ANNUAL STATUS UPDATE FOR:
REDUCTION OF TOXICS LOADINGS TO
THE NIAGARA RIVER FROM HAZARDOUS
WASTE SITES IN THE UNITED STATES
Report for the Year Ending 2012
Prepared by the United States Environmental Protection Agency-Region 2 in
conjunction with the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation-Region 9
FINAL
March 27, 2013
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary i
Introduction 1
Status of Remediation Progress 8
Overview 8
Project Highlights 8
Estimated Remediation Costs 13
Future Challenges and Opportunities for the NRTMP 14
Glossary 22
References 28
Appendix A: Priority Niagara River Hazardous Waste Sites: Site Remediation Status
Summaries
1) Occidental Chemical Corporation, Buffalo Avenue
2) Niagara County Refuse Disposal
3) DuPont Necco Park
4) CECOS International
5) Occidental Chemical Corporation, Hyde Park
6) 102nd Street
7) Bell Aerospace Textron
8) Durez Corporation, Packard Rd. Facility, Niagara Falls (formerly OCC-Durez Div)
9) Occidental Chemical Corporation, S-Area
10) Stauffer Chemical
11) Solvent Chemical
12) Vanadium Corporation of America (formerly SKW Alloys)
13) Olin Corporation
14) DuPont, Buffalo Avenue
15) Buffalo Color Corporation Site
16) Buffalo Color Corporation, Area D
17) Bethlehem Steel Corporation Site
18) River Road (INS Equipment)
19) Niagara Mohawk — Cherry Farm
20) Frontier Chemical, Pendleton
21) Frontier Chemical, Royal Avenue
22) Occidental Chemical Corporation, Durez Division, North Tonawanda
23) Gratwick Riverside Park
24) Mobil Oil
25) Iroquois Gas-Westwood Pharmaceutical
26) Booth Oil
Appendix B: Remediation of Additional Pollutant Source Summaries: Site Remediation
Status Summaries
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.18 NRTMP Priority Toxic Chemicals 1
Table 2. Gradient/Geotrans Prioritization of Waste Sites According to Potential Toxic Loadings
to Niagara River in 1988 4
Table 3. Summary Status of the 26 Priority Waste Sites 5
Table 4. Beneficial Use Impairments for Niagara River and Buffalo River AOCs 15
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Location of significant Niagara River waste sites addressed in the NRTMP 3
Figure 2. Environment Canada's Niagara River Upstream/Downstream Surface Water Sampling
Locations 16
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Executive Summary
For over two decades, the Niagara River has been the focus of attention between four environmental
agencies in the United States and Canada ("the Four Parties"). On February 4, 1987, the Four Parties
signed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) to achieve significant reductions of toxic chemical pollutants in
the Niagara River. The DOI outlined the principles and activities to be followed and was combined
with a detailed annual work plan which forms the Niagara River Toxics Management Plan (NRTMP).
The Four Parties agreed upon a specific list of 18 'priority toxics' targeted for reduction through the
NRTMP. A key sub-objective and milestone of the NRTMP DOI was to achieve a 50% reduction of
ten specific priority toxics believed to be from significant Niagara River sources by 1996. Overall, the
NRTMP has met its 50% reduction goal for the ten targeted priority toxics, and some by more than
75%) through actions addressing point and non-point sources of toxic contamination. In December
1996, the Four Parties formally re-affirmed, by Letter of Support, their commitment to continue
reductions of priority toxic loadings to the Niagara River.
A 1988 study identified 33 hazardous waste site clusters identified as the principal sources of toxic
pollutant loadings to the Niagara River. The sites were prioritized into three categories: Category I
(sites with loadings greater than 50 lbs/day), Category II (sites with loadings between 1 and 50
lbs/day), and Category III (sites with loadings less than 1 lb/day). The United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
consolidated the 33 cluster sites into a priority list of 26 sites consisting mostly of Category I and II,
which were determined to be responsible for -700 lbs/day of the 18 priority toxic chemical loadings
to the Niagara River, and represented the most significant input of non-point source loadings (99.9%)
from the U.S. side. The complete remediation of these sites became the primary focus of the NRTMP
to achieve the common goals of the Four Parties agreement.
To date, key actions addressing non-point sources include completing 21 of the total 26 priority
hazardous waste sites. The remaining five sites (Mobil Oil, Frontier Chemical - Royal Ave.,
Vanadium Corporation Operable Unit (OU) #3, Bethlehem Steel Corporation (BSC), and Buffalo
Color Corporation Areas A,B,C, and E) have remedial actions (RAs) pending or underway (detailed
status discussed later in this report). Upstream/ Downstream (U/D) water quality monitoring data for
the period April 2004 through March 2005 shows annual average concentrations for 6 of the 18
priority toxics (mercury, arsenic, lead, total chlordane, octachlorostyrene (OCS), and
benzo(a)anthracene (a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon [PAH]) are now below the most stringent
agency water quality criteria at Fort Erie (FE) and Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), the two primary
sampling stations of Environment Canada's U/D Niagara River monitoring program. It is important to
note that principal sources for 2 of the priority toxics (tetrachloroethylene and toxaphene), although
not being measured as part of the U/D program, have been eliminated by actions taken in other
programs. Specifically, tetrachloroethylene contaminated water previously discharged from the Falls
Street Tunnel to the Niagara River has been redirected to the Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment
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Plant (WWTP). Toxaphene use as a pesticide was discontinued in 1982 before EPA banned all
general uses of the compound in the U.S. and its territories in 1990.
The commitment to reduce toxic loadings through the NRTMP continues. The Four Parties are in the
process of evaluating past achievements and future opportunities that exist to coordinate with other
related program initiatives occurring within the basin utilizing available expertise and resources.
Further evaluation is needed on the opportunities that exist to continue to reduce toxic contaminant
levels from U.S. sources within the Niagara River. To meet this challenge, the DEC is conducting a
project titled "Reassessment of Niagara River Area of Concern (AOC) Sources of Contamination"
scheduled to be completed in 2013. Funded by the EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, this
project supports the NRTMP and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, pursuant to Public Law
112-10, and builds upon previous studies and monitoring efforts (completed in the late 1980s to mid
1990s) conducted through the NRTMP. Sample collection and analysis focuses on hazardous waste
sites, wastewater discharges and primary tributaries. The expected outcomes include further reduction
of toxic substances entering the Niagara River and the eventual removal of five of the seven
beneficial use impairments (BUIs) present at this AOC. Specifically, this action will help meet these
goals by making progress towards delisting the following five BUIs: restrictions on fish and wildlife
consumption; fish tumors or other deformities; restrictions on dredging activities; degradation of
benthos; and bird or animal deformities or reproduction problems.
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111
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Acronyms
AAR
Alternatives Analysis Report
AOC
Area of concern
BCP
Brownfield Cleanup Program
BNR
Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper
BSC
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
BUI
Beneficial Use Impairment
CMS
Corrective Measure Study
COC
Chemical of concern
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
DOI
Declaration of Intent
EC
Environment Canada
EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ERP
Environmental Remediation Project
FE
Fort Erie
HSWA
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
IRM
Interim Remedial Measure
LNAPL
Light nonaqueous phase liquid
MGP
Manufactured gas plant
MOE
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
NAPL
Non-aqueous phase liquids
NOTL
Niagara-on-the-Lake
NPL
National Priorities List
NRTMP
Niagara River Toxics Management Plan
NYSDOH
New York State Department of Health
OCC
Occidental Chemical Corporation
OCS
Octachlorostyrene
OM&M
Operation, Maintenance & Monitoring
OU
Operable Unit
PAH
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
PCBs
Polychlorinated biphenyls
ppm
Parts per million
PRP
Potentially Responsible Party
RA
Remedial Action
RAC
Remedial Advisory Committee
iv
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RAP
Remedial Action Plan
RAS
Remedial Action Selection
RAWP
Remedial Action Work Plan
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RD/RA
Remedial Design/Remedial Action
RFI
RCRA Facility Investigation
RI/FS
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
ROD
Record of Decision
RRT
Requisite Remedial Technology
SSF
State Superfund
SPDES
New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
SVOC
Semivolatile organic carbon
SWMU
Solid Waste Management Unit
TCDD
Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
TCLP
Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure
TCP
Trichlorophenol
U/D
Upstream/downstream
USGS
U.S. Geological Survey
VHB
Vertical hydraulic barrier
VOC
Volatile organic compounds
WWTP
Wastewater treatment plant
V
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Introduction
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 (DOI), pledging
cooperation to achieve significant
reductions of toxic chemical pollutants in the Niagara River (DOI 1987). The DOI and a work plan
form the Niagara River Toxics Management Plan (NRTMP).
Under the NRTMP, the Four Parties identified 18
persistent toxic chemicals as 'priority toxics' (Table
1). 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 Niagara River have been identified
and are being addressed in U.S. and Canadian point
source plans. In November 2010, Environment
Canada (EC) (R.B Hill and P. Klawunn) completed a
concentrations, loads, and trends report of toxic
contaminants covering a 20-year period (1986/87 -
2004/05) based on data generated on a total of 72
* Targeted lor 50% load reduction by 1996 irom pomt & Niagara River analytes (including the 18 priority
non-point Niagara River watershed sources using 1987
as a baseline. toxics) by the Upstream/Downstream (U/D)
Monitoring Program.
Compounds in italics no longer exceed strictest agency
criteria at Fort Erie (FE) and Niagara-on-the-Lake
(NOTL).
The report observed the following long-term loading trends:
• most of the 72 analytes have a downward trend and are not exceeding the strictest agency
criteria;
• certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) class compounds show upward trends most
recently;
• most of the compounds that still exceed the strictest agency criteria show downward trends;
and
• Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) appears to have a greater number of compounds with a
downward trend.
Based on the most recent data available (U/D Program, 2004/05), 6 of the 18 priority toxics (mercury,
arsenic, lead, chlordane, octachlorostyrene (OCS), and benzo(a)anthracene) are below the strictest
THE FOUR PARTIES
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environment Canada (EC)
NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
Table 1. 18 NRTMP Priority Toxic
Chemicals
Benz(ct) anthracene*
Mirex/PhotoMirex*
Benzo(a)pyrene*
Octachlorostyrene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene*
PCBs*
Benzo(k)fluoranthene*
DDTs
Chlordane
Dioxin*
Chrysene
T etrachloroethylene *
Dieldrin
Arsenic
Hexachlorobenzene *
Lead
Mercurv*
Toxaphene
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criteria at both Fort Erie (FE) and NOTL, the two primary sampling stations of EC's U/D Niagara
River monitoring program. The downward trends of most compounds at NOTL suggest sources from
the Niagara River watershed are being reduced or eliminated and existing management actions under
the NRTMP are working. The data does show that further study and evaluation is needed to identify,
characterize, and eliminate certain sources of PAH class compounds, specifically benzo(a)pyrene and
benzo(b/k)fluoranthene. A targeted study and evaluation to determine the principal sources of these
compounds may be warranted.
Non-point sources of toxic chemicals to the Niagara River (e.g., leachate from hazardous waste sites,
storm water runoff, and 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 Niagara River.
In 1988, an EPA study estimated potential toxic pollutant loadings to the Niagara River from all
known hazardous waste sites on the U.S. side of the Niagara River (Gradient Corp/Geotrans Inc
1988). The study compiled a list of 70 sites into 33 "cluster sites" largely based on the manner in
which data has historically been collected. The study further placed them into three categories based
on their potential loadings (in lbs/day) to the Niagara River. Figure 1 shows the locations of these 33
site clusters, as well as several other additional hazardous waste sites.
The study showed that a total estimated 694 lbs/day (315 kg/day) of toxic chemicals have the
potential of migrating from these 33 cluster sites to the Niagara River. Because collection of site-
specific transport data is ongoing, estimates were made based on certain assumptions (e.g. that
groundwater flow is horizontal, and that pollutants behave in a conservative manner). These
assumptions yielded conservative estimates (i.e., estimates of toxic loadings are expected to be higher
than the actual loadings).
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l.itMo Ontwkj
255
39
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67
Frontier Chenucal-
nayd Ave.
Boacn Ol Sr. a
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207
123
25
APPROXIMATE SCALE
107
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1B2
254
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118
Figure 1. Location of significant Niagara River waste sites addressed
in the NRTMP
USGS Site #s
Site Name
41b-49
Occidental Chemical Corp. (OCC), Buffalo Ave.
81
Niagara County Refuse Disposal
14
DuPont Necco Park
78a,b
CECOS International/Niagara Recycling
39
OCC, Hyde Park
40.56,85,94
102nd Street (Occidental 102nd Street site (#40), Olin 102nd Street site (#56),
Griffon Park (#85), and Niagara River Belden site (#94)
5
Bell Aerospace Textron
66
Durez Corporation, Packard Road Facility (formally OCC, Durez Div.)
41a
OCC, S-Area
255
Stauffer Plant (PASNY)
251
Solvent Chemical
1
Vanadium Corp. (formerly SKW Alloys)
58.59.248
Olin, Buffalo Avenue
15-19,250
DuPont, Buffalo Avenue Plant
254
Buffalo Harbor Containment
120-122
Buffalo Color Corporation, including Area D
118
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
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
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Table 2 presents the 33 cluster sites divided into three categories, based on estimates of their
potential toxic loads to the Niagara River (Gradient Corp/Geotrans Inc 1988). The categories are
as follows:
Category I: Sites with loading greater than 50 lb/day
Category II: Sites with loadings from 1 to 50 lb/day
Category III: Sites with loadings less than 1 lb/day
Sites from Category I and II collectively represented 99.9% of the total estimated loadings.
In November 1989, EPA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC) issued a report which prioritized the 33 cluster sites into a list of 26 hazardous waste sites,
consisting mostly of Category I and II, which are responsible for the -700 lbs/day of the 18
priority toxic chemical loadings to the Niagara River (EPA/DEC 1989). Since 1989, EPA and
DEC have reevaluated the universe of hazardous waste sites to identify those that new
information shows are significant sources of toxic chemicals to the Niagara River. Seven
additional sites have been added as potential significant sources. Updates on remediation
progress at these seven sites are discussed later and summarized in Appendix B of this report.
Table 2. Gradient/Geotrans Prioritization of Waste Sites According to Potential Toxic Loadings to
Niagara River in 1988.
Category I : > than 50 lbs/day
OCC. Buffalo Ave.
Niagara Count} Refuse Disposal
DuPont Necco Park combined
with CECOS International
OCC. Hyde Park
Category II: bt. 1-50 lbs/day
OCC. 102nd Street
Bell Aerospace Textron
Durez Corporation. Packard
Road Facility (formerly OCC,
Durez Division. Niagara Falls)
OCC. S-Area
Stauffcr Plant (PASNY)
Solvent Chemical
Vanadium Corp. (formerly SKW
Alloys)
Olin. Buffalo Avenue Plant
DuPont. Buffalo Avenue Plant
Buffalo Harbor Containment
Buffalo Color Corporation,
including Area D
Bclhlchem Sleel ( oipomlion
River Road (INS Equipment)
Frontier Chemical. Pendleton
OCC. Durez. North Tonawanda
Small Boat Harbor Containment
Gratwick Riverside Park
Mobil Oil
Category III: < than 1 lb/day
Alltift Realty
Charles Gibson
Great Lakes Carbon
Niagara Mohawk. Cherry Farm
Times Beach Containment
Tonaw anda Coke
Allied Chemical
Dunlop Tire and Rubber
Columbus-McKinnon
Love Canal
Tonawanda Landfill
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EPA estimates actual input loading reductions from 21 of the 26 priority hazardous waste site
remedial actions (RAs) completed so far have been from -700 lbs/day to less than 50 lbs/day;
this represents an approximate 94% reduction from the 1988 baselines for poly chlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), mirex, OCS, chlordane,
hexachlorobenzene, benz(a)anthracene, lead and others to the Niagara River. This estimate is
based primarily on assuming 100% reduction at sites where the final RA is completed. It does
not include the load reductions at the other five sites where interim remedial measures (IRMs)
are in place and are expected to have already reduced off-site loadings. Since estimates could not
be made for these sites with on-going remediation, actual reductions to date may be greater than
the estimated 94%. Table 3 identifies the sites where final RAs are complete and the sites where
remediation is not yet completed, but which have interim operational remedial systems that are
expected to have reduced contaminant loads to the Niagara River.
Upon completion of two additional RAs, EPA's best estimates are that the estimated toxic
chemical inputs from all sites collectively should be reduced by almost 98% from the 1989
inputs (EPA/DEC 1989).
Other estimates have been made of the potential loadings of the NRTMP priority chemical
concentrations in groundwater and groundwater flow to the Niagara River from priority waste
sites. These estimates are based on information that was not available when the Gradient/
Geotrans estimates were developed. For example, a report by several site potentially responsible
parties (PRPs) addressing groundwater loadings for ten of the NRTMP priority waste
sites estimated priority chemical loadings from ten sites at 5.6 lbs/day (2.5 kg/day) prior to RA,
and 0.0048 lbs/day (0.002 kg/day) after RA completion, a reduction of over 99% (CRA 1998).
Since these estimates only consider the NRTMP priority chemicals, they are not comparable to
the Gradient/Geotrans estimates of total toxic chemical loading. In addition, the report also used
some non-conservative assumptions that would tend to reduce load estimates. Therefore,
although actual loadings are likely greater than the estimates, the estimates do corroborate the
reduction in toxic chemical loadings to the Niagara River achieved through remedial programs.
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Table 3. Summary Status of the 26 Priority Waste Sites.
The sites in interim remediation are also under investigation or design, and therefore are listed twice.
Investigation and Design Status
Remedial Action Status
Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) Search
Interim Remedy in Place, Final Pending or Under
Construction
No sites in this phase
VANADIUM CORPORATION: OITO1
Site Investigation Underway
Frontier Chemical - Royal Avenue2
BETHLEHEM STEEL3
BETHLEHEM STEEL3
Feasibility Study Underway
Buffalo Color Corporation Area A and B
MOBIL OIL: OU#2,#3,#5
MOBIL OIL: OU#4
Remedial Design Underway
No sites in this phase
Remediation Completed (Operation, Maintenance and
Monitoring [OM&M] Ongoing)
Stauffer Chemical
Frontier Chemical, Pendleton
Bell Aerospace Textron
CECOS International
Dupont Necco Park
Durez Corporation, Packard Road Facility
OCC, Durez, North Tonawanda
DuPont Plant Site Buffalo Avenue
Olin Plant Site
Buffalo Color, Area D
OCC, Buffalo Avenue
102nd Street (Olin /OCC)
River Road
Niagara Mohawk, Cherry Farm
Niagara County Refuse Disposal
Iroquois Gas-Westwood Pharmacy
Gratwick Riverside Park
OCC S-Area
Solvent Chemical
Booth Oil
OCC (AKA Hooker)-Hyde Park
Bolded sites have updated project highlights reported below in more detail.
These sites, though not completed, have operational remedial systems that are expected to have reduced
contaminant loadings to the Niagara River.
1 Preliminary investigations were completed. Two IRMs have been completed by PRPs for OU#l and OUW2. A "No
Further Action" Record of Decision (ROD) was issued for OUs #1 and #2 in March 2006.
2 The remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) for soils and the upper bedrock (OU1) was completed in 2004 with a
ROD issued in March 2006. The RI/FS for groundwater in the lower bedrock (OU2) was completed in 2009 with a
NFA ROD issued in March 2011. PRP group has signed an Order to implement the remedy. Groundwater is
currently being addressed as per the ROD.
3 In 2004 DEC approved an interim corrective measures plan for the remediation of the Benzol Plant Area (i.e., the Coke
Oven Area). Recovery-well installation was completed in December 2004. The system includes light non-aqueous
phase liquids (LNAPL) recovery and groundwater collection and treatment. The system began operating in April
2005.
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In addition to remediation efforts at the waste sites themselves under the NRTMP, it is also
important to recognize the role of the Niagara Falls Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) in
reducing toxic inputs from a number of waste sites to the Niagara River. Based on information
available in 1987, the U.S. identified the Falls Street Tunnel, a major unlined industrial sewer cut
into the bedrock under the City of Niagara Falls, as the largest source of toxic pollutants from
any of its point sources. By the mid-1980s, the Tunnel was only receiving overflows of
wastewater from the sewers of a Niagara Falls industrial area, in addition to contaminated
groundwater infiltrating from major waste sites via cracks in the Tunnel's bedrock walls. In
contrast to flows from other point sources, effluent from the Falls Street Tunnel entered the
Niagara River untreated. In 1993, EPA and DEC required the City of Niagara Falls to treat the
Falls Street Tunnel discharges during dry weather at the Niagara Falls WWTP. Data gathered by
the U.S. indicate that WWTP treatment of the Tunnel's dry weather discharge has reduced
mercury loadings by 70% relative to 1980 loads, tetrachloroethylene loadings by 85%, and the
loadings of four other priority toxic chemicals by almost 100%.
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
loadings from the following sites:
DuPont, Buffalo Avenue Solvent Chemical
OCC, Buffalo Avenue CECOS International
Frontier Chemical, Royal Avenue DuPont Necco Park
Durez Division, Packard Road Facility (formally OCC)
For this report, estimates of site loading reductions do not include those obtained through
treatment of the Falls Street Tunnel dry weather flow.
Other program actions outside the NRTMP have eliminated principal sources of priority toxic
compounds, such as toxaphene, primarily used in pesticides in the Great Lakes Region during the
1970s. Toxaphene, although not being measured as part of the U/D Program, was discontinued
for use as a pesticide in 1982 before EPA banned all general uses of the compound in the United
States and its territories in 1990. Although toxaphene is considered a very persistent chemical
(lasting for up to 14 years in soil), it is reasonable to conclude that there are unlikely to be
harmful releases from sources to the Niagara River due to detoxification by evaporation in the
environment over time and its discontinued use for nearly 30 years.
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Status of Remediation Progress
Overview
As of the release of this 2012 NRTMP report, final RAs have been completed at 21 of the 26
sites which includes all Category 1 sites (those with estimated contaminant loads of >50 lbs/day
of priority toxic chemicals to the river). It is expected that the post-remedial Operation,
Maintenance and Monitoring (OM&M) technology installed at certain sites could be effective for
up to 30 years or longer at other sites.
The remaining five sites (Mobil Oil, Frontier Chemical - Royal Ave., Vanadium Corporation
Operable Unit (OU) #3, BSC, and Buffalo Color Corporation) have RAs pending or underway.
Three of the five sites (Mobil Oil, Vanadium Corporation, and BSC) are operating IRMs while
progressing with completion of their final RAs. Start of construction of pending final RA for
Vanadium Corporation OU#3 is anticipated during 2013. RAs at Buffalo Color Corporation
Areas A, B, C, and E were substantially completed in 2011, with the exception of a Vertical
Hydraulic Barrier (VHB) in Area A to complement the effectiveness of the groundwater control
system. The VHB is approximately 1,000 feet in length and is scheduled for completion by the
end of 2013. DEC is evaluating results of a Corrective Measures Study (CMS) required by a
Consent Order with Tecumseh Redevelopment (current owner of the BSC site) to complete the
remaining projects needed at the site with construction schedules. Frontier Chemical - Royal
Ave. is in the process of evaluating the necessary work for their final RAs based on results of
previous site studies. DEC has entered into a Consent Order with Frontier Chemical - Royal
Avenue with the Responsible Party Group is to implement remedies in the 2006 record of
decision (ROD). The RA is expected to begin in Spring 2013. Mobil Oil has completed RA at
one OU with the remaining OUs in the Feasibility Study or Remedial Design stage. Construction
of OU#4 is scheduled to start April 2013 and be substantially complete by 2014.
Project Highlights
For each individual waste site, status summary tables are provided in Appendix A. Also,
detailed site information for all 26 sites can be found in DEC's Environmental Site Remediation
Database website1. Updated highlights of completed hazardous waste sites with continuing work
and progress made at the five remaining sites with RAs underway, as of this NRTMP progress
report, are summarized below.
1 http://www.dec.nv.gov/cfmx/extapps/derextemal/index.cfm?pageid=3
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Occidental Chemical - Durez
• Initial remediation of the site was completed in 1995. Based on post remedial
monitoring, additional contaminated sediment from the bottom of the Pettit Creek cove
area was removed in May 2000. The most recent report from caged mussel bio-
monitoring (-2006) indicates elevated concentrations of dioxins and furans remain in
sediment.
• In 2007, the DEC requested that Occidental undertake an investigation to identify the
source(s) that is contributing to the contaminant loading in the Pettit Creek cove and the
Niagara River. In 2009 and 2010, reports were submitted detailing investigations of the
Pettit Creek Flume and the cove. A draft work plan was also submitted for a Fish and
Wildlife Impact Analysis of the cove. The DEC provided comments in September 2010.
Response and follow-up to those comments are pending. Site Management is ongoing at
the Plant Site and Inlet Cove. This consists of groundwater collection, treatment and
groundwater quality monitoring at the plant site and groundwater quality monitoring and
non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) removal at the inlet. Soil cover grasses have been
allowed to grow at the plant site until after August 15 for habitat objectives. Mowed
buffer strips are in place where necessary for security and residential considerations.
During 2012 an engineered wetlands was installed along the north boundary of the site to
control site run-off and contaminated sediment, tributary to the Niagara River through the
City's storm sewer system, was excavated from the site. In addition, in 2011, Occidental
instituted ChemOx injections in several monitoring wells along the containment wall
which elevated volatile organics levels. This was done in an effort to reduce
concentration of these chemicals in groundwater in the area of those wells. This measure
is still on-going and its effectiveness is being evaluated.
OCC (AKA Hooker) Hyde Park Superfund Site
• RAs were completed June 2003. On Monday, August 20, 2012, EPA Region 2 published
a direct final Notice of Deletion of the Hooker (Hyde Park) Superfund Site (Site), located
in Niagara Falls, New York, from the National Priorities List (NPL). This direct final
deletion was published by the EPA with the concurrence of the State of New York,
through the DEC, because the EPA determined that all appropriate response actions
under CERCLA, other than operation, maintenance, and five-year reviews, had been
completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions that may be
determined to be necessary under Superfund.
• This direct final deletion would have been effective September 30, 2012, however, the
EPA received adverse comments from various non-profit environmental advocacy groups
and the Canadian Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE). Generally, the comments
included concerns relating to the possibility of residual toxic contaminants continuing to
be present in the groundwater flow from the site to the Niagara River in the vicinity of
Bloody Run Creek.
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• As a result of the comments received during the public comment period, the EPA
suspended the effective date of the deletion from the NPL on September 27, 2012. EPA
is currently preparing a response to the comments submitted regarding the deletion. EPA
will publish the response to comments in the federal register.
Vanadium Corporation
• An ROD compiling the results OU#l, OU#2, and OU#3 was issued in March 2006.
• RAs were completed at OU#l and OU#2 in 2007.
• The Remedial Design for OU#3 addressed remaining surficial waste and slag: waste
consolidation and capping, site management plan, environmental easement, and periodic
certification with long term monitoring was approved with comments in July 2010. Final
RA design report was submitted November 2010. The RA Work Plan was approved in
August 2012 . The RA to implement the remedy for OU#3 is anticipated to begin during
the spring of 2013.
• It should be noted that DEC's database has been revised to provide for separate site
numbers for each of these OUs. As such, OU#3 has been designated site number 932001
and OU#s 1 and 2 have been designated site numbers 93200IB and 932001C,
respectively.
Buffalo Color Corporation Areas A. B. C. and E
• In March 2005 Honeywell (a PRP) entered into an Order on Consent to address
groundwater contamination at the site by designing and installing a groundwater
collection system. Design was completed in 2005 and construction was completed in
2007.
• Honeywell performed a bulk chemical removal at the site starting in December 2005 and
it is presently complete. However, the site is not considered Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) clean. The site has been transferred from DEC's RCRA unit to
the Division of Environmental Remediation.
• Honeywell has completed their remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) for Areas
A, B, C, and E as part of the June 30, 2006 Consent Order. The fieldwork began in
January 2007 with a draft report Remedial Investigation Report submitted in September
2007. The RI/FS was completed in 2008. As a result of the RI/FS, a Brownfield Cleanup
Plan application was submitted and was approved by the DEC in April 2009. The
Remedial Work Plan was approved in May 2009. In Areas A and B, site preparation and
demolition/removal of decommissioned plant facilities and process equipment was
completed in 2011. Building slabs and foundations from several demolished buildings
were left in place for possible reuse and as interim cover over any residual impacted soils.
The final remedial plan for the soil and groundwater in Area A involves the installation
of a VHB to compliment the effectiveness of the groundwater control system. The VHB
is approximately 1000 feet in length and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013.
Site preparation will also include the abandonment and decommission of unused process
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and storm sewers, which discharge to the Buffalo River, and will be replaced by a new
water tight storm sewer system. Remedial objectives will be achieved by restricting
contact to surface soils, removing impacted soils, and installing a passive groundwater
remediation system. The final remediation plan will also include the placement of a site
wide integrated cover system to be completed in 2013. The final remedial plan for soil
and groundwater in Areas C and E involved the removal of source material impacting
groundwater quality and placement of oxidizing materials to treat residual volatile
organic carbon (VOC)/semivolatile organic carbon (SVOC) groundwater contamination.
Future routine monitoring will be used to gauge the effectiveness of the remedy for
VOCs/SVOCs and determine if additional in-situ VOC/SVOC remediation measures are
required. Certificates of completion, indicating that cleanup and groundwater control
objectives have been met, were issued in 2010 (Area C) and 2011 (Area E).
Bethlehem Steel Corporation (BSC) Site
• BSC has completed the field work for the site investigation, and has prepared RCRA
Facility Investigation (RFI) and human health risk assessment reports. These had been
delayed due to negotiations over the scope and the need to collect additional data, but
were finally submitted in December 2004. 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). The EPA and DEC found the
studies to be technically flawed and of limited value. BSC continues to study various
potential remedial technologies.
• In 2004 DEC approved an interim corrective measures plan for the remediation of the
Benzol Plant Area (i.e., the Coke Oven Area). In November 2004, DEC issued a consent
order to administer this project. Recovery-well installation was completed in December
2004. The system, which began operating in April 2005, includes light nonaqueous
phase liquid (LNAPL) recovery and groundwater collection and treatment. In 2005,
Tecumseh Redevelopment Inc., a subsidiary of ISG and Mittal Steel, submitted
brownfield applications to DEC for parcels containing about 300 acres. More detailed
status updates for the various ongoing programs at this site are provided in Appendix A.
Frontier Chemical - Royal Avenue
• In January 2001 the site was referred for RI/FS action under the NY State Superfund
program. The Focused Remedial Investigation was begun in 2001. The RI/FS for the
soils and upper bedrock (OU#l) was completed in early 2004. The ROD for OU#l was
signed in March 2006. The remedy calls for: removal of above grade structures and
debris; excavation of soils containing VOCs >100 parts per million (ppm); soil or asphalt
cover system; groundwater control/treatment; a site management plan; an environmental
easement; long-term operation, monitoring, and maintenance; and periodic certification
of the controls.
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• In August 2008, an Order on Consent was executed with the PRP group to complete
additional contaminated soils delineation for OU#l and an RI/FS for OU#2. A work plan
for those activities was approved by the DEC and attached to the Consent Order. The
field work began in September 2008 and was completed in the spring of 2009. A draft
report for that work was submitted in October 2009. The DEC rejected the draft report,
with comments, in a letter dated December 31, 2009. A revised report was submitted in
October 2010 and approved by the DEC. The terms of the initial Consent Order have
been fulfilled and the Order has automatically terminated.
• DEC has completed negotiations for a remedial design/remedial action (RD/RA) order
with the PRP group on the implementation of OU#l and #2 remedies. A ROD
amendment was issued and approved in March 2012 which revises the original remedy to
allow for on-site thermal soil treatment instead of off-site disposal. Remedial activities
are expected to commence in the spring of 2013.
Mobil Oil
• The ExxonMobil site is located in an industrial area of the Buffalo River and has been
utilized as a petroleum refinery and storage facility since the 1880s. Though the refinery
operations were terminated in the 1980s, past plant and terminal operations have been
linked to contamination within the site. Currently, the largest active facility onsite is a
petroleum distribution terminal. Several environmental investigations and IRMs have
been completed at the site, and on April 3, 2006, the site was entered into the Brownfield
Cleanup Program (BCP) to address the comprehensive remediation of the site.
Discharges from the site are currently mitigated by the operation of a well pumping
system that acts to impede groundwater discharge to the Buffalo River. Based on the
investigations conducted to date, the primary chemicals of concern (COCs) for the site
are petroleum product, petroleum related SVOCs, PAHs, petroleum related VOCs, and
metals. Characteristically hazardous concentrations of lead exist within the central and
eastern soils of OU#2. COCs within the groundwater consist primarily of VOCs, and
considerable quantities of separate phase product have also been detected on top of
groundwater.
• The ExxonMobil site has been segregated into five OUs, based on historic use and nature
of the identified contamination.
o OU#l encompasses several former residential parcels within the City of Buffalo.
In 2007, OU#l was remediated to commercial standards, which was
accomplished through the removal and off-site disposal of 5,615 tons of soils
contaminated with SVOCs.
o OU#2 was formerly used for the storage of refining and petroleum materials.
Remediation of OU#2 in 2007 has resulted in the removal of approximately 22
miles of subsurface process piping. Recent investigations have been conducted,
within OU#2, to determine the nature and extent of contaminated soil/fill
materials. Bench scale and field investigative studies have been completed to
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assess remedial options in order to address any grossly contaminated soils. An
Alternatives Analysis Report (AAR) is expected to be issued in 2013.
o OU#3 is located along the northern shore of the Buffalo River, and had formerly
been used for the housing and storage of petroleum and refining materials.
Currently, active petroleum storage occurs at OU#3. Remedial efforts include the
use of groundwater and product pumping systems, designed to capture product
and prevent the migration of materials from entering the Buffalo River. An AAR
is expected to be issued in 2013.
o OU#4 is located along the north shore of the Buffalo River. In the early 1900s,
this area was filled with municipal wastes in order to realign the Buffalo River.
More recently, OU#4 was used for the disposal of tank bottom sludge and
petroleum storage. Completed remedial efforts for OU#4 include the operation of
a Chem-Ox system to oxidize and mobilize (for extraction) a plume of free
product. Operation of the Chem-Ox system was terminated in 2009, while
additional remediation for the area is still necessary. The Remedial Design was
approved in 2012. Engineering designs are nearing completion and construction
of an in-situ barrier wall is expected to begin in April 2013.
o OU#5 includes the river sediments located along the north shore of the Buffalo
River. No remedy has been developed yet.
Estimated Remediation Costs
Estimates of the cost of remediation are available for most of the 26 priority hazardous waste
sites. Where available, individual project costs for each site are provided for quick reference in
summary tables located in Appendix A of this report. As indicated below, the total costs
incurred to date are estimated to be at least $442,869,000. Total future additional remedial and
O&M costs are estimated to reach at least $262,150,000.
Based on available estimates for 21 sites, following is the total amount incurred to date (costs for
the remaining 5 sites are unavailable):
Federal
State
PRPs
$ 39.832 million
$ 7.425 million
$ 395.772 million
Total
$ 443.029 million
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Based on available estimates for 12 sites, the total additional remedial and operation and
maintenance costs expected in the future are as follows (costs for the remaining 14 sites are
unavailable):
Federal $ 1.875 million
State $ 0.710 million
PRPs $ 259.564 million
Total $ 262.149 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). 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.
Future Challenges and Opportunities for the NRTMP
A number of related initiatives are underway that present opportunities for possible merging or
coordination with other activities and resources. These current initiatives include coordination of
the NRTMP with the Niagara and Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC) Remedial Action Plan
(RAP) process; future monitoring, data collection and analysis; and remediation of additional
pollutant sources.
AOC RAP and Delistings - The AOC delisting initiative is a top priority for the Four Parties
over the next several years. The beneficial use impairments (BUIs) listed by both the binational
Niagara River AOC and Buffalo River AOC are believed to be based in large part on impacts of
toxics chemicals which have been closely linked to the hazardous waste site inputs to the rivers.
Niagara River Area of Concern RAP: The Niagara River AOC, located in Erie and Niagara
counties, extends from Smokes Creek near the southern end of the Buffalo Harbor and north to
the mouth of the Niagara River at Lake Ontario. In 1994, the DEC, through an appointed
Remedial Advisory Committee (RAC), completed and published an RAP. To date, the RAC has
identified 7 BUIs to be addressed (Table 4). Past municipal and industrial discharges and
hazardous waste disposal sites have been a source of contaminants to the Niagara River which
have been linked to several BUIs in the AOC. Of the 26 priority waste sites discussed in this
report, 21 sites are located directly in the Niagara River watershed basin. Of these 21 sites, 19
sites have completed remedial construction and two sites (Frontier Chemical Royal Ave. and
Vanadium Corporation) have RAs currently underway. It is understood by the Four Parties that
the NRTMP initiative contributes greatly towards the restoration of wildlife and aquatic habitats,
re-designation of beneficial uses from impaired to un-impaired, and the ultimate de-listing of the
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Niagara River AOC. Therefore, it is noted by the joint agencies as an example of bi-national
cooperation on the Niagara River and as an important contribution to the RAP process in the
AOC. It is expected that RAP implementation will progress at an aggressive pace over the next
several years while the NRTMP works towards removing all remaining toxic pollutant inputs to
the river.
Buffalo River Area of Concern RAP: The Buffalo River AOC is located in the City of Buffalo
in Western New York State. The river flows from the east and discharges into Lake Erie near
the head waters of the Niagara River. In 1989, an RAP was prepared by the DEC for the Buffalo
River AOC. The DEC acted as RAP coordinator from 1989 - 2005 until the EPA Great Lakes
National Program Office selected the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper (BNR) as RAP
implementation lead coordinators. To date, the BNR has identified nine BUIs to be addressed
(Table 4). Of the 26 priority waste sites discussed in this report, one site (BSC Site) has direct
local impacts to Buffalo Harbor to the north and on the western boundary of Lake Erie and four
sites (Buffalo Color Corporation Site - Area A and B, Buffalo Color - Area C, D, E, Mobil Oil,
and Iroquois Gas-Westwood Pharmaceutical) have direct local impacts to the Buffalo River.
These five sites are part of the NRTMP 26 priority sites since they in turn have impacts to the
head waters of the Niagara River (Figure 1). Buffalo Col or-Area C, D, E and Iroquois Gas-
Westwood Pharmaceuticals have completed remedial construction and Mobil Oil, Buffalo Color
Corporation Site - Areas A and B, and BSC have RAs currently underway. Buffalo Color - Area
A, BSC and Mobil Oil operate IRMs while final RAs are completed. These NRTMP waste sites
are listed as part of the Buffalo River RAP to be addressed towards restoring beneficial uses.
Restoration and re-designation of the BUIs in Buffalo and Niagara Rivers will ultimately result
in delisting of the Buffalo River AOC as well as the Niagara River AOC.
Table 4. Beneficial Use Impairments for Niagara River and Buffalo River AOCs.
Niagara River AOC BUIs
Buffalo River AOC BUIs
Restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption
Restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption
Fish tumors or other deformities
Fish tumors or other deformities
Degradation of benthos
Degradation of aesthetics
Restriction on dredging activities
Degradation of benthos
Loss of fish and wildlife habitat
Restriction on dredging activities
Degradation of fish and wildlife populations
Loss of fish and wildlife habitat
Bird or animal deformities or reproductive
problems
Tainting of fish and wildlife flavor
Degradation of fish and wildlife populations
Bird or animal deformities or reproductive
problems
Future Monitoring, Data Collection and Analysis - In addition to the effectiveness of
pollutant removal at the waste sites themselves, it is important to note that there are three
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components to the NRTMP monitoring plan: EC U/D Program; bio-monitoring (mussels, young-
of-year fish, wildlife); and source track down & analysis screening. In 2010, the Niagara River
Secretariat prepared a trend analysis report covering the past 20 years of data collected in-water
and compare concentration inputs at FE and NOTL. The EC U/D Program is expected to
continue to be a valuable tool for assessing overall progress and future priorities as explained
below in more detail.
In addition, DEC is conducting a project titled "Reassessment of Niagara River AOC Sources of
Contamination" scheduled to be completed in 2013. This project, funded by the EPA Great
Lakes Restoration Initiative, supports the NRTMP and the Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement, pursuant to Public Law 112-10, and builds upon previous studies and monitoring
efforts (completed in the late 1980s to mid 1990s) conducted through the NRTMP. Sample
collection and analysis will focus on hazardous waste sites, wastewater discharges and primary
tributaries.
NRTMP Monitoring Program Plan The NRTMP's primary mechanism for measuring
improvements in water quality is the EC U/D Program. The U/D Program measures
approximately 50 organic chemicals and includes the 18 NRTMP Priority Toxics in the
dissolved and particulate phases at the head (FE) and the mouth (MOTL) of the Niagara River
where it enters Lake Ontario (Figure
2). Three of the 18 priority toxics
(toxaphene, tetrachloroethylene and
dioxin are no longer monitored on a
regular basis due to being either a
banned substance for over 20 years,
high volatilization, or is being
measured in the EC bio-monitoring
program. Water quality data is
collected year-round and EC
publishes a formal U/D Program
report on approximately every two
years of data. The most recent U/D
Program report was published in 2007
and includes data from 2004/2005.
Since 1987, high quality U.S. and
Canadian government monitoring
program information provide clear
evidence of reductions for most of the
18 Niagara River Priority Toxics in
water, sediment and biological
indicators in the range of 50% or
greater by the 1996 target year. The Figure 2. Environment Canada's Niagara River
EC U/D 20-year data trend report Upstream/Downstream Surface Water Sampling Locations
Lake Ontario
N1AGARA-
ON-THE
-LAKE
Lewislon
~
N
t
Grand
Island
lonavvaiida
FORT ERIE
Buffalo
Lake Erie
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covering the period 1986/87 - 2004/05 was completed in 2010 and is currently being evaluated
for setting priorities such as future track down and analysis studies to identify potential new
sources of contaminants, new emerging chemicals, and NRTMP management strategies for
reducing these chemicals.
Remediation of Additional Pollutant Sources - The 1989 EPA/DEC Hazardous Waste Site
Report identified the NRTMP's original 26 waste sites as highest priorities due to their potential
to contribute over 90% of the total toxic chemical loadings to the Niagara River. These 26 sites
and the estimated loadings were based on earlier studies and often on preliminary data.
Although these 26 sites were of top priority for the NRTMP, numerous investigations and RAs at
other site areas, some consisting of multiple individual sites, were being addressed under New
York State's remedial programs. The additional efforts by DEC and EPA have included seven
additional sites described below now known to be significant contributors of toxic contamination
to the river but for which insufficient data existed in 1989 to include them in the NRTMP. For
quick reference, see the summary tables for these projects located in Appendix B of this report.
Also, detailed site information for all sites can be found on DEC's Environmental Site
Remediation Database website2.
Citizens Gas Works/Fourth Street Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) — DEC Site #915167
The site is located on Fourth and Village Court streets in the City of Buffalo and is located in a
mixed residential, commercial, and recreational setting approximately 1500 feet from the Lake
Erie shoreline. The Citizens Gas Works operated on this property staring from the early 1900's.
From 1934 to 1958, a portion of the property was also used by Greyhound Bus Company to
service its vehicles. During a site evaluation in 1992, black tar material was found in one area of
the property.
Soil/tar and groundwater were tested during the investigation and results showed some samples
contained up to 3,300 ppm of benzene, 3,000 ppm of toluene, 2,700 ppm of xylenes, 3,000 ppm
of phenolic compounds, and 53,000 ppm of PAHs. Site groundwater also exceeded groundwater
standards for benzene, toluene, xylenes, PAHs, and phenolic compounds. In August 1996, DEC
and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) did additional testing which detected
surface soil samples containing up to 420 ppm of PAHs. The tar material was found to be a
hazardous waste as it failed toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) for benzene. The
City of Buffalo conducted an investigation and submitted the RI/FS report in January 2001. An
ROD was issued in 2001 requiring the removal of all contaminated tar materials from the site.
The RA consisted of source removal by excavation; off-site disposal and /or treatment began in
2005 and was completed in early 2006. The excavated areas were backfilled with clean fill and
restored as a surface parking lot and driveways for the Waterfront School. Contaminated soils
along the main sewer were left behind and will be subject to an environmental easement. The site
is being maintained and monitored according to the Site Management Plan, dated September
2 http://www.dec.nv.gov/cfmx/extapps/derextenrayirKiex.cfm7pageicN3
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2006. DEC completed groundwater monitoring events in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012. The
results do not show significant groundwater contamination in the overburden strata.
Former Buffalo Service Center — DEC Site #C915194
This site is the location of a former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) which was operated by
various companies from 1848 to 1948. The site was initially investigated by the owner (National
Fuel Gas) during the period 1989 to 2004. The investigation confirmed the presence of MGP
wastes (containing benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, PAHs, total cyanides) in soil and
groundwater at the site. In June 2005, a volunteer applied to the Brownfield Cleanup Program to
remediate the site in preparation for building an office building. The site remediation consisted
of excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soils above the predetermined cleanup levels
and backfilling with clean soil/material. Work began in summer 2005 and was completed in
early 2006. An environmental easement requiring a Site Management Plan was filed on
September 7, 2006 in the Erie County Clerk's office. Remaining groundwater contamination will
be monitored by an operation and monitoring plan. A Certificate of Completion was issued on
November 30, 2006. The cleanup has resulted in the construction of an approximately 350,000
square foot Health Now building by Duke Realty at the remediated site. Groundwater at the site
is being monitored in accordance with the Site Management Plan, dated October 2, 2006.
Alltift Landfill — DEC Site #915054
This site is a former landfill that was previously used for the disposal of domestic and industrial
wastes. Environmental studies documented surface and groundwater contamination. According
to Phase II Investigation documentation, Allied Corp. (National Aniline Division) disposed
miscellaneous organic chemicals, chrome sludge, copper sulfate, nitrobenzene,
monochlorobenzene, and naphthalene on a monthly basis in the landfill. A smaller landfill
containing automobile shredder wastes, demolition debris, fly-ash and sand wastes was situated
on top of the older chemical waste landfill. This smaller landfill was operated between 1975 and
1984. A Consent Order for the completion of a RI/FS of the site was signed by Allied Signal in
1991.
A RI/FS report was submitted in 1992 and indicated that groundwater and the ponds adjacent to
the site were impacted by the landfill. Contaminants of concern included metals, pesticides,
PCBs, chlorinated solvents, and PAHs and would be tributary to the Buffalo River drainage
basin.
An ROD was signed on March 27, 1995 requiring capping, waste consolidation, wetlands
restoration, and groundwater collection. RA began in 2004 and was completed in 2005. An
OM&M plan was put in place in 2006 and implementation is ongoing. RA included
consolidation and capping of contaminated soils and sediments. Wetlands were restored and a
groundwater collection trench has been installed that captures upgradient groundwater and
groundwater beneath the landfill. Restrictions in the forms of environmental notices and deed
restrictions are in place on the impacted properties.
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Steelfields - DEC Site UV00619
The Steelfields Site is located in the City of Buffalo adjacent to the Buffalo River. The site is
comprised of four distinct areas based on their historical uses: Area I-Republic Steel Area, Area
II-Donner-Hanna Coke Plant, Area III- Republic Steel Warehouse, and the Area IV-Coke
Storage Yard. The former above-ground facilities were demolished previously by the LTV Steel
Company. Today the site is largely vacant except for the former August Feine building located
just north of Area II where a newly constructed containment cell exists. In 2006, Area IV was
separated from the site and entered into the Brownfield Cleanup Program as Steelfields Area IV
Site#C915204. Area IV is also listed on the NYS Registry as a Class 3 hazardous waste site
under Site #915017. The Steelfields site was the location of a former steel and coke-making
facility. The site had significant amount of fill material (2 to 20 feet in depth) from past
activities. The fill consisted of waste slag and coke, in addition to significant quantities of
chemically contaminated soils from past disposal practices on the site. LTV Steel, the previous
Volunteer for this site (V00133) went bankrupt in 2000. In October 2002 Steelfields Ltd.
purchased the site out of bankruptcy. Steelfields Ltd. entered into the Voluntary Cleanup
Program and agreed to undertake the necessary investigation and cleanup of the 218 acres. A
work plan outlining the work to be performed was approved in 2002. Remedial work was
completed on the 90-acre Area I in 2004. Remedial work was completed in all areas of the site
by October 2007. Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions were filed for Area I in 2007 and
for Areas II and III in 2008. A Release of Liability and Covenant Not-To-Sue was issued on
September 3, 2008 by the Office of General Counsel. Long term site management is ongoing.
Niacet Corporation - DEC Site #V00373
The Niacet facility, formally a Union Carbide Corporation facility, is located on 19.42 acres at
the intersection of 47th St and Pine Ave in the City of Niagara Falls. The facility is an active
manufacturing facility first constructed in 1925 and operated as the Niacet Chemical Company.
The plant originally produced acetaldehyde, paraldehyde, aldol and crotonaldehyde. The
production of acetic acid was begun in 1928 and the manufacture of sodium acetate and other
acetates began in 1935. Vinyl acetate production was added in 1937. In 1957 the facility name
was changed to Union Carbide Corporation. The plant produced a variety of wastes including
mercury/aluminum sludge, 2-ethylexoate, zincacetate, acetic acid, acetate salts and overflows
from the vinyl division. In 1978 Niacet purchased the property from Union Carbide Corporation
and currently manufactures specialty chemical products for food, pharmaceutical and industrial
applications. A site investigation was completed in 2002 indicating the presence of mercury
contaminated soil. A supplemental site investigation was completed in March 2006. A draft
Remedial Action Selection (RAS) Report was submitted in November 2006. The draft RAS was
not acceptable and DEC requested revisions to the RAS. Resubmission of the RAS is pending
resolution of the contaminated soil disposal characterization and classification issues. Disposal
characterization and classification issues have been resolved with RCRA. Based on the
characterization of the mercury waste, an IRM Work Plan was developed and approved in
November 2012 to address the most significant areas of contamination (visible mercury or
positive hazardous waste characterization test). The IRM work began in January 2013. A revised
RA Selection report and remedial action work plan (RAWP) are being developed and are
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anticipated to be completed and approved by Spring 2013 with the remaining remedial work
completed by the end of 2013.
Spaulding Fiber — DEC Site #915050/E915050
The 46 acre Spaulding Composites Site is located at 310 Wheeler Street in the City of
Tonawanda. Spaulding manufactured composite laminates and vulcanized fiber between 1911
and 1992 at this now abandoned facility. The paper used to produce vulcanized fiber, and many
of the phenolic resins used in the production of the composite laminates, were also manufactured
on site. Site drainage and contaminant transport was tributary to the Niagara River through the
municipal storm sewer system. All RI/FS/Corrective Measure Studies have been completed for
RCRA/Superfund portions of the site. The ROD for this site was issued in March 2003.
Seventeen Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) within approximately 2.5 acres of
property around the plant buildings were identified (included in four separate OUs) as requiring
remediation as a part of the State Superfund (SSF) project; the rest of the property is being
addressed as part of an Environmental Remediation Project (ERP). Remediation of OU#2 was
performed as an IRM to address PCB contamination of surface and subsurface soils. OU #s 1, 3,
and 4 were remediated under the State Superfund Program (~3 acres) from October 2009 thru
May 2010. In February thru March 2010, remediation of OU#5 and OU#6 was performed as an
IRM by excavating contaminated soils. In March 2011 an ROD was issued by DEC for OUs 5
and 6 requiring No Further Action with site management as the selected remedy because surface
and subsurface soils after the IRM generally met the Part 375 restricted residential soil cleanup
objectives. A Remedial Alternatives Report for OU#7 was completed in January 2009. In March
2009 a No Action ROD was issued by DEC for OU#7 because surface and subsurface soils met
the Part 375 residential soil cleanup objectives. The City of Tonawanda submitted an
environmental easement package in September 2011. The environmental easement was
subsequently granted in August 2012. Certificate of Completions for both the ERP and SSF
project are pending.
Tonawanda Coke Corporation — DEC Site #915055
The site is located about 1/2 mile south of 1-190 on both sides of River Road. The surrounding
area is almost entirely industrial although a small residential cluster exists about a 1/4 mile south
of the plant. This site consists of three landfills (OUs) used for general disposal of fly-ash cinders
and coal tar sludge (site 108), bricks, rubble, sand, demolition material (site 109), and wood
shavings impregnated with iron oxide and coal tar sludge (site 110), a coal storage area, and
manufacturing area. The site is adjacent to the Niagara River. In 1981, DEC collected sediment
and surface water samples from the Tonawanda Coke drainage basin. PAHs were detected in
soil, sediment and water samples. Groundwater exceeded standards for iron, phenols, cyanide,
benzene and other organics. Organic priority pollutants were detected at all three landfill areas,
most of which were below 100 ppb. Impacts on an adjacent wetland were indicated by
contamination with benzene, phenol, naphthalene, and benzo(a)pyrene. In 1982 and 1983, the
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected soil, groundwater, and surface water samples from this
site. A Phase II Investigation has been completed by the responsible party. In 1992, the PRP
submitted a report describing investigation completed during 1991 and 1992. Analytical results
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are consistent with previous investigations. The responsible party has completed a Summary
Remedial Investigation utilizing existing analytical data in 1997. Analytical results from the
previous investigation indicate the presence of widespread contamination on the site and the
necessity of an expanded RI/FS. Additional investigative work was completed in 2005 to clear
up discrepancies in the data. A report describing the additional investigation work, the results
and the conclusion was submitted in April 2006 and a revised report was submitted in January
2008. Based on the findings of the investigation the site does not pose a significant threat to
public health and the environment because site security and fencing make the site inaccessible to
the public. The groundwater contamination at the site is insignificant and the surface water
discharge from the site to the river is managed under a New York State Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (SPDES) permit. Therefore, Institutional/Engineering Controls are the
remedy for the OU#s 1 and 2 of the site. OU#3 along with the river sediments will be deferred
for further investigation and evaluation for an appropriate RA. A public meeting was held on
March 18, 2008. The ROD for OU#s 1 and 2 was signed on March 31, 2008. The consent order
to conduct the RI at OU#3 was signed on September 17, 2009. Based on the results from the RI
completed at OU#3, discussions are in progress to implement IRMs at OU#3. The work plan
submitted by the PRP to dredge the sediments at OU#3 has been reviewed and approved by
DEC. The proposed schedule for the implementation of this work is in 2013. Negotiation with
the PRP to complete the easement for OU#l and OU#2 is in progress. Other notable activities of
late include a joint EPA/DEC Air Quality Study completed in 2008 and follow-up multi-media
investigations of the facility conducted in 2009 in response to concerns raised by the community.
These investigations resulted in formal enforcement actions taken by DEC and EPA for SPDES
water quality, air quality, and RCRA violations during 2010. While corrective actions are on-
going, legal action is still pending.
21
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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 sanitary sewage
and stormwater runoff. During dry weather
the combined sewer system=s flow is normally
treated at a wastewater treatment plant, but
during rain events, the plant=s capacity may be
exceeded and the flow may be bypassed to
discharge, untreated, directly into a waterbody.
22
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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
Dredging
Removal of sediment from the bottom of a
waterbody.
DDT
Di chl oro-diphyny 1 -tri chl oroethane. 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.
Furans are 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.
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".
23
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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 Site
Land disposal site for hazardous wastes.
Hazardous Waste Substance
Any substance that is a by-product of society
classified under U.S. or Canadian law as
potentially harmful to human health or the
environment and are subject to special
handling, shipping, storage, and disposal
requirements under the law.
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.
Inorganic substance
A chemical compound that does not contain
carbon. Inorganic substances are often derived
from minerals.
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 mass 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.
24
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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
Diffuse pollution sources (i.e., without a single
point of origin or not introduced into a
waterbody from a specific outlet). Generally
carried off the land by stormwater. Common
sources can be associated with a variety of
land-uses (e.g., agriculture, forestry, and
urban) and activities (e.g., construction)
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
Poly cyclic 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
Any discernible confined and discrete
conveyance, including, but not
limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel,
conduit, well, container, landfill, leachate
collection system, vessel or other floating craft
from which pollutants are or may be
discharged from.
Pollution prevention
Any action that reduces or eliminates
pollutants before they enter the environment.
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.
25
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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.
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- Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 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 (e.g., clay, cement, soil).
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, e.g.,
causing death, disease, birth defects,
behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic
mutati ons, phy si ol ogical/reproductive
malfunctions, or physical deformities.
26
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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.
27
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References
Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA). 1998. Estimates of Pre-Remedial and Post-Remedial
Action Chemical Loading via Groundwater to the Niagara River, Ref. No. 9855(1),
January 1998.
Environment Canada (R.B Hill and P. Klawunn). 2010. Concentrations, Loads, and Trends of Toxic
Contaminants Covering a 20-year Period (1986/87 - 2004/05).
Gradient Corp./GeoTrans Inc. 1988. Potential Contaminant Loadings to the Niagara River from U.S.
Hazardous Waste Sites, February 1988.
Niagara River Declaration of Intent (DOI). 1987. Environment Canada, the United States
Environmental Protection Agency - Region II, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation, February 1987.
Niagara River Secretariat. 2007. Niagara River Toxics Management Plan (NRTMP) Progress Report
and Work Plan, October 2007.
Niagara River Toxics Management Plan Letter of Support. 1996. Environment Canada, the United
States Environmental Protection Agency - Region II, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
December 1996
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, November 1989.
EPA Great Lakes - NRTMP website, 2013.
http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/lakeont/nrtmp
DEC Environmental Site Remediation Database website, 2013.
http://www.dec.nv.gov/cfmx/extapps/derexternal/index.cfm?pageid=3
28
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[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
29
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APPENDIX A
PRIORITY NIAGARA RIVER HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES:
Site Remediation Status Summaries
30
-------
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
-------
Site Name:
Contents /
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Pollutants of
Actions
Compliance and/or
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Concern
Completed
Enforcement
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Actions
Occidental Chemical Corp.
#4 lb-4 9
#932019
RCRA (State & Federal)
Chlororganics, cell
brine sludges,
phosphorus sludges
December
1998
NYS Part 373 and
EPA RCRA permits
issued
Bedrock &
Overburden
Groundwater
Monitoring,
Collection &
Treatment
Not available Implementation of the Bedrock &
at this time Overburden Stabilization Programs
will effectively eliminate future off-
site loadings from the Main Plant
Site.
Niagara Co. Refuse Disposal
Phenolic resins.
December
EPA Consent Order
Groundwater
Fed:
The site is still monitored by
#81
plating tank sludges.
1999; NPL
and ROD issued
Monitoring
$1,495,400
EPA/State and data supports that the
#932026
brine sludge
deletion in
Program on-
PRP:
remedy is effective and operating as
Federal Superfund
July 2004
going
$14,015,000
designed.
Dupont Necco Park
#14
#932047
Federal Superfund
Brine sludge, barium
salts, chlorinated
organic chemicals
September
2007
EPA Consent
Orders and ROD
issued
Groundwater Fed: Site is in OM&M phase. Ground
Monitoring, $2,155,000 water pump and treat performing
Collection & State: satisfactorily. Upgrades completed
Treatment on- $141,000 in 2009 to improve pumping
going PRP: efficiency at PW-10. Quarterly and
42,500,000 annual reports submitted to USEPA
and DEC.
CECOS International /
Acetone, 2-
February
EPA RCRA
Groundwater
Not available
Corrective Measure Implementation
#78
butanone, benzene.
1995
Hazardous and
Extraction &
at this time.
including aquifer pumping test
N/A
chloroform, toluene.
Solid Waste
Treatment;
program to control contaminant
RCRA (State & Federal)
chlorobenzene.
Amendments
landfill cap
migration continues to operate
methylene chloride.
(HSWA) and NYS
maintenance;
satisfactorily.
tetrachlorethane
Part 373 permits
site access
issued
restrictions
-------
Site Name:
Contents /
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Pollutants of
Actions
Compliance and/or
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Concern
Completed
Enforcement
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Actions
OCC (AKA Hooker)- Hyde
Brine sludge.
June 2003
EPA/DEC/OCC
Overburden
Fed:
It is estimated that $2,000,000/year
Park
organic phosphates.
Stipulation and
Groundwater
$12,100,000
will be spent on the O&M of the site
#39
dechlorane.
Judgment
Monitoring,
PRP:
for approximately the next 30 years.
#932021
chlorotoluenes.
Approving
Collection &
$78,000,000
The Site was reclassified by DEC
Federal/State Superfund Co-
trichlorophenol
Settlement
Treatment
from a Class 2 (significant threat) to
lead
(TCP), benzoyl
chloride,
chlorobenzenes, acid
chlorides
Agreement
a Class 4 (Site remediated and in
long term OM&M) site in June
2008. EPA proposed delisting the
site from the NPL in September
2012, however, effective date of the
delisting has been suspended in
order to respond to comments
received during the public review
period.
102nd Street
Benzenes,
December
EPA ROD
Long-term
Fed/State:
Long-term leachate pump and treat
#40, 56, 85, and 94
chlorobenzenes.
1998
completed 1990 &
leachate pump
$9,900,000
system operating optimally. It is
#932922 & #932031
chlorophenols, hexa-
Administrative
and treat system
PRP:
estimated that future O&M costs to
Federal Superfund
chlorocyclohexanes.
Order issued
installed and
$26,000,000
be paid by the PRP will be
mercury
September 1991
optimized in
March 1999.
approximately $100,000/year.
Bell Aerospace Textron
Chlorinated solvents.
1987
NYS Part 373 and
Hydraulic
PRP:
Recent maintenance and upgrades in
#5
rocket fuel, misc.
EPA RCRA permits
groundwater
$1,898,891
2007 to the treatment system has
#932052
chemicals
issued
contaimnent
(Capital and
increased operational efficiency.
RCRA (State and Federal)
pump and treat
system in place
O&M)
Future O&M
estimated
$400,000/year
-------
Site Name:
USGS Site #:
DEC Site #:
Program:
Contents /
Pollutants of
Concern
Remedial
Actions
Completed
Formal Remedial
Compliance and/or
Enforcement
Actions
Post-Remedial
Action O&M
Status
Total
Remediation
Costs to Date
Additional Comments
OCC - Durez Corp. Packard Rd.
#66
#932040
RCRA (State and Federal)
Phenolic wastes
1995
NYS Part 373 and
EPA RCRA permits
issued
Groundwater
pump and treat
program;
maintenance of
landfill cap; site
access
restrictions
Not available
at this time.
EPA and DEC have determined that
the existing groundwater pump and
treat program is capable of serving
as the final groundwater remedy for
the site.
OCC S-Area CaF2 sludge, August 2002 EPA/DEC lead Operation and Fed/State Continued optimization of the
#41A organic phosphates, responsibility under maintenance of $10,500,000 performance of groundwater pump
#932019A chlororganics, 1985 judicial S-Area landfill PRP: and treat system effective.
Federal/State Superfund Co- sulfides settlement cap; $45,000,000
lead agreement groundwater Future O&M
collection and estimated Fed:
treatment. $1,000,000;
PRP:
$5,000,000
capital and up
to $3,000,000
/year for 30
years.
Stauffer Chemical
#255
#932053
DEC Superfund
Carbon tetrachloride,
various metallic
chlorides, methylene
chloride,
tetrachloroethylene
December
1995
DEC Consent Order
Bedrock
groundwater
pump and treat
system; soil
vapor extraction
and dewatering
system.
State:
$180,000
PRP:
$5,100,000
State O&M:
$10,000 PRP:
$l,300,000/ye
arfor 30
years.
Groundwater treatment system has
been modified to include granular
activated carbon prior to discharge
to the NYPA Forebay.
-------
Site Name:
Contents /
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Pollutants of
Actions
Compliance and/or
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Concern
Completed
Enforcement
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Actions
Solvent Chemical
Chlorobenzenes,
May 2001
ROD issued
Bedrock
State:
Continued operation and
#251
zinc
December 1994;
groundwater
$1,170,000
maintenance of bedrock
#932096
U.S. District Court
pump and treat
PRP:
groundwater pump and treat system.
DEC Superfund
Judgment issued
October 1997.
system.
$7,374,000
PRP O&M:
$4,600,000
Vanadium Corp.
Chromium.
Projected
ROD issued March
OU#l -
State:
Final Remedial Design for
#1
VOCs, phenol.
completion
2006:
Contaimnent and
$454,000
OU#3 was submitted in 2008.
#932001, 932001B,
caustic waste
2014
OU#l - No Further
storm water
PRP:
The Remedial Action Work Plan was
932001C
Action
control.
$9,900,000
approved in August 2012 and work is
DEC Superfund
OU#2 - No Further
approved
(OU#l &
expected to begin in Spring 2013
Action
OM&M plan;
OU#2)
Sites 932001B.& 932001C are expecte
OU#3 -
OU#2- landfill
reclassified to a Class 4 in 2013
Consolidation and
cap.
Projected
capping
groundwater
collection and
treat system,
approved
OM&M plan
future OU#3
PRP cost to
completion
$12,000,000
Olin Corporation
Mercury brine
October
DEC Consent Order
Groundwater
Not available
Remedial system close to meeting
#58, 59
sludges.
1997
and treat.
at this time.
optimum effectiveness; recent
#932051
chlororganics, fly
performance reports indicate system
State and Federal RCRA
ash
improvements.
-------
Site Name:
Contents /
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Pollutants of
Actions
Compliance and/or
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Concern
Completed
Enforcement
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Actions
Dupont - Buffalo Ave.
Carbon tetrachloride.
January
DEC Consent Order
Groundwater
State: $75,000
Periodic post monitoring reports
#15-19
chloroform.
1992
ROD issued
remediation
PRP: $
indicate effective groundwater pump
#932013
dichloroethylene.
January 1990
system (pump
74,000,000
and treat system. Blast fractured
DEC Superfund
methylene chloride,
trichloroethylene,
tetrachloroethylene,
vinyl chloride,
PCBs, barium, and
other organic and
inorganic
compounds
and treat)
(includes Gill
Creek
cleanup)
Projected
fut u re O&M
by PRP:
$1,100,000/
year.
bedrock trenches installed in SW
plant area have greatly increased
hydraulic containment and pump
rates. GWRS system upgrades
replaced steam stripper and added
therm-ox unit to treat off-gasses to
handle additional flow from
trenches. Through September 2009,
the recovery system and the Olin
deep well have removed
approximately 153,200 pounds of
organic compounds from the
groundwater.
-------
Site Name:
Contents /
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Pollutants of
Actions
Compliance and/or
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Concern
Completed
Enforcement
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Actions
Buffalo Color Corp. Plant Site
Aniline, N-
IRM pump
NYS Part 373 and
Groundwater
Not available
Draft RI/FS completed in March
Areas A, B, C, and E
methylaniline, N-
and treat
EPA RCRA permits
pump and treat
at this time.
2008. As a result of the RI/FS, a
#120, 122
dimethylaniline, N-
system
issued; DEC
system
Brownfield Cleanup Plan application
#C915230, C915231, C915232
diethylaniline.
installed
Consent Orders
operational
was submitted and was approved by
State and Federal RCRA
cyanide, methanol.
12/2007.
issued 3/12/2005
12/2007.
the DEC in April 2009. The
State Brownfield Program
nickel, chromium,
arsenic, lead,
mercury, VOCs,
SVOCs
Site
preparation
and
demolition/r
emoval of
decommissi
oned plant
facilities and
process
equipment
was
completed
in 2011.
and 6/30/2006.
Remedial Work Plan was approved
in May 2009. Design investigation
activities and development of a
detailed remediation plan for Areas
A and B continued into 2012.
Remediation construction activities
are to be scheduled to be completed
in 2013. The final remedial plan
involves the installation of a VHB to
compliment the groundwater control
system. The final remedial plan for
Areas C and E involved removal of
source material and placement of
oxidizing materials to treat residual
VOC/SVOC groundwater
contamination. The contaminant
source area soil removal was
completed in 2010 (Area C) and
2011 (Area E). The remediation will
also include the placement of a site-
wide integrated cover system.
Buffalo Color - Area D
Iron oxide sludges
September
DEC Consent Order
Slurry wall;
State:
Groundwater pump and treat system
#120-122
containing organics
1998
sediment
$200,000
is operating satisfactorily.
#915012
dredging;
PRP:
DEC Superfund
landfill cap;
$14,000,000
groundwater
pump & treat
system
-------
Site Name:
Contents /
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Pollutants of
Actions
Compliance and/or
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Concern
Completed
Enforcement
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Actions
Bethlehem Steel Corp.
Tar decanter sludge.
C915197
DEC Consent Order
Proposed
Not available
915009 - RCRA regulated portion of
#118
ammonia still lime.
Projected
C915197-
Groundwater
at this time.
property. Order implementing the
#915009, C915197, C915198,
sludge, pickling
October
Brownfield Clean-
collection and
remedy was issued 5/10/2010. Slurry
C915199, C915205, C915216,
liquor, metals.
2008
up Agreement
treatment for
wall (Phase I) remedial design
C915217, & C915218
VOCs,
C915205-
(BCA)
brownfields
approved 2010, trenching began in
State and Federal RCRA
SVOCs/PAHs
completed
C915198 -BCA
redevelopment.
2011 and continued into 2012.
State Brownfield Program
2006
C915199 -BCA
Capping design (Phase II) under
C915205 - BCA
C915205 -
final review; temporary cap installed
C915216 - Denied
Protective cover.
in 2012, final cap placement
entry into BCP
passive
anticipated in 2013.
C915217 - BCA
groundwater
C915197 - Tecumseh Phase I
C915218-
treatment.
Business Park -IRM completed
Eligibility Pending
Easement
2009. A Decision Document (DD)
defining the proposed remedy has
been issued, and the Site has been
broken into smaller parcels in 2012.
C915198 - Tecumseh Phase II
Business Park - SI/AAR in review,
site split into smaller parcels in
2012. DDs for sub-parcels being
prepared.
C915199 - Final RI/AAR submitted
in 2012, a DD defining the proposed
remedy is in progress. The Site has
been broken into smaller parcels in
2012.C915205 - Tecumseh
Redevelopment, Inc.-Steel winds -
Completed
C915216 - Steel Winds IA - Denied
entry into BCP.
C915217 - Steel Winds II -
Submitted RI/AAR WP but never
implemented Site included in
C915199.
C915218 - Tecumseh Phase IA
Business Park - SI/AAR submitted
in 2012 and is under review.
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Site Name:
USGS Site #:
DEC Site #:
Program:
Contents /
Pollutants of
Concern
Remedial
Actions
Completed
Formal Remedial
Compliance and/or
Enforcement
Actions
Post-Remedial
Action O&M
Status
Total
Remediation
Costs to Date
Additional Comments
River Road (INS Equipment)
# 136
#915031
DEC Superfund
Foundry sand,
cutting oils,
industrial sludges,
PCBs, PAHs, metals
January
2000 '
DEC Consent
Order. ROD issued
March 1994
OM&M
activities
underway.
State:
$546,000
PRP:
$15,000,000
RA completed in January 2000 for
the Cherry Farm and River Rd sites.
OM&M activities underway.
Periodic reports submitted to the
DEC.
Niagara Mohawk - Cherry Farm Foundry sand. See Site ROD issued Feb OM&M See Site See Site 915031 above.
#NA cutting oils, 915031 1991 activities 915031
#915063 industrial sludges, above. Amended ROD Oct underway. above.
DEC Superfund PCBs, PAHs, metals 1993
Frontier Chemical - Pendleton
Solvents, oils, acids.
March 1997
DEC ROD issued
Landfill cap and
State:
Long-term O&M includes landfill
#67
dyes, paint wastes.
March 1992; DEC
leachate
$1,430,000
cap maintenance and pump and treat
#932043
heavy metal sludges.
Consent Order
collection and
PRP:
of leachate from the site.
DEC Superfund
metal salt sludges.
treatment
$14,120,000
pickling liquors
Future O&M
costs
State:
PRP: $50,000
annually
Frontier Chemical, Royal
Avenue
#
#932110
EPA and DEC Superfund
Monochlorotoluene,
methylene chloride,
chloroform,
dichlorobenzene,
tetrachloroethylene
and other organic
contaminants
Projected
completion
date June
2014
DEC ROD - OU#l
issued March 2006;
OU#2 issued March
2011
Remediation on-
going
Fed: A DEC RI/FS Order for OU#2 with
$3,690,000 PRP group was signed in 2008.
State: Investigative work was completed in
$600,000 2009 and a final report was
PRP: submitted in 2010.
$4,600,000 DEC has completed negotiating a
RD/RA order with the PRP group on
the implementation of OU#l and #2
remedies in 2013.
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Site Name:
Contents /
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Pollutants of
Actions
Compliance and/or
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Concern
Completed
Enforcement
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Actions
Occidental Chemical - Durez
Phenol tars
Plant
DEC
Plant site
State: $510,00
In May 2000, additional
Division, North Tonawanda
containing
site: 1990
ROD OU#l/2 -Feb
includes cover
PRP:
contaminated sediment from the
# 24-37
chlorobenzenes and
City sewer
1989; ROD OU#3 -
system and
$39,000,000
bottom of the cove were removed.
#932018
chlorophenols
cleaning: 199
March 1992.
groundwater
The most recent report (-2006),
DEC Superfund
2
Inlet/Cove:
1992 &2000
control/treatmen
t. Inlet and cove
& north lobe
removal and
contaimnent
work is being
monitored.
indicates elevated concentrations of
dioxins and furans. A work plan for
source investigation and additional
sediment removal as needed lias
been approved. In 2009 and 2010,
reports were submitted detailing
investigations of the Pettit Creek
Flume and the cove. A draft work
plan was also submitted for a Fish
and Wildlife Impact Analysis of the
cove. The DEC provided comments
in Sept. 2010. Site Management is
ongoing at the Plant Site and Inlet
Cove. This consists of GW
collection, treatment and GWQ
monitoring at the Plant Site and
GWQ monitoring and NAPL
removal at the Inlet. ChemOx
injections were completed at the
Inlet in April and October 2011 in an
attempt to abate elevated organics in
monitoring wells 201 and 221.
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Site Name:
Contents /
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Pollutants of
Actions
Compliance and/or
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Concern
Completed
Enforcement
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Actions
Gratwick Riverside Park
#68
#932060
DEC Superfund
Phenolic resins,
PCBs
December
2005
DEC ROD- Feb.
1991; Amended
ROD - Jan. 1999
Landfill cap and State:
leachate
collection and
treatment
$2,550,000
PRP:
$5,000,000
Future O&M
costs
estimated to
be $1,140,000
over 10 years.
The Site was reclassified by DEC
from a Class 2 (significant threat) to
a Class 4 (Site remediated and in
long term OM&M) site in June
2008.
Mobil Oil
Tetraethyl lead and
OU#l in
DEC Consent Order
Remediation on-
Not available
Site segregated into (5) operable
# 141
lube sludges, spent
2007; OU#2
issued in 1985.
going
at this time.
units. Remediation of OU#l
#915040 &C915201
catalysts. Air
partially
NYS Brownfield
completed in 2007 to commercial
DEC Brownfield
floatation unit and
completed
Cleanup Agreement
standards via excavation of
gravity oil/water
in 2007,
executed April 3,
contaminated fill with no required
separator sludges.
additional
2006
monitoring. Removal of Pipelines in
VOCs, SVOCs,
work is
OU#2 completed in 2007 with
metals
necessary;
further Investigation of OU#2
Additional
ongoing ( AAR in progress).
work is
OU#3 (AAR in progress), OU#4
necessary at
(remedial designed approved in
OU#3,
2012), and OU#5: Additional work
OU#4, and
scheduled for future years
OU#5.
-------
Site Name:
Contents /
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Pollutants of
Actions
Compliance and/or
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Concern
Completed
Enforcement
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Actions
Iroquois Gas - Westwood
PAHs (Polynuclear
Main plant
DEC ROD issued 915141A:
State: $
915141A: hydraulic control, and
Pharmaceutical
Aromatic
site in 1997
March 1994 hydraulic
250,000
groundwater pump and treat are
# NA
Hydrocarbons)
and
for both sites. control;
PRP: $
effective.
# 915141A & B
BTEX (Benzene,
Scajaquada
groundwater
7,000,000
DEC Superfund
Toluene, Ethyl
Creek
pump and treat
915141B: DNAPL from under the
benzene. Xylene),
sediments in
915141B:
creek continues to be collected
lead, and cyanide
March 1999.
DNAPL
915141A:
extraction
1997
915141B:
2001
Booth Oil
Waste oils, PCBs,
November
DEC ROD issued
Haz waste
State:
RA completed Nov 1994.
# NA
VOCs, semi-VOCs,
2004
March 1992 and
removed.
$1,318,900
Additional remedial work to address
#932100
and PAHs
March 1993, ROD
residual PAH
PRP:
gasoline vapor impacts to adjacent
DEC Superfund
amendments in
August 2002
contamination.
OM&M plan for
site cover
maintenance.
Deed restrictions
in place
$6,000,000
home continued through 2005.
Previously unknown USTs removed
with soil disposal and vapor
extraction. Monitoring wells
installed to monitor groundwater for
gasoline impacts. Deed restrictions
filed for site. The site was
reclassified from a Class 2 to a Class
4 on November 27, 2007.
-------
APPENDIX B
REMEDIATION of ADDITIONAL POLLUTANT SOURCES:
Site Remediation Status Summaries
-------
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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Site Name:
Contents /Pollutants of
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Concern
Actions
Compliance
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Completed
and/or
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Enforcement
Actions
Citizen's Gasworks Fourth
benzene, toluene, xylenes.
Completed in
State Superfund
Enviromnental
State:
RA included excavation and
Street Site
phenolic compounds.
2006
Program
Easement
$10,000,000
off-site disposal of all
NA
PAHs
contaminated media above
915167
clean-up goals. The site is
NYS Superfund
being maintained and
monitored according to the
Site Management Plan, dated
September 2006.
Former Buffalo Service
benzene, toluene.
Completed in
Brownfield Clean-
Groundwater
PRP:
RA included excavation and
Center
ethylbenzene, xylenes.
2006
up Agreement
monitoring and
$16,500,000
off-site disposal of all
NA
PAHs, total cyanides
Enviromnental
contaminated media above
C915194
Easement
clean-up goals. Groundwater
NYS Brownfield Clean-up
at the site is being monitored
Program
in accordance with the Site
Management Plan, dated
October 2006.
Alltift Landfill
miscellaneous organic
Completed in
SSF Consent Order
Groundwater
PRP:
RA included consolidation
NA
chemicals, chrome sludge.
2005
monitoring and
$14,000,000
and capping of contaminated
915054
copper sulfate.
Enviromnental
soils and sediments. Wetlands
NYS Superfund
nitrobenzene.
Easement (filed
were restored and a
monochlorobenzene.
September 2012)
groundwater collection trench
naphthalene, automobile
has been installed that
shredder wastes.
captures upgradient
demolition debris, fly-ash
groundwater and groundwater
and sand wastes, metals.
beneath the landfill.
pesticides, PCBs, VOCs,
Operation, Maintenance and
PAHs
Monitoring is on-going.
Restrictions in the forms of
Enviromnental Notices and
Deed Restrictions are in place
on the impacted properties.
-------
Site Name:
USGS Site #:
DEC Site #:
Program:
Contents /Pollutants of
Concern
Remedial
Actions
Completed
Formal Remedial
Compliance
and/or
Enforcement
Actions
Post-Remedial
Action O&M
Status
Total
Remediation
Costs to Date
Additional Comments
Steelfields Site
NA
V00619/C915204
NYS Voluntary Clean-up
Program
waste slag and coke,
significant quantities of
chemically contaminated
fill soils, VOCs, SVOCs,
metals
Completed in
2007
Voluntary Clean-
up Agreement
Groundwater
monitoring and
Declaration of
Covenants and
Restrictions
PRP:
$16,500,000
On-site Landfill and
groundwater contaimnent
system of non-hazardous
waste. Groundwater
monitoring, RA included
excavation and off-site
disposal of all contaminated
media above clean-up goals.
Niacet Corporation
NA
V00373
NYS Voluntary Clean-up
Program
The IRM activities began in
January 2013 and are
expected to be completed by
Spring 2013. Proj ect design
activities and final RDWP
submittals are on-going and
are expected to be complete
by spring 2013.
mercury/ acetaldehyde,
sodium acetate,
paraldehyde, aldol,
crotonaldehyde,
aluminum sludge, 2-
ethylexoate, zincacetate,
acetic acid, acetate salts
Not completed.
Voluntary Clean-
up Agreement
Remedial Design
Underway
Not available An IRM Work Plan was
at this time. developed and approved in
November 2012 to address the
most significant areas of
contamination (visible
mercury or positive hazardous
waste characterization test).
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Site Name:
Contents /Pollutants of
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Concern
Actions
Compliance
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Completed
and/or
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Enforcement
Actions
Spaulding Fiber
PCBs, Metals, phenolic
OUs 1,3 and 4:
State Superfund
RAs completed in
State:
Demolition of plant structures
NA
compounds
excavated
Program
2010-2011.
$6,000,000
ongoing through efforts by
915050/E915050
approximately
State Assistance
City of Tonawanda and Erie
NYS
30,000 tons of
Contract
County. A No further Action
Superfund/Environmental
non-hazardous
- ROD for the ERP project
Restoration program
materials
and5,300 tons of
hazardous
materials; OU#2:
excavated 1,600
tons of non-
hazardous
materials and
approximately
440 tons of
hazardous
materials
(OU#7) was issued in March
2009. Remediation of the
Superfund areas (OU1,
OU#2, OU#3, & OU#4) were
completed in 2010. In March
2011 a ROD was issued by
DEC for OU#s 5 and 6. No
Further Action was the
selected remedy because
surface and subsurface soils
after the IRM met the Part
375 residential soil cleanup
objectives. The City of
Tonawanda submitted the
enviromnental easement
package in September 2011.
The enviromnental easement
was subsequently granted in
August 2012 and filed in
January 2013. Certificate of
Completions for both the ERP
and SSF project are pending.
-------
Site Name:
Contents /Pollutants of
Remedial
Formal Remedial
Post-Remedial
Total
Additional Comments
USGS Site #:
Concern
Actions
Compliance
Action O&M
Remediation
DEC Site #:
Completed
and/or
Status
Costs to Date
Program:
Enforcement
Actions
Tonawanda Coke Corp.
PAHs, iron, phenols.
OU#l and #2
ROD for OU#l
The groundwater
N/A
Notable activities of late
N/A/
cyanide, benzene.
completed 2008.
and #2 signed
contamination at the
include a joint EPA/DEC Air
#915055
naphthalene.
3/31/08. Consent
site is insignificant
Quality Study completed in
DEC/EPA CWA,
benzo(a)pyrene
order to conduct
and the surface
2008 and follow-up multi-
Superfund, RCRA, CAA
the RI at OU#3
water discharge
media investigations of the
signed 9/17/09.
from the site to the
facility conducted in 2009 in
Formal
river is managed
response to concerns raised by
enforcement
under an SPDES
the community. The study
actions taken by
permit.
results and investigations
DEC and EPA for
Institutional/Engine
resulted in formal
SPDES water
ering Controls are
enforcement actions taken by
quality, air quality.
ongoing at OU#l
DEC and EPA for SPDES
and RCRA
and #2 of the site.
water quality, air quality, and
violations during
RCRA violations during
2010.
2010. The work plan
submitted by the PRP to
dredge the sediments at OU3
has been reviewed and
approved by DEC. The
proposed schedule for the
implementation of this work
is in 2013.
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