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Phase 2
Phase 2 Overview
Factsheet
Spring 2013
Phase 2 Overview
In February 2002, the EPA issued a Record of Decision
(ROD) for the Hudson River PCBs Superfund site
that calls for targeted environmental dredging of
approximately 2.65 million cubic yards of PCB-
contaminated sediment from a 40-mile section of
River Section 2
WASHINGTON
COUNTY
[Saratoga Spring:
SARATOGA
COUNTY
Saratoga
Lake
River Section 3
RENSSELAER
COUNTY
Tomfiannock
Reservoir -
ALBANY
COUNTY
Lock 8
Dewatering Facility
River Section 1
Index F
Phase 1 Dredging Areas Lock/Dam
Upper Hudson River Sections
Phase 2 Dredging Areas
I Municipality Boundary
lltuLsitti 2. Kirvr
Map Index
Phase 1 & 2 Dredging Areas
Upper Hudson River
New York
from unacceptable
risks due to PCB-
contaminated
sediments in the
Upper Hudson River.
The cleanup of the Hudson River is occurring in
two phases. Phase 1 of the project was conducted
by General Electric Co (GE) with oversight by the
EPA from May to November 2009. During this
phase, approximately 283,000 cubic yards of PCB-
contaminated sediment was removed from a six-
mile stretch of the Upper Hudson River near Fort
Edward, New York. After an extensive evaluation by
an independent panel of scientists and input from
a broad range of stakeholders, the EPA developed
plans for the second part of the cleanup. Phase 2
is being conducted at full production to remove the
remainder of the contaminated river sediment targeted
for dredging. Phase 2, Year 1 was conducted from
June to November 2011 along a one and one-half mile
section of the Hudson River south of Ford Edward.
Approximately 363,000 cubic yards of contaminated
sediment were removed.
In 2012 (Phase 2, Year 2), dredging continued south
of the village of Fort Edward. The volume dredged
exceeded original expectations; approximately 663,000
cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment were
removed from a three-mile section of the Hudson River.
The remainder of the cleanup is expected to take three
to five more years to complete.
the Upper Hudson River. PCBs, or polychlorinated
biphenyls, are considered probable human
carcinogens and are linked to other adverse health
effects. The primary goal of the Hudson River PCBs
cleanup is to
protect people and
the environment
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Where will the dredging be done?
The ROD covers three sections of the Upper
Hudson River: River Section 1 (from the former Fort
Edward Dam to the Thompson Island Dam); River
Section 2 (from the Thompson Island Dam to the
Northumberland Dam); and River Section 3 (from the
Northumberland Dam to the Federal Dam at Troy).
Within the River Sections (see Map Index on page 4),
dredging is conducted in areas of approximately five
acres each, called "certification units" (CUs).
Phase 1 dredging was conducted in portions of River
Section 1. Phase 2 dredging began with the areas
that were not completed in Phase 1 and will continue
downstream through River Sections 2 and 3.
In 2011, dredging took place in CUs 9-16 and 19 - 25
(see Map 1). In 2012, dredging occurred in CUs 26 -
48 (See Map 1 & 2).
During the initial years of the project, the areas targeted
for dredging were close together and generally
extended from shoreline to shoreline. In future years,
as the project continues to move southward toward
Troy, the dredging areas will be further apart. Several
areas will also need to be dredged that are logistically
challenging, including those near dams, shallow areas
behind islands and the landlocked section of river
located between the Thompson Island Dam and Fort
Miller Dam.
In 2013, dredging operations will resume around Griffin
Island (CU 49) and will continue south to the Thompson
Island Dam (CU 60), completing dredging in River
Section 1. Additional dredging is expected to occur in
sections of river near the towns of Northumberland and
Schuylerville, New York (CUs 67-78).
How were the dredge areas selected?
The dredge areas were identified using the results of
a multi-year sediment sampling program conducted
by GE that began in 2002 and generated more than
50,000 sediment samples taken from the bottom of
the Upper Hudson River. The sampling data allowed
the EPA and GE to determine the distribution of the
PCBs in the sediment, refine estimates of the amount
of PCBs in the sediment, and establish river sediment
characteristics (e.g., silt, sand, gravel). Phase 2 of the
project was designed using the Phase 2 Dredge Area
Delineation report (including the Phase 2 Intermediate
and Final Design reports) and knowledge gained
during Phase 1. In addition, before the start of the
2011 dredge season, 3,900 additional samples were
taken from the river bottom in River Section 1 to more
accurately determine the depth and location of PCBs.
Some additional sediment sampling will occur in River
Sections 2 and 3 as the project continues. Various
project design reports are available on the project Web
site at www.epa.gov/hudson.
How is PCB-contaminated sediment removed,
processed and disposed of?
Mechanical dredges are used to remove sediment from
the river bottom. Dredges mounted on deck barges
use environmental clamshell buckets to place dredged
sediments into barges. Tugboats then push the filled
barges to a dewatering and sediment-processing
facility located on the Champlain Canal in Fort Edward,
New York. Once there, the most contaminated
sediment is processed first. Debris is removed and
sediment is mechanically dewatered; the water is
treated on-site before being returned to the Champlain
Canal. The dewatered sediment and debris are loaded
Data and operations are constantly evaluated to ensure that the momentum of cleanup work in the river
continues and that the biggest sources of ongoing contamination are addressed. After an extensive
review of the first phase of dredging in 2010, the EPA modified a number of requirements for dredging.
These refinements include:
• Improved sampling: Improved sampling methods provide more complete information on the
extent of contamination in the targeted dredge areas.
• Improved dredge design and fewer dredge passes: By dredging deeper than the expect
depth of contamination, fewer bucket bites or dredge "passes" are needed to remove PCBs. These
refinements account for the high degree of variability in the sediment layer and help to minimize
sediment re-deposition.
• Less capping: Capping is limited to 11% of the dredged area, excluding areas that must be
capped due to considerations such as encountering bedrock. In some locations capping of the
river sediments is necessary to isolate small amounts of PCBs remaining after dredging.
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onto railcars for transport to a PCB-approved landfill.
Dredging and processing operations are continually
monitored and evaluated to determine if changes
are needed to improve operations. Prior to the 2012
season, improvements were made at the processing
facility to support operations and increase productivity
(see Figure 1).
Performance Standards
The performance standards were designed to ensure
dredging operations are done safely and public
health is protected. Three engineering performance
standards were created to protect water intakes
and the environment: resuspensiori (transport of
RGBs down river); residuals (PCBs left behind); and
productivity (complete the project efficiently). Five
quality of life performance standards were developed
(air quality, noise, lighting, odor, and navigation) for
the purpose of minimizing the effects of dredging
on people, businesses, and communities. These
standards are re-evaluated and may be adjusted,
3
as needed, as dredging operations move from the
uppermost portions of the river into areas much further
downstream.
In-River Monitoring
The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act standard of 500
parts per trillion (ppt) is used as the resuspension
standard for the project. Compliance with this
standard is monitored through an extensive river
quality monitoring program at upstream, near-field
(within 300 meters downstream of dredging), mid-field
(approximately 1-2 miles downstream), and at far-field
(greater than 2 miles downstream) locations. When
resuspension or other performance standards are not
met, GE will be required to conduct evaluations and
adjust dredging operations. Air monitoring also occurs
24/7 during dredging operations. For quality of life
issues such as odor, noise, or lighting, monitoring will
occur regularly, as well as in response to complaints;
and GE will be required to take action to address the
issue.
Performance standard monitoring data is available on the EPA's Hudson
Dredging Data web site: www.hudsondredgingdata.com
Coarse Material
Staging
Expansion
Coarse Material
Staging Area
Water Treaim
Rail Yard
icess Road
Sedlmenl
- ¦ - f"-'.
Barge Unloadii
* Station
Locked
Gate
Work Wharf Unloading Wharf
C/iamp/arn Canal
Figure 1: Prior to the 2012 season, improvements were made at the Processing Facility which included expansion of the coarse material staging area and
construction of a second barge unloading station, additional size separation equipment, and a second gravity thickener.
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4
Springs
SARATOGA
COUNTY
River Section 3
Lock
. 11
Schaghticoke
LEGEND
I I Index Frame
Lock/Dam
Upper Hudson River Sections
I Hudson River
¦ Phase 1 Dredging Areas
H Phase 2 Dredging Areas ^
I I Municipality Boundary
Miles
0 12 4
IN
A
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10
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13
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14
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15
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Map 11
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17
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19
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20
For More Information
The EPA will continue the public outreach program for this project. The program includes maintaining the Hudson
River Field Office, providing project information and meeting with riverfront residents living near the dredging areas.
Visit*, call toll-free, or write to the Hudson River Field Office at the address below for more information.
EPA Contacts:
Gary Klawinski, Remedial Project Manager
Hudson River Field Office
421 Lower Main Street
Hudson Falls, NY 12839
(518) 747-4389 or (866) 615-6490 Toil-Free
hrfo@roadrunner.com
Larisa Romanowski, Community Involvement Coordinator
Hudson River Field Office
421 Lower Main Street
Hudson Falls, NY 12839
(518) 747-4389 or (866) 615-6490 Toil-Free
hrfo@roadrunner.com
"The Field Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, with evening hours by appointment.
EPA Regional Public Liaison
EPA Region 2 has designated a public liaison as a point-of-contact for community concerns and questions about the federal Superfund program in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Is-
lands. To support this effort, the Agency has established a 24-hour, toll-free number that the public can call to request information, express concerns, or register complaints about Superfund. The public liaison
for EPA's Region 2 office is: George H. Zachos, U.S. EPA, Region 2, 2890 Woodbridge Avenue MS-211, Edison, New Jersey 08837, (732) 321-6621, Toll-free (888) 283-7626.
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