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PCBs SUPERFUND SITE
Cq^ ppQ-^jy Pe9'on 2:	W Broadway, New York, NY 10007
Phase 1 Dredging
Factsheet
November 2009
Highlights
The first phase of the Hudson River dredging project was conducted by General Eiectric Co. (GE), and
overseen by EPA, from May 15 to Nov. 15 to remove PCB contaminatec sediment from a six-mile stretch
of the Upper Hudson River near Fort Edward, New York. In this phase, GE removed approximately
10 percent of the contamination to be dredged during the six-year project.
Environmental Dredges
Mechanical dredges with environmental buckets scooped
contaminated sediment from the river bottom and loaded it into
195-foot-long, 35-foot-wide hopper barges. Dredge operators used
computer software programmed to identify where to dig. Depth
and location of digging was determined by satellites.
Purpose of Phase 1
This phase allowed EPA and GE to evaluate project progress and
make program adjustments to improve compliance with EPAs
project performance standards. These standards were designed to
ensure dredging operations were done safely and public health
was protected at all times. Three engineering performance
standards were created to protect water intakes and the
environment: resuspension (transport of PCBs down river),
residuals (PCBs left behind), and productivity (complete the project
in six years). Five quality of life performance standards were
developed (air quality, noise, lighting, odor, and navigation) for the
purpose of reducing the effects of dredging on people,
businesses, and communities.
Phase 1 Statistics
0 Dredging took place 24 hours a
day, six days a week
•	265,000 cubic yards were
targeted, but nearly 300,000
cubic yards of sediment and
debris were removed
•	18 areas of approximately five
acres each were originally
identified for dredging, 10 were
completed
•	In the 10 areas dredged, 152,000
cubic yards of sediment was
removed, as well as an additional
130,000 cubic yards that was
unexpected
•	Depth of contamination was
greater than expected and
included dense logging debris
•	Up to 12 dredges ran at a time
0 626 barges were processed at
the project's dewatering facility
•	More than 500 people worked on
the project, many local people
were hired
•	81 -car unit trains transported
dredged sediment to a disposal
facility in Texas
•	150,000 tons of backfill will cover or
cap dredged areas
Forty, or more, sediment cores were collected after dredging in
each five acre area and were analyzed for PCB concentrations.
High concentrations called for additional sampling and more
dredging, while low
concentrations allowed for
backfilling with clean
material. The project was
designed to remove as
much PCB contamination
as possible, but it is
impossible to remove all of
the PCBs from the river.

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In-River Monitoring
The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act standard
of 500 parts per trillion (ppt) was used as the
resuspension standard for the project. There
were three exceedances of this standard dur-
ing Phase 1, and dredging was halted on those
occasions when data showed PCB levels at the
first monitoring station were above the 500 ppt
standard. Challenges contributing to the
exceedances were heavy rains, tug propeller
wash, and dredging in several highly
contaminated areas at a time.
Communicating Data Results
EPA established a Website to provide the public
with access to data generated by the project:
www.hudsondredgingdata.com There were
more than 4,000 visits to this Website.
Next Steps
During late 2009 and early 2010, EPA and GE
will evaluate whether the engineering perfor-
mance standards need to be changed for
Phase 2. Evaluation reports prepared by EPA
and GE will be provided to the public and to an
independent peer review panel for recommen-
dations about possible changes to make the
project more effective and efficient. Dredging is
targeted to start for Phase 2 in May of 2011.
Areas Dredged
•	Eighteen areas of approximately five acres each were
planned for dredging in Phase 1
•	Dredging actually occurred in areas 1-8, 17 and 18
•	Due to extra PCB-contaminated sediment found in
excess of original estimates in areas dredged, no
dredging occurred in areas 9-16
•	Phase 2 dredging will begin with the areas that could
not be completed during Phase 1
Rogers
Griffin'
Island

Moses Kil
Key:
[~ "j Planned Phase 1
I	| Dredge Areas
Actual Phase 1
KSi Dredge Areas
Visit, call, or write to the Hudson River Field Office at the address below or log on to www.epa.gov/hudson.
EPA Contact
):• Kristen Skopeck
Community Involvement Coordinator
Hudson River Field Office	The Field Office hours are
421 Lower Main Street	Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm,
Hudson Falls, NY 12839	with evening hours by appointment.
(518) 747-4389 or (866) 615-6490 Toil-Free
hrfo@roadrunner.com
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 Islands. 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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