EPA Set to Conduct Assessment of Property at the Holy Trinity Cemetery, Lewiston, NY - Niagara County Community Update April 2016 SITE BACKGROUND The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will commence field activities on property at the Holy Trinity Cemetery, 5401 Robert Avenue, Lewiston, NY the week of April 18, 2016. The purpose of their assessment will focus on conducting further radiological activities at two parcels of property located at the cemetery, one of which is adjacent to the east and parallel to Robert Avenue and the other, a dirt access road that leads east towards the 1-190 expressway. The next step in the assessment process will consist of soil sampling in those areas based on survey results. The U.S. Department of Energy conducted an aerial radiological survey of the Niagara Region and found several properties with radioactive material above background levels. It is believed that in the early 1960's, slag from former industrial facilities was used as fill on properties prior to paving. The fill contained natural-occurring levels of radioactive material. ASSESSMENT The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) in 2013 conducted a survey of the property and then referred the site for further investigation to EPA. EPA conducted a series of tests at the property starting in December of 2013 through May 2014 to determine whether the site would be eligible for inclusion on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL) and it was discovered that the site did not meet the minimum criteria for listing. However, EPA wants to conduct a further assessment to better delineate the areas that may require removal of materials in the future. The slag materials are below the surface and pose no exposure or health risk to the public at the site's current condition. EPA will fence off the two areas as a precaution as they continue their assessment activities. Once the assessment work is completed and EPA reviews the field sampling results, a decision to excavate may be made. If a removal is necessary, EPA will then prepare a work plan and notify the public. In addition, EPA will see to it that the removal activities will have a series of safety procedure in place to protect the public. EPA encourages public participation. If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding the Site, please contact one of the following: Michael Basile Community Involvement Coordinator 186 Exchange Street Buffalo, NY 14204 716-551-4410 basile. michael@epa. gov Or Eric Daly On-Scene Coordinator 732-321-4350 daly. eric@epa. gov ------- |