REDUCTION OF
TOXICS LOADINGS TO
THE NIAGARA RIVER FROM
HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES
IN THE UNITED STATES:
OCTOBER 2000
A Report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
OCTOBER 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary
Introduction 1
Summary of Remediation Progress 7
Overview of Remediation Status 7
Highlights of Recent Actions 7
Estimated Remediation Costs 14
Acronyms 15
Glossary 16
References 21
Appendix: Priority Niagara River Hazardous Waste Sites
Occidental Chemical — Buffalo Avenue A-l
Niagara County Refuse Disposal A -7
DuPont Necco Park A-10
CECOS International A-14
Occidental Chemical — Hyde Park A- 18
102nd Street A-24
Bell Aerospace Textron A -27
Occidental Chemical — Durez Division, Niagara Falls (formerly BTL Specialty) A -30
Occidental Chemical, S-Area A -32
Stauffer Chemical A -38
Solvent Chemical A -40
Vanadium Corporation of America (formerly SKW Alloys) A -42
Olin Corporation A -45
DuPont — Buffalo Avenue A -49
Buffalo Color Corporation A -51
Buffalo Color — Area D A -54
Bethlehem Steel Corporation A -56
River Road (INS Equipment) A -59
Niagara Mohawk — Cherry Farm A -61
Frontier Chemical, Pendleton A -63
Frontier Chemical, Royal Avenue A -65
Occidental Chemical - Durez Division, North Tonawanda A -68
Gratwick Riverside Park A -70
Mobil Oil A -73
Iroquois Gas-Westwood Pharmaceutical A -76
Booth Oil A -79
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since 1987, the Niagara River has been the focus of attentionfor four environmental agencies in the United
States and Canada ("The Four Parties"). In a Declaration of Intent, the Four Parties committed to reducing
toxic chemical inputs to the Niagara River. Hazardous waste sites were considered the most significant
non-point source of toxics to the river. Therefore, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) identified 26 U.S. sites responsible
for over 99% of the estimated input from all such sites on the U.S. side of the basin, and put them on
ambitious remediation schedules. Remediation of the sites is intended to virtually eliminate the migration
of toxic pollutants from the sites.
All remedial construction has been completed at 14
of the sites. The remedial technology will be
operated and monitored for effectiveness for years
to come at those sites. Remedial actions are
underway at 9 sites. Four of these are interim
remedies, including 3 sites under interim remediation
while final remedies are being designed or
investigated, and one site where an interim remedial
action was completed and an effort to identify
potentially responsible parties is underway. At 7 of
the 9 sites where remedial actions are underway,
significant remedial controls are already operating.
For many of these sites, the load reductions are
substantial. The remaining sites are under design or
study.
Based on various simplifying assumptions, EPA
estimates that remediations to date have reduced
the potential inputs into the river by approximately
90% This estimate is based primarily on the sites
where the final remedial action is completed. It
does not include the load reductions at all the sites
where remedial controls are operating, though the
reductions may be substantial. Therefore, the actual
reductions to date may exceed 90%. Through
2001, completion of Remedial Actions is expected
at five more sites, summarized below. Current sch
REMEDIATION OF U.S. HAZARDOUS WASTE
Sites
14 SITES ARE COMPLETED:
CECOS (Niagara Falls)
Bell Aerospace Textron (Niagara Falls)
Occidental Chem. Durez (Niagara Falls)
Stauffer Chemical (Lewiston)
DuPont Buffalo Ave (Niagara Falls)
Frontier Chemical (Pendleton)
Occidental Chem. Durez (North Tonawanda)
Olin Corporation (Niagara Falls)
Buffalo Color Area D (Buffalo)
Occidental Chem. Buffalo Ave (Niagara Falls)
102nd Street (Niagara Falls)
River Road (Tonawanda)
Niagara Mohawk Cherry Farm (Tonawanda)
Niagara County Refuse Disposal (Wheatfield)
9 SITES WHERE REMEDIATION IS UNDERWAY:
DuPont Necco Park (Niagara Falls)
Occidental Chem. Hyde Park (Niagara Falls)
Mobil Oil (Buffalo)
Occidental Chem. S-Area (Niagara Falls)
Frontier Chemical Royal Ave (Niagara Falls)
Iroquois Gas-Westwood Phannac. (Buffalo)
Vanadium Corporation (Niagara)
Solvent Chemical (Niagara Falls)
Gratwick Riverside Park (North Tonawanda)
call for all sites to be remediated by 2003.
Recent accomplishments in remediation of the priority waste sites include the following:
Remedial construction was completed at the Niagara County Refuse Disposal site. Installation of the
leachate collection system and its tie-in to the municipal sanitary sewer system was completed in early 1999
and the system is operational. Construction of the landfill cap was completed in June 2000. A final
inspection was conducted in September 2000.
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Through 2001, completion of final remedial actions is expected at the following sites:
Occidental Chemical Corp. S-Area - The overburden drain collection system and cap for the old
Niagara Falls Drinking Water Treatment Plant property were completed in 1999. The drain collection
system for the landfill portion of the S-area site was replaced and is now operating. Construction of the
final landfill cap and securement of the water intake structure from the old DWTP began in August 2000.
Occidental Chemical Corp. Hyde Park - Four additional extraction wells were connected by force
mains to the on-site treatment facility in 1999 and 2000. A groundwater model isbeing completed to assist
in the placement of additional extraction wells, which will ensure effective hydraulic containment. Remedial
action completion is expected by December 2001.
Solvent Chemical - Installation of the extraction system in the off-site hot spot has been completed.
Removal of the off-site storm sewer to Gill Creek began in July 2000. Remedial action completion is
expected August 2001.
Gratwick Riverside Park - Remedial construction began in June 1999. The action involves a cap over
the site, a slurry wall barrier between site and river, collection of contaminated groundwater, and shoreline
stabilization with enhancements for improved habitat value. Construction is proceeding on schedule and
is presently approximately 95% complete. Completion is expected April 2001.
Iroquois Gas-Westwood Pharmaceutical - All remediation at the plant site is complete. Remediation
of Scajaquada Creek sediments was completed in March 1999. One system to extract NAPL from
beneath the creek bed is complete and operational, and completion of the second and final NAPL
extraction system is scheduled for December 2000.
Other significant milestones in the past year include:
Vanadium - An interim remedial measure to cover portions of the site and control storm water runoff was
completed by one of the potentially responsible parties in 1998. Construction of an interim remedial
measure by another site PRP, to cap the landfill on their portion of the site, began in May 2000 and is
expected to be completed by November 2000.
Buffalo Color Corporation - The Corrective Measures Study was approved in July 2000. Remedy
selection is expected in November 2000 and Corrective Measures Implementation start-up is expected
in July 2001.
DuPont Necco Park - The installation of additional groundwater wells began in September 2000 as part
of the remedial design. The wells will serve as component parts of the hydraulic containment portion of the
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final remedy. The following are among the measures included in the final remedy: Upgrading the existing
cap; containment of the overburden and bedrock source areas; treatment of extracted groundwater;
collection and off-site disposal of DNAPL; comprehensive monitoring and additional site characterization.
Construction of the final remedy is expected to begin November 2001, and remedial action completion is
expected by October 2003.
Estimates of the cost of remediation are available for most of the 26 priority hazardous waste sites. Based
on these estimates, the costs incurred to date are at least $ 370,100,000. Additional costs expected in the
future are estimated at $ 261,100,000.
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INTRODUCTION
Tin: Four Pariii:s
Since 1987, the Niagara River has been
the focus of attention for four
environmental agencies in the U.S. and
Canada, called "The Four Parties". The
Four Parties signed a Niagara River
Declaration of Intent, pledging
cooperation to achieve significant
reductions of toxic chemical pollutants in
the Niagara River. The Declaration of Intent and a work plan form the Niagara River Toxics Management
Plan (NRTMP).
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
Environment Canada (EC)
NY S ta te dittoi environmental Conservation
(i)i:c i
On tario ministry of Environment (MOE)
NRTMP Pkli >k11 Y T< >\K ( II
ICALS
Under the NRTMP, the Four Parties identified 18 persistent toxic chemicals as "priority toxics". Actions
to reduce the inputs of these priority toxics to the Niagara River have been aimed at point sources and non-
point sources. Significant point sources on both sides
of the River have been identified and are being
addressed in U.S. and Canadian point source plans.
The Four Parties summarize progress in controlling
point sources in an annual report, last issued in June
2000 (Niagara River Secretariat, 2000).
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N on-point sources of toxic chemicals to the River
(e.g., leachate from hazardous waste sites, storm
water runoff, atmospheric deposition) are more
difficult to quantify and control. Given the limited
information available about non-point sources, the
U.S. has proceeded with its actions based on the assumption that hazardous waste sites are the most
significant non-point sources of toxic chemicals to the River.
In 1988, an EPA study estimated potential toxic pollutant loadings to the River fromU.S. hazardous waste
sites (Gradient Corp/Geotrans Inc 1988). All known U.S. waste sites in the Niagara River area were
considered. To help EPA/DEC focus actions on the sites that have the most significant potential for
polluting the River, the report produced a list of 70 most-significant U.S. sites. The agencies treated the
70 sites as 33 site clusters, largely based on the manner in which data have historically been collected.
Figure 1 shows the locations of these 33 clusters, and several additional hazardous waste sites.
The study showed that an estimated 694 lbs (315 kg)/day of toxic chemicals have the potential of migrating
from the sites to the Niagara River. Because collection of site-specific transport data is ongoing, estimates
were made based on certain assumptions — for instance, that groundwater flow is horizontal, and that
pollutants behave in a conservative manner. These assumptions yielded conservative estimates (i.e.,
estimates of toxic loadings that are expected to be higher than the actual loadings).
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Lake Ontario
A
255
Frontier Chemical'
Royal Avs.—
Booth Oil Site
66
41b/ 7 B 242
Grand
Island
APPROXIMATE SCALE
2 4 8 MILES
NOTE: First number only is given for sie jeqs
wih multiple site numbers.
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Figure 1 LEGEND: LOCATION OF SIGNIFICANT NIAGARA RIVER HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES
USGS SITE NUMBERS
SITE NAME
41 b-49
Occidental Chemical (OCC) - Buffalo Avenue
81
Niagara County Refuse Disposal
14
DuPont Necco Park
78a,b
CECOS International/Niagara Recycling
39
Occidental Chemical (OCC) - Hyde Park
40,56,85,94*
102nd Street
5
Bell Aerospace Textron
66
OCC - Durez, Niagara Falls (formerly BTL)
41a
Occidental Chemical (OCC), S-Area
255
Stauffer Plant (PASNY)
251
Solvent Chemical
1
Vanadium Corp. (formerly SKWAlloys)
58,59,248
Olin - Buffalo Avenue
15-19,250
DuPont - Buffalo Avenue Plant
254
Buffalo Harbor Containment
120-122
Buffalo Color, including Area D
118
Bethlehem Steel
136
River Road (INS Equipment)
67
Frontier Chemical - Pendleton
24-37
OCC - Durez, North Tonawanda
253
Small Boat Harbor Containment
68
Gratwick Riverside Park
141
Mobil Oil
162
Alltift Realty
242
Charles Gibson
22
Great Lakes Carbon
182
Niagara Mohawk Cherry Farm
241
Times Beach Containment
108
Tonawanda Coke
107
Allied Chemical
207
Tonawanda Landfill
125-127
Dunlop Tire and Rubber
123
Columbus-McKinnon
38
Love Canal
9-15-141
Iroquois Gas/Westwood Pharmaceutical
Occidental 102nd Street site (#40), Olin 102nd Street site (#56), Griffon Park (#85), and
Niagara River Belden site (#94)
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EPA and DEC issued a report in November 1989 prioritizing the 3 3 site clusters in order of their potential
for polluting the River (EPA/DEC 1989). Table 1 presents the 33 site clusters divided into three
categories, based on Gradient/Geotrans estimates of their potential toxic loads to the Niagara River:
Category I: Sites with greater than 50 lb/day loads
Category II: Sites with 1 to 50 lb/day loads
Category HI: Sites with less than 1 lb/day loads
Sites from Category I and II collectively represented 99.9% of the total estimated loadings.
In keeping with the strategy to reduce inputs from the sites with the potential for contributing the largest
amounts of pollutants to the River, the EPA/DEC report presented ambitious remediation schedules for the
Category I and II sites. The report's best estimates indicated that the potential inputs of all toxic chemicals
from these sites to the River would be reduced by 99% by 1996, if remediation schedules were met.
However, the 1989 schedules were estimates based on limited knowledge of site conditions and average
negotiation periods with Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs). Delays in the schedules have occurred,
because of lengthy legal proceedings withPRPs or complex site conditions that were unanticipated. Thus,
many of the sites have exceeded their original 1996 targeted completion date. In each progress update,
EPA and DEC explain the circumstances surrounding the slippages in the site-specific reports in the
Appendix.
Since 1989, EPA and DEC have also reevaluated the hazardous waste sites to identify those that new
information shows are significant sources of toxic chemicals to Niagara River. Two sites have been
removed as insignificant sources of toxics, and four sites have been added as significant sources. This
October 2000 update reports on remediation progress at the resulting 26 significant hazardous waste sites.
EPA estimates that a reduction of approximately 90% in potential toxic chemical inputs from all sites to the
River has been achieved by the site remediations to date. The estimate is based on the percentage of
remedial actions in place at some of the 23 sites with completed or on-going remedial actions (Table 2).
A 100%) reduction was assumed for 13 of the sites with all remedial actions in place. For one site, an
estimate is available indicating that up to 1.5% of the toxic chemical load from the site may be continuing
after remediation. This was included in the overall load reduction estimate. A percentage reduction was
estimated for two other sites with partial implementation of remedial actions. Since estimates could not be
made for most of the sites with on-going remediation, actual reductions to date may be greater than the
estimated 90%. Remedial systems are functioning at 7 of the 9 sites where remediation is underway, and
these systems are expected to have already reduced the off-site loadings. For example, groundwater
pump-and-treat systems are operational at several sites, thus reducing potential loadings to the river. Table
2 identifies the sites where remediation is not yet completed, but which have operational remedial systems
that are expected to have reduced contaminant loads to the river.
Completion of final remedial actions are expected at several additional sites through 2001. Based on the
expected implementation of these remedial actions, EPA's best estimates are that, by the end of2001, the
estimated toxic chemical inputs from all sites will be reduced by almost 95% from the 1989 inputs. Current
schedules call for all sites to be remediated by 2003.
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Work to estimate the potential loadings of the NRTMP priority chemicals to the Niagara River from the
priority waste sites has recently been done. The estimates are based on information that was not available
at the time the Gradient/Geotrans estimates were developed, such as information on chemical
concentrations in groundwater and groundwater flow. For example, a report by several site PRPs
addressing groundwater loadings for ten of the NRTMP priority waste sites estimates loadings of 5.6
lbs/day (2.5 kg/day) of priority chemicals from the ten sites to the river prior to remedial actions at the sites,
and 0.0048 lbs/day (0.002 kg/day) after completion of the remedial actions (CRA 1998), a reduction of
over 99%. Since these estimates only consider the NRTMP priority chemicals, they are not comparable
to the Gradient/Geotrans estimates of total toxic chemical loading. Also, some assumptions were used in
the study that would tend to result in lower load estimates (i.e. non-conservative assumptions). Therefore,
the actual loadings are probably greater than the estimates. However, the estimates corroborate the
reduction in toxic chemical loadings to the river achieved through remedial programs.
In addition to remediation efforts at the waste sites themselves, it is also important to recognize the role of
the Niagara Falls Waste Water Treatment Plant in reducing toxic inputs from a number of waste sites to
the River. Based on information available in 1987, the U.S. identified the Falls Street Tunnel as the largest
source of toxic pollutants from any of its point sources. The Tunnel was once a major unlined industrial
sewer cut into the bedrock under the City ofNiagara Falls. By the mid-1980s, it only received overflows
ofwastewater from the sewers of a Niagara Falls industrial area and contaminated groundwater from major
waste sites infiltrating through cracks in the bedrock. Unlike flows from other point sources, flows from
the Falls Street Tunnel entered the Niagara River untreated. In 1993, EPA and DEC required the City of
Niagara Falls to treat the contaminated water flowing in the Falls Street Tunnel during dry weather at the
Niagara Falls treatment plant. The data gathered by the U.S. show that this actionhas reduced, through
wastewater treatment, the input from the Falls Street Tunnel into the River of mercury by 70%,
tetrachloroethylene by 85% and four other priority toxic chemicals by almost 100%, relative to the 1980s
inputs.
Since the Falls Street Tunnel captures portions of the upper Lockport bedrock groundwater flow from
seven hazardous waste sites, the actions taken to control discharge from the Tunnel reduce the inputs from
the following sites to the River:
DuPont - Buffalo Avenue Solvent Chemical
Occidental Chemical - Buffalo Avenue CECOS International
Frontier Chemical - Royal Avenue DuPont Necco Park
Occidental Chemical - Durez, Niagara Falls
For this report, reductions in toxic chemical inputs to the River due to the treatment of Falls Street Tunnel
flow are not included in the estimate of the reduction in toxic inputs.
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TABLE 1
Gradient/Geotrans Prioritization of Waste Sites According to
Potential Toxic Loadings to Niagara River in 1988
Category I: greater than 50 Ib/dav
Occidental Chemical - Buffalo Ave.
Niagara County Refuse Disposal
DuPont Necco Park
CECOS International
Occidental Chemical - Hyde Park
Category II: between 1 - 50 Ib/dav
Occidental Chemical - 102nd Street
Bell Aerospace Textron
Occidental Chemical - Durez, Niagara Falls (formerly known as BTL Specialty Resins)
Occidental Chemical - S-Area
Stauffer Plant (PASNY)
Solvent Chemical
Vanadium Corp. (formerly SKWAlloys)
Olin - Buffalo Avenue Plant
DuPont - Buffalo Avenue Plant
Buffalo Harbor Containment
Buffalo Color, including Area D
Bethlehem Steel
River Road (INS Equipment)
Frontier Chemical - Pendleton
Occidental Chemical - Durez, North Tonawanda
Small Boat Harbor Containment
Gratwick Riverside Park
Mobil Oil
Category III: less than 1 lb/day
Alltift Realty
Charles Gibson
Great Lakes Carbon
Niagara Mohawk - Cherry Farm
Times Beach Containment
Tonawanda Coke
Allied Chemical
Tonawanda Landfill
Dunlop Tire and Rubber
Columbus-McKinnon
Love Canal
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SUMMARY OF REMEDIATION PROGRESS
Overview of Remediation Status
Table 2 and Figure 2 give overviews of remediation status at the 26 waste sites. In summary:
All remediation is in place at 14 of the sites. The remedial technology installed at the 14 sites will
be operated and monitored for effectiveness for years to come.
Remedial actions are underway at 9 sites.
4 of these are interim remedies, including 3 sites under interim remediation while final
remedies are being investigated or designed, and one site where an interim remedial action
was completed and PRP search efforts are underway.
Construction of the final remedy is underway at 5 sites.
Remedial actions are under design or investigation at 6 sites (including 3 of the sites under interim
remediation).
Remedial systems are functioning at 7 of the 9 sites where remediation is underway, and these systems are
expected to have already reduced the off-site loadings.
Highlights of Recent Actions
For each site, a detailed description of progress is presented in the Appendix. The highlights of progress
made, with emphasis on accomplishments since the last progress report in October 1999, are summarized
below.
Occidental Chemical — Buffalo Ave
New York State issued a draft permit in September 1999 that included comprehensive, site-wide,
Final Corrective Measures for the facility, and for the off-site area affected by the site. The draft
permit proposed to incorporate the Interim Corrective Measures currently in place as part of the
Final Corrective Measures for the site. After a public comment period, the final permit became
effective February 10, 2000.
Final completion of the groundwater stabilizationprograms inDecember 1998 effectively eliminates
future off-site contaminant loadings.
Niagara County Refuse Disposal
Remedial construction began in November 1998. The remedy includes a perimeter clay barrier
wall, leachate collection with off-site treatment and disposal, removal of field tile drains to the west
of the landfill, a final landfill cap, and other actions.
Installation of the leachate collection system and its tie-in to the City of North Tonawanda sanitary
sewer has been completed. The leachate collection has been operational since the summer of
1999, thus eliminating any potential pathway for leachate to migrate off-site.
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TABLE 2
STATUS OF SITE REMEDIATIONS
INVESTIGATION AND DESIGN:
PRP Search
Frontier Chemical, Royal Avenue1
Site Investigation Underway
MOBIL OIL
Bethlehem Steel
VANADIUM CORPORATION2
Remedial Design Underway
Booth Oil3
Buffalo Color
DUPONT NECCO PARK
REMEDIATION:
Remediation Underway:
Interim Remedy In Place or Under Construction:
MOBIL OIL
Frontier Chemical, Royal Avenue1
VANADIUM CORPORATION2
DUPONT NECCO PARK
Construction of Final Remedy Underway
OCC, S-AREA
OCC, HYDE PARK
IROQUOIS GAS-WESTWOOD PHARMAC.
SOLVENT CHEMICAL
Gratwick Riverside Park
Remediation Completed fO&M Underway~l
Stauffer Chemical
Frontier Chemical, Pendleton
Bell Aerospace Textron
CECOS International
OCC - Durez, Niagara Falls
OCC - Durez, North Tonawanda
DuPont Buffalo Avenue
Olin Plant Site
Buffalo Color - Area D
OCC, Buffalo Avenue
102 Street (Olin/OCC)
River Road
Niagara Mohawk - Cherry Farm
Niagara County Refuse Disposal
The sites in interim remediation are also under investigation or design, and therefore are listed
twice.
Sites in bold have achieved progress since the October 1999 report.
These sites, though not completed, have operational remedial systems that are expected to have
reduced contaminant loadings to the Niagara River.
1 A major Superfund Response Action was completed in 1995. A PRP search is underway, to be followed by
negotiation of an RI/FS order. Notice letters were issued to PRPs in December 1999.
2 Preliminary investigations were completed. An Interim Remedial Measure was completed by one PRP; IRM by
another PRP is under construction.
3 RI/FS completed. Negotiations on a legal agreement for performance of the Remedial Design/Remedial Action are
continuing.
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FIGURE 2: STATUS OF SITE REMEDIATIONS
Construction of Final Remedy (5)
Interim Remedy (4)
Remedial Design (3)
Final Remedy In Place (14)
Site Investigation (3)
PRP Search (1)
(Number of sites in parentheses)
The four sites under Interim Remedy are also under investigation, design, or PRP Search, and thus are counted twice
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Construction of the landfill cap was completed in June 2000.
The Remedial Action was completed (final inspection conducted) in September 2000.
DuPont Necco Park
Remedial design is underway, including the installation of additional groundwater wells, which
began in September 2000. The wells will serve as component parts of the hydraulic containment
portion of the final remedy.
Construction of the Final Remedy is expected to begin November 2001. The following are among
the measures included in the Final Remedy:
Upgrading the existing cap;
Containment of the overburden source area using hydraulic measures or a physical barrier;
Containment of the bedrock source area using hydraulic measures;
Treatment of the extracted groundwater on-site or off-site;
Collection and off-site disposal of DNAPL;
Comprehensive monitoring and additional site characterization.
Remedial Action completion is expected by October 2003. The completion date will allow
sufficient time to address any complications that may arise in achieving effective hydraulic
containment in the fractured bedrock beneath the site, and to allow the remedial systems to be
tested and optimized.
Occidental Chemical — Hvde Park
Though the RA is not completed, the remedial systems are already containing most of the
contaminated groundwater on site, thus greatly reducing the potential contaminant loading to the
Niagara River. All of the overburden groundwater is being contained. In the three bedrock
groundwater zones, at least 80% of contaminated groundwater is being contained. Remedial work
to achieve full containment is continuing.
Phase III of the bedrock groundwater extraction system was installed (pumping and monitoring
wells, and force mains connecting the wells to the on-site treatment plant) in 1997. However,
complex site conditions and difficulties in pumping NAPL resulted in the need to install additional
wells. Three pumping wells and associated monitoring wells and force mains were installed in
1998. Three additional pumping wells and associated monitoring wells and force mains were
installed in 1999; one additional pumping well and five monitoring wells were installed in 2000.
OCC still did not achieve all required inward hydraulic gradients when the additional wells were
installed. OCC is currently producing a groundwater model to better understand the groundwater
flow in the vicinity of the site. The output of the model will be utilized to place additional wells more
effectively or to determine if other remedial measures should be taken at the site. Completion of
all remedial systems is expected by September 2001, and remedial action completion is expected
by December 2001.
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Sampling of fenced groundwater seeps in the Niagara River Gorge F ace was conducted in 1997,
1998 and 1999. Results continue to indicate no need for additional control or remediation of the
seep areas.
Bell Aerospace Textron
CMI start-up was in 1995. The on-site system has been enhanced by the installation and operation
of an additional groundwater extraction well in 1998, including the use of a higher capacity pump
in August 1999. These enhancements have produced a consistent capture zone, and the system
is now achieving its design goals.
Occidental Chemical. S-Area
The drain collection system and cap for the old Drinking Water Treatment Plant property were
completed in 1999.
Operation of the drain collection system for the landfill portion of the site began in 1996.
However, a portion of the system was improperly installed and did not function as designed. The
system was replaced in 1999-2000. This has delayed completion of the Remedial Action.
Construction of the final landfill cap began in August 2000.
Securement of the raw water intake structure from the old DWTP began in August 2000.
• Completion of the Remedial Action is expected in 2001.
Solvent Chemical
Construction began in early 1998, but was delayed by lack of access agreements with adjacent
property owners.
Construction has now resumed. Installation of the extraction system in the off-site hot spot has
been completed. Removal of the off-site storm sewer to Gill Creek began in July 2000.
Remedial Action completion is expected August 2001.
Vanadium Corporation
InNovember 1998, one ofthe site PRPs (SKW Alloys) completed an Interim Remedial Measure
to cover portions of their parcel and control site storm water runoff.
Construction of an Interim Remedial Measure by another PRP (Airco), to cap the landfill on their
portion of the site, began in May 2000 and is expected to be complete by November 2000.
Negotiations with the PRPs have not resulted in an Order on Consent requiring that a site-wide
RI/FS be undertaken. NYSDEC will open negotiations with Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation and the New York Power Authority to address their portion of the site.
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Buffalo Color
The Corrective Measures Study Report was approved in July 2000. Remedy selection is expected
in November 2000 and Corrective Measures Implementation start-up is expected in July 2001.
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
BSC has completed the field work for the site investigation, and is preparing RFI and humanhealth
risk assessment reports. These have been delayed due to negotiations over the scope and the need
to collect additional data. Submittal of these reports is anticipated by April 2001.
BSC completed limited remedial technology studies for two areas that appear to be the primary
sources of groundwater contamination at the facility (the Acid Tar Pits and Coke Oven Areas).
EPA and DEC found the studies to be technically flawed and of limited value.
BSC has submitted a Pre-design Investigation Report for the remediation of the Benzol Plant Area
(i.e., Coke Oven Area). However, a dispute over waste characterization has delayed
implementation.
Any future CMS or CMI activities will require a new order, permit or other agreement.
River Road TINS Equipment) and Niagara Mohawk - Cherry Farm
All remedial work is complete.
The remedial action includes fish and wildlife habitat enhancements through the construction of
shoreline wetland embayments along the Niagara River.
Recent diver inspection of the dredged areas shows good revegetation and recolonization by fish.
Frontier Chemical. Roval Avenue
The company that owned the facility went bankrupt in 1992, and failed to implement a DEC Order
for waste removal. The site was referred to Federal Superfund for a Response Action including
the removal of thousands of drums, removal of wastes from 45 tanks on the site, and other actions.
The action was completed in 1995.
EPA ruled not to include the site on the National Priorities List.
DEC initiated PRP search efforts in 1998. The efforts are to be followed by negotiations of an
RI/FS Order to address soil and groundwater contamination.
DEC finalized the list of PRPs and issued notice letters to the PRPs in December 1999.
12
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Gratwick Riverside Park
Remedial Design (RD) started in early 1996. The design includes shoreline protection, hydraulic
(slurry wall) barrier between site and river, a cap over the site to allowit to be used as a park, and
collection of contaminated groundwater.
During design, some site-related contamination was found in river sediments. It was also
determined that steps should be taken to improve the habitat value of the shoreline area.
Design changes to address these issues were addressed as a ROD amendment issued in January
1999.
Remedial construction started in June 1999. Construction is proceeding on schedule and is
currently approximately 90% complete. Completion is expected in April 2001.
Mobil Oil
Following site investigations in the 1980s, DEC re-classified a 3-acre area of concern on the site
as Class 3 (does not present significant threat to public health or the environment; action may be
deferred).
• In 1994, the entire Mobil facility was selected for DEC's Multi-Media Pollution Prevention (M2P2)
program.
A multi-media inspection was conducted, leading to the signing of a Consent Order in May 1997,
to undertake further site investigation and remediation. The results of the site investigation were
submitted in November 1998.
Three areas of the site were identified as requiring additional investigation to determine the extent
of contamination. The results of this site facility investigation were submitted in December 1999.
Further investigation is underway in two areas. Results are to be submitted by November 2000.
Further investigation will be required in one area.
Remedial systems are operating at the Mobil Oil facility. A well point system was installed in the
early 1970s to prevent petroleum seepage to the Buffalo River. In 1993, six dual-pump recovery
wells were activated to recover petroleum product and groundwater. Five of the six recovery wells
are presently being operated in conjunction with the well point system.
Iroquois Gas-Westwood Pharmaceutical
All remedial construction at the plant site was completed September 1997, including sheet piling
barrier wall, groundwater extraction wells, groundwater and NAPL treatment, and a clay cap.
Remediation of Scajaquada Creek sediments commenced in July 1998 and was completed in
March 1999.
Extraction ofNAPL from beneath the creekbed has begun at the downstream portion of the site.
Negotiations to purchase property to locate the second extraction system, at the upstream portion
of the site, are underway. Completion of the extraction system is scheduled for December 2000.
13
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Booth Oil
A PRP proposal for an alternate remedy was accepted in June 1998. Negotiations on a legal
agreement for performance of the Remedial Design/Remedial Action are continuing.
The Remedial Design is expected to be complete by April 2001.
Estimated Remediation Costs
Where available, estimated remediation costs incurred to date and expected in the future are provided in
each site description (Appendix). Federal, State, and Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) contributions
were estimated, where possible. Remediation costs were unavailable for Federal/State RCRA sites,
because reporting cost information is not a requirement of the RCRA corrective action program, and
facilities have generally been reluctant to provide it. The remediation costs that are provided are estimates
that may change as remediation progress is made at each site. The estimates will be updated as new
information becomes available.
Based on available estimates for 19 sites, following is the total amount incurred to date (costs for the
remaining 7 sites are unavailable):
Federal $ 38.3 million
State $ 6.8 million
PRPs $ 325.0 million
Total $ 370.1 million
Based on available estimates for 17 sites, the total additional costs expected in the future are as follows
(costs for the remaining 9 sites are unavailable):
Federal $ 1.3 million
State $ 0.8 million
PRPs $ 259.0 million
Total $ 261.1 million
The estimated costs to date cannot be compared to the estimated costs expected in the future, because
different sites are included in the estimates. It is also difficult to compare the relative contributions of
federal, state, and PRP expenditures, because cost information for some sites was incomplete (e.g., some
sites may have been able to provide federal or state costs but not PRP costs, and so on). However, the
cost information does provide a sense of the magnitude of U.S. expenditures for hazardous waste site
remediation in the Niagara River basin.
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ACRONYMS
APL
Aqueous phase liquids
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
CMI
Corrective Measure Implementation
CMS
Corrective Measure Study
DDT
Primarily l,l'-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)-bis/4 chlorobenzene
DEC
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DNAPL
Dense non-aqueous phase liquids
EC
Environment Canada
EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
HSWA
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
ICM
Interim Corrective Measure
IIWA
Immediately Implementable Work Assignment
IRM
Interim Remedial Measure
MOE
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
NAPL
Non-aqueous phase liquids
NRTMP
Niagara River Toxics Management Plan
OCC
Occidental Chemical Corporation
PCBs
Polychlorinated biphenyls
PRP
Potentially Responsible Party
PSA
Preliminary Site Assessment
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride
RA
Remedial Action
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RFA
RCRA Facility Assessment
RFI
RCRA Facility Investigation
RI/IS
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
ROD
Record of Decision
RRT
Requisite Remedial Technology
SPDES
New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
TCDD
Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
TCP
Trichlorophenol
VOC
Volatile organic compounds
15
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GLOSSARY
A
Ambient
A surrounding medium, such as water or air.
Used in contrast to a specific source.
Aquatic
Growing in, living in, or dependent upon water.
Atmospheric deposition
Pollution from the atmosphere associated with
dry deposition in the form of dust, wet deposition
in the form of rain and snow, or as a result of
vapor exchanges.
B
Barrier wall
A wall constructed underground in a hazardous
waste site or landfill to stop the flow of
contaminated groundwater.
Basin
The land that drains into a waterbody.
Bedrock groundwater
Water flowing through a rock layer underground,
under a top layer of mixed soil and loose rock
called the overburden.
Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]
A PAH that is formed by the incomplete
combustion of fossil fuels, wood, and tobacco;
the incineration of garbage; and in steel
production.
Bioaccumulation
The process by which chemical substances
accumulate in the tissues of an organism that
drinks contaminated water or eats contaminated
food.
c
Cap
A cover over hazardous waste sites, usually
made of clean soils or clay, that prevents
rainwater from seeping through soil and causing
the contaminants in the soil to flow into the
groundwater.
Capture Zone
Area in which groundwater is flowing towards a
pumping well; used as remediation technique for
hazardous waste sites, to "capture"
contaminated groundwater and treat it.
Chlordane
A persistent toxic chemical that was used to
control ants, grasshoppers, and other insects on
certain crops.
Collection drain
System of pipes around a hazardous waste site
or landfill that collects surface or groundwater
and directs it toward a treatment plant.
Combined sewer overflow (CSO)
Water discharged into a waterbody from a
sewer system that carries both sewage and
storm water runoff. Normally, all of the sewer
system's flow goes to a treatment plant, but
during a heavy storm, there may be so much
storm water as to cause overflows. When this
happens, mixtures of storm water and sewage
may flow into a waterbody untreated.
16
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Consent decree
A legal document, approved by a judge, which
puts into effect a remedy (i.e., actions to correct
an environmental problem).
Contaminant
A substance that is not naturally present in the
environment or is present in amounts that can
adversely affect the environment.
D
DDT
Dichloro-diphynyl-trichloroethane. A persistent
toxic chemical that was used as a pesticide,
particularly for mosquito control. DDT is
banned in U.S. and Canada. DDE and DDD
are metabolites of DDT.
Dieldrin
A persistent toxic chemical that was used mainly
as a soil insecticide.
Dioxins/furans
Dioxin: A family of persistent toxic chemicals
known as dibenzo-p-dioxins. Dioxins can enter
the environment as the by-products of industrial
processes or as a result of combustion processes
in incinerators and motor vehicles using leaded
fuel. The compound called "2,3,7,8-TCDD" is
the most toxic member of the dioxin family.
Furan: A class of chemicals similar to dioxins,
which are created at high temperatures, such as
incineration of PCBs and other organic wastes
containing chlorine.
DNAPL(Dense Non-Aqueous Phase
Liquid)
An oily, sludge-like mixture of chemicals that is
denser than water. DNAPL flows with gravity
or along geological formations, not always in the
same direction as groundwater.
Downstream
In the direction with the flow of a stream or
river; down river. For Niagara River,
downstream is towards Niagara-on-the-Lake
and Lake Ontario.
Dredging
Removal of sediment from the bottom of a
waterbody.
E
Embayment
A bay. A part of a waterbody (such as a river
or lake) that makes an indentation into the
adjacent land.
F
Force main
A pipe that carries contaminated groundwater
drawn out of hazardous waste sites by pumping
wells to a treatment plant.
Four Parties
The four agencies who implement the Niagara
River Toxics Management Plan: U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Environment
Canada, New York State Department of
Environmental Protection, and Ontario Ministry
of Environment and Energy.
G
Groundwater
The fresh or saline waters found beneath the
Earth's surface that often supply wells and
springs. Contrast to "Surface water".
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H
Habitat
Place where a particular type of plant or animal
lives. An organism's habitat must provide all of
the basic requirements for its life.
Hazardous waste
Any substance that is a by-product of society
and is classified under U.S. or Canadian law as
potentially harmful to human health or the
environment. Hazardous wastes are subject to
special handling, shipping, storage, and disposal
requirements under the law.
Hazardous waste site
Land disposal site for hazardous wastes.
Heavy metals
Metallic elements with high atomic weights that
tend to be toxic and bioaccumulate. Examples
are mercury, arsenic, lead, etc.
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
A persistent toxic chemical that was originally
manufactured as a fungicide for cereal crops. It
is also generated as a by-product in the
manufacture of pesticides and can be formed
during the combustion of substances containing
chlorine.
I
Infiltration
Passing through or filtering through, as in rain
water that filters through soil to join
groundwater.
Insecticide
A chemical used to kill or control the growth of
insects.
L
Landfill
Land disposal site for hazardous (or non-
hazardous) wastes.
Leachate
Liquid derived from rain or snow melt that
percolates through a hazardous waste site.
Load or Loading
The amount of a material entering a system
over a given time interval.
M
Medium (plural: Media)
A surrounding substance in the environment:
water, air, or sediment.
Metabolite
A substance that is the product of biological
changes to a chemical.
Mirex
A persistent toxic substance that was used as an
insecticide and a fire retardant.
Multi-media
Involving multiple media, such as water and air,
or air and sediment, or all three.
Inorganic substance
A chemical compound that does not contain
carbon. Inorganic substances are often derived
from minerals.
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N
National Priorities List (NPL)
An EPA list of the most serious uncontrolled or
abandoned U.S. hazardous waste sites identified
for long-term remedial action under Superfund.
Non-point source
Pollution entering the environment over a
widespread area, where the sources cannot be
traced to a single, identifiable point. Contrast to
"Point source".
o
Octachlorostyrene (OCS)
A persistent toxic chemical that was released as
a by-product when chlorine was manufactured
using certain processes that are no longer used.
Organic substance
A chemical compound that contains carbon.
Overburden groundwater
Water flowing through a layer of mixed soil and
loose rock that lies over the rock layer called
bedrock.
P
PAHs
Polycyclic or polynuclear aromatic
hydrocarbons. A class of persistent toxic
compounds that are formed from the combustion
of organic material, such as forest fires or
gasoline in cars.
PCBs
Polychlorinated biphenyls. A group of persistent
toxic chemicals used in electrical and hydraulic
equipment for insulating or lubricating purposes.
Persistent toxic chemical
Any toxic chemical that is difficult to destroy or
that breaks down slowly in the environment (i.e.,
with a half-life in water greater than eight
weeks).
Pesticide
A chemical used for preventing, destroying, or
repelling any pest.
Point source
Source of pollution that is distinct and
identifiable, such as a pipe from a sewage
treatment plant.
Pollution prevention
Any action that reduces or eliminates pollutants
before they are created.
Potentially Responsible Party (PRP)
Any individual or company potentially
responsible for, or contributing to, the
contamination problems at U.S. hazardous waste
sites.
Pretreatment
Processes used to reduce, eliminate, or alter
pollutants from industrial sources before they are
discharged into publicly-owned sewage
treatment systems.
Priority toxic chemicals
Under the NRTMP, 18 toxic chemicals that
exceeded water quality or fish tissue standards
in the Niagara River or Lake Ontario.
R
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. A
U.S. program to remediate active hazardous
waste sites. Sites are remediated by potentially
responsible parties whenever this can be
arranged.
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Record of Decision (ROD)
A public document that explains what actions
will be taken to remediate a U.S. hazardous
waste site.
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
(RI/FS)
The RI defines the areal and vertical extent of
the hazardous waste problem at a Superfund site
through numerous sampling wells, an extended
environmental sampling program and a full
geophysical survey. Based on the RI, the FS
develops and evaluates alternative solutions to
the problem.
Requisite Remedial Technology (RRT)
An RRT is the equivalent of an FS (see RI/FS
above) for a pre-CERCLA agreement.
Runoff
Water that flows over the land surface into a
waterbody.
s
Slurry wall
Barrier made of a thin, watery mixture of fine,
insoluble material (clay, cement, soil, etc...).
Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs)
Areas within a hazardous waste site where
hazardous materials are stored or managed.
SWMUs are generally storage areas, treatment
systems, disposal areas, spill areas, or
containment cells.
Superfund
A U.S. program to remediate inactive or
abandoned hazardous waste sites in an
emergency or for the long-term. Sites are
remediated by potentially responsible parties
whenever this can be arranged.
Surface water
All water open to the atmosphere (e.g., rivers,
lakes, reservoirs, seas, etc.).Contrast to
"Groundwater".
T
Toxaphene
A persistent toxic chemical that was used as an
insecticide.
Toxic substance
Any substance that adversely affects the health
or well-being of a living organism.
OR
A substance that can cause death, disease, birth
defects, behavioral abnormalities, cancer,
genetic mutations, physiological/reproductive
malfunctions, or physical deformities in any
organism.
u
Upstream
In the direction against the flow of a stream or
river; upriver. For Niagara River, upstream is
towards Fort Erie and Lake Erie.
V
Volatile substance
A substance that evaporates readily.
w
Wetland
An area that is saturated with water or has a
water level at or near the surface. A wetland
has organic soils and plant/animal species that
are adapted to a wet environment.
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REFERENCES
CRA. 1998. Estimates of Pre-Remedial and Post-Remedial Action Chemical Loading via
Groundwater to the Niagara River. Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, January 1998. Ref. No.
9855(1).
Gradient Corp./Geotrans Inc. 1988. Potential Contaminant Loadings to the Niagara River from U.S.
Hazardous Waste Sites.
Niagara River Secretariat. 2000. Niagara River Toxics Management Plan: Progress Report and
Work Plan, June 2000.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(EPA/DEC). 1989. Reduction of Toxics Loadings to the Niagara River from Hazardous Waste Sites
in the United States.
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APPENDIX
PRIORITY NIAGARA RIVER HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES:
Site Descriptions & Remediation Schedules
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A-l
OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL - BUFFALO AVENUE
Site #41b - 49
Site Program: RCRA (State and Federal)
Summary Prepared by: EPA and DEC
Site Description
Occidental Chemical Corporation's (OCC) Buffalo Avenue Plant is a major manufacturing facility
in central Niagara Falls adjacent to the Robert Moses Parkway, along the Niagara River.
Starting with seven acres in 1911, the facility has grown to approximately 130 acres, with
hundreds of buildings. During its history, the facility has manufactured over 250 different
chemical products, including halogenated benzenes, toluenes, phenols, and aliphatics. Chemical
raw materials, products and wastes have been buried or spilled at numerous locations on the
plant site. Estimates of the amount of waste disposed in the various production areas include:
4,200 tons in D-Area, 1,500 tons in F-Area, 11,300 tons in N-Area, and unknown amounts in
U-Area.
Five aquifers exist at this site: one overburden and four bedrock. A clay/till layer serves as an
aquitard (a barrier) between the overburden and the bedrock, except where man-made
influences such as utilities and building foundations have penetrated the layer. The four bedrock
flow zones occur within the Lockport Group (a rock formation) with the three upper units
accounting for nearly 100% of bedrock groundwater at the site.
In the overburden, groundwater flow was historically toward the Niagara River from the
southeast portion of the site. However, an overburden barrier wall constructed in 1994 restricts
the direct discharge of this groundwater to the Niagara River. The barrier wall re-directs the
groundwater to the southwest. In the southwest portion of the site, the overburden groundwater
discharges to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) conduit drain system and then probably
discharges from the NYPA drain system to the Falls Street Tunnel. At other plant areas, the
direction of overburden groundwater flow is locally influenced by man-made structures,
particularly the sanitary and outfall sewers as well as existing groundwater collection systems.
In the bedrock aquifers, groundwater moves northwest, north, and northeast, is recharged by the
river, and is influenced by the NYPA conduits and the Falls Street Tunnel. Most bedrock
groundwater flow leaving the site will enter the NYPA conduit drainage system or the Falls Street
Tunnel. All of the dry weather flow through the Falls Street Tunnel now is treated by the Niagara
Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant before discharge to the River.
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A-2
Interim Corrective Measures
OCC completed certain interim corrective measures required under the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA):
Removal and capping of contaminated soils
Installation of a barrier wall
• Collection of DNAPL from bedrock wells
Installation of fences
Removal of spills from secondary containment areas
Removal of fly ash accumulated on the ground.
DEC and EPA issued OCC a state Part 373 permit and an EPA Hazardous and Solid Waste
Amendments permit under RCRA in June 1988, permitting the storage/treatment and incineration
of hazardous wastes.
Site Investigation
Pursuant to the permits, OCC completed the on-site and off-site components of a RCRA Facility
Investigation (RFI). Due to the complexity of site conditions, the remedial program activities for
the facility were subdivided into several components:
bedrock groundwater
overburden groundwater
overburden soils
off-site groundwater contamination.
In accordance with an August 1993 DEC Part 373 permit modification, the remedial measures
are being implemented as stabilization measures, followed by the final remedy selection after the
adequacy of the stabilization measures are assessed. Stabilization measures for the individual
components are being addressed on a priority basis. OCC has prepared a comprehensive, site-
wide CMS, addressing all site components including the adequacy of the stabilization measures
described below. This was submitted in November 1998.
Stabilization Measures (Additional Interim Corrective Measures)
Bedrock Groundwater. All of the bedrock groundwater extraction wells and monitoring wells
have been installed. A new treatment plant designed to treat the contaminated bedrock
groundwater has been constructed. The pump-and-treat system has been started up. From
April 1996 through September 1996, as part of the testing and optimization of the remedial
system, over 700 gallons per minute of contaminated groundwater were pumped from the upper
three bedrock aquifers and treated at the new treatment plant. Three bedrock wells have
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A-3
collected, through May 1997, approximately 5,840 gallons of DNAPL from the site. The
DNAPL is incinerated in OCC's hazardous waste incinerator. The pump-and-treat system was
tested and optimized through March 1997. The pumping rates of each of the 19 bedrock
groundwater extraction wells were optimized to achieve a hydraulic barrier along the northern
and western plant boundaries to contain the contaminated groundwater.
Based on performance monitoring data, OCC determined that additional measures were
necessary to achieve the remedial design objectives. The treatment plant has been enhanced by
adding additional treatment measures (air stripping to address break-through of vinyl chloride),
and expanding the plant's capacity from 800 gpm to 1200 gpm. OCC subsequently increased
the extraction rate of the bedrock groundwater recovery system to 1000 gpm. On average more
than 30 pounds per day of organic chemicals are captured by the bedrock groundwater
collection system.
Overburden Groundwater. Construction of a collection system to capture overburden
groundwater along the southern boundary of the site is complete. In the southwestern portion of
the site, an 1,800 foot-long abandoned sewer line has been converted into a groundwater
collection system. Conversion of the line began in February 1996. A 1,400 foot-long section of
the line began operation in June 1997. During the sewer line conversion, a 400 foot-long section
of the line was found to be unsuited for capturing the groundwater. As a result, OCC installed a
new groundwater collection drain (trench) adjacent to this 400 foot-long section of pipe, and
extending an additional 400 feet to the west beyond the original sewer line length. This increased
the capture zone to a total of 2,200 feet. This system began operation in December 1997.
However, performance monitoring data indicated that these measures were insufficient to
produce the necessary groundwater capture, so the system was augmented by installation of a tile
drain. This was completed in December 1998. The new collection system extends along the
alignment of the converted sewer to the vicinity of the OCC S-Area site.
The overburden groundwater collection system is now fully operational. The collected
groundwater is being treated on-site at an existing wastewater treatment plant, which was
upgraded to handle the additional flow.
At one time, groundwater infiltration into the on-site industrial waste sewer system was a
significant source of contamination to the river. However, OCC has had an ongoing program for
replacing and repairing pipes since the early 1980s. OCC completed the investigation of
groundwater infiltration into the Plant's Outfall Sewer System in June 1996 and implemented
measures to eliminate infiltration points from Fall 1996 through Spring 1997.
OCC installed a barrier wall in 1994 along the Niagara River to prevent migration of overburden
groundwater contamination into the Niagara River.
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A-4
Overburden Soils and Off-site Groundwater. As interim corrective measures, OCC
identified and removed 36 tons of liquid mercury from contaminated soils on-site in U-Area, and
capped dioxin-contaminated soils in X-Area.
OCC submitted a draft CMS for the overburden soils in 1996. In a Fall 1997 comment letter on
the draft CMS, DEC advised OCC not to prepare a separate off-site CMS, but instead to
submit a comprehensive, site-wide, final CMS that addresses remedial measures for all site
components (bedrock, overburden and off-site). That CMS was submitted in November 1998.
Final Corrective Measures
Future off-site loadings from the Buffalo Avenue site will be effectively eliminated by the bedrock
groundwater stabilization program (completed), and the overburden groundwater stabilization
program (completed).
A draft permit that specifies the Final Corrective Measures for the facility was public noticed in
September 1999. The draft permit proposed to incorporate the Interim Corrective Measures
currently in place as part of the Final Corrective Measures for the site. After a public comment
period, the final permit became effective February 10, 2000.
The Final Corrective Measures in the final permit include:
• Extraction of bedrock groundwater on-site; and treatment in accordance with the applicable
SPDES permit at an on-site plant.
• Monitoring bedrock groundwater extraction wells for NAPL; and collection of detected
NAPL with on-site or off-site treatment.
• Extraction of overburden groundwater on-site; and treatment in accordance with the
applicable SPDES permit at an on-site plant.
• Compliance with the limits specified in the applicable Significant Industrial User Wastewater
Discharge Permit for overburden groundwater infiltration into the City of Niagara Falls
sanitary sewers.
• Compliance with the provisions of the applicable SPDES permit to restrict discharge of
overburden groundwater from the outfall sewer system.
• Monitoring overburden groundwater extraction wells for NAPL; and collection of detected
NAPL with on-site or off-site treatment.
• Monitoring the performance of the remedial systems on-site and off-site.
The schedule for implementation of a corrective action program at the plant, including Corrective
Measure Study (CMS) and Corrective Measure Implementation (CMI), is shown below.
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A-5
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
The following estimated amounts will be spent from now to the completion of remediation:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
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A-6
OCCIDENTAL CH
EMICAL -- BUFFALO AVENUE
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RFI Work Plan Approval
DEC/EPA
Jun 1991
COMPLETED
RFI Completion
Permittee
Dec 1992
COMPLETED
CMS Work Plan Approval
DEC/EPA
Jun 1993
COMPLETED
CMS
Completion:
Bedrock Groundwater
Permittee
Aug 1993
COMPLETED
Overburden Groundwater
Permittee
Dec 1994
COMPLETED
Overburden Soil1
Permittee
Auq 1996
COMPLETED
Off-Site (Groundwater)1
Permittee
Feb 1997
N/A
Site-wide CMS1
Permittee
N/A
COMPLETED
Stabilization
Selection:
Bedrock Groundwater
DEC/EPA
Dec 1994
COMPLETED
Overburden Groundwater
DEC/EPA
Feb 1995
COMPLETED
Overburden Soil1
DEC/EPA
Oct 1997 1996
N/A
Off-Site (Groundwater)1
DEC/EPA
Apr 1998
N/A
Stabilization
Work Plan
Approval:
Bedrock Groundwater
DEC/EPA
Nov 1994
COMPLETED
Overburden Groundwater
DEC/EPA
Jun 1995
COMPLETED
Overburden Soil1
DEC/EPA
Apr 1998 1997
N/A
Off-Site (Groundwater)1
DEC/EPA
Jul 1998 1997
N/A
Start-up:
Stabilization2
Bedrock Groundwater
Permittee
Oct 1995
COMPLETED
Overburden Groundwater
Permittee
Dec 1997
COMPLETED
Overburden Soil1
Permittee
Oct 1998
N/A
Off-Site (Groundwater)1
Permittee
Dec 1998
N/A
Start-up of CMI
Permittee
Dec 1997
COMPLETED
1 The overburden soil remedial measures were delayed so that contaminated soils generated during both
bedrock and overburden groundwater remediation could be addressed at once. Off-site remedial measures
were delayed, pending evaluation of the effectiveness of on-site remedial measures. None of these remedial
measures impact the potential for off-site loadings, which was eliminated in Dec. 1998, with full operation of
the overburden groundwater remedial system. OCC submitted a comprehensive, site-wide, final CMS in
November 1998, addressing all on-site and off-site components. The NYSDEC issued a draft 373 permit that
specifies final corrective measures for the facility in September 1999. After a public comment period, the final
permit became effective February 10,2000.
2 Implementation of the Bedrock and Overburden Stabilization Programs will effectively eliminate future off-
site loadings from the Main Plant Site.
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A-7
NIAGARA COUNTY REFUSE DISPOSAL
Site #81
Site Program: Federal Superfund
Summary Prepared by: EPA
Site Description
The Niagara County Refuse site occupies approximately 65 acres, about 1000 feet north of the
Niagara River in the Town of Wheatfield, New York.
During its operation period (1968-1976), the Niagara County Refuse Disposal District
(NCRDD) accepted household, yard, agricultural, institutional, commercial, and industrial
waste; demolition and construction debris; sewage treatment plant sludge; street sweepings; and
used tires. More than 100 waste generators or transporters are thought to have used the site.
Disposed materials included heat-treatment salts, plating-tank sludge, tetrachloroethylene, PVC
skins and emulsion, thiazole polymer blends, polyvinyl alcohol, phenolic resins, and brine sludge
containing mercury. The site was capped with 20 inches of dirt and clay at the time that it was
closed by the NCRDD in 1976. Illegal dumping of rubbish and hard fill, as well as the erosion
of the clay cap, have been concerns at the site since its closure.
Three overburden zones and one bedrock zone are present under this site. The bedrock
zone and one of the overburden zones are the primary water-bearing formations (aquifers).
The groundwater in these two aquifers generally flows in a south/southwest-erly direction
towards the Niagara River beneath the southern half of the site and in a north/northwesterly
direction towards Black Creek beneath the northern half of the site.
Site Investigation
Niagara County Refuse is an EPA-lead site on the National Priorities List of Superfund sites.
Pursuant to a March 1989 consent order, a group of fourteen Potentially Responsible Parties
(PRPs) performed a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for the site. It was
completed in September 1993, when EPA signed a Record of Decision (ROD) for the site.
Among other things, the RI report indicated that the water-bearing zones beneath the site
showed either a negligible impact from volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and
pesticides, or no impact at all. Maximum contaminant levels were generally exceeded in the site
groundwater for chromium, iron, manganese, and sodium (although iron and sodium levels in
regional groundwater typically exceed maximum contaminant levels). Based on these findings,
EPA considers the original loadings estimate for this site to be too high.
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A-8
Upon completion of the RI/FS, EPA issued a Proposed Plan for remediation of the site. After
consideration of public comment on the Proposed Plan, EPA executed a ROD on September
24, 1993, selecting the following remedy:
a full NYCRR part 360 cap with a complete perimeter clay barrier wall
leachate collection and offsite treatment and disposal
gas venting
an ecological assessment of the adjacent wetlands
removal of the field tile drains located to the west of the landfill
long-term operation and maintenance.
The Final Design Report for the remedial action was approved by EPA in September 1997.
Due to the Site being a municipal landfill, the municipalities are eligible for State funding
assistance for their respective share of remedial action costs. As such, the specific state
requirements for funding eligibility were completed by May 1998. A call for bids was issued
and the bid was awarded for remedial construction in June 1998. Construction began in fall
1998.
Construction Progress
On-site construction at the site commenced in November 1998. The site was cleared and
grubbed and a security fence erected. Installation of the leachate collection system and its tie-in
to the City of North Tonawanda sanitary sewer by force main was completed over the winter
months. Early spring was devoted to grading the site and filling the central swales with clean fill.
Placement of the first layer of the cap, gas-vent stone, began in May 1999. Construction
progressed with the placement of a geotextile drainage layer, a geocomposite barrier layer, a
soil barrier protection layer, and a topsoil layer, respectively. Placement of each layer
proceeded in a north-to-south direction over the entire site. At the end of the 1999
construction season, construction was 95% complete. Work resumed in the spring of 2000
and the construction was completed in June. A final inspection was conducted in September
2000.
The leachate collection system has been operational since summer 1999, thus eliminating any
potential pathway for leachate to migrate off-site.
Schedule for Completion
An updated schedule for remediation of the site is shown in the following table.
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A-9
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date in response to this site:
Federal $ 1,250,000
PRP $ 11,200,000
NIAGARA COUNTY REFUSE DISPOSAL
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RI/FS
14 PRPs
Mar 1993
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
EPA
Sept 1993
COMPLETED
Remedial Desiqn Start
13 PRPS
Jul 1994
COMPLETED
Remedial Action Start
13 PRPs
Jan 1997
COMPLETED
Remedial Action Completion
13 PRPs
Dec 1999
COMPLETED
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A-10
DUPONT NECCO PARK
Site # 14
Site Program: Federal Superfund
Summary Prepared By: EPA
Site Description
The Necco Park Site, owned by DuPont, is an inactive industrial waste landfill on
approximately 24 acres in Niagara Falls. It is surrounded on three sides by the BFI Sanitary
Landfill and the CECOS site, approximately 1.5 miles from the Niagara River.
DuPont acquired the Site in the 1930s and used it as a landfill to dispose of approximately
93,000 tons of industrial wastes until its closure in 1977. The following chemicals are known,
from disposal records, to have been disposed at the Site: carbon tetrachloride, chloroform,
hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, hexachloroethane, methylene chloride,
tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene.
Eight aquifer zones have been identified under the Site. In the overburden, groundwater flow is
minimal, but is influenced by two water table depressions along the southern property
boundary, which are caused by two recovery wells in the upper bedrock. Groundwater in the
upper bedrock zones is partially captured by the recovery well system. Otherwise, Site
groundwater in the upper bedrock water-bearing zones discharges down-gradient to the south.
A portion of it is presumed to eventually reach the Falls Street Tunnel (FST). Groundwater in
the middle bedrock zones flows generally to the west and is partially captured by a third
recovery well. Groundwater in the middle and lower bedrock zones flows west toward the
New York Power Authority (NYPA) conduits.
Interim Remedial Measures
Necco Park is not on the National Priorities List. However, DuPont conducted groundwater
investigations pursuant to a RCRA 3013 consent decree and a CERCLA Administrative Order
on Consent (AOC) with EPA.
The Site was capped in 1978. Since 1982, two recovery wells near the center of the property,
when operational, have recovered contaminated groundwater and established a partial
hydraulic barrier in the upper bedrock and overburden along the southern edge of the landfill.
However, some upper bedrock groundwater continued to flow south toward the Niagara
River. In order to improve containment and collection of contaminated groundwater, an up-
gradient grout curtain was installed in the bedrock in August 1989. A third recovery well,
which penetrates the middle bedrock zones at the southern boundary of Necco Park, went into
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A-ll
limited operation in 1992. These on-site remedial actions have resulted in an estimated load
reduction from the site of approximately 27% to 55%, based on information collected pursuant
to the AOC. DuPont estimates that approximately 150 million gallons of groundwater have
been pumped since 1983. Since 1989, 6,780 gallons of DNAPL have been recovered,
containing approximately 90,400 pounds of organic compounds.
A portion of the groundwater not recovered by the on-Site pumping wells is probably captured
(1) by the New York Power Authority conduit drain system (water in the drain system may
drain to the Falls Street Tunnel or flow north to the Forebay Canal) or (2) by the Falls Street
Tunnel directly. All the dry-weather flow through the Falls Street Tunnel is treated by the
Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant before discharge to the River.
Final Remedial Action
The remedial investigation began May 1991 and the Investigation Report was approved in May
1994. The feasibility study (FS) (entitled "Analysis of Alternatives Report") was approved by
EPA and DEC in July 1996.
On September 18, 1998, EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the site, which set forth
the following remedy:
1. Containment of the Source Area by:
Upgrading the existing cap to meet New York State Part 360, or equivalent standards;
Using hydraulic measures in the overburden to maintain an inward gradient within the
Source Area or installing a physical barrier (e.g., slurry wall, sheet pile) on the southern,
and portions of the eastern and western Necco Park property boundaries;
Using hydraulic measures in the bedrock to maintain an inward gradient within the Source
Area and prevent the movement of contaminated groundwater beyond the Source Area
boundary.
2. Treatment of the extracted groundwater from the Source Area, either on-site or off-site, to
achieve the appropriate discharge requirements.
3. Collection, and off-site disposal, of DNAPL in the Source Area by:
Utilizing the existing monitoring wells network;
Utilizing any groundwater recovery wells placed in the Source Area;
The installation of additional dedicated DNAPL recovery well(s).
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A-12
4. Operation and maintenance (O&M) of the existing systems and the systems constructed under
this remedy.
5. Comprehensive monitoring to verily hydraulic control, identify DNAPL occurrence, demonstrate
the effectiveness of the remedial measures, and assess the impact of such measures on far-field
groundwater quality.
6. Additional characterization of the Site to assess whether natural attenuation will be effective in
addressing far-field contamination.
7. Development and implementation of institutional controls to restrict Site access, the use of
groundwater at the Site, and control land use such that it is consistent with Site conditions.
Schedule for Completion
The Proposed Plan was released to the public in July 1996, upon approval of the FS. A public
meeting to discuss the Proposed Plan was held in August 1996, shortly after its release. Because
of extensive public comments received on the Proposed Plan, EPA revised the Proposed Plan in
response to the comments and provided a second public comment period. A Record of Decision
(ROD) was issued in September 1998. Design studies started in October 1998. The remedial
design is underway. In September 2000, DuPont commenced installation of additional
groundwater wells that will serve as component parts of the hydraulic containment portion of the
final remedy. RA completion is expected by October 2003. Because of the fractured bedrock
beneath the site, complications may arise in achieving effective hydraulic containment. The target
date is intended to allow sufficient time to ensure that any additional remedial work to achieve
effective containment can be completed, and that the system is tested and optimized.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this Site:
Federal $ 2,030,000 (Does not include EPA's indirect costs)
State $ 141,000 (Does not include travel costs)
PRP $ 42,500,000 (Unverified DuPont estimate)
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of remediation:
Federal $ 320,000
State $ 100,000
PRP $ 65,102,000 (includes O&M)
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A-13
DL
PONTNECCO PARK
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous Target
Date
Current
Schedule
Rl
PRP
May 1994
COMPLETED
FS
PRP
Sept 1994
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
EPA
Sept 1996
COMPLETED
Remedial Desiqn Start
PRP
Feb 1997
COMPLETED
Final Remedial Action Start
PRP
June 2000
Nov 2001
Remedial
Action
Completion
Grout Curtain
PRP
___
COMPLETED
3 Pumpinq Wells
PRP
COMPLETED
Final Action
PRP
Mar 2003
Oct 2003
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A-14
CECOS INTERNATIONAL
Site # 78
Site Program: RCRA (State and Federal)
Summary Prepared by: EPA and NYSDEC
Site Description
CECOS International, Inc. operates a 385-acre commercial solid/industrial waste management
facility in the Town ofNiagara and the City of Niagara Falls. The facility is situated in an industrial
and commercial area, bordering residential and recreational areas, and is about 1.5 miles north of
the Niagara River.
The site has been used for waste disposal for over 80 years. The facility managed hazardous
wastes from all Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) categories identified in Part
261 — characteristic wastes, specific and non-specific industrial wastes and commercial chemical
product waste. Current hazardous waste management activities include a wastewater treatment
system and container storage.
The CECOS facility is underlain by an overburden and two bedrock aquifers. A less permeable
layer of native clays and glacial till serves as an aquitard (or barrier) between the overburden and
the bedrock aquifers.
All but a minor percentage of the CECOS site groundwater flows off site to the south and
southeast and is drawn into the Falls Street Tunnel and New York Power Authority (NYPA)
conduit sink on its way to the Niagara River. The potential loading to the Niagara River from the
site overburden aquifer compared to that from the bedrock aquifers is minor. By the time it
reaches the tunnel/conduit system, the groundwater from the overburden aquifer has found its way
into the upper bedrock through discontinuities and excavations in the native sediments. All of the
dry weather flow through the Falls Street Tunnel is treated by the Niagara Falls Waste Water
Treatment Plant.
Site Investigation
The site encompasses approximately 50 Solid Waste Management Units, including landfills, waste
piles and surface impoundments. An EPA HSWA permit and state Part 373 permit were issued
in September 1988, requiring investigation/remediation of all waste management units.
Pursuant to the requirements of the RCRA permit, in September 1991, CECOS completed the
required investigations at the facility. Groundwater contaminants were mainly detected in the
central area of the site, in the three groundwater transmissive zones monitored by
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A-15
CECO S. The volatile organic compounds (VOC) detected include acetone, 2-butanone, benzene,
chloroform, toluene, chlorobenzene, methylene chloride, and tetrachlorethane.
Interim Corrective Measures (ICM)
An interim groundwater recovery system has been pumping contaminated groundwater from all
three zones since 1990. The recovery system was started with four recovery wells and currently
consists of 20 recovery wells. The pumped groundwater is treated on-site and discharged to the
City ofNiagara Falls wastewater treatment plant. From July 1991 through August 1998, over 60
million gallons of groundwater have been treated, and over 2,500 pounds of organic compounds
were removed.
In addition, several interim measures consisting of the removal of contaminated soils and wastes
have been completed at the following units: surface impoundments, phenolic resin area, and
sewage sludge area. Post-closure permit/HSWA modification for the closed hazardous waste
landfills was issued in September 1991.
A final remedy for the Scrap Yard Area was incorporated into the DEC/EPA permit modification
of September 1991. The remedy, implemented in 1992, consisted of:
Removal and off-site disposal of approximately 24,000 cubic yards of soil contaminated
with PCBs, organic compounds, and metals
Construction of a low permeability cover
Long-term inspection and maintenance of the cover, and monitoring of the groundwater.
All of the interim remedial actions that have come due at this site have been accomplished.
Corrective Measures Study
A RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) and a Corrective Measures Study have been completed. The
final, site-wide corrective measures for the CECOS site were selected through the DEC Part 373
permit renewal process. The permit was renewed in February 1995. The final corrective
measures consist of:
Groundwater extraction and on-site treatment (prior to discharge to the City ofNiagara
Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant);
Maintenance of existing caps and pavement over areas of residual contamination;
Restrictions on future land development; and
Restrictions on public access to the facility.
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A-16
The interim groundwater pump-and-treat program has been successful in containing and
remediating the groundwater contamination at the facility. However, as part of the final remedy,
this interim remedial system will be enhanced to expand the groundwater capture zone and facilitate
a more rapid clean-up of the site.
CECOS submitted a Corrective Measure Implementation (CMI) design in August 1995 and
prepared an addendum to the design plan that included an aquifer pumping test program. A short-
term pumping test was conducted in October-November 1995 to evaluate the potential use of
existing wells as both pumping wells and monitoring wells for the CMI. An extended trial CMI
pumping test was conducted in February-May 1996 to test additional wells and to optimize
pumping rates over a longer duration (to determine the extent of long-term capture zones to control
contaminant migration). Several existing recovery wells, an existing collection drain, and a new
recovery well are being operated for the CMI. CECOS submitted a new CMI design in
November 1996. The CMI was started up in December 1996. The remedial system continues
to be operated.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of remediation:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
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A-17
CECOS INTERNAT
ONAL
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RFI Work Plan Approval
DEC/EPA
Sep 1989
COMPLETED
RFI Completion
Permittee
Sep 1991
COMPLETED
Stabilization Start-up
(Groundwater)
Permittee
COMPLETED
Start-up of CMI (Scrap Yard)
Permittee
COMPLETED
CMS Work Plan Approval
DEC/EPA
Apr 1992
COMPLETED
CMS Completion
Permittee
Apr 1993
COMPLETED
Remedy Selection (site-wide)
DEC/EPA
Dec 1994
COMPLETED
CMI Work Plan Approval
(site-wide)
DEC/EPA
Apr 1995
COMPLETED
Start-up of CMI (site-wide)
Permittee
Apr 1996
COMPLETED
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A-18
OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL - HYDE PARK
Site #39
Site Program: Federal/State Co-lead: Superfund
Summary Prepared by: EPA
Site Description
Occidental Chemical Corporation's (OCC) Hyde Park site is a 15-acre landfill in northwest
Niagara Falls, less than V2 mile from the Niagara River.
From 1953 to 1975, the company (thenHooker Chemicals and Plastics) deposited approximately
80,000 tons of chemical wastes at the site. The hazardous materials disposed on site included
3,300 tons of2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) wastes, which are known to contain significant amounts
of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD); approximately 0.7 - 1.6 tons of dioxin are
believed to be associated with the TCP. Chlorinated organic wastes, including
hexachloropentadiene derivatives, chlorendic acid, chlorinated toluenes, benzenes and phenols,
predominate at the site. The former drainage stream of the landfill, Bloody Run, which flows into
the Niagara River, was historically contaminated with organic chemicals, including dioxin. A clay
cap and a shallow leachate collection system were installed at the site in 1979.
There is an overburden and a bedrock aquifer present under this site. Groundwater flows both
downward and horizontally through the fractures and layers of the bedrock. The aquifers flow
generally northwest, toward the Niagara River Gorge. Contaminants have migrated from the site
in both aqueous and non-aqueous phases in the overburden and bedrock. Dioxin from the site has
previously been found in contaminated groundwater seeping to the River from the Gorge face,
located 1,600 feet west-northwest of the site.
Although, as summarized below, remedial action has not been completed at the site, the remedial
action taken at the site to date has substantially reduced off-site migration. Since installation of an
overburden remediation system in 1991, groundwater in the overburden is no longer migrating
horizontally past the remediation system around the site. Therefore, no loading of hazardous
substances from the site to the Niagara River via groundwater in the overburden is currently taking
place.
Substantial containment of bedrock groundwater has also been achieved. The bedrock is
separated into three groundwater zones (upper, middle and lower). Full containment has been
achieved in the upper zone, the most contaminated zone. The middle and lower zones have not
been completely contained. Full control has not been achieved in the northwest corner of the site
in these two zones. Approximately 90% of the contaminated groundwater in the middle zone, and
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A-19
80-90% of the contaminated groundwater in the lower zone, has been contained. Remedial work
to achieve full containment is continuing, as described below.
APL purge wells at the gorge face have substantially reduced the contaminants reaching the
Niagara River. Sampling at the gorge face seeps, conducted annually since 1997, has not detected
dioxin, which was found in previous gorge face surveys.
Requisite Remedial Technology Agreement
The site is a j oint EPA/DEC-lead Superfund site on the National Priorities List and is governed by
a pre-CERCLA settlement agreement. EPA sued to require OCC to remediate the site in 1979.
In January 1981, EPA, DEC, and OCC filed a Stipulation and Judgment Approving Settlement
Agreement. Since 1982, OCC has been implementing the settlement agreement. Agreement on
a Requisite Remedial Technology (RRT) was approved by the court in 1986. TheRRT includes:
Source Control (prototype landfill extraction wells);
Containment and collection of contaminants in the overburden (overburden barrier
collection system) and the Lockport bedrock (purge and recirculation wells);
An Intermediate and Deep Formations Study (monitoring wells);
A Community Monitoring Program (monitoring wells) for early detection of plumes;
An Industrial Protection Program for neighboring industries;
Treatment and monitoring of collected leachates:
Aqueous-phase liquids to be treated on-site;
Non-aqueous phase liquids to be destroyed by incineration;
Site Capping;
Gorge Face Seep Remediation to isolate seeps from the public;
A TCDD bioaccumulation study in Lake Ontario; and
Bloody Run Creek excavation and monitoring; and
• Long-term monitoring.
Maior Remedial Activities
Action
Start
Complete
Intermediate Formation Wells
10/88
12/89
Leachate Storage Facility
__
05/89
Leachate Treatment Facility
__
04/91
Upgrade APL Treatment System
01/98
03/98
(Table continued on next page)
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A-20
Laqoon Closure
07/90
01/92
Phase 1 Source Control Extraction Wells Installed
04/90
06/90
Phase II Source Control Extraction Wells Installed
04/94
07/94
Overburden Barrier Collection System
--
11/90
APL/NAPL Plume Redefinition
04/90
07/90
Phase 1 Prototype Purqe Wells Installed
04/90
07/90
Phase II Prototype Purqe Wells
03/93
12/93
Phase III Purqe Wells
05/97
3 Bedrock Purqe Wells and Force Mains Installed
03/98
12/98
3 Additional Bedrock Purqe Wells and Force Mains
03/99
12/99
Groundwater model
4/00
9/00
Additional wells or other remedial measures
9/00
9/01
Recirculation Wells
01/91
03/91
Cluster Monitorinq Wells
06/90
09/90
Landfill Cap
08/94
12/94
The status of activities included in the schedule follows.
Community Monitoring Wells provide early detection of chemical migration. They are sampled and
analyzed quarterly to ensure the safety of the community. The well data confirm that the hydraulic
gradient near the community is downward, thereby ensuring that chemical migration toward the
community is not an issue.
Under the IndustrialProtectionProgram, sumps in neighboring industries have been sealed, as have
some manholes. Annual inspections are conducted to maintain the integrity of this program.
Fences prevent access to the Gorge Face seeps; seep water has been diverted into culverts and
pipes to prevent humans from being exposed to the potentially contaminated water; and
contaminated sediments were scraped away. Sampling of the fenced seeps has been conducted
annually since 1997. Results continue to indicate no need for additional control or remediation of
the seep areas. Annual inspections are performed at all recorded seep locations.
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The on-site Leachate Storage and Handling Facility was completed in April 1990. 155,000 gallons
of NAPL which had been stored on-site in the lagoons and four railroad tank cars were pumped
into the leachate storage facility and the lagoons were closed in January 1992.
The Treatment Facility was brought on-line in April 1991. The contaminants collected through the
remedial systems are treated on-site. Aqueous-phase liquids pass through an inclined plane settler,
filters, and sacrificial carbon pre-treatment to remove dioxins and PCBs. This is followed activated
carbon treatment. All vapors in the closed system are treated. During January - March 1998, the
APL treatment systemwas upgraded to handle ahigherflow of 100-150 gallons per minute. OCC
is currently upgrading the capacity of the treatment system to 400 gallons per minute so it can
adequately handle excess water in wet weather.
NAPL is trucked to Laidlaw Environmental Services in Deer Park, Texas, for incineration. To
date, 299,166 gallons of NAPL have been destroyed.
Prior to the trucking, NAPL was destroyed at OCC's Niagara Plant Incinerator. The plant's
permit was modified by EPA and DEC in November 1990 to allow destruction of NAPL from
Hyde Park (and other Occidental sites). This was the first commercially-owned incinerator in the
U.S. specifically permitted to destroy dioxin wastes.
The Overburden Barrier Collection System, a drain system around the entire landfill, was installed
in 1990. Occidental continuously operates its pumps, preventing the migration of contaminants
through the overburden.
Installation of two 36-inch diameter Source Control extraction wells within the landfill itself was
completed in June 1990. Phased pump tests were conducted and evaluated throughout 1991 and
1992. Based on the results of these pump tests, four additional source control wells of smaller
diameter were installed in the landfill in 1994. These additional wells are equipped with two-phase
flow submersible pumps which should enhance the flow of NAPL into these Source Control wells.
The NAPL collected by these wells is pumped by force mains into the Leachate Treatment
Facility's NAPL storage tank.
The Lake Ontario TCDD bioaccumulation study was completed in May 1990. Fish and sediment
samples from Lake Ontario were analyzed for TCDD, and a laboratory study of the uptake of
TCDD by lake trout was conducted.
In 1990, the extent of the aqueous-phase liquid/non-aqueous phase liquid plumes in the overburden
and bedrock were redefined. This information was considered in the implementation of the remedy
for the site.
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A-22
The objective of the bedrock NAPL plume containment system is to create a "zone of capture"
around purge wells down gradient of the landfill so that contaminated ground water can be
collected in these purge wells and pumped to the Leachate Treatment Facility. The bedrock purge
well system was installed in a phased approach:
Phase I of the system was installed in the NAPL plume area and pump tests were
performed on individual and multiple wells. Based on these tests, additional purge wells
(Phase II) were installed in late 1993.
Pump tests were performed on the Phase II wells in early 1994 to determine if there was
an adequate zone of capture surrounding these wells. Phase II wells did not meet the
performance criteria and more wells were needed.
OCC installed Phase m wells in 1997, along with the associated monitoring wells. The
force mains to connect these wells to the Hyde Park Leachate Treatment Plant were
completed in May 1997.
Phase m monitoring indicated that the bedrock NAPL collection system in this area still
did not meet performance criteria. Three pumping wells were installed and connected by
force mains to the on-site treatment facility in 1998. Three additional wells were installed
and connected to force mains in 1999; one additional well and five monitoring wells were
installed in 2000.
Additional wells or other remedial measures will be necessary to assure an inward
hydraulic gradient on all vectors within the bedrock. OCC is currently producing a
groundwater model to better understand the groundwater flow in the immediate vicinity of
the site. The output of the model will be utilized to place additional wells more effectively
or to determine if other remedial measures should be taken at the site. Completion of all
remedial systems is expected by September 2001.
Excavation of Bloody Run Creek began in October 1992 and was completed in March 1993.
Occidental removed 29,200 cubic yards of contaminated sediment and lined the creek bed with
rocks. Samples taken at the bottom and sides of the excavation confirmed the effectiveness of this
remedy.
The sewer under University Drive adj acent to Niagara University was sealed and a new sewer was
installed in 1993. A sewer was relocated at Tarns Ceramics, a neighboring industrial plant in 1989,
and the College Heights sewer was remediated in 1990.
The perimeter cap of the landfill was completed in 1991. A low permeability cap was placed over
the entire landfill in 1994.
Complex site conditions and difficulties in pumping NAPL have resulted in the installation of
additional wells, thus delaying completion of remediation. However, the landfill has been capped,
a leachate collection system surrounds the landfill, NAPL is being extracted and destroyed, and
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Bloody Run creek has been excavated. Also, additional wells have been installed to ensure
sufficient bedrock NAPL containment. By September 2001, all remedial systems for the
overburden and bedrock will be completed. It is expected that these remedial systems will be
operational* by December 2001. Remedial efforts now focus on operating, monitoring and
adjusting the systems to ensure remedial effectiveness.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ 11,000,000
PRP $ 49,000,000
It is estimated that $ 2,000,000/year will be spent on the Operation and Maintenance of the site
for approximately the next 30 years.
OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL -- HYDE PARK
Output
Responsible
Party
Target Date
Current
Schedule
Remedial Action Completed for
Bloody Run Creek
PRP
Jan 1993
COMPLETED
Remedial Systems Construction
Completed (See above table for
detailed list of remedial actions)
PRP
March 1996
Sept 2001
Remedial Action Completion"
PRP
March 1997
Dec 2001
Remedial systems are considered "operational" when they are operating as designed and are
meeting their performance criteria. Once the remedial systems are declared operational, the
Remedial Action is completed. Then, the Operation and Maintenance period follows.
Remedial systems are considered "operational" when they are operating as designed and are
meeting their performance criteria. Once the remedial systems are declared operational, the
Remedial Action is completed. Then, the Operation and Maintenance period follows.
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A-24
102nd STREET
Sites # 40, 56, 85, and 94
Site Program: Federal Superfund
Summary Prepared By: EPA
Site Description
The 102nd Street site is located at the eastern edge of the City of Niagara Falls, on the banks
of the Niagara River. The site encompasses 22.1 acres, owned by two Potentially Responsible
Parties (PRPs): 15.6 acres owned by Occidental Chemical Corporation (formerly Hooker
Chemical and Plastics Corporation) and 6.5 acres are owned by Olin Chemical Corporation.
This landfill was used from 1943 to 1971 for the disposal of an estimated 159,000 tons of
wastes, including organic and inorganic phosphates (1,300 tons), hexachlorocyclohexanes
(>1,500 tons), chemical and demolition wastes, and fly ash.
There are overburden and bedrock aquifers present under this site. A clay and till layer acts as
an aquitard (or barrier) between the overburden and the bedrock. Although water flows in
several directions in each aquifer, the average flow direction and ultimate discharge point is
south to the Niagara River. A small portion of the groundwater from the upper two aquifers
along the eastern site boundary flows east into an adjacent storm sewer, which ultimately
discharges into the Niagara River upstream of the site.
Site Investigation
This National Priorities List site has been the subject of state and federal litigation, and is a joint
EPA/DEC-lead Superfund site. EPA and the State of New York sued Occidental Chemical
Corporation and the Olin Corporation in December 1979.
Interim remedial efforts taken at this site include bulkheading along the shoreline to minimize
erosion into the river and the installation of a clay cap in the 1970s.
A Remedial Investigation (RI) was performed to determine the nature and extent of
contamination in the soils and ground water. The RI, Feasibility Study (FS) and the Record of
Decision (ROD) were completed in 1990.
The target dates for remedial action were delayed by approximately one year of negotiations,
during which the PRPs disagreed with the terms of a proposed Consent Decree. Instead of
continuing negotiations, EPA issued an Administrative Order in September 1991, requiring the
companies to perform the remedial design and remedial
-------
A-25
action. An "Intent-to-Comply" letter was signed by the PRPs in October 1991, at which time
the Remedial Design started.
Remedial Design
The remedial design of this site was delayed when the natural resource trustees (federal and
state) expressed concerns about 5 acres of the embayment that was proposed in the design to
be enclosed within a slurry wall and covered by the final landfill cap. Design modifications were
explored to reduce the embayment loss to approximately 2 to 3 acres by constructing the slurry
wall closer to the shoreline. The 1990 ROD, however, required that hot spots of contaminated
sediments that would be outside the slurry wall be excavated and incinerated. The proposed
design change would have left known hot spots of contaminated sediment outside the slurry
wall, substantially changing the scope and cost of the remedy from that initially contemplated.
A Record of Decision Amendment, signed by EPA in June 1995, eliminated the contingency
requiring the incineration of any hot spots of sediments that would be left outside the slurry wall.
The amended ROD required these sediments to be excavated and placed behind the wall
within the encapsulated landfill.
Remedial Activities
Construction of remedial activities began in March 1996. A cofferdam was built around the
embayment. After a fish survey was completed, game fish were removed from the embayment.
Contaminated sediments were removed from the embayment. Perimeter soils were excavated
and placed on site. The redesign discussed above enabled over 2 acres of embayment water
resources to be saved. A slurry wall was built around the site to prevent contaminants from
leaking into the River. The final landfill cap was completed in 1998, to prevent rainwater from
infiltrating the waste and carrying contamination off-site.
An additional change in the remedial design is taking advantage of excess capacity at the Love
Canal Treatment Plant. Instead of on-site leachate treatment, a force main was constructed to
pump leachate from the 102nd Street Site to the Love Canal Treatment Plant. This change did
not delay the completion and optimization of the final remedial action.
The leachate pumping system was completed in December 1998, at which time the potential for
contaminants to run to the River from this site was eliminated. Landscaping and optimization of
the pump-and-treat system was completed in March 1999, and the long-term operation and
maintenance of the site was started.
Remediation Costs
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A-26
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ 9,900,000 (Indirect costs not included.)
State $ (State costs are included with EPA costs)
PRP $ 26,000,000
Costs for Operation and Maintenance expected to be incurred in the future are approximately
$100,000 per year, and will be paid by the PRPs.
102ND STREET
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
Final RI/FS Report
PRPs (Olin and
Occidental)
Mar 1990
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
EPA/DEC
Sep 1990
COMPLETED
Record of Decision Amendment
EPA/DEC
Jun 1995
COMPLETED
Remedial Design Start
PRPs
Dec 1993
COMPLETED
Remedial Action Start
PRPs
Dec 1993
COMPLETED
Remedial Action Completion
PRPs
Dec 1995
COMPLETED*
The potential for contaminants to flow to Niagara River from this site was
eliminated in December 1998, when the leachate pumping system was completed.
Landscaping and optimization of the pump-and-treat system was completed in
March 1999.
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A-27
BELL AEROSPACE TEXTRON
Site # 5
Site Program: RCRA (State and Federal)
Summary Prepared by: EPA and DEC
Site Description
The Bell Aerospace Textron plant is located approximately 2.5 miles north of the Niagara
River, adjacent to the Niagara Falls International Airport.
Between 1950 and 1980, the company used an unlined 60' X 100' surface impoundment to
collect wash water from rocket engine test firings, storm run-off, and solvent drippings from
cleaning, degreasing, and anodizing operations. Hazardous waste and constituents of concern
include trichloroethylene and dichloroethylene. The wastes were discharged to a sanitary sewer
after pH adjustment.
Beneath the site lies one overburden and two bedrock aquifers. Groundwater flow through the
overburden aquifer is primarily to the south-southeast. There is a potential vertical flow
between the overburden and the upper bedrock aquifer, and at least some of the groundwater
from the overburden discharges to Bergholtz Creek. The upper bedrock aquifer flows
primarily in a southeasterly direction and in the lower bedrock aquifer groundwater flow is
generally to the south. The down-gradient extent of groundwater contamination in each of the
three aquifers has been well defined, and, currently, no contaminated groundwater appears to
be discharging directly to the Niagara River.
Remedial Actions
Bell Aerospace Textron is a RCRA site with a closed surface impoundment. The company
excavated 1225 tons of contaminated soil and capped the area in 1987.
All of the remedial actions that were required here have been accomplished on schedule.
Since the initial 1989 hazardous waste site report, a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) has
determined the extent of contaminant migration and a Corrective Measures Study (CMS) has
addressed on- and off-site groundwater contamination. A State Part 373 post-closure permit
was issued to Bell Aerospace in September 1992. The permit required final Corrective
Measures Implementation (CMI), consisting of groundwater pump-and-treat programs for on-
and off-site contamination.
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A-28
The remedial program is designed to intercept the bedrock groundwater that is migrating off-
site toward the Niagara River. It consists of the installation of 11 groundwater extraction wells.
The off-site remedial system was started up in April 1993. It is achieving its designed
objective. The capture zone associated with the system covers the area of groundwater
contamination, and the areal extent of the contamination is diminishing. Five extraction wells
have been installed to contain the off-site groundwater. However, as the off-site plume has
become smaller, four extraction wells were determined to be optimal for pumping. The
extracted groundwater contamination is discharged into the publicly owned treatment works
(POTW) of the Town of Wheatfield. The off-site system is designed to recover two pounds of
volatile compounds daily. The performance of the off-site remedial system is considered
acceptable.
The on-site remedial system began the start-up operating period in April 1995. Several
technical problems prevented the on-site system from attaining all of its design objectives. The
remedial system was redesigned to address these problems, and the following two
modifications were made:
The installation of a 900 foot-long pipeline to divert the cooling water discharge from a
rocket testing facility operating at the site to the storm drainage system; and
The installation of a slurry wall barrier along the main sewer line on Walmore Road to
prevent the water migration from the sewer line to the on-site system.
However, even after these modifications, the on-site system was still not attaining satisfactory
hydraulic containment. To address this, an additional extraction well was installed along the
southern boundary of the site. This well was installed in July 1998, and is currently in
operation. This has increased the groundwater capture zone along the southern edge of the
facility, however the capture zone was not consistently continuous from two of the five
extraction wells. A higher capacity pump has been in operation on the new well since August
20, 1999, thus increasing the groundwater pumping rate.
With the above modifications, the on-site system is achieving its design goals. The on-site
system has been effective in creating a groundwater capture zone, therefore, all contaminated
groundwater is being intercepted and treated on-site, so that no loading is migrating from the
site. Six extraction wells are currently operating in the on-site system. The operation of the
higher capacity pump is expected to maintain a continuous capture zone. Recent monitoring
data indicates a complete capture zone has been obtained along the southern boundary. The
on-site system is designed to recover four pounds of volatile compounds daily.
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A-29
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent through May 1998 on remediating this
site:
Federal $ (Oversight costs not available)
State $ (Oversight costs not available)
PRP $ 1,600,000 (Capital/Operation/Maintenance)
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from May 1998 over the next ten years
for operation and maintenance.
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ 500,000
BELL AEROSPACE TEXTRON
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RFI Work Plan Approval
DEC/EPA
May 1990
COMPLETED
RFI Work Plan Approval for Phase II
DEC/EPA
None
COMPLETED
RFI Completion
Permittee
Jul 1991
COMPLETED
CMS Work Plan Approval
DEC/EPA
Dec 1991
COMPLETED
CMS Completion
Permittee
May 1992
COMPLETED
Remedy Selection
DEC/EPA
Oct 1992
COMPLETED
CMI Work Plan Approval
(off-site)
DEC/EPA
Apr 1993
COMPLETED
CMI Work Plan Approval
(on-site)
DEC/EPA
Sep 1993
COMPLETED
Start-up of CMI (off-site)
Permittee
Apr 1996
COMPLETED
Start-up of CMI (on-site)
Permittee
Nov 1994
COMPLETED
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A-30
OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL - DUREZ DIVISION, NIAGARA FALLS
(Formerly BTL Specialty Resins)
Site # 66
Site Program: RCRA (State and Federal)
Summary Prepared by: EPA and DEC
Site Description
Occidental Chemical Corporation (OCC) operates a phenol-formaldehyde resin manufacturing
plant at 5000 Packard Road, Niagara Falls, known until June 1986 as the Varcum Chemical
Division of Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. and until October 1989 as BTL Specialty Resins. The 5-
acre site is approximately 3 miles north of the Niagara River.
The hazardous wastes generated at this site are ignitable and/or toxic solvent washings from
reactor vessels, spilled raw materials and small amounts of laboratory samples. These wastes
are accumulated, stored, treated, and incinerated on site.
Under this site lie one overburden aquifer and four bedrock aquifers. Bedrock groundwater
flow is along both horizontal and vertical fractures. In general, the groundwater flow direction
before remedial activities took place at the site was south to southwest, with the upper most
bedrock aquifer flowing southeast.
Interim Remedial Measures
Three recovery wells began pumping in February 1989 to capture and remediate the
groundwater under the site. These recovery wells affected groundwater flow in the overburden
and the upper bedrock aquifers. Most of the contaminated groundwater from the uppermost
bedrock aquifer and from the aquifer below it is captured by the recovery wells.
In May 1990, DEC issued OCC a state Part 373 Permit for the storage, treatment, and
incineration of hazardous waste on-site. An EPA Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
(HSWA) permit was issued in March 1991. Both permits required corrective action. As
required by the permits:
Four carbon-steel tanks were installed to replace a 30,000 gallon hazardous waste
storage tank;
The incinerator was modified with a larger burner, an expanded combustion chamber, a
new double-layered refractory, a new control system, automatic alarm, and waste feed
cut-off systems, and new instrumentation and piping. Prior to operation, a trial burn
was conducted;
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A-31
Approximately 3,000 tons of phenolic-contaminated soil were removed from the tank
farm area in 1990. Additional areas with contaminated soils were capped.
Site Investigation and Additional Interim Remedial Measures
The RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) Work plan was approved in May 1990, and the RFI
was completed in November 1992. The main area of chemical presence is beneath the tank
farm area on the east side of the facility. The predominant overburden and bedrock
groundwater contaminants are total recoverable phenolics, ethylbenzene, total xylenes, 1,2-
dichlorobenzene, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene. The vertical extent of groundwater contamination
is limited to the overburden and the first three bedrock aquifer zones. With the exception of the
tank farm area, chemical concentrations in the soils were less than action levels for soil
ingestion. The soils are not a significant source of groundwater contamination; nevertheless, all
open spaces on the site have been paved over.
As an interim corrective measure, beginning in February 1989, OCC has pumped bedrock
ground water contaminated with phenols and other organics (primarily non-chlorinated
solvents) to its biological treatment facility, prior to discharge to the Niagara Falls Wastewater
Treatment Plant. EPA and DEC required OCC to submit interim reports to assess whether
groundwater was being remediated adequately, and to assess the need for modifications, such
as increasing pumping rates or installing additional wells. The groundwater pumping rate was
doubled in 1990 with the addition of new treatment capacity at OCC's treatment facility which
was constructed that year. Also, as an interim corrective measure to address the overburden
groundwater contamination at the tank farm area, an overburden drain tile collection system
began operating in 1993. The purged water is pretreated in the on-site wastewater treatment
facility, prior to discharge to the Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant.
From April 1994 through August 1998, 22,624,389 gallons of bedrock groundwater were
pumped and treated. Since the start-up of the drain tile system in January 1993 through August
1998, 189,620 gallons of overburden groundwater have been removed and treated.
Approximately 25,442 pounds of contaminants have been removed.
Remedial Actions
The Corrective Measures study report has been approved. EPA and DEC have determined
that the existing groundwater recovery systems which have been operating as interim corrective
measures are capable of serving as the final groundwater remedy for the facility. The DEC Part
373 permit was modified in September 1995 to specify the final corrective measures. In
addition to operation of the groundwater recovery systems, the final corrective measures
include maintaining existing caps and pavement over areas of contaminated soil, restricting site
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A-32
access, and restricting future site development. Pursuant to the DEC Part 373 permit, OCC
prepares monthly reports on the operating status of the groundwater recovery systems and is
required to prepare comprehensive annual reports on performance monitoring of the recovery
systems. The performance monitoring includes hydraulic monitoring, to establish the extent of
plume capture, and chemical monitoring, to evaluate changes in groundwater quality.
The remedial actions that have come due at this site have been accomplished ahead of
schedule, and Corrective Measure Implementation is underway.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
OCC - DUREZ, NIAGARA FALLS
Output
Responsible
Previous
Current
Party
Target Date
Schedule
RFI Work plan Approval
DEC/EPA
Jul 1990
COMPLETED
RFI Completion
Permittee
Sep 1992
COMPLETED
Stabilization Start-up
Permittee
COMPLETED
CMS Work plan Approval
DEC/EPA
Jun 1993
COMPLETED
CMS Completion
Permittee
Dec 1993
COMPLETED
Remedy Selection"
EPA/DEC
Dec 1994
COMPLETED
CMI Work plan Approval
EPA/DEC
Feb 1995
COMPLETED
Start-up ot CMI
Permittee
Dec 1996
COMPLETED
EPA and DEC have determined that the existing interim corrective measures groundwater
pump-and-treat program is capable of serving as the final groundwater remedy for the site.
The DEC Part 373 permit was modified in September 1995 to formally select the final
remedy.
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A-33
OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL S-AREA
Site # 41A
Site Program: Federal/State Co-lead: Superfund
Summary Prepared by: EPA
Site Description
The S-Area site is an eight-acre landfill on Occidental Chemical Corporation's (OCC) Buffalo
Avenue Plant in Niagara Falls. The site is located approximately 200 yards north of the
Niagara River and immediately to the west of the former location of the old City of Niagara
Falls drinking water treatment plant.
The site was used primarily from 1947 to 1961 for the disposal of approximately 63,000 tons
of organic and inorganic chemicals. Chemicals deposited at the site included chlorobenzenes,
organic phosphates, acid chlorides, phenol tars, thionyl chloride, chlorendic acid,
trichlorophenol, benzoyl chloride, liquid and chlorotoluene-based disulfides, metal chlorides,
thiodan, and miscellaneous chlorinated hydrocarbons.
One overburden and four bedrock aquifers exist under this site. While the bedrock aquifers
flow generally north-northwest onto the main OCC - Buffalo Avenue Site, only the overburden
aquifer flows south to the Niagara River.
Requisite Remedial Technology Agreement
This National Priorities List site is a joint EPA/DEC-lead responsibility, governed by a non-
CERCLA settlement agreement, effective June 1985. The agreement provided for a source
control remedy, monitoring programs, and a remedial plan for the Niagara Falls Drinking Water
Treatment Plant (DWTP). The DWTP main bedrock intake tunnel was shut down due to the
presence of non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contamination. In the interim, the City's
backup, emergency intake pipe was used to draw water from the Niagara River. The S-Area
site was surveyed by OCC from December 1986 to April 1988 to determine the extent of
chemical migration from the landfill. This survey was the basis for a Requisite Remedial
Technology (RRT) report to EPA in November 1988.
As a result of the RRT Report and subsequent RRT negotiations among EPA/DEC, OCC and
the City of Niagara Falls, an amendment (RRT stipulation) to the 1985 settlement agreement
was submitted to the court in September 1990 and approved in April 1991. The RRT
stipulation included construction of a new DWTP for the City of Niagara Falls at a new
location, to be funded by the City and OCC.
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A-34
Remedial Actions
Most of the collection and containment remedial systems were installed at the landfill from 1990
to 1995. Initial testing and operational start-up began on November 1, 1995. The remedial
systems are designed to eliminate the contaminant loadings from the site to the Niagara River by
containment and collection of contaminated ground water and NAPL. Contaminated ground
water and NAPL are currently being collected and treated on-site. Assessment of the remedial
systems performance began in early 1997, and is being done on a semi-annual basis.
One of the components of the landfill remedy (drain collection system) did not function as
designed during its initial operation. An investigation in late 1997 revealed that the system was
improperly installed. OCC's efforts to enhance the performance of the drain collection system
in 1998 were unsuccessful and the EPA/DEC directed OCC to replace the system in 1999.
The new drain collection system was completed in early 2000.
The work on the new drain collection system delayed the construction of the final landfill cap.
The construction of the landfill cap began in August 2000 and is on-going.
The new DWTP was completed and fully operational by March 1997. The remedial activities
for the old DWTP and property, including the decommission and demolition of the plant, had to
wait until the new DWTP was built and on-line. The demolition of the old DWTP was
performed in 1997 and early 1998. The eastern barrier wall, which adjoins the other three
sides of the S-Area barrier wall., was completed in May 1998. The overburden drain
collection system for the former DWTP was completed in 1999. Construction of the DWTP
cap was completed in 1999.
Securement of the raw water intake structures from the old DWTP is scheduled for completion
in 2000,. The grouting of the 5,000-foot long DWTP bedrock intake tunnel commenced in
August 2000.
The full remedial program for this site consists of:
A slurry barrier wall in the overburden to contain the NAPL plume;
Installation of a drain system and collection wells (i.e., pumping wells) in the
overburden, within the barrier wall, to: 1) collect contaminated ground water and
NAPL, and 2) create an inward hydraulic gradient across the barrier walls and an
upward hydraulic gradient from the underlying bedrock to the overburden within the
barrier wall;
Installation of wells in the bedrock to contain NAPL by creating an inward hydraulic
gradient across the bedrock NAPL plume boundary, and to collect NAPL from the
bedrock, to the maximum extent practicable;
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A-35
Capping of the site to reduce infiltration;
Overburden and bedrock monitoring to determine the effectiveness of remedial
systems;
Incineration of non-aqueous-phase liquids; and
Treatment of contaminated groundwater by carbon adsorption and discharge to a
permitted outfall.
The remedial systems will continue to operate for at least 30 years.
The following progress has been made:
The northern, western, and southern portions of the barrier wall were built in late
1994/early 1995.
The drain collection system, collection wells, and the force mains for the drain and
collection wells were completed in 1995 for the landfill. Additional wells were installed
in 1997 to improve the performance of the system in collecting NAPL. The drain
collection system for the former DWTP property was completed in 1999.
Operation of the landfill drain collection system and collection wells began in 1996. As
noted above, the drain collection system did not function as designed due to damage of
the collection pipe and non-functioning stone backfill. The system was replaced in
1999-2000.
A leachate storage facility and carbon adsorption treatment facility have been
constructed on site and currently receive contaminated groundwater and NAPL from
the overburden and bedrock collection wells.
A perimeter landfill cap was installed between March and August 1996 to reduce
infiltration. It included a 2-foot clay layer and flexible membrane liner near the Robert
Moses Parkway, and asphalt paving west and north of the landfill.
The construction of the final landfill, cap commenced in August 2000, and is on-going.
The new DWTP was completed in March 1997, and now supplies the City of Niagara
Falls with its drinking water.
The demolition of the old DWTP was completed in early 1998.
The eastern barrier wall at the DWTP property was completed in May 1998.
The DWTP drain collection system was completed in 1999.
The construction of the DWTP cap was completed in 1999.
The securement of the DWTP intake structure commenced in August 2000 and is on-
going.
An updated schedule for completing the remaining remedial construction activities at..the site
follows. EPA anticipates that all of the components of the remedy (including the final S-Area
and DWTP monitoring programs) will be installed and fully operational by the end of 2001.
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A-36
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ 10,500,000
State $ (State costs were covered under EPA costs through grants)
PRP $ 45,000,000
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
Federal $ 1,000,000 (oversight)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ 5,000,000 (Capital costs)
$ 2 to 3,000,000 per year for 30 years (Operation & Maintenance)
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A-37
OCC S-AREA
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RRT Survey work (Rl) Completion
PRP
COMPLETED
RRT Study (FS
) approved
PRP
COMPLETED
Record of Decision (RRT
Stipulation)
EPA/DEC
Mar 1990
COMPLETED
Remedial Design (RD) Start
PRP
—
COMPLETED
Remedial
Start
PRP
Jun 1991
COMPLETED
Actions (RA)
Construction of new
DWTP
PRP
Apr 1997
COMPLETED
Demolish old DWTP
PRP
Sep 1997
COMPLETED
DWTP cap & drain
collection system
PRP
1998
COMPLETED
Securement of raw
water intake
structures from the
old DWTP
PRP
1999
20001
Perimeter landfill
cap & drain
collection system
PRP
N/A
COMPLETED
Final landfill cap
PRP
1999
20002
Construct Eastern
barrier wall
PRP
Jul 1998
COMPLETED
RA Completion
PRP
2000
20013
1 The securement of the DWTP intake structures, including the grouting of the 5,000-foot long
bedrock intake tunnel, commenced in summer 2000. Completion is scheduled for fall 2000.
2 The construction of the final S-area Landfill cap commenced in August 2000.
3 Construction activities for the year 2001 include the remaining bedrock monitoring programs at
both the S-Area and former DWTP property.
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A-38
STAUFFER CHEMICAL
Site # 255
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The Stauffer Chemical Plant site occupies about 23 acres, located about 1/4 mile east of the
Niagara River in the Town of Lewiston.
Used for manufacturing from 1900 to 1976, the site was occupied by Stauffer Chemical from
1930 to 1976. Carbon tetrachloride and various metallic chlorides were produced on site, and
methylene chloride and tetrachloroethylene were repackaged from bulk shipments. Plant
operations terminated in 1976, and the site was razed in 1980. Disposal occurred on the plant
site, as well as in two small landfills on the PASNY property to the east.
There are four significant, and one less significant, bedrock aquifers under the site. The flow
direction for all water-bearing layers is southwest, towards the Power Authority of New York
Forebay and the Niagara River.
Site Investigation
The Stauffer Chemical Plant site is a DEC-lead site. Pursuant to a Consent Order, Stauffer
Chemical completed a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility (RI/FS) study of the site. The Record
of Decision (ROD) was signed July 1992, and consent order for the remedial design/remedial
action was executed in July 1993. The main components of the remedial plan included bedrock
groundwater pumping and treatment, and soil vapor extraction, both on and off site. The plan
also included re-grading of the site.
Delays in the original schedule were due to the need for additional remedial investigative studies
to adequately define the nature and extent of contamination.
Remedial Activities
The remedial design was completed in July 1995. Extensive design work was necessary for
proper de-watering, including pump tests, soil vacuum extraction pilot test, DNAPL treatment,
and so on. Construction of the remedy has been completed.
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A-39
Remedial actions completed include the following:
Installation of a bedrock pump-and-treat system that will operate for the next 30 years.
Installation of a soil vapor extraction and dewatering system that draws contaminants
out of the soil.
Operational difficulties were encountered with the groundwater treatment system. This was
corrected in 1997. The groundwater treatment system has been modified. Groundwater now
flows through granular activated carbon prior to discharge to the NYPA Forebay.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
State $ 180,000
PRP $ 5,100,000
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now on Operation and
Maintenance of the remedial system:
State $ 10,000
PRP $ 1,300,000
STAUFFER CHEMICAL
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RI/FS
PRP
Sept. 1990
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
DEC
Jan. 1991
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
PRP
April 1993
COMPLETED
Remedial Action
Completion
PRP
April 1994
COMPLETED
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A-40
SOLVENT CHEMICAL
Site #251
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The Solvent Chemical site occupies approximately 6 acres in the City of Niagara Falls. The
site is located about 1/4 mile north of the Niagara River.
The Solvent Chemical plant site has been used for manufacturing operations at various times
from 1941 to 1978 by DuPont, Hooker Chemical and Solvent Chemical. DuPont and Hooker
produced impregnite; Solvent Chemical manufactured chlorinated hydrocarbons, zinc chloride
and zinc ammonium chloride. Chemicals disposed on site include zinc, benzene and chlorinated
benzenes.
Five water-bearing layers have been significantly impacted by site contaminants: the saturated
overburden layer and four bedrock zones. The groundwater in the overburden flows to the
north. The bedrock aquifers generally flow to the northeast. Groundwater in the site area is
influenced by the Falls Street Tunnel (due north of the site), and the New York Power
Authority (NYPA) conduits (about 1,500 feet east of the site), which drain bedrock
groundwater in the area. The majority of the site ground water flows into the Falls Street
Tunnel, either directly or via the NYPA conduits. All of the dry weather flow through the Falls
Street Tunnel now is treated by the Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant before
discharge to the River.
Site Investigation
The Solvent Chemical site is a DEC/Department of Law-lead site. An initial Remedial
Investigation [RI] (funded by the Potentially Responsible Party [PRP]) was completed in June
1991. Despite lengthy negotiations, the PRPs did not agree to undertake the Feasibility Study
[FS], The site was referred to State Superfund for completion of the RI/FS, while the Attorney
General's office litigated the matter. Field work for supplemental investigations needed to
support the FS was completed in November 1994. The RI/FS report was approved in August
1996. The proposed Remedial Action Plan was submitted for public comment in September
1996. The resulting Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in December 1996. The Remedial
Action Plan includes the following components:
Existing buildings on site to be demolished.
Storm sewer from the site to Gill Creek is to be removed.
Site is to be capped.
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A-41
Contaminated groundwater is to be hydraulically controlled through pump-and-treat
systems (including an off-site hot spot to the west).
Pre-treatment system for contaminated groundwater.
DEC and site PRPs completed legal agreements that require ROD implementation. The
settlement was approved by the U.S. District Court in October 1997. Construction was
started in early 1998, but was delayed by lack of access agreements with adjacent property
owners. Building demolition was completed in 1998. Installation of the extraction system in the
off-site hot spot has been completed. Removal of the off-site storm sewer began in July 2000.
Construction of the groundwater pre-treatment system is expected to begin by late 2000.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
State $ 1,170,000
PRP $ 2,950,000
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
State $ 01
PRP $ 11,250,000
SOLVENT CHEMICAL
Solvent Chemical
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
Rl
PRPS
Dec 1990
COMPLETED
RI/FS
DEC
Sep 1994
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
DEC
Dec 1994
COMPLETED
Remedial Design Start
PRPS
Dec 1995
COMPLETED
Remedial Action Start
PRPS
Dec 1996
COMPLETED
Remedial Action
Completion
PRPS
May 2001
Aug 2001
PRP will reimburse future state costs.
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A-42
VANADIUM CORPORATION OF AMERICA
(Formerly SKWAlloys)
Site # 1
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The Vanadium site is located approximately 1 V2 miles east of the Niagara River in the Town of
Niagara.
The Vanadium Corporation of America owned and operated a facility at the site from 1920 to
1964 when approximately 594,000 tons of slag and other refuse were disposed at the site. In
1964, the site was purchased by the Pittsburgh Metallurgical Company, which subsequently
changed its name to Airco Properties, Inc. Airco disposed wastes similar to the wastes
disposed by Vanadium. In 1979, SKW Alloys, Inc. bought 37 acres of the 62 acre parcel
owned by Airco, while Airco retained ownership of the eastern 25 acres. The Vanadium site
consists of both properties as well as property owned by the Niagara Mohawk Power
Corporation and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to the east and north which also
contains waste piles deposited by Vanadium. Chromium is a major contaminant of concern at
the site, as well as a caustic waste which is affecting the pH of the ground and surface water.
The site contains 11 to 24 feet of overburden, consisting of clay, stratified drift and till, underlain
by Lockport Dolomite. Groundwater flow in the area is influenced by the NYPA conduits
causing a groundwater flow divide which bisects the site. Groundwater under the SKW site
and most of the Airco site flows to the southwest. Groundwater under the Niagara Mohawk
site, the NYPA site, and the remainder of the Airco site flows east into the conduit drain
system.
Site Investigation and Interim Remedial Measures
The Vanadium site is a DEC-lead site. A Phase I investigation was completed in December
1989. A Preliminary Site Assessment (Phase II investigation) is complete. Wells were
sampled in November 1992 and a report with results and recommendations for site
reclassification was completed in September 1993.
As a result of the Preliminary Site Assessment, the site was reclassified to a class 2 (significant
threat to the public health or the environment, action required) on April 3, 1995. In 1997, DEC
completed a study (IIWA) to further define the nature and extent of contamination at the
Niagara Mohawk and NYPA properties. For remediation purposes, the site has been divided
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A-43
into three operable units: OU#l (SKW), OU#2 (Airco), and OU#3 (Niagara Mohawk and
NYPA).
Under Consent Order, SKW completed an Interim Remedial Measure to cover portions of
their parcel and control site storm water runoff. This remedial measure was completed in
November 1998. DEC and Airco negotiated an Interim Remedial Measure (IRM) to cap the
landfill on their portion of the site. Work on implementation of the Airco IRM began in May
2000 and is expected to be completed by November 2000.
Schedule for Completion
A schedule for completion is presented below. The site PRPs have not agreed to act as a
group. This has contributed to delays in the schedule due to the need to negotiate individually
with the PRPs. The NYSDEC plans to open negotiations with Niagara Mohawk and the New
York Power Authority to address their portion of the site.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts for the Interim Remedial Measures:
OU#l:
State $ 30,000
PRP $ 750,000
OU #2:
State: $ 75,000
PRP $ 4,500,000
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
State
PRP
$ (Not available; site has yet
$ to proceed to final remediation)
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A-44
VANADIUM CORPORAT
ON OF AMERICA
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
Phase 1 Investigation
DEC
Dec 1989
COMPLETED
Phase II Investigation
DEC
Dec 1991
COMPLETED
IIWA Investigation
DEC
Aug 1997
COMPLETED
Interim Remedial Measure
SKW Alloys, Inc.
Dec 98
COMPLETED
Interim Remedial Measure
Airco
Dec 2000
Nov 2000
RI/FS
DEC
Mar 2001
Schedule
dependent on
outcome of
negotiations with
Operable Unit #3
PRPs
Record of Decision
DEC
July 2001
Remedial Design
PRP or DEC
July 2002
Remedial Action
PRP or DEC
July 2003
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A-45
OLIN CORPORATION
Site #58, 59
Site Program: RCRA (State and Federal)
Summary Prepared by: EPA and DEC
Site Description
The Olin Corporation site, 25 acres located on Buffalo Avenue in Niagara Falls, is actually two
plants on separate but contiguous sites, partially separated by the property of the E.I. DuPont
Company. Gill Creek flows through the eastern part of the facility. The site is about 1/4 mile
North of the Niagara River.
Olin Corporation has used this site for inorganic chemical production since 1897. Several
organic chemicals, including benzene, chlorobenzene, trichlorobenzene, and trichlorophenol
were used or manufactured between 1950 and 1956. Wastes handled at this facility include:
ignitable, corrosive, reactive, and EPA toxic characteristic wastes and Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA)-listed wastes (brine purification muds and wastewater treatment
sludge from mercury-cell chlorine production). Brine sludge, containing mercury and possibly
polychlorinated bi-phenyl, was used as fill material in various locations throughout the site.
The site consists of soil and gravel at 0-3.5 feet, sandy clay at 3.5-5 feet. The bedrock surface
lies at 5.5-8 feet. Proximity to the Niagara River and Gill Creek indicates a major potential for
contaminant migration. Ground water on the site exists in shallow unconsolidated deposits and
in a bedrock aquifer composed of 3 monitored zones. Shallow groundwater infiltrates to Gill
Creek, which discharges to the Niagara River.
In 1984, EPA issued Olin Corporation a RCRA permit to operate the hazardous waste storage
and treatment facilities on this site, but since it was issued before the Hazardous and Solid
Waste Amendments to RCRA were enacted, it did not incorporate corrective actions. EPA
issued an order in September 1989, requiring investigation of releases throughout the site, and
particularly from the brine mud storage area, where releases have occurred. Permitted units
were closed in 1990, according to a DEC-approved closure plan.
Interim Remedial Measures
Under a joint venture with DuPont, Olin conducted the off-site remediation of Gill Creek from
Buffalo Avenue to the Niagara River, which was completed in December 1992. Contaminated
sediment was removed, and the creek has been restored.
An EPA/DEC-approved DNAPL interim corrective measure (ICM) was implemented by Olin
during May and June 1994. The program was intended to identify and characterize any
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A-46
DNAPL presence in five Olin monitoring wells and to remove any DNAPL encountered.
DNAPL was only detected in one well and a total volume of less than two gallons was
removed.
Former Olin production wells are currently being used to pump and treat groundwater from the
site through an agreement with the adjacent DuPont facility. The Olin wells serve as part of
DuPont's bedrock groundwater remediation program and exert a large radius of influence over
the Olin site, which effectively reduces the total toxic load migrating from the Olin site. The
radius of influence of the Olin wells extends approximately halfway (east-west) across Olin's
Plant 2 in the B zone, and approximately to Gill Creek in the lower aquifer zones and CD
zones). The remedy approved in the CMS is designed to capture all groundwater
contamination not captured by the Olin production wells. The wells extract groundwater at a
rate of approximately 600 gallons per minute continuously.
Site Investigation and Remedy Selection
Olin has conducted soil and hydrological studies, and submitted several supplemental RFI
reports to the EPA/DEC. Olin has completed the final phase of the RFI, and the final RFI
report was approved by EPA and DEC in February 1995. Mercury was detected in the soils
in concentrations up to 1,210 parts per million. Volatile and semi-volatile organic constituents
and pesticides were also identified in the soils. Sampling of twenty-four overburden and
bedrock wells identified volatile and semi-volatile constituents, pesticides, and mercury at levels
exceeding federal and state groundwater standards.
Work plans for both Phase I of the CMS (soil & overburden groundwater) and for Phase II of
the CMS (bedrock groundwater) were previously approved by EPA/DEC. In March 1995
Olin submitted a full CMS Report (incorporating both Phases I and II), which was approved by
EPA/DEC in September 1995. In July 1996, the proposed remedy for this site was public
noticed. Following public review, a remedy was selected and the CMI Work plan approved.
The remedy includes the following components:
Drilling and installing 5 groundwater recovery wells at Olin's plant 2 site. The
recovered groundwater will be pumped to a new on-site treatment plant before being
discharged into the City of Niagara Falls sewer system.
Paving all unpaved surfaces in order to minimize the volume of contaminated
groundwater recharge.
DEC issued a Consent Order to implement the selected remedy. The remedial system was
constructed and began operation in October 1997.
Operation & Maintenance is now underway. The remedial system is close to meeting its
performance objectives. Olin is addressing problems due to incrustation associated with high
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A-47
pH (>10) groundwater. For example, two pumps have been replaced and a system to inhibit
scaling of the pumps and pipes has been installed. Recent performance reports indicate that
system performance has improved, but more actions may be necessary.
An updated schedule for implementation of a corrective action program, including Corrective
Measure Implementation (CMI), follows. The scheduled project milestones relate to complete
on- and off-site investigation and remediation.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
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A-48
OLIN CORPORATION
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RFI Work Plan Approval
DEC/EPA
Apr 1990
COMPLETED
RFI Completion
Phase 1
Permittee
COMPLETED
Phase II
Permittee
Dec 1994
COMPLETED
Stabilization Start-up
(Groundwater)
COMPLETED
CMS Work Plan
Approval
Phase 1
Permittee
COMPLETED
Phase II
DEC/EPA
Sep 1993
COMPLETED
CMS Completion
(including approval)
Permittee
Mar 1995
COMPLETED
Remedy Selection
DEC/EPA
Mar 1996
COMPLETED
CMI Work Plan Approval
DEC/EPA
Mar 1996
COMPLETED
Start-up of CMI
Initiation/Stabilization
Permittee
Dec 1996
COMPLETED
Note: Phase I - Overburden soil and groundwater
Phase II - Bedrock groundwater
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A-49
DUPONT - BUFFALO AVENUE
Site# 15-19
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The DuPont Buffalo Avenue Plant site occupies over 50 acres in the City of Niagara Falls. The
plant is separated from the Niagara River by the Robert Moses Parkway.
Manufacturing operations have been conducted at the site since 1898. Chemicals disposed on
the site included: carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, dichloroethylene, methylene chloride,
trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride, PCBs, barium and other organic and
inorganic compounds.
One overburden and five bedrock aquifers exist under this site, each consisting of two or three
zones with different flow directions. Groundwater flowing south discharges into the Niagara
River and Gill Creek. Groundwater flowing north discharges into the unlined Falls Street
Tunnel, and groundwater flowing east, into the New York Power Authority (NYPA) conduit
drain system.
Remedial Actions
As of January 1992, all remedial systems at this site were completed and operating. More than
60 studies of subsurface contamination were completed by DuPont on the plant site, and a
Consent Order was negotiated for the implementation of a groundwater remediation program.
In January 1992, an on-site groundwater pump-and-treat system went into operation. From
start up in January 1992 through January 1, 2000, 64,500 pounds of organic contaminants have
been removed from the overburden and shallow bedrock groundwater. A portion of the flow
from the western half of the DuPont site is under the influence of the Olin production wells.
This water is remediated by the Olin Treatment Plant before discharge to the river. The Olin
production wells have removed approximately 22,200 pounds of organic contaminants for the
period of 1/1/92 through 1/1/00.
Additionally, DuPont is a Potentially Responsible Party for the remediation of Gill Creek, which
was completed in December 1992. A total of 8,020 cubic yards of contaminated sediment
was removed, and the creek has been restored. Five-years of post-remediation monitoring of
Gill Creek sediments was completed in 1998. Monitoring reports do not indicate PCB re-
contamination in the sediment of the Gill Creek remediation area.
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A-50
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
State $ 50,000
PRP $ 43,600,000 (includes Gill Creek remediation)
It is estimated that $ 1,600,000 will be spent annually by the PRP on the Operation and
Maintenance of this site.
DUPONTBUFFA
LO AVENUE
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Status
Record of Decision
DEC
Dec 1989
COMPLETE
Remedial Desiqn
PRP
Mar 1990
COMPLETE
Remedial Action
PRP
Oct 1991
COMPLETE
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A-51
BUFFALO COLOR CORPORATION
Site # 120, 122
Site Program: RCRA (State and Federal)
Summary Prepared by: EPA and DEC
Site Description
Buffalo Color Corporation, located on 61 acres adjacent to the Buffalo River within the city of
Buffalo, is a major manufacturer of indigo dye.
This plant, which was originally built in 1879 by the Schoelkopf Aniline and Dye Company,
merged with two other companies to form the National Aniline and Dye Company in 1916, one
of five companies forming Allied Chemical Corporation in 1920. Buffalo Color Corporation
purchased and began operating the dye plant in 1977.
Dyestuffs and/or organic chemicals have been continuously produced at the facility for more
than 110 years. The dye manufacturing operations generate approximately 450,000 gallons per
day of process waste water. The waste water is a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) hazardous waste due to its corrosivity (pH >12.5). RCRA hazardous constituents in
this waste stream include: aniline, N-methylaniline, N,N-dimethylaniline, N,N-diethylaniline,
cyanide, methanol, nickel, and chromium. Prior to 1971, these wastes were discharged directly
to the Buffalo River. In 1971, Allied Chemical diverted the waste streams to three surface
impoundments for neutralization prior to release to the Buffalo Sewer Authority, and beginning
in March 1989, Buffalo Color installed a new neutralization tank to treat wastewater before
discharge to sewers.
The stratigraphy at the site from the upper to lowermost units is: 2-11 feet of fill, 6-13 feet of silt
and fine sand (upper aquifer), 25-37 feet of silty clay, 5-7 feet of sand and gravel (lower
aquifer), and bedrock of Onondaga Limestone. Groundwater flow in the upper aquifer is
towards the Buffalo River. Groundwater near the surface impoundments is contaminated with
aniline, dimethylaniline, N-ethylaniline, and cyanide, all of which most likely derive from the
surface impoundments.
Site Investigation
A RCRA Facility Assessment (RFA) Preliminary Review and Visual Site Inspection were
completed during 1986 and 1988, respectively. Eight (8) Solid Waste Management units
(SWMUs) have been identified at the site. Overburden ground water monitoring wells at the
impoundments show concentrations of chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzenes, toluene, anilines and
phenol above DEC-promulgated ground water standards. An RFA soil sampling program for a
container storage area was completed in January 1991. EPA and DEC identified a need to
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A-52
investigate potential releases from both the extensive sewer system and from two inactive
buildings at the site.
A DEC Part 373 post-closure permit was public noticed in 1992 to address releases. The
facility objected to several conditions of the draft permit and requested an administrative
hearing. All outstanding issues were resolved and the Part 373 permit became effective on
February 10, 1995. Remediation will be implemented under the Part 373 permit.
The RFI Work plan has been approved. The RFI includes a subsurface (soil and groundwater)
investigation program for all areas of the plant except for Area D, which is being remediated
under the New York State Inactive Hazardous waste program (see Area D summary for
details).
• Field work for Phase I of the RFI began in April 1996 and consisted of 18 monitoring
wells around the perimeter of the site to evaluate groundwater quantity and potential
migration of hazardous constituents off site.
Phase II of the RFI, completed in September 1996, involved the advancement of 24
soil probes within the site to collect near and sub-surface soil samples.
Hazardous contaminants were detected at the perimeter monitoring wells during the Phase I
and II investigations for the RFI. In November 1996, BCC proposed supplemental
investigations (involving 10 additional wells) to determine the ofi-site extent of contamination.
DEC approved the proposal in December 1996. In January 1997, BCC proposed the
collection of 6 additional surficial samples to provide further support of a corrective measures
study. DEC approved the proposal in March 1997. BCC submitted the RFI report in
November 1997. In response to DEC comments on the RFI, BCC submitted a second
supplemental investigation plan involving 8 new wells, 5 piezometers, and 10 soil samples. This
proposal was approved in July 1998 and implemented during the summer of 1998. A revised
RFI report was submitted in December 1998 and approved in April 1999. A Corrective
Measures Work Plan was submitted in May 1999 and approved in July 1999. In July 2000,
the Corrective Measures Study Report was approved. However the approval does not
constitute approval of the Risk Assessment provided in the report. The Risk Assessment is
based in part, on USEPA Industrial/Commercial Risk-Based Levels, that are not completely
accepted by the NYS Department of Health. In addition, there were cases in which the method
detection limits for soils were not sufficiently low to evaluate comparison with the risk levels.
During July 1999, a pump test was performed to aid in the design of Corrective Measures for
Plant Area A, to prevent the discharge of contaminated groundwater into the Buffalo River.
The pump test indicated that conventional pumping wells should be effective in controlling the
migration of contaminated groundwater in Plant Area A, and that migration control should be
achievable with a total system pumping rate on the order of 25-30 gpm. Such a system has
been proposed as part of the final corrective measures, within the CMS report.
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A-53
The supplemental investigations delayed completion of the RFI. All target dates in the table
below account for these delays. Completion of the milestones is dependent, in part, on field
conditions encountered, which may delay the overall schedule for corrective action.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ 0
State $ 0
PRP $ (Not available)
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
BUF
FALO COLOR CORPORATION
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RFA Work Plan Approval
EPA/DEC
Mar 1990
COMPLETED
RFA Completion
Permittee
May 1990
COMPLETED
RFI Work Plan Approval
EPA/DEC
Mar 1995
COMPLETED
RFI Completion
Permittee
July 1997
COMPLETED
Stabilization Start-up
Permittee
Jan 1998
N/A*
CMS Work Plan Approval
EPA/DEC
Jan 1998
COMPLETED
CMS Completion
Permittee
Jul 1998
COMPLETED
Remedy Selection
EPA/DEC
Nov 1998
Nov 2000
CMI Work Plan Approval
EPA/DEC
Apr 1999
Apr 2001
Start-up ot CMI
Permittee
Oct 1999
Jul 2001
* Results of a 1999 pump test indicated that conventional pumping wells should be effective
in controlling the migration of contaminated groundwater in Plant Area A, and that
migration
control should be achievable with a total system pumping rate on the order of25-30 gpm.
Such a system has been proposed as part of the final corrective measures, within the CMS
report
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A-54
BUFFALO COLOR - AREA D
Site# 120-122
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
Area D of the Buffalo Color Plant site occupies about 19 acres adjacent to the Buffalo River in
the City of Buffalo. The site is about 4 miles upstream of the confluence of the Buffalo and
Niagara Rivers.
Area "D" is an inactive hazardous waste site. It was used from 1905 to 1974 as a chemical
manufacturing, handling and disposal site. From 1905 to 1920, acids, chemicals and dye
intermediates were produced by Contact Process Company and by National Aniline Chemical
Company, which merged into Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation in 1920. Allied Chemical
and Dye Corporation manufactured petroleum-based detergents, dye intermediates, picric acid,
and other chemicals at Area "D" from 1920 to 1974. During that time, a number of structures,
railroad tracks and tank parks were built at the site. All chemical manufacturing operations
ceased in 1974, and chemical waste handling ceased in 1976 at Area "D". In 1977, the
property was sold to Buffalo Color Corporation and has remained idle since. All structures on
the site were demolished to grade by Buffalo Color Corporation in 1984.
The site overburden consists of fill, alluvium, glaciolacustrine deposits and glacial till, and is
underlain by the Onondaga Limestone. The shallow overburden water-bearing zone on the site
is in direct hydraulic connection with the Buffalo River. The major pathways of contaminant
migration from the site to the Buffalo River are shallow ground water and erosion of the
shoreline.
Site Investigation and Remedy Selection
The Buffalo Color Area D site is a DEC-lead site. Pursuant to a Consent Order, the PRPs
(Buffalo Color and Allied Chemical) conducted a Remedial Investigation (RI), which was first
submitted in April 1989 and approved in September 1990. The RI indicated elevated levels of
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated benzenes and heavy metals in the site
fill layer. The site groundwater was found to be contaminated by volatile organics, chlorinated
benzenes, iron and other heavy metals and non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL).
A Feasibility Study (FS) was submitted in December 1990, with final revisions submitted and
approved in July 1991. The FS evaluated 13 alternatives for the remediation of the site and
identified a preferred alternative; all were discussed at a public meeting in October 1991. A
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A-55
Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in November 1991, setting forth a selected remedial
plan.
An Order on Consent was signed by Allied Signal and NYSDEC in June 1993 for the
remediation of the site. Construction of the selected remedy began in June 1996. The
Remedial Action was completed in September 1998.
The following are the elements of the remedy completed in September 1998:
A slurry wall was constructed around the entire site;
River sediments adjacent to the site were dredged and deposited on-site. The shoreline
was armored with rip rap;
A high-density polyethylene liner was placed over the entire site and properly capped;
Groundwater is being pumped and treated at an on-site treatment facility.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
State $ 200,000
PRP $ 14,000,000
BUFFALO COLOR -- AREA D
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RI/FS
PRPs
Sept 1990
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
DEC
Dec 1990
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
PRPS
Dec 1992
COMPLETED
Begin Remedial
Construction
PRPS
June 1996
COMPLETED
Remedial Action
Completion
PRPS
Nov 1997
COMPLETED
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A-56
BETHLEHEM STEEL CORPORATION
Site# 118
Site Program: RCRA (State and Federal)
Summary Prepared by: EPA
Site Description
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation (BSC) facility encompasses approximately 2.5 square miles,
located on Hamburg Turnpike, Lackawanna. Buffalo Harbor marks the northern boundary of
the site, and Lake Erie marks its western boundary.
BSC is a former major manufacturing plant that produced structural steel, coke, coke
byproducts and specialty steel products. Processing occurred primarily on the eastern section
of the site. The western section of the site was created by landfilling 440 acres of Lake Erie
with slag from processing. Currently, only the galvanizing process production and coking are in
operation. Over 100 Solid Waste Management Units have been identified at the site. Six
surface water bodies on site have been identified as having received hazardous waste or
hazardous constituents from BSC.
Within the Buffalo-Lackawanna area, all surface and ground waters ultimately drain into Lake
Erie. Preliminary information concerning site-wide hydrogeology indicates that contaminated
groundwater flows east to west into Lake Erie. Groundwater also appears to enter both
Smokes Creek and the Ship (or Lackawanna) Canal. In the area immediately surrounding the
three regulated surface impoundments, groundwater flows west towards Lake Erie. Also,
transecting the site are trenches, which drain from the process area into Smoke and Blasdell
Creeks. The Ship Canal drains northward into Buffalo Harbor.
Site Investigation
EPA issued a consent order in August 1990 requiring an on-site RCRA Facility Investigation
(RFI). The RFI investigation is being conducted in a multi-phase approach. Initial phases of
the investigation (Phase I and Phase HA) were conducted between 1990 and 1993.
BSC submitted the Phase II-B RFI Report in November 1994. These investigations have
identified benzene, naphthalene, phenolic compounds, and metals in groundwater samples
collected from monitoring wells at the facility. Due to the complexity of site conditions that have
been encountered at the facility in previous investigations, EPA and DEC required BSC to
conduct a Phase m RFI investigation to fill in data gaps. Field work for this investigation was
completed in September 1995. Negotiations over the scope of the human health risk
assessment, which is required as part of the RFI report, have delayed the submittal of the RFI
and human health risk assessment. In July 1996, EPA approved the Ecological Risk
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A-57
Assessment Work Plan, and BSC completed a draft of this assessment, which is also a
component of the RFI. A review of the draft Ecological Risk Assessment revealed that
additional data collection was necessary to complete the assessment. As such, BSC submitted
an Ecological Sampling Work Plan and a Supplemental Solid Waste Management Unit Work
Plan in May 2000 to address collection of the additional data.
EPA and DEC have identified two areas (Acid Tar Pits and Coke Oven Areas) where they
believe BSC could implement stabilization or interim corrective measures to control and reduce
the further spread and off-site migration of contaminated groundwater from the facility. These
two areas appear to be the primary sources of groundwater contamination at this facility.
BSC has not implemented any interim corrective action or stabilization activities to address
the contamination in these areas to date. However, BSC has submitted a Pre-design
Investigation Report for the remediation of the Benzol Plant Area (i.e., Coke Oven Area).
The implementation of the remedial work in the Benzol Plant Area has been delayed due
to a dispute over the characterization of the wastes in that area. BSC also previously
proposed and performed two remedial technology studies for the acid tar pit area. These
studies were found by the EPA and NYSDEC to be technically flawed and of limited
value. Any future CMS or CMI activities will require a new order, permit or other
agreement.
Following approval of the RFI report, a site-wide CMS Work Plan, with a schedule, will be
required of BSC. The scope of this Work Plan will be partly determined by the results of the
Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments.
A current schedule for implementation of a corrective action program at the facility, including
CMI, follows. Due to delays caused by several problems outlined above, the proposed
schedule was extended. All subsequent target dates were extended accordingly. Completion
of the outputs is dependent on 1) the nature and extent of contamination found on - and off-site
(and thus the complexity of remedial measures required); and 2) the timeliness in which the
planning and implementation of work plans and reports are submitted by the facility and
approved by EPA and DEC. The scheduled project milestones relate to complete on- and off-
site investigation and remediation.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
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A-58
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
BETH
LEHEM STEEL CORPORATION
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RFI Work Plan Approval
EPA/DEC
Jan 1990
COMPLETED
RFI Completion
Permittee
Mar 2000
Apr 2001
RFI Report Approved1
EPA/DEC
Apr 2001
July 2001
CMS/CMI
Issue CMS/CMI Order
DEC/EPA
July 2000
July 2001
CMS Work Plan Approval2
DEC/EPA
Oct 2000
Oct 2001
CMS Completion2
Permittee
June 2001
June 2002
Remedy Selection
DEC/EPA
Oct 2001
Oct 2002
CMI Work Plan Approval2
DEC/EPA
Aug 2002
Aug 2003
Start-up of CMI2
Permittee
Dec 2002
Dec 2003
1 RFI to include human health and ecological risk assessments.
2 These outputs will require a new order, permit or other agreement. Target dates
dependent upon facility owner/operator agreement to complete these stages of site
corrective action program.
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A-59
RIVER ROAD (INS EQUIPMENT)
Site # 136
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The River Road site occupies approximately 23 acres in the Town of Tonawanda. The site is
adjacent to the Niagara River.
The River Road site was utilized for waste disposal from the early 1920s through the late
1970s. Disposed on site were steel and coke industry wastes, consisting of foundry sand, coke
sludges, oils, solvents and slags.
The overburden at this site consists of 15 to 20 feet of fill over glaciolacustrine deposits and till.
The overburden is underlain by Onondaga Limestone. The two overburden aquifers on site
flow west towards the Niagara River.
Site Investigation
The River Road site is a DEC-lead site. Negotiations with the six Potentially Responsible
Parties (PRPs) for an RI/FS were not successful, causing a delay in targeted remedial action
dates. The PRPs did not agree to conduct an RI/FS; therefore, the State undertook the task
under State Superfimd. The RI/FS was completed in January 1994 and the record of decision
(ROD) was signed in March 1994. The River Road site was combined with the adjacent
Niagara Mohawk-Cherry Farm site for joint remediation (see following site description). Some
PRPs agreed to remediate the site and signed an order of consent in September 1994. The
remedial design was completed in February 1996, and calls for the following remedial actions:
Capping the site with clean soil;
Pulling back, grading, and stabilizing the shore line;
Removing some river sediments; and
Installing groundwater collection trench and recovery wells.
Remedial Actions have been completed, including sediment removal. Sediment removal began
in July 1998 and was completed November 1998. Final capping of the sediment disposal area
was completed July 1999. The Construction Certification Report and Operation, Maintenance
and Monitoring Plan were approved in January 2000.
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A-60
Recent diver inspection of the dredged areas shows good revegetation and recolonization by
fish.
Groundwater is collected, treated at an on-site treatment facility, and discharged to the local
POTW.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
State $ 546,000
PRP $ 15,000,000*
RIVER ROAD (INS EQUIPMENT)
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RI/FS
DEC
Jun 1991
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
DEC
Sep 1991
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
PRPs
Sep 1992
COMPLETED
Remedial Action
Completion
PRPs
Oct 1997
COMPLETED
* Costs include Niagara Mohawk Cherry Farm site.
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A-61
NIAGARA MOHAWK - CHERRY FARM
Site Program: N.Y.S. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The Cherry Farm Site is an inactive landfill located between River Road and the Niagara River
in the Town of Tonawanda, New York. The site encompasses approximately 56 acres, 80%
of which is covered by various fill materials. The fill material consists primarily of foundry sand,
slag, and cinders. The surface of the fill is between 10 to 20 feet above the original surrounding
land surface. The present topography of the filled area is essentially flat.
The fill area is surrounded by intermittent surface water. A wetland designated as BW-6 by
DEC is present on the eastern portion of the Site. This wetland drains into the drainage ditches
which flow along the southern and northern boundaries of the property and ultimately discharge
to the Niagara River, which forms the western side of the Site.
There are widespread contraventions of ground water and surface water standards at the site.
Organic contaminants such as vinyl chloride, phenols, naphthalene, trichloroethane, benzene,
and xylene are present at levels which exceed ambient water quality standards and guidance
values for ground water. Metals exceeded surface and ground water standards in numerous
cases. Aquatic sediment guidance values were exceeded for PCBs found in one sediment
sample and metals exceeded these levels in several samples.
Site Investigation/Remedial Design
A Record of Decision (ROD) for the site was signed by DEC in February 1991. The selected
remedy included covering the site with an impermeable cap, along with ground water
containment, collection, treatment, and disposal. After additional field investigations and
discussions with the PRPs, the ROD was amended on October 7, 1993. The differences
between the remedies include 1) the cover design will include a permeable soil cover; 2)
collected ground water will not be discharged into the Niagara River, but will be pretreated and
discharged to a local water treatment plant; and 3) fencing will not be installed around the site
as part of the remedy. The revised remedy will allow for development of the site as a park after
remedial construction is completed. In addition, the remedial action includes fish and wildlife
habitat
enhancements through the construction of shoreline wetland embayments along the Niagara
River.
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A-62
A consent order between DEC and the PRPs to complete the design and construction of the
remedy was signed in September 1994. The Niagara Mohawk-Cherry Farm site was
combined with the adjacent River Road site for joint remediation. Please see the previous site
description (River Road) for details on the remedial action. The remedial work is complete.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
State $ *
PRP $*
NIAGARA MOHAWK - CHERRY FARM
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RI/FS
PRPS
NA
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
DEC
NA
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
PRPS
NA
COMPLETED
Remedial Action
PRPS
NA
COMPLETED
Remediation of the Cherry Farm site was completed as part of the River Road
RI/FS. Costs are reported in the River Road site description.
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A-63
FRONTIER CHEMICAL, PENDLETON
Site # 67
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The Frontier Chemical site in the Town of Pendleton occupies about 21 acres adjacent to Bull
Creek, approximately 4 1/4 miles inland from the Niagara River.
Approximately 7.5 acres of the site were used for treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes.
From about 1958 to 1974, Frontier Chemical used the site for processing, storage and burial of
industrial and hazardous wastes. Unknown volumes of solvents, oils, acids, dyes, paint wastes,
heavy metal sludges, and other wastes were handled on the site. An on-site lake was used for
disposal of metal salt sludges from the neutralization of plating wastes and pickling liquors.
The site consists of various amounts of fill underlain by glaciolacustrine silty clay to a depth 20
to 30 feet. The silty clay is underlain by glacial till and then bedrock, which is believed to be
Lockport Dolomite. Shallow groundwater on the site flows radially from the site, very slowly,
with some discharge to the on-site lake.
Site Investigation
DEC completed a remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) of the site using State
Hazardous Waste Remediation Program funds. The Record of Decision (ROD) was finalized
in March 1992. The remedial design completed in May 1995 calls for the following: dredging
and stabilization of contaminated lake sediments; consolidation of lake sediments and
contaminated soils on the process/fill area; collection, treatment, and disposal of contaminated
groundwater; capping of the site; physical controls for run-on, run-off and flow from the lake;
long term monitoring. A Consent Order requiring a group of Potentially Responsible Parties
(PRPs) to implement the selected remedy was executed.
Remedial Actions
Remedial construction began in June 1995. Quarry Lake was de-watered and contaminated
sediments were removed, stabilized, and consolidated into the onsite landfill. Construction of
the landfill cap and leachate collection system is complete. The final completion report
certification and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manual were finalized in March 1997.
Long-term O&M has started and includes pump-and-treat of the leachate from the site. The
O&M is scheduled to continue for a period of 30 years from 1997. Thorough review of the
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A-64
project will be done every five years during this period to verify that remediation goals are being
achieved.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
State $ 1,430,000 (of which $1,326,000 has been repaid by PRPs)
PRP $ 14,120,000
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent for the O&M from now through
completion:
State $ 50,000
PRP $ 1,680,000
FRONTIER CHEMICAL, PENDLETON
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RI/FS
DEC
Dec 1991
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
DEC
Mar 1992
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
PRPS
May 1994
COMPLETED
Remedial Action
PRPS
May 1995
COMPLETED
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A-65
FRONTIER CHEMICAL, ROYAL AVENUE
Site Program: Superfund
Summary Prepared by: EPA and DEC
Site Description
Frontier Chemical Waste Process, Inc. occupies approximately 9 acres, bordered by Royal
Avenue on the south and 47th Street on the east, in Niagara Falls, New York. The Niagara
River lies within 1 mile south of this site.
The facility treated chemical wastes from 1974 to December 1992 when the facility closed.
The Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) at the facility include:
A treatment and pretreatment system for aqueous waste;
Synthetic fuel-blending system for waste solvents/oils;
A solvent recovery system;
Bulk and drummed material handling, storage, and transfer facilities; and
A hydrolysis process, tanks, old surface impoundments, an old waste pile, and site
trucks.
When operating, the active waste management units treated or stored approximately 25,140
tons of chemical wastes each year. The waste, which came from businesses located in the
eastern United States and southeastern Canada, can be classified as RCRA-listed wastes, as
well as RCRA-characteristic wastes.
There are two fractured bedrock aquifers present under this site. Groundwater from both
aquifers flows generally in a southeasterly direction. Although the flow is toward the Niagara
River, it is intersected by the Falls Street Tunnel, south of the site, where the groundwater
infiltrates into the tunnel. All of the dry-weather flow from the Tunnel is diverted to the City of
Niagara Falls wastewater treatment plant and treated before discharge to the River.
The EPA and DEC added Frontier Chemical, Royal Avenue to the list of sites that contribute a
significant amount of contaminants to the Niagara River after extensive groundwater
investigation revealed the following chemicals at the site: monochlorotoluene, methylene
chloride, chloroform, dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene and other organic contaminants.
Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) is present at the southern edge of the facility.
In 1999, most of the site buildings were demolished with the rubble remaining on site.
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A-66
Interim Remedial Actions
This facility was formerly regulated under RCRA and 6 NYCRR Part 373. The company that
operated the facility went bankrupt in 1992. As a result, New York State issued an Order in
December 1992, requiring the owner to begin cleanup of the site by removing all stored waste
from the facility. When the company failed to meet the required deadline for waste removal,
the State requested that EPA secure the site and begin a Superfund Response Action to
remove the wastes.
Two phases were implemented at the site. Initially, an EPA contractor provided maintenance
to the drums and tanks at the facility. Phase I dealt with enforcement actions leading to the
removal of over 4,000 drums and 6,700 pounds of laboratory chemicals from the site. Phase II
dealt with enforcement actions for the removal of all wastes from the 45 tanks on site.
Phase I began in October 1993, after approximately 5 months of negotiations with 430
potentially responsible parties (PRPs). The PRPs hired a cleanup contractor to remove all
laboratory chemicals and drums from the site and to send them to multiple disposal facilities.
This field work was completed in May 1994, and all wastes were subsequently destroyed at
off-site disposal facilities.
Phase II began in July 1994, after approximately 3 months of negotiations with over 400 PRPs.
A consultant hired by the PRPs sampled the tanks and prepared a removal action plan that was
approved by EPA. Removal of the tank wastes was completed in March 1995.
Schedule for Completion
On April 6, 1994 the State of New York issued an Order which formally revoked the
operating Permit for the facility and revoked all authority to operate a hazardous waste
management facility at the Royal Avenue site. In March 1995, the site was listed on the NYS
Registry of Hazardous Waste sites as Class 2 (significant threat to the public health or the
environment, action required).
In March 1994, while the interim remedial actions were being implemented, the Superfund
Program assigned the site to be evaluated for possible inclusion in the National Priorities List
(NPL), which identifies sites requiring remedial action under Superfund. EPA has ruled not to
include this site on the NPL. The DEC initiated PRP search efforts in 1998. The search effort
will be followed by negotiations of an RI/FS Order to address soil and groundwater
contamination. In mid-1998, DEC contractors completed a review of facility records to
identify PRPs. DEC subsequently reviewed its internal records to finalize the list of PRPs.
Notice letters were issued to PRPs in December 1999.
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A-67
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site (EPA
Emergency Removal Action):
Federal $ 3,690,000
State $ 50,000
PRP $ 3,600,000
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
Federal $ 0
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
FRONTIER CHEM
CAL, ROYAL AVENUE
Output
Responsible
Party
Target Date
RFI Work plan Approval
(groundwater investigation)
DEC
COMPLETED
RFI Completion
(groundwater investigation)
Permittee
COMPLETED
Remedial Investigation
Feasibility Study
Schedules dependent on establishment of
PRP group and subseguent RI/FS Order
negotiations.
Remedial Design
Remedial Action
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A-68
OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL - DUREZ DIVISION, NORTH TONAWANDA
Site #24-37
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The Occidental Chemical Corporation (OCC) Durez site occupies about 40 acres in the city of
North Tonawanda. The site is located about 1 1/4 miles east of the Niagara River.
The Durez plant has been in operation since 1926, producing various plastic formulations.
Chemicals deposited on site include: chlorinated benzenes, phenol, chlorinated phenols,
chlorotoluene, and other organic compounds. During 1995, the plant ceased manufacturing
and was shut down. Operation of remedial systems at the plant continues.
Two aquifers, one overburden and one bedrock, are present under this site. The overburden
aquifer unit is the primary aquifer of concern. The bedrock aquifer, for the most part, is isolated
from overlying chemical contamination by a confining clay layer. Prior to remediation,
groundwater in the overburden flowed in several directions and was complicated by storm
drains and sewers to the north, northwest, and southwest of the site. The regional overburden
and bedrock groundwater flow is to the southwest, toward the Niagara River.
Remedial Actions
The Durez site is a DEC-lead site. Remedial activities have been conducted under several
consent orders. All remedial construction activities have been completed. Operation of plant
groundwater systems will continue, probably for decades, until no longer needed.
Approximately 25,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments from sewers and from Pettit
Cove were removed during the Remedial Action. The sediments had been in controlled
storage at OCC's Niagara Plant, but have now been transferred to licensed disposal facilities
for treatment and disposal.
The remediations have proceeded in three areas:
Plant site: An 8450-feet long groundwater interceptor trench has been constructed
around the entire plant perimeter to collect contaminated groundwater for treatment at
an on-site carbon treatment system.
Off site: Off-site contaminants from some 22,000 feet of City of North Tonawanda and
OCC Durez plant sewers have been removed
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A-69
Pettit Creek Cove: Remediation of the Pettit Creek Cove was completed in 1995
under consent order. This remediation included excavation and removal of
contaminated soils and sediments from the cove and the Little Niagara River, removal
and treatment of dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), and restoration of the
cove as a wetland. A total of 23,500 cubic yards of soil and sediment were removed.
The sediments have been transferred to licensed disposal facilities.
Biomonitoring sampling by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in 1997, and recent water
quality sampling by the NYSDEC, detected the possible release of OCC Durez contaminants
of concern into the post-remedial Pettit Creek Cove. The extent of the sampling was limited to
a very small area at the mouth of the Pettit Creek Flume storm sewer. As a result, OCC
agreed to undertake a supplemental investigation of the Pettit Creek Cove to ascertain the
cove's current condition and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the completed remedial
programs. Sampling of cove sediment, completed October 1999, found that low levels of
Durez contaminants were present in recently deposited sediment emanating from the Pettit
Flume storm sewer. OCC believes the contamination to be residual from the sewer cleaning
project of 1994. In response, OCC completed maintenance dredging of 400 cubic yards of
the recently deposited sediment in May 2000.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent for this remediation project:
State $ 510,000
PRP $ 39,000,000
OCC -- DUREZ, NORT
H TONAWANDA
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
Remedial Construction
Plant Site
PRP
Jun 1991
COMPLETED
Sewer Clean-up
PRP
NONE
COMPLETED
Pettit Creek Cove
RI/FS
PRP
NONE
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
DEC
NONE
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
PRP
Sep 1993
COMPLETED
Remedial Action
PRP
Dec 1994
COMPLETED
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A-70
GRATWICK RIVERSIDE PARK
Site # 68
Site Program: N. Y. Division of Environmental Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The Gratwick Riverside Park site occupies about 53 acres in the City of North Tonawanda and
borders the Niagara River.
Prior to 1960, the site was used for the disposal of metallurgical slag. During the period 1960
to 1968, the site was operated as a landfill accepting municipal and industrial wastes. It is
known that phenolic wastes from Occidental Chemical - Durez were disposed at the Gratwick
Park site.
The Gratwick Park site contains about 13 feet of fill underlain by a discontinuous
glaciolacustrine unit above glacial till. The till layer acts as an aquitard (or barrier) to downward
groundwater flow from the overburden/fill aquifer to the next significant aquifer, in the Camillus
Shale bedrock. Each aquifer flows generally to the southwest, towards the Niagara River.
Site Investigation
Gratwick Riverside Park is a DEC-lead site. DEC has completed a Remedial Investigation/
Feasibility Study (RI/FS) of the site under State Superfund. A Record of Decision (ROD)
selecting a remedy was completed February 1991. In May 1996, after lengthy and difficult
negotiations, the PRPs agreed to design and implement the selected remedy. In February
1997, the City of North Tonawanda (one of the PRPs) entered into a Title 3 contract for state
funding of its share (approximately 34%) of project construction costs.
Remedial Design (RD) started in early 1996. The design includes:
Shoreline protection
Hydraulic barrier (slurry wall) between site and river
Cap over the site to allow it to be used as a park
Collection of contaminated groundwater
During design, samples of river sediment along the shoreline indicated the presence of relatively
low levels of site-related contamination. It was also determined that steps should be taken to
improve the habitat value of the shoreline area. To address these issues and the shoreline
protection component of the remedy, the design was modified to include covering portions of
the river bottom with soil that could support selected vegetation to be planted, and to include
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A-71
features to provide erosion resistance. These changes are incorporated in an amendment to the
ROD issued in January 1999.
Construction of the remediation measures began in June 1999, with preliminary
mobilization by the construction contractor. Site clearing was done in July and August.
The project is proceeding on schedule and is presently approximately 95 percent complete.
Primarily, the work that remains to be completed consists of placing topsoil, completing the
replacement of a city park boat launch facility and picnic shelter that were razed when the
site was cleared, and planting of vegetation.
The components of the remediation of this site include the following:
a permeable soil cap, which includes a six inch fertile layer for planting of
appropriate vegetation,
a subsurface hydraulic barrier wall along the entire shoreline of the site,
approximately 5600 feet long, to separate the contaminated leachate on the site
from the river waters,
rip rap stabilization and protection of the shoreline,
remediation of three existing storm sewer lines, and
removal of an area of soils contaminated by viscous material approximately fifty
feet square.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
State
PRP
$ 2,550,000
$ 5,000,000
State
PRP
$ 450,000
$ 430,000
Operation and Maintenance costs are estimated at $1,140,000 for ten years.
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A-72
GRATWICK RIVERSIDE PARK
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
RI/FS
DEC
March 1990
COMPLETED
Record of Decision
DEC
June 1990
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
Completion
PRPs
April 1998
COMPLETED
Remedial Action Completion
PRPs
Dec 1999
April 2001
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A-73
MOBIL OIL
Site #141
Site Program: NY Division of Environmental Remediation
Summary Prepared by: EPA/DEC
Site Description
The Mobil Oil site associated with Niagara River Toxics Management Plan (NRTMP) priority
toxic chemicals is a 3-acre area in the southeast portion of an approximately 62-acre Mobil
facility in the City of Buffalo. The site is located adjacent to the Buffalo River, about 5 miles
upstream of the confluence of the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers.
The entire facility was used by Mobil for oil refining from 1951 to 1981. The 3-acre area of
concern was used by the City of Buffalo for disposal of municipal wastes before being sold to
Mobil in 1951. Mobil used it until 1976 for the disposal of unknown quantities of tetraethyl
lead sludge, lubricating sludges, spent catalysts, and other wastes.
The site consists of varying amounts of fill underlain by a sand and gravel unit. Below the sand
and gravel unit is a clay layer, followed by glacial till and then the Onondaga Limestone.
Groundwater flow across the site is generally to the south toward the Buffalo River.
Site Investigation
From 1982 to 1983, various investigations of the 3-acre site were conducted by the U.S.
Geological Survey and by DEC. In 1985, Mobil and DEC signed a Consent Order to perform
a Phase II investigation. The Phase II investigation, completed in 1987, included soil sampling,
groundwater monitoring, and surface water and sediment sampling from the Buffalo River. The
highest concentrations of lead and volatile organic compounds were found in the soil and river
sediment. The highest concentrations of semi-volatile base/neutral compounds were found in
the soil and groundwater. Liquid petroleum was found in a monitoring well.
In 1988, based on the site investigations, the 3-acre Mobil site was re-classified as Class 3
(does not present a significant threat to the public health or the environment, action may be
deferred). Tetraethyl lead has extremely low solubility in water and is not expected to
significantly migrate off site through groundwater. However, tetraethyl lead is highly soluble in
petroleum products, so that any spill of fuel oils in the area could mobilize it and carry it to the
Buffalo River.
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A-74
Site Remediation
Around 1971 Mobil Oil began operation of a well point system (WPS) installed along the
Buffalo River. The WPS consists of a series of interconnected wells designed to recover
groundwater and petroleum product and prevent petroleum seepage to the Buffalo River. The
WPS extends approximately 1600 feet along the south-facing side of the site, from the 3-acre
disposal area toward Babcock Street. In February 1989, Mobil notified DEC of liquid phase
petroleum encountered during the installation of geotechnical borings. This report prompted
additional site investigation, and remedial measures were instituted to recover petroleum
product. In 1993, six dual-pump recovery wells were activated. Each of the recovery wells is
equipped with both groundwater and product recovery pumps. Five of the six recovery wells
are presently being operated in conjunction with the WPS. The recovery wells are located
outside the 3-acre disposal area, within the south-central portion of the Mobil facility.
In 1994, the entire 62-acre Mobil facility, including the 3-acre area of concern, was selected
for inclusion in the DEC Multimedia Pollution Prevention (M2P2) program based in part on the
facility's involvement with multiple divisions within DEC (Division of Air Resources, Division of
Hazardous Substance Regulation, Division of Environmental Remediation, Division of
Regulatory Affairs, Division of Solid Waste, Division of Water). The goal of the M2P2 program
is to provide an integrated approach to the environmental management of the facility. The M2P2
facility team conducted a multi-media inspection to better coordinate the various facility
remediation activities. A Consent Order was signed on May 20, 1997 to undertake further
investigation and remediation. The results of the additional site facility investigation were
submitted to
the DEC and EPA on November 25, 1998. Three areas of the site (the Elk Street
Lot, the Former Lube Building Area & the Buffalo Terminal Disposal Area)
were identified as requiring further investigation to determine the extent
of contamination. The results of the further site facility investigation were submitted to the DEC
and EPA on 12/15/99. Additional investigation is underway at the Former Lube Building Area
and along Babcock Street. The results of this investigation are to be submitted by November
2000. Additional investigation of the Elk Street Lots will also be required but has not yet been
scheduled.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
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A-75
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
Federal $ (Not available)
State $ (Not available)
PRP $ (Not available)
MOBIL OIL
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
Phase 1 Investigation
DEC
Sept 1983
COMPLETED
Phase II Investigation
PRP
Dec 1986
COMPLETED
Re-classification to Class 3*
DEC
Dec 1988
COMPLETED
Site Investigation
PRP
Nov 1999
Nov 2000
Class 3 means that the site does not present a significant threat to the public health
or the environment and that action may be deferred. Further remediation will be
coordinated under the M2P2 program, with the schedule to be determined.
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A-76
IROQUOIS GAS - WESTWOOD PHARMACEUTICAL
Site Code 9-15-141
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The Iroquois Gas - Westwood Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste Site is 8.8 acres in size. The
site is bounded on the: east by Dart Street, north by Buffalo Structural Steel, west by
Scajaquada Creek, and south by residential properties. The site is predominately covered by
asphalt or buildings, and is fenced, which precludes direct exposure to the public. The potential
for site contaminants to be transported via ground water to Scajaquada Creek exists.
Iroquois Gas Company, predecessor to National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (NFG)
used the site from the turn of the century to about 1955 to manufacture gas. After 1955, NFG
stored natural gas at the site, with oil storage believed to have continued into the 1960's. In
1972 Westwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. purchased the site and, the next year, constructed a
100,000 square foot warehouse on the southwest portion of the site.
In the fall of 1985, during building construction, buried tar separator pits and an oil storage tank
foundation were encountered, along with fill and soils containing tar-like and oily residues. As a
result, construction plans were modified to permit excavation, evaluation and proper disposal of
the potentially contaminated soils, materials and liquids. In 1985, Westwood also began an
investigation of the site. The investigation indicated the presence of both soil and ground water
contamination.
Site Investigation
In 1989 DEC requested that Westwood undertake a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility
Study (RI/FS) to assess the nature and extent of contamination at the site. Ultimately,
Westwood agreed to undertake the RI/FS, with DEC oversight, under a Partial Consent
Decree issued by the Federal Court. The purpose of the RI was to define the nature and extent
of any contamination resulting from previous activities at the site. Field work for the RI started
in April 1992 and was completed in June 1993.
The results of the RI are as follows:
The soil at the site is primarily contaminated with PAHs (Polynuclear Aromatic
Hydrocarbons), BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene), lead and cyanide;
Ground water in the upper aquifer (fill, with maximum depth of up to 32 feet) is
contaminated with PAHs and BTEX;
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A-77
Substrate below the fill consists of a silty clay layer to a depth of 60 feet, followed by a
layer of sand and gravel, and then bedrock. No significant contamination has been
found in the sand and gravel layer; the direction of ground water flow is towards
Scajaquada Creek.
Based on RI data, the ground water discharge to the creek is estimated to be 7350 gallons per
day; the direction of flow of NAPL (liquid, non-water soluble chemicals) is also towards the
creek. The estimated amount of NAPL entering the creek is 440 lb/year; the chemicals of
concern (BTEX and PAHs) in the NAPL and ground water are estimated to be migrating to
the creek at a rate of 261 lb/year; the creek sediments are primarily contaminated with the
same contaminants which are present in soil, ground water and NAPL.
In March 1994, the Department signed a Record of Decision which outlined a Remedial Action
Plan calling for:
Construction of a clay cap to isolate the source area contaminants;
In Situ (in place) bio-treatment of soil and groundwater, if feasible;
Installation of a vertical sheet piling barrier wall and extraction wells for ground water
control and removal of contaminated ground water;
Treatment of extracted ground water and NAPL before proper disposal;
Long term Operation & Maintenance.
The Remedial Action Plan also addresses contamination in Scajaquada Creek and includes:
excavation of contaminated sediments originating from the site and restoration of the creek
channel to background conditions.
Note that DEC found bio-treatment to be infeasible. DEC will review this decision at five-year
intervals to determine if any new technologies are feasible.
Remedial Actions
For remediation purposes, the site has been divided into two operable units: Operable Unit 01
(Main Plant) and Operable Unit 02 (Scajaquada Creek). Westwood is undertaking the
remediation of the Main Plant site which includes the pump-and-treat system for groundwater
and NAPL and plant site capping. National Fuel Gas is responsible for remediation of
Scajaquada Creek.
Remedial construction began in November 1996, with installation of the sheet pile barrier wall.
The wall was completed in December 1996. All remedial work on the Main Plant site was
completed in 1997. Remediation of Scajaquada Creek sediments commenced in July 1998
and was completed in March 1999. The Remedial action includes two wells to extract NAPL
from beneath the creek bed. Extraction of NAPL from beneath the creek bed has begun at
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the downstream portion of the site. Negotiations to purchase property to locate the second
well at the upstream portion of the site are underway. Completion of the second extraction
system is scheduled for December 2000.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent to date on remediating this site:
State $ 150,000
PRP $ 6,500,000
It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation, including operation and maintenance:
State $ 100,000
PRP $ 500,000
IROQUOIS GAS - WESTWOOD PHARMACEUTICAL
PLANT SITE:
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
Record of Decision
DEC
Mar 1994
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
PRP
May 1997
COMPLETED
Remedial Action
PRP
Sept 1997
COMPLETED
CREEK SITE:
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
Record of Decision
DEC
Mar 1994
COMPLETED
Remedial Desiqn
PRP
Apr 1996
COMPLETED
Remedial Action
PRP
Dec 1999
Dec 2000
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BOOTH OIL
Site Program: N.Y. Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation
Summary Prepared by: DEC
Site Description
The Booth Oil site is located at 76 Robinson Street in the City of North Tonawanda. The site
occupies approximately 2.7 acres on three parcels of land each separated by railroad tracks
operated by CSX. The site is located about 500 feet from the Little Niagara River.
Waste oils were refined at the site for more than 50 years, until the phased plant closure in the
early 1980's. During processing, frequent spills occurred and oil was periodically discharged to
the Little Niagara River via surface water run-off through the Robinson Street storm sewer.
Site Investigation
The RI identifies oil saturated soils on site containing PCB, VOCs, Semi-VOCs, and PAHs.
An investigation of the River indicated that oil/PCB waste from the Booth Oil site is limited to a
small area in the vicinity of the outfall.
Two Records of Decision were issued: the first in March 1992 (Operable Unit OU1, on-site)
and the second in March 1993 (Operable Unit OU2, Little Niagara River). The remedy
consists of the excavation of contaminated on-site soils, sewer sediments and a limited area of
sediment in the Little River with on-site treatment by separation technologies or incineration.
Contaminated ground water will also be extracted and treated.
The RI/FS was performed under State Superfund. However, many Potentially Responsible
Parties (PRPs) exist, including the site owners and numerous generators who shipped waste to
the site. A PRP proposal for an alternate remedy was accepted in June 1998. Negotiations
with the PRPs on a legal agreement for performance of the RD/RA continues. The alternate
remedy includes all the components of the remedy in the RODs noted above, except excavated
material will be disposed off site. A schedule for remediation of the site follows.
Remediation Costs
Following are estimated amounts that have been spent through 1997 on remediating this site:
State
PRP
$ 1,100,000
$ 0
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It is estimated that the following amounts will be spent from now to the completion of
remediation:
State $ (Not available)
Permittee $ 15,000,000
BOOTH
OIL
Output
Responsible
Party
Previous
Target Date
Current
Schedule
OU1
RI/FS
DEC
Feb 1992
COMPLETED
ROD
DEC
Mar 1992
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
PRP
Apr 2000
Apr 2001
Remedial Action
PRP
Apr 2001
Apr 2002
OU2
RI/FS
DEC
Feb 1993
COMPLETED
ROD
DEC
Mar 1993
COMPLETED
Remedial Design
PRP
Apr 2000
Apr 2001
Remedial Action
PRP
Anr2001
Anr 2002
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