LAWRENCE AVIATION INDUSTRIES EPA ID#NYD002041531 NEW YORK Site Description The Lawrence Aviation Industries (LAI) site is located in the Village of Port Jefferson Station, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York. LAI is an active manufacturer of titanium sheeting for the aeronautics industry. The company was founded at its present location in 1959. The property was previously a turkey farm owned by LAI's corporate predecessor, Ledkote Products Company of New York. In 1991, LAI indicated that its titanium mill was operating in a 200,000-square-foot plant complex on a 160-acre site. The site is located on a topographic high point and is surrounded by residential areas and a few commercial properties. The Port Jefferson Harbor, an outlet to the Long Island Sound, lies approximately one mile to the north, in the direction of groundwater flow. Groundwater from the underlying Upper Glacial/Magothy aquifer is the only source of drinking water in the site vicinity. There are 47 public supply wells, serving an estimated 120,500 people within 4 miles of the site. Past disposal practices and releases from leaking drums at LAI have resulted in numerous violations cited by both Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). In 1980, the company crushed more than 1600 drums, allowing the liquid contents to spill on unprotected soil. The drums contained trichloroehtylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), spent acid sump sludges, salt wastes, hydraulic oils, hydroflouric acid, nitric acids, and other plant wastes. SCDHS also observed numerous discharges from various plant activities to the ground surface and to two unlined lagoons. Site Responsibility: NPL LISTING HISTORY Proposed Date: 10/22/99 Final Date: 03/06/00 This Site is being addressed through Federal and State Actions. LAWRENCE AVIATION INDUSTRIES 1 March 2002 ------- Threats and Contaminants Groundwater contaminated with TCE, PCE, nitrates, and flouride has been detected in monitoring wells installed on the perimeter of the site property by NYSDEC, as well as in nearby residential wells. Potential drinking water threats posed to residents have been addressed by connecting the affected homes to the public water supply. Annual testing of nearby public supply wells show them to be in compliance with State and Federal standards. Liquid samples, collected by SCDHS, from one of the two, unlined lagoons on the property showed elevated levels of TCE. Sediment samples from both lagoons showed elevated levels of flourides. Access to the site is restricted by fencing and a guard house. m Sampling, performed by SCDHS, detected the presence of TCE, PCE and flouroide within a ^downgradient pond and stream. Hazardous warning signs have been posted adjacent to the pond. Cleanup Approach It is anticipated that the site will be addressed in phases: an immediate action phase for extension to the public water supply (which has been completed) and two long-term remedial phases, focusing on the soil and groundwater contamination on the property and groundwater contamination migrating off the property. Response Action Status Groundwater Removal Actions: From 1979 to 1997, TCE was detected in 11 residential wells located between 0.22 and 1.05 miles north of the site. Residences with private drinking water wells located north of the site have been connected to the public water supply to eliminate the presence or threat of exposure to TCE contamination. This removal action was performed by both EPA and NYSDEC. Drum Removal Action: In luly 1990, the NYSDEC Resource Conservation and Recovery Act program discovered more than 2,000 drums stored on the site. Drum contents included waste solvents, acetone, acids, oils, salty bases, inks, and untreated acidic sludges, as well as numerous types of solid waste. NYSDEC cited LAI for violating numerous hazardous waste regulations, and provided oversight for drum removal activities in 1990 and 1991. Site Facts: The EPA sent a Notice Letter to the party responsible for the site contamination in April 2000. Because negotiations with the potentially responsible party to conduct a remedial investigation/feasibility study were unsuccessful, EPA will use a Superfund contractor to assess the nature and extent of contamination at the Site and alternatives to LAWRENCE AVIATION INDUSTRIES 2 March 2002 ------- address it. Cleanup Progress The extension of public water to the 11 nearby residences has eliminated the potential exposure or threat of exposure to contamination through the drinking water pathway. Additionally, the removal of drums containing hazardous chemicals has reduced the number of source areas on the property and the potential for cross contamination to the underlying groundwater. EPA is currently working with their contractor, CDM, to develop a work plan for the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study to determine the extent of contamination and evaluate alternatives for Site clean-up. LAWRENCE AVIATION INDUSTRIES 3 March 2002 ------- |