

You mean, "the claim there ISN'T any flood protection on this section... " right?

Komarovsky's statement that I quoted says that section of the West (not East as I incorrectly said) Branch of the Rahway River "is protected beyond a 1%(100yr) annual chance return period flood by a combination of levees and channel modifications." That contention is repeated, implying nothing above a 500 year flood can occur in the zone where the facility will be located. As you pointed out, the only section of the E or W Branch with any flood control is the stretch though downtown SO. The river remains in its natural course through Millburn, and unless I'm mistaken, there are no levees or channel modifications to be found.

That area flooded during Floyd, as Mrs. dk and I can testify when we were rushed out of ShopRite as they were frantically closing while water started flowing into the store from the back end doors by the dairy section. Our 5 minute trip home took nearly an hour due to closed streets. Flooding occurred there during Irene as well. So Formerlyjerseyjack, you may not have seen it, but it has happened. Let's go to the videotape...

http://patch.com/new-jersey/millburn/several-streets-flooding-in-millburn

So that's two 500 year floods in 12 years. Climate change is guaranteed to increase the frequency of such storms. That said, if this company is foolhardy enough to knowingly open in a floodplain and not take precautions, I'm not sure how they've stayed in business.


Thanks for clarifying. I was confuzzled.

I think during Floyd, even South Orange had some flooding. Enough to close South Orange Avenue and flood some basements of stores nearby, but certainly the-less-than-beautiful flood abatement project saved them from the worst of the damage. Let's hope the greenway project helps with the aesthetics. It does look much prettier over by Flood's Hill (no pun intended).


dk50b, I disagree with your assertion that that section of the Rahway River has no flood defense. If you go on http://www.historicaerials.com/ and search for the address of the proposed business and look at the differences between the 1931-1966 images and the images from 1970 onward you can clearly see the river's course has been altered and channelized as part of the construction of route 78.

Now, whether the protection is actually at a 0.2% chance annual return period is another story. Given the assumptions about flows from the 1960s and 1970s are probably now invalid to a degree due to changes in the basin, I'd say probably not. Is the protection somewhere between a 1% and 0.2% chance annual return period, probably. That said, it is totally possible from a purely statistical point of view that you could have two 500 year events within 12 years of each other. Exceedingly unlikely, but possible none the less.


I find it interesting that everyone is just going along with the assumption that somehow if there was to be a flood, this building would just turn into a floating hazardous waste spill. What information is that based on? Is everyone just as worried about being contaminated from a flood that hits Overlook or St. Barnabas or any of the hundreds if not thousands of doctors offices around us that use medical radiation and radioisotopes every day? Where did this concept come from that a flood would release radiation into the community?


Komarovsky said:
dk50b, I disagree with your assertion that that section of the Rahway River has no flood defense. If you go on http://www.historicaerials.com/ and search for the address of the proposed business and look at the differences between the 1931-1966 images and the images from 1970 onward you can clearly see the river's course has been altered and channelized as part of the construction of route 78.
Now, whether the protection is actually at a 0.2% chance annual return period is another story. Given the assumptions about flows from the 1960s and 1970s are probably now invalid to a degree due to changes in the basin, I'd say probably not. Is the protection somewhere between a 1% and 0.2% chance annual return period, probably. That said, it is totally possible from a purely statistical point of view that you could have two 500 year events within 12 years of each other. Exceedingly unlikely, but possible none the less.

Komarovsky, I agree the Rahway was channelized to flow under I-78 when that road was constructed in the early '70's. I also maintain there has been no modification whatsoever to the course of the W Branch, with one exception. Milburn's last surviving paper mill, the Fandango Mill, was located where the Lakeside Village now stands. The mill pond was reduced in size when the condos were constructed after the mill burned in the '50's. And no, that's where the township got its name.

https://livinginmillburn.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/did-you-know-the-origin-of-millburn/

http://books.google.com/books?id=4jZbyKmQmEIC&lpg=PA11&ots=JB9_vq_kTy&dq=millburn%20fandango%20mlls&pg=PA11#v=onepage&q=millburn%20fandango%20mlls&f=false

Otherwise, looking at the aerials I see not other W Branch changes from the 1930's to 2013, particularly in the section flowing south of E. Willow St. Again, I'm saying there's no flood protection anywhere on the W Branch in Milllburn, the adjacent are is zones as a 500 year flood based on past flood frequency, not existing protection. And you're absolutely correct that 500 year floods can and have happened with greater frequency.


snake


EricH said:
I find it interesting that everyone is just going along with the assumption that somehow if there was to be a flood, this building would just turn into a floating hazardous waste spill. What information is that based on? Is everyone just as worried about being contaminated from a flood that hits Overlook or St. Barnabas or any of the hundreds if not thousands of doctors offices around us that use medical radiation and radioisotopes every day? Where did this concept come from that a flood would release radiation into the community?

There was a riding stable between the Fandango Mill and Palumbo's Esso Station. For .50 you got a horse for an hour.


EricH said:
I find it interesting that everyone is just going along with the assumption that somehow if there was to be a flood, this building would just turn into a floating hazardous waste spill. What information is that based on? Is everyone just as worried about being contaminated from a flood that hits Overlook or St. Barnabas or any of the hundreds if not thousands of doctors offices around us that use medical radiation and radioisotopes every day? Where did this concept come from that a flood would release radiation into the community?

Well, not everyone. Most of the people on this thread, in fact, have been a little more circumspect about the alleged "danger" related to this proposed facility.


I would be very concerned about it being in a flood prone area....


jmitw said:
I would be very concerned about it being in a flood prone area....

How high can the water rise? Will radioactive materials be stored above any conceivable high water mark? Does it matter if the building loses power? I would only be concerned if there are some unaddressed risks.


I would be no more concerned about this business than about any other. It was pointed out upthread that the radioactive material has a short half life and a short range.


Would people start a petition against any facility carrying out medical testing? Why not anyone producing hazardous waste (dry cleaners, auto repair, metal works, etc.)? A spill of these toxins during a flood is more hazardous than release of all the radioactive material this lab will contain, and exceedingly difficult to remove from water.

http://www.epa.gov/wastes/hazard/wastetypes/listed.htm

Looks like LabCorp, Palumbo's and Dodd should be forced to close, along with any others in the floodplain using hazardous materials.


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