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 2011
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 23, 2012
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary i
Introduction 1
Status of Remediation Progress 7
Overview 7
Project Highlights 7
Estimated Remediation Costs 11
Future Challenges and Opportunities for the NRTMP 12
Glossary 19
References 24
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 13
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Location of significant Niagara River waste sites addressed in the NRTMP 2
Figure 2. Environment Canada's Niagara River Upstream/Downstream Surface Water Sampling
Locations 14
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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 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, and Buffalo Color
Corporation Areas A,B,C, and E) have remedial actions 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 Upstream/Downstream 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 Plant.
Toxaphene use as a pesticide was discontinued in 1982 before EPA banned all general uses of the compound
in the United States 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 NYSDEC will be conducting a project titled "Reassessment of
Niagara River Area of Concern (AOC) Sources of Contamination" in 2012 and 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. The expected outcomes
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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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AOC
BNR
BSC
BUI
CMS
COC
DDT
DEC
DNAPL
DOI
EC
EPA
ERP
FE
HSWA
IRM
LNAPL
MGP
MOE
NAPL
NOTL
NPL
NRTMP
OCC
OCS
OM&M
OU
PAH
PCBs
PRP
RA
RAC
RAP
RAS
RCRA
RD/RA
Acronyms
area of concern
Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
Beneficial Use Impairment
Corrective Measure Study
Chemical of concern
primarily l,l'-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)-bis/4 chlorobenzene
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Dense non-aqueous phase liquids
Declaration of Intent
Environment Canada
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Remediation Project
Fort Erie
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
Interim Remedial Measure
light nonaqueous phase liquid
Manufactured gas plant
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Non-aqueous phase liquids
Niagara-on-the-Lake
National Priority List
Niagara River Toxics Management Plan
Occidental Chemical Corporation
octachlorostyrene
Operation, Maintenance & Monitoring
Operable Unit
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
Polychlorinated biphenyls
Potentially Responsible Party
Remedial Action
Remedial Advisory Committee
Remedial Action Plan
Remedial Action Selection
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Remedial Design/Remedial Action
iv
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RFI
RCRA Facility Investigation
RI/FS
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
ROD
Record of Decision
RRT
Requisite Remedial Technology
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
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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, pledging
cooperation to achieve significant reductions of toxic chemical pollutants in the Niagara River (DOI
1987). The Declaration of Intent and a work plan form the Niagara River Toxics Management Plan
(NRTMP).
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(a) anthracene*
Mirex/PhotoMirex*
Benzo(a)pyrene*
Octachlorostyrene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene*
PCBs*
Benzo(k)fluoranthene*
DDTs
Chlordane
Dioxin*
Chrysene
T etrachloroethylene *
Dieldrin
Arsenic
Hexachlorobenzene *
Lead
Mercury*
Toxaphene
* Targeted for 50% load reduction by 1996 from point &
non-point Niagara River watershed sources using 1987
as a baseline.
Compounds in italics no longer exceed strictest agency
criteria at Fort Erie (FE) and Niagara-on-the-Lake
(NOTL).
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, 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 72 Niagara River analytes (including the 18
priority toxics) by the Upstream/Downstream (U/D)
Monitoring Program.
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 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,
and benzo(a)anthracene) are below the strictest criteria at both Fort Erie (FE) and Niagara-on-the-
Lake (NOTL), the two primary sampling stations of Environment Canada's Upstream/Downstream 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, in fact, 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 if the
principal sources of these compounds are generated upstream of the Niagara River or Great Lakes
basin agency -wide may be warranted.
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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. Avenue
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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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 that are expected to
be higher than the actual loadings).
Table 2 presents the 33 cluster sites divided into the three categories, based on Gradient/Geotrans
1988 estimates of their potential toxic loads to the Niagara River. 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 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 were determined to be
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.
EPA estimates actual input loading reductions from completed hazardous waste site remedial
actions (RAs) have been from -700 lbs/day to less than 50 lbs/day; this represents an
approximate 94% reduction from the 1988 baselines for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), mirex, octachlorostyrene, 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 other sites where interim remedial controls are in place (e.g.,
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Table 2. Gradient/Geotrans Prioritization of Waste Sites According to Potential Toxic Loadings to
Niagara River in 1988.
Category I: greater than 50
lb/day
Category II: between 1-50
lb/day
Category III: less than 1
lb/day
OCC, Buffalo Ave.
OCC, 102nd Street
Alltift Realty
Niagara County Refuse Disposal
Bell Aerospace Textron
Charles Gibson
DuPont Necco Park combined
with CECOS International
Durez Corporation, Packard
Road Facility (formerly OCC,
Durez Division, Niagara Falls)
Great Lakes Carbon
OCC, Hyde Park
OCC, S-Area
Niagara Mohawk, Cherry Farm
Stauffer Plant (PASNY)
Times Beach Containment
Solvent Chemical
Tonawanda Coke
Vanadium Corp. (formerly SKW
Alloys)
Allied Chemical
Olin, Buffalo Avenue Plant
Dunlop Tire and Rubber
DuPont, Buffalo Avenue Plant
Columbus-McKinnon
Buffalo Harbor Containment
Love Canal
Buffalo Color Corporation,
including Area D
Tonawanda Landfill
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
River Road (INS Equipment)
Frontier Chemical, Pendleton
OCC, Durez, North Tonawanda
Small Boat Harbor Containment
Gratwick Riverside Park
Mobil Oil
groundwater pump-and-treat systems are functioning at 3 of the 4 sites where remediation is
underway 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 2 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
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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: OlI#3'
Site Investigation Underway
Frontier Chemical - Royal Avenue2
BETHLEHEM STEEL SITE3
BETHLEHEM STEEL3
Feasibility Study Underway
Buffalo Color Corporation Area A
MOBIL OIL: OU#2,#3,#5
MOBIL OIL: OU#l and OU#3
Remedial Design Underway
Remediation Completed (Operation,
Maintenance and Monitoring [OM&M]
Ongoing)
Frontier Chemical - Royal Avenue2
Stauffer Chemical
Buffalo Color Corporation Areas A and B
Frontier Chemical, Pendleton
Mobil Oil OU#4
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-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 Interim Remedial Measures (IRMs) have been completed by
PRPs for OU#l and OU#2. A "No Further Action" Record of Decision 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) were completed in 2004
with a record of decision (ROD) issued in March 2006. PRP group to implement remedy under Order or will
be referred to State Superfund for design of remedial action.
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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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 assumptions (i.e. 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.
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
when released to soil lasting for up to 14 years, it is reasonable to conclude that harmful releases
from sources to the Niagara River is unlikely 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 2011 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 operated,
maintained, and monitored for continued effectiveness for up to 30 years or longer at other sites.
The remaining five sites (Mobil Oil, Frontier Chemical - Royal Ave., Vanadium Corporation
OU#3, Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and Buffalo Color Corporation) have RAs pending or
underway. Three of the five sites (Mobil Oil, Vanadium Corporation, and Bethlehem Steel
Corporation) are operating interim remedial systems while progressing with completion of their
final RAs. Start of construction of pending final RA for Vanadium Corporation OU#3 is
anticipated during 2012. Remedial actions at Buffalo Color Corporation Areas A, B, C, and E
were substantially completed in 2011, with the exception of a Vertical Hydraulic Barrier Wall
(VHB) in Area A 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 2012. DEC is
awaiting results of a Corrective Measures Study (CMS) required by a Consent Order with
Tecumseh Redevelopment (current owner of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation 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 will either enter into a Consent Order with Frontier Chemical -
Royal Avenue. Responsible Party Group is to implement remedies in the 2006 ROD, or, refer to
the State Superfund program for remedial design. Mobil Oil has completed remedial action at
one operable unit with the remaining operable units in the Feasibility Study or Remedial Design
stage.
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, particularly since the
November 2009 NRTMP progress report, are summarized below.
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
1 http://www.dec.nv.gov/cfmx/extapps/derexternal/index.cfm7pageicN3
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source(s) that are 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 Sept. 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. In
addition, in 2011, Occidental has instituted ChemOx injections in several monitoring
wells along the containment wall which had elevated volatile organics levels. This was
done as a follow-up measure in an effort to reduce concentration of these chemicals in
groundwater in the area of those wells.
Vanadium Corporation
• A Record of Decision compiling the results of operable units OU#l, OU#2, and OU#3
was issued in March 2006.
• Remedial actions were completed at OU#l and OU#2 in 2007.
• The Remedial Design for the last remaining operable unit, OU #3, to address 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 submitted November
2010. RA Order has been signed. The remedial action to implement the remedy for
OU#3 is anticipated to begin during the Spring of 2012.
• It should be noted that DEC's database has been revised as 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 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. The construction was completed in
2007.
• Honeywell performed a bulk chemical removal at the Site starting in December 2005 and
it is presently complete. The site though 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 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
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plat facilities and process equipment was completed in 2011. Building slabs and
foundations from several demolished buildings were left in place for possible future reuse
and as interim cover over any residual impacted soils. The final remedial plan for the soil
and groundwater in Area A will involve 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 2012. Site preparation will also
include the abandonment and decommission of unused process 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 installation of 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 2012. 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 measure are required. Certificates
of completion, indicating 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 LNAPL recover 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. The Remedial Investigations and Alternative Analysis
Reports are expected to be complete on all of the parcels in 2012.
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 >100ppm, soil or asphalt cover system,
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groundwater control/treatment, a Site Management Plan, an Environmental Easement,
Long-term Operation, Monitoring, and Maintenance, and periodic certification of the
controls.
• 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 Department rejected the draft
report, with comments, in a letter dated 12-31-09. A revised report was submitted in
October 2010 and approved by the Department. The terms of the initial Consent Order
have been fulfilled and the Order has automatically terminated.
• DEC is currently negotiating a remedial design/remedial action (RD/RA) order with the
PRP group on the implementation of OU #1 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 summer of 2012.
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 1880's. Though the refinery
operations were terminated in the 1980's, 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 interim
remedial measures 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 past use and nature of
the identified contamination. OU-1 encompasses several former residential parcels
within the City of Buffalo. In 2007, OU-1 was remediated to commercial standards,
which was accomplished through the removal and off-site disposal of 5,615 tons of soils
contaminated with SVOCs.
• 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 assess remedial options in order to address
any grossly contaminated soils.
• OU-3 is located along the northern shore of the Buffalo River, and had formerly been
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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.
• 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.
Engineering designs are nearing completion and construction of an in-situ barrier wall is
expected to begin in 2012.
• OU-5 includes the river sediments located along the north shore of the Buffalo River.
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 $ 39.832 million
State $ 7.425 million
PRPs $ 395.772 million
Total $ 443.029 million
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, and so on). However, the cost information does provide a sense of the magnitude of U.S.
expenditures for hazardous waste site remediation in the Niagara River basin.
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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 AOC Remedial Action Plan (RAP) process;
future monitoring, data collection and analysis; and remediation of additional pollutant sources.
Area of Concern (AOC) RAP and Delistings - The AOC delisting initiative is a top priority
for the Four Parties over the next several years. The BUIs listed by both the binational Niagara
River AOC and Buffalo River AOC are believed to be based on impacts of toxics chemicals
which have been closely linked to the hazardous waste site inputs to the rivers.
Niagara River Area of Concern Remedial Action Plan: 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 NYSDEC,
through an appointed Remedial Advisory Committee (RAC), completed and published a
Remedial Action Plan (RAP). To date, the RAC has identified 7 BUIs to be addressed (see
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, nineteen sites have completed remedial
construction and two sites (Frontier Chemical Royal Ave. and Vanadium Corporation) have
remedial actions 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
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 Remedial Action Plan: 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, a RAP was prepared by the
DEC for the Buffalo River AOC. The DEC acted as RAP coordinator from 1989 - 2005 until
the U.S. EPA Great lakes National Program Office selected the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper
(BNR) as RAP implementation lead coordinators. To date, the BNR has identified 9 BUIs to be
addressed (see Table 4). Of the 26 priority waste sites discussed in this report, one site
(Bethlehem Steel Corporation 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 (see Figure
1). Buffalo Color-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
Bethlehem Steel have remedial actions currently underway. Buffalo Color - Area A, Bethlehem
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Steel and Mobil Oil operate interim remedial systems while final remedial actions 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 Lake Erie, 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 Beneficial Use Impairments
Buffalo River AOC Beneficial Use Impairments
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
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 Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake. 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 will be conducting a project titled "Reassessment of Niagara River AOC
Sources of Contamination" in 2012 and 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 1980's to mid 1990's) 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 (Fort Erie) and the mouth (Niagara-on-the-Lake) of
the Niagara River where it enters Lake Ontario (Figure 2). Water quality data is collected year-
round and EC publishes a formal U/D Program report on every ~2 years of data. The most
recent U/D Program report was published in 2007 and includes data from 2004/2005. Since
1987, high quality US 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 EC U/D 20-
year data trend report 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
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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 chemi cal 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 remedial actions 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 Figure 2 Environment Canada's Niagara River
described below now known to be Upstream/Downstream Surface Water Sampling Locations
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 website'.
Citizens Gas Works Fourth Street - DEC Site #91516 7
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 samples were tested during the investigation and results showed
contained up to 3300 ppm of benzene, 3000 ppm of toluene, 2700 ppm of xylenes, 3000 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
Lake Ontario
•
NIAGARA-
ON-THE
-LAKE
~
Lewislon
N
A
Grand
Island
Tormwjindii
FORT ERIE
Buffalo
Lake Erie
2 http://www.dec.nv.gov/cfmx/extapps/derexternal/index.cfm7pageicN3
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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 Remedial Action consisted of source removal by excavation and 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 2006. NYSDEC performed two rounds of groundwater
monitoring in 2007 and 2008. The results do not show significant groundwater contamination in
the overburden strata.
Former Buffalo Service Center — NYSDEC 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, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
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 & Monitoring Plan. A Certificate
of Completion was issued on November 30, 2006 and no longer poses a significant threat to the
environment. 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 indicated that groundwater and the ponds adjacent to the
site were impacted by the landfill. Contaminants of concern include 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. Remedial action began in 2004 and was completed in
2005. An operation, maintenance and monitoring plan was put in place in 2006 and
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implementation is ongoing. An annual 2009 Periodic Review Report was received in May 2010
and is under review.
Steelfields — DEC Site # V00619
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 the historical operations that occurred there. These
areas are known as: Area I-Republic Steel Area, Area II-Donner-Hanna Coke Plant, Area Ill-
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 approximately 90 acres known as Area 1 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 & III in 2008. A
Release of Liability and Covenant Not-To-Sue was issued on 9/3/2008 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 Report (RAS) was submitted in November 2006. The draft RAS was
not acceptable and NYSDEC 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, a revised RA Selection report and remedial action work
plan (RAWP) are being developed and are anticipated to be completed and approved by mid-
2012.
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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 operable units) as requiring
remediation as a part of the 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. Operable Units 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 OU5 and OU6 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 OU7 was completed in January 2009. In March
2009 a No Action ROD was issued by DEC for OU7 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. Certificate of Completions for both the
ERP and SSF project are expected to be issued in 2012, once the Environmental Easement has
been filed.
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 (operable units) 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 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
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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 OUs 1 and 2 of the site. OU3 along
with the river sediments will be deferred for further investigation and evaluation for an
appropriate remedial action. A public meeting was held on March 18, 2008. The ROD for
Operable Units 1 and 2 was signed on March 31, 2008. The consent order to conduct the RI at
OU3 was signed on September 17, 2009. Based on the results from the RI completed at OU3,
discussions are in progress to implement interim remedial measures at OU3. The work plan
submitted by the PRP to dredge the sediments at OU3 has been reviewed and approved by
NYSDEC. This work is scheduled to begin in late 2012. Negotiation with the PRP to complete
the easement for OU1 and OU2 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. The study results
and investigations resulted in formal enforcement actions taken by DEC and EPA for SPDES
water quality, air quality, and RCRA violations during 2010.
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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.
Consent decree
A legal document, approved by a judge, which
puts into effect a remedy (i.e., actions to
correct an environmental problem).
19
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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".
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
20
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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.
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.
21
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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.
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.
22
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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.
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.
23
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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.
U.S. EPA Great Lakes - NRTMP website, 2012.
http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/lakeont/nrtmp
NYSDEC Environmental Site Remediation Database website, 2012.
http://www.dec.nv.gov/cfmx/extapps/derexternal/index.cfm?pageid=3
24
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[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
25
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APPENDIX A
PRIORITY NIAGARA RIVER HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES:
Site Remediation Status Summaries
26
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[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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Silo \;imo:
I SCiS Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
1'i'o^i'iiin:
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PolllltillltS of
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Komodiiil
Actions
( omplolod
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l.nl'orccnicnt
Actions
Posl-Komodhil
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Siiiius
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Komodhilion
Costs lo Diiio
Addilioiiiil Comments
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 at
this time
Implementation of the Bedrock &
Overburden
Stabilization Programs will effectively
eliminate future off-site loadings from
the Main Plant Site.
Niagara Co. Refuse Disposal
#81
#932026
Federal Superfund
Phenolic resins,
plating tank sludges,
brine sludge
December
1999;
National
Priority List
(NPL)
deletion in
July 2004
EPA Consent Order
and ROD issued
Groundwater
Monitoring
Program on-going
Fed: $1,495,400
PRP:
$14,015,000
The site is still monitored by
EPA/State and data supports that the
remedy is effective and operating as
designed.
Dupont Necco Park
#14
#932047
Federal Superfund
Brine sludge, barium
salts, chlorinated
organic chemicals
September
2007
EPA Consent Orders
and ROD issued
Groundwater
Monitoring,
Collection &
Treatment on-
going
Fed: $2,155,000
State: $141,000
PRP:
42,500,000
Site is in OM&M phase. Ground
water pump and treat performing
satisfactorily. Upgrades completed in
2009 to improve pumping efficiency
at PW-10. Quarterly and annual
reports submitted to USEPA and
DEC.
CECOS International /
#78
N/A
RCRA (State & Federal)
Acetone, 2-butanone,
benzene, chloroform,
toluene,
chlorobenzene,
methylene chloride,
tetrachlorethane
February 1995
EPA RCRA
Hazardous and Solid
Waste Amendments
(HSWA) and NYS
Part 373 permits
issued
Groundwater
Extraction &
Treatment; landfill
cap maintenance;
site access
restrictions
Not available at
this time.
Corrective Measure Implementation
including
Aquifer pumping test program to
control
contaminant migration continues to
operate
satisfactorily.
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Silo \;imo:
I S(;S Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
I'l'o^riiin:
( (ink-ills /
I'olliitiints of
Concern
Komodiiil
Actions
Completed
l-'oi'iiiiil Komodiiil
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l.nl'orccnicnt
Actions
Posl-Komodhil
Action (KV;M
Siiiius
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Komodhilion
Costs lo Diiio
Addilioiiiil Comments
OCC - Hyde Park
#39
#932021
Federal/State Superfund Co-lead
Brine sludge, organic
phosphates,
dechlorane,
chlorotoluenes,
trichlorophenol (TCP),
benzoyl chloride,
chlorobenzenes, acid
chlorides
June 2003
EPA/DEC/OCC
Stipulation and
Judgment Approving
Settlement
Agreement
Overburden
Groundwater
Monitoring,
Collection &
Treatment
Fed:
$12,100,000
PRP:
$78,000,000
It is estimated that $2,000,000/year
will be spent on the O&M of the site
for approximately the next 30 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.
102nd Street
#40, 56, 85, and 94
#932922 & #932031
Federal Superfund
Benzenes,
chlorobenzenes,
chlorophenols, hexa-
chlorocyclohexanes,
mercury
December
1998
EPA ROD completed
1990 &
Administrative Order
issued September
1991
Long-term
leachate pump and
treat system
installed and
optimized in
March 1999.
Fed/State:
$9,900,000
PRP:
$26,000,000
Long-term leachate pump and treat
system operating optimally. It is
estimated that future O&M costs to be
paid by the PRP will be approximately
$100,000/year.
Bell Aerospace Textron
#5
#932052
RCRA (State and Federal)
Chlorinated solvents,
rocket fuel, misc.
chemicals
1987
NYS Part 373 and
EPA RCRA permits
issued
Hydraulic
groundwater
containment pump
and treat system in
place
PRP:
$1,898,891
(Capital and
O&M)
Future O&M
estimated
$400,000/year
Recent maintenance and upgrades in
2007 to the treatment system has
increased operational efficiency.
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.
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Silo \;imo:
I S(;S Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
I'l'o^riiin:
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Actions
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Addilioiiiil ( ommcnls
OCC S-Area
#41A
#932019A
Federal/State Superfund Co-lead
CaF2 sludge, organic
phosphates,
chlororganics, sulfides
August 2002
EPA/NYSDEC lead
responsibility under
1985 judicial
settlement agreement
Operation and
maintenance of S-
Area landfill cap;
groundwater
collection and
treatment.
Fed/State
$10,500,000
PRP:
$45,000,000
Future O&M
estimated Fed:
$1,000,000;
PRP:
$5,000,000
capital and up
to $3,000,000
/year for 30
years.
Continued optimization of the
performance of
groundwater pump and treat system
effective.
Stauffer Chemical
#255
#932053
NYSDEC Superfund
Carbon tetrachloride,
various metallic
chlorides, methylene
chloride,
tetrachloroethylene
December
1995
NYSDEC 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/year
for 30 years.
Groundwater treatment system has
been modified to include granular
activated carbon prior to discharge to
the NYPA Forebay.
Solvent Chemical
#251
#932096
NYSDEC Superfund
Chlorobenzenes, zinc
May 2001
ROD issued
December 1994; U.S.
District Court
Judgment issued
October 1997.
Bedrock
groundwater
pump and treat
system.
State:
$1,170,000
PRP:
$7,374,000
PRP O&M:
$4,600,000
Continued operation and maintenance
of bedrock groundwater pump and
treat system.
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Silo \;imo:
I S(;S Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
I'l'o^riiin:
( (ink-ills /
I'olliitiints of
Concern
Komodiiil
Actions
Completed
l-'oi'iiiiil Komodiiil
( oinpliiinoo ;ind/or
l.nl'orccnicnt
Actions
Posl-Komodhil
Action (KV;M
Siiiius
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Costs lo Diiio
Addilioiiiil Comments
Vanadium Corp.
#1
#932001, 932001B,
932001C
DEC Superfund
Chromium,
VOCs, phenol,
caustic waste
Projected
completion
October 2012
ROD issued March
2006:
OU#l - No Further
Action
OU#2 - No Further
Action
OU#3 - Consolidation
and capping
OU#l -
Containment and
storm water
control, approved
OM&M plan;
OU#2- landfill
cap, groundwater
collection and
treat system,
approved OM&M
plan
State: $454,000
PRP:
$9,900,000
(OU#l &
OU#2)
Projected future
OU#3 PRP cost
to completion
$12,000,000
Final Remedial Design for
OU#3 was submitted in 2008.
The Remedial Action is expected to sta
2011 pending execution of a
Consent Decree. Sites 932001B,
& 932001C are expected to be reclassif
Class 4 in 2012.
Olin Corporation
#58, 59
#932051
State and Federal RCRA
Mercury brine
sludges, chlororganics,
fly ash
October 1997
DEC Consent Order
Groundwater
pump and treat.
Not available at
this time.
Remedial system close to meeting
optimum
effectiveness; recent performance
reports indicate system improvements.
Dupont - Buffalo Ave.
#15-19
#932013
NYSDEC Superfund
Carbon tetrachloride,
chloroform,
dichloroethylene,
methylene chloride,
trichloroethylene,
tetrachloroethylene,
vinyl chloride, PCBs,
barium, and other
organic and inorganic
compounds
January 1992
DEC Consent Order
ROD issued January
1990
Groundwater
remediation
system (pump and
treat)
State: $75,000
PRP: $
74,000,000
(includes Gill
Creek cleanup)
Projected future
O&M by PRP:
$1,100,000/
year.
Periodic post monitoring reports
indicate effective groundwater pump
and treat system. Blast fractured
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.
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Silo \;imc:
I S(;S Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
I'l'o^riiin:
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I'olliihnils of
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Komodiiil
Actions
Completed
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Actions
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Addilion;il ( ommcnls
Buffalo Color Corp. Plant Site
Areas A, B, C, and E
#120, 122
#C915230, C915231, C915232
State and Federal RCRA
State Brownfield Program
Aniline, N-
methylaniline, N-
dimethylaniline, N-
diethylaniline,
cyanide, methanol,
nickel, chromium,
arsenic, lead, mercury,
VOCs, SVOCs
IRM pump
and treat
system
installed
12/2007. Site
preparation
and
demolition/re
moval of
decommission
ed plant
facilities and
process
equipment
was
completed in
2011.
NYS Part 373 and
EPA RCRA permits
issued; DEC Consent
Orders issued
3/12/2005 and
6/30/2006.
Groundwater
pump and treat
system operational
12/2007.
Not available at
this time.
Draft Remedial
Investigation/Feasibility Study
completed in March 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. Design investigation activities
and development of a detailed
remediation plan for Areas A and B
continued into 2011. . Remediation
construction activities are to be
completed in 2012. The final remedial
plan involves the installation of a
vertical hydraulic barrier (VHB) wall
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 (AreaE). The remediation will
also include the placement of a site-
wide integrated cover system.
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Silo \;imo:
I S(;S Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
I'l'o^riiin:
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Buffalo Color - Area D
#120-122
#915012
NYSDEC Superfund
Iron oxide sludges
containing organics
September
1998
DEC Consent Order
Slurry wall;
sediment
dredging; landfill
cap; groundwater
pump & treat
system
State: $200,000
PRP:
$14,000,000
Groundwater pump and treat system is
operating satisfactorily.
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Silo \;imo:
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Bethlehem Steel Corp.
#118
#915009, C915197, C915198,
C915199, C915205, C915216,
C915217, & C915218
State and Federal RCRA
State Brownfield Program
Tar decanter sludge,
ammonia still lime,
sludge, pickling
liquor, metals, VOCs,
SVOCs/PAHs
C915197
Projected
October 2008
C915205 -
completed
2006
NYSDEC Consent
Order
C915197 -Brownfield
Clean-up Agreement
(BCA)
C915198 -BCA
C915199 -BCA
C915205 - BCA
C915216-Denied
entry into BCP
C915217 - BCA
C915218 - Eligibility
Pending
Proposed
Groundwater
collection and
treatment for
brownfields
redevelopment.
C915205-
Protective cover,
passive
groundwater
treatment,
Easement
Not available at
this time.
915009 - RCRA regulated portion of
property. Order implementing the
remedy was issued 5/10/2010. Slurry
wall (Phase I) remedial design
approved 2010, trenching began in
2011. Capping design (Phase II) under
final review, implementation expected
to start in 2012.
C915197 - Tecumseh Phase I Business
Park -IRM completed 2009, RI/AAR
(NFA) expected in 2010. PDD out to
public commentl2/ll. DD being
prepared 10/11. Applicant has written
a letter regarding COC issuance
without completing the cover. DEC
has not yet responded. 1/11. DD being
prepared.9/10.RI/AAR due 6/lO.Vol
to seek COC in 2010.
C915198 - Tecumseh Phase II
Business Park - RI/AAR WP
submitted 2009, RD field in 2010, RA
implementation in 2011.
C915199 - Tecumseh Phase III
Business Park. Supplemental RI
required5/ll. RI/AAR
rejected...revisions being madel2/10.
RI/AAR due 10/10.9/10. RI/AAR
report due summer
2010.5/10.Fieldwork continues. 12/09.
Site change - C915217 removed from
the site, RI/AAR WP submitted, RI to
be completed in 2010.
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 - RI on-goingl0/l 1.
SI/AAR due 5/11. WP approved 6/10.
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Silo \;imo:
I S(;S Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
I'l'o^riiin:
( (ink-ills /
I'olliitiints of
Concern
Komodiiil
Actions
Completed
l-'oi'iiiiil Komodiiil
( oinpliiinoo ;ind/or
l.nl'orccnicnt
Actions
Posl-Komodhil
Action (KV;M
Siiiius
llllill
Komodhilion
Costs lo Diiio
Addilioiiiil 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
Remedial action 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
# NA
#915063
DEC Superfund
Foundry sand, cutting
oils, industrial sludges,
PCBs, PAHs, metals
See Site
915031 above.
ROD issued Feb 1991
Amended ROD Oct
1993
OM&M activities
underway.
See Site 915031
above.
See Site 915031 above.
Frontier Chemical - Pendleton
#67
#932043
DEC Superfund
Solvents, oils, acids,
dyes, paint wastes,
heavy metal sludges,
metal salt sludges,
pickling liquors
March 1997
DEC ROD issued
March 1992;
NYSDEC Consent
Order
Landfill cap and
leachate collection
and treatment
State:
$1,430,000
PRP:
$14,120,000
Future O&M
costs
State:
PRP: $50,000
annually
Long-term O&M includes landfill cap
maintenance and pump and treat of
leachate from the site.
Frontier Chemical, Royal Avenue
#
#932110
EPA and DEC Superfund
Monochlorotoluene,
methylene chloride,
chloroform,
dichlorobenzene,
tetrachloroethylene
and other organic
contaminants
Projected
completion
date to be
determined.
DEC ROD - OU#l
issued March 2006;
OU#2 issued March
2011
Remediation on-
going
Fed: $3,690,000
State: $400,000
PRP:
$3,600,000
A DEC RI/FS Order for OU#2 with
PRP group was signed in 2008.
Investigative work was completed in
2009 and a final report was submitted
in 2010.
DEC is currently negotiating a RD/RA
order with the PRP group on the
implementation of OU #1 and #2
remedies in 2012.
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Silo \;imo:
I S(;S Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
I'l'o^riiin:
( (ink-ills /
I'olliihinls of
Concern
Komodiiil
Actions
Completed
l-onil;il Komodiiil
( oinpliiinoo ;ind/or
l.nl'orccnicnt
Actions
Posl-Komodhil
Action (KV; M
Sliilus
Illlill
Kcmcdhilion
Cosls lo Diilo
Addilioiiiil Comments
Occidental Chemical - Durez
Division, North Tonawanda
# 24-37
#932018
DEC Superfund
Phenol tars containing
chlorobenzenes and
chlorophenols
Plant
site: 1990
City sewer
cleaning: 1992
Inlet/Cove:
1992 &2000
DEC
ROD OU#l/2 -Feb
1989; ROD OU#3 -
March 1992.
Plant site includes
cover system and
groundwater
control/treatment.
Inlet and cove &
north lobe
removal and
containment work
is being
monitored.
State: $510,00
PRP:
$39,000,000
In May 2000, additional contaminated
sediment from the bottom of the cove
were removed. The most recent report
(-2006), indicates elevated
concentrations of dioxins and furans.
A work plan for source investigation
and additional sediment removal as
needed has 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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Silo \;imo:
I S(;S Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
I'l'o^riiin:
( (ink-ills /
I'olliihiiils ill"
( onoorn
Komodiiil
Actions
Complolod
l-onil;il Komodiiil
( oiiipliiinoo ;ind/or
1.111(11X01110111
Actions
Posl-Komodhil
Action ()&M
Sliilus
llllill
Kcmcdhilion
Costs Ki Dido
Addilimiiil ( ommcnls
Gratwick Riverside Park
#68
#932060
DEC Superfund
Phenolic resins, PCBs
December
2005
DEC ROD- Feb.
1991; Amended ROD
- Jan. 1999
Landfill cap and
leachate collection
and treatment
State:
$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
# 141
#915040 &C915201
DEC Brownfield
Tetraethyl lead and
lube sludges, spent
catalysts, Air
floatation unit and
gravity oil/water
separator sludges,
VOCs, SVOCs, metals
OU-1 in 2007;
OU-2 partially
completed in
2007,
additional
work is
necessary;
Additional
work is
necessary at
OU-3, OU-4
and OU-5.
DEC Consent Order
issued in 1985. NYS
Brownfield Cleanup
Agreement executed
April 3, 2006
Remediation on-
going
Not available at
this time.
Site segregated into (5) operable units.
Remediation of OU-1 completed in
2007 to commercial standards via
excavation of contaminated fill with
no required monitoring. Removal of
Pipelines in OU-2 completed in 2007
with further Investigation of OU-2 on
going.
OU-3, OU-4, andOU-5: Work
scheduled for future years
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Silo \;imo:
I S(;S Silo # :
l)l.( Silo#:
I'l'o^riiin:
( (ink-ills /
I'olliihiiils ill"
( onoorn
Komodiiil
Actions
Complolod
l-'oi'iiiiil Komodiiil
( oiiipliiinoo ;ind/or
1.111(11X01110111
Actions
Posl-Komodhil
Action ()&M
Sliilus
llllill
Kcmcdhilion
Costs Ki Dido
Addilimiiil ( ommcnls
Iroquois Gas - Westwood
Pharmaceutical
# NA
# 915141A & B
DEC Superfund
PAHs (Polynuclear
Aromatic
Hydrocarbons) BTEX
(Benzene, Toluene,
Ethyl benzene,
Xylene), lead, and
cyanide
Main plant
site in 1997
and
Scajaquada
Creek
sediments in
March 1999.
915141A:
1997
915141B:
2001
DEC ROD issued
March 1994
for both sites.
915141A:
hydraulic control;
groundwater
pump and treat
915141B: DNAPL
extraction
State: $ 250,000
PRP: $
7,000,000
915141 A: hydraulic control, and
groundwater pump and treat are
effective.
91514 IB: DNAPL from under the
creek continues to be collected
Booth Oil
# NA
#932100
DEC Superfund
Waste oils, PCBs,
VOCs, semi-VOCs,
and PAHs
November
2004
DEC ROD issued
March 1992 and
March 1993, ROD
amendments in
August 2002
Haz waste
removed, residual
PAH
contamination.
OM&M plan for
site cover
maintenance.
Deed restrictions
in place
State:
$1,318,900
PRP:
$6,000,000
Remedial action completed Nov 1994.
Additional remedial work to address
gasoline vapor impacts to adjacent
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.
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APPENDIX B
REMEDIATION of ADDITIONAL POLLUTANT SOURCES:
Site Remediation Status Summaries
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[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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Silc Niimo:
I SCiS Silo # :
\YSI)I.( Silc #:
Pro^mm:
( onk'iKs /Pnlliiliinls (il°
Concern
Kcmcdhd Actions
Completed
l-'oi'iiiiil Rcmedhil
Compliance
iind/or
l.nloicciiH'iK
Actions
Posl-Kcmcdiid
Action ()&M
Siiiius
Toliil
Rcnicdi;i(ion
( osls lo l);Kc
Addilioiiid ( oniinciils
Citizen's Gasworks Fourth Street
Site
NA
915167
NYS Superfund
benzene, toluene, xylenes,
phenolic compounds, PAHs
Completed in 2006
State Superfund
Program
Environmental
Easement
State:
$10,000,000
Remedial Action
included excavation and
off-site disposal of all
contaminated media
above clean-up goals.
Former Buffalo Service Center
NA
C915194
NYS Brownfield Clean-up Progra
benzene, toluene,
ethylbenzene, xylenes,
polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons, total cyanides
Completed in 2006
Brownfield Clean-
up Agreement
Groundwater
monitoring and
Environmental
Easement
PRP:
$16,500,000
Remedial Action
included excavation and
off-site disposal of all
contaminated media
above clean-up goals.
Alltift Landfill
NA
915054
NYS Superfund
miscellaneous organic
chemicals, chrome sludge,
copper sulfate, nitrobenzene,
monochlorobenzene,
naphthalene, automobile
shredder wastes, demolition
debris, fly-ash and sand wastes,
metals, pesticides, PCBs,
VOCs, PAHs
Completed in 2005
SSF Consent Order
Groundwater
monitoring and
Environmental
Easement
PRP:
$14,000,000
Remedial Action
included consolidation
and capping of waste and
restoration of adjacent
wetlands areas.
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Silo Niimc:
I SCiS Silc # :
\YSI)I.( Silo#:
( OIlU'lHS /I'olllllillllS ol'
Concern
Kcmcrihil Actions
(oniplolcd
l-'oi'iiiiil Kcnicdiiil
(ompliiincc
iiiul/or
l.nl'orccniciH
Actions
Posl-Komodiiil
Action ()»VM
Sliilus
Idlill
KcnicdiiKion
( osls lo Diilc
Addilioiiiil ( oninicnls
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 containment
system of non-hazardous
waste, Groundwater
monitoring, Remedial
Action included
excavation and off-site
disposal of all
contaminated media
above clean-up goals.
Niacet Corporation
NA
V00373
NYS Voluntary Clean-up
Program
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
at this time.
Project design activities
and final RDWP
submittals are on-going
and are expected to be
complete by mid- 2012.
-------
Silo Niimc:
( OIIIOIIIS /I'olllllillllS ol'
Kcmcdhd Actions
l-'oi'iiiiil Reinedi;il
Post-Kcmcdiid
Idlid
Addilioiiid ( oiiiiihmiIs
I SCiS Silc # :
(oncern
Completed
( ompliiiiK'o
Action ()»VM
Komodi;ili(in
\YSI)I.( Silo#:
iind/or
Siiiius
Cosis Ki Diiic
l.iilorcciiH'iK
Actions
Spaulding Fiber
PCBs, Metals, phenolic
OUs 1, 3 and 4:
State Superfund
Remedial Actions
State:
Demolition of plant
NA
compounds
excavated
Program
completed in 2010 -
$6,000,000
structures ongoing
915050/E915050
approximately
State Assistance
2011.
through efforts by City of
NYS Superfund/Environmental
30,000 tons of
Contract
Tonawanda and Erie
Restoration program
non-hazardous
materials and5,300
tons of hazardous
materials; OU 2:
excavated 1,600
tons of non-
hazardous
materials and
approximately 440
tons of hazardous
materials
County. A No further
Action - Record of
Decision for the ERP
project (OU7) was issued
in March 2009.
Remediation of the
Superfund areas (OU1,
OU2, OU3, & OU4) were
completed in 2010. In
March 2011 a Record of
Decision was issued by
NYSDEC for OUs 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
environmental easement
package in September
2011.
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Silo Niimc:
I SCiS Silc # :
\YSI)I.( Silo#:
Pro^mm:
( OIIIOIIIS /PolllllillllS ol'
Concern
Roincdiiil Actions
Completed
l-'oi'iiiiil Kcmcdhil
Compliance
iiiul/or
l.nlorcciiH'iK
Actions
Posl-Kcmcdiiil
Action ()»VM
Sliilus
loliil
Kcmcdhilion
Cosis lo Diiic
Addilioiiiil ( oihiiioiKn
Tonawanda Coke Corp.
N/A/
#915055
NYSDEC/EPA CWA,
Superfund, RCRA, CAA
PAHs, iron, phenols, cyanide,
benzene, naphthalene,
benzo(a)pyrene
OU#l and #2
completed 2008.
ROD forOU#l
and #2 signed
3/31/08. Consent
order to conduct
the RI at OU#3
signed 9/17/09.
Formal
enforcement
actions taken by
NYSDEC and
EPA for SPDES
water quality, air
quality, and RCRA
violations during
2010.
The groundwater
contamination at the
site is insignificant
and the surface
water discharge
from the site to the
river is managed
under an SPDES
permit.
Institutional/Enginee
ring Controls are
ongoing at OU#l
and #2 of the site.
N/A
Notable activities of late
include a joint
EPA/NYSDEC 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.
The study results and
investigations resulted in
formal enforcement
actions taken by
NYSDEC and EPA for
SPDES water quality, air
quality, and RCRA
violations during 2010.
The work plan submitted
by the PRP to dredge the
sediments at OU3 has
been reviewed and
approved by NYSDEC.
The proposed schedule
for the implementation of
this work is in 2012.
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