(New York, NY) The E.P.A. has suggested a project to clean up 9 properties, relocate residents from 5 of the properties, and demolish an industrial building at the former Flintkote Plant location as part of the 1st phase of cleanup at the Eighteen Mile Creek Superfund location in Lockport, New York. The residential properties located on Water Street are contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other contaminants, including lead and chromium. PCBs are a probable human carcinogen. PCBs can also affect the immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems and cause other health effects. Lead is a toxic metal that can cause damage to a child's ability to learn and can have serious, long-term health consequences for adults and children. Chromium may cause cancer and nervous system damage.
"This project will take the residents with contaminated properties out of harms' way," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "It will also allow us to remove the contamination from the area to reduce any future risk to people or the environment. I encourage the public to give us input on the suggested plan."
In its plan, the E.P.A. is proposing to buy 6 residential properties that are privately owned, permanently relocate affected residents, demolish the homes and excavate the contaminated soil. 2 of the properties have the same owner. 3 other properties, which are owned by the City of Lockport and are vacant and contain no buildings, will also be cleaned up. In addition, the E.P.A. is proposing to demolish the remaining building at the former Flintkote Plant located at 300 Mill Street. This will allow the E.P.A. to sample soil under the building to determine if it is contaminated.
The E.P.A. will hold a public meeting on August 13, 2013 to explain the suggested project and take public comments. The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm at the 4-H Training Center at the Niagara Co. Fairgrounds, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport, New York. Comments will be accepted until August 26, 2013.
Eighteen Mile Creek has a long history of industrial use dating back to the 1800's when it was used as a source of power. The headwaters of the creek consist of an east and west branch which begin immediately north of the New York State Barge Canal in Lockport, NY. The creek flows north for approximately 15 miles and discharges into Lake Ontario in Olcott, NY. The location was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List in March 2012. Investigations at the location have revealed that sediments, soil and ground water in and around the creek and nearby properties are contaminated with a combination of pollutants, including PCBs, lead and chromium.
The contaminated residential properties, along with the remaining building at the former Flintkote Plant, encompass an area of approximately 2.25 acres along Water Street. These properties are adjacent to the creek and sometimes flood. They were contaminated by fill and may be further contaminated by periodic flooding of the creek. The permanent relocation of these residents and future excavation of the contaminated materials from these properties is necessary to protect human health and the environment and would eliminate human exposure to hazardous substances.
E.P.A. held a public meeting in early June this year and outlined the 3 phases of cleanup at this site. The EPA's suggested cleanup project released today addresses the 1st phase. The 2nd phase will address contaminated creek sediments and soil at several industrial and commercial properties in the creek corridor. The 3rd phase will address contaminated sediment in the creek from Lockport to its discharge to Lake Ontario.
The E.P.A. is taking comments from the public on its suggested project and is collecting information they may have about potential responsible polluters. The Superfund plan operates on the principle that polluters pay for the cleanup rather than passing the cost to taxpayers. E.P.A. continues to search for parties responsible for the contamination and hold them accountable for the costs of investigations and cleanups.
The suggested project and more information about the location is accessible online at
http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/18milecreek/.
It will also be placed in the Lockport New York Public Library, 23 East Avenue, Lockport, New York 14094.
Written comments, postmarked by August 26, 2013, may be mailed to:
Thomas Taccone, Remedial Plan Manager
U. S. E.P.A., Region two
290 Broadway, 20
th Floor
New York, New York 10007-1866
Review may also be emailed to
[email protected].
Follow EPA, Region two on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/eparegion2 or on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2
