Eighteenmile Creek Corridor State Superfund Site

Site Number 932121

Fact Sheet - November 2006

Preliminary Environmental Investigation Completed

The brick in the foreground marks a soil sampling location
along the creek. The Flintkote plant sits in the background.

During the fall of 2005, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) completed the first phase of an environmental investigation of the Eighteenmile Creek Corridor Site. The investigation, called a Remedial Investigation (RI), was conducted to better define the type and location of sediment contamination in Eighteenmile Creek and the millrace area, so that appropriate cleanup methods can be determined. The investigation was completed through New York State's Superfund Program, an initiative created to oversee the identification, investigation, and cleanup of sites where significant amounts of hazardous waste may exist. This fact sheet is being provided to announce the completion of the Remedial Investigation Report and summarize its findings, to describe the next step in the investigation process, and to explain how more information about the project can be obtained.

Site Background

The Eighteenmile Creek Corridor site is located between the New York State Barge Canal and Harwood Street in the City of Lockport, Niagara County. The site consists of approximately 4,000 linear feet of the creek, and includes the millrace adjacent to the Former Flintkote Plant Site. Eighteenmile Creek originates south of the canal in Lockport, New York and flows under the canal near Mill Street. While operating, the New York State Barge Canal discharges approximately 50 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water into the East and West Branches of the creek. This water forms a significant portion of the creek's flow, especially during periods of dry weather. The East and West Branches of the creek merge at Clinton Street. In consultation with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and Niagara County Health Department (NCHD), DEC conducted three separate sampling events of Eighteenmile Creek and properties along Water Street during 2002. Sampling results were presented in two DEC publications entitled: (1) "Sampling Report, Former Flintkote Plant Site, 143 Water Street, City of Lockport, Niagara County, New York", June 2002 and (2) "Sampling Report, Water Street Properties, City of Lockport, Niagara County, New York", March 2003. To further evaluate the extent of PCB and metals contamination, the reports recommended the collection of additional surface soil samples from residential properties along Water Street, as well as the collection of sediment samples from Eighteenmile Creek and the millrace. These recommendations led to the completion of the Remedial Investigation in 2005.

Purpose of the Remedial Investigation (RI)

The RI was conducted with the following objectives:

to better define the type and location of sediment contamination in Eighteenmile Creek and the millrace for the purpose of evaluating clean-up methods;
to further evaluate the impact of creek flooding on residential properties along Water Street; and
to evaluate potential sources of contaminants to the creek. (These source areas being studied include the Former Flintkote Plant Site, the White Transportation property, the former United Paperboard Company property, Upson Park and the New York State Barge Canal.)

The objectives of the Remedial Investigation were evaluated through the analysis of waste, surface soil and sediment samples obtained from Water Street properties, Eighteenmile Creek, the New York State Barge Canal and other properties along the creek between the canal and the Former Flintkote Plant Site.

Results of the Remedial Investigation (RI)

The Remedial Investigation of the Eighteenmile Creek Corridor Site documented the presence of:

elevated concentrations of PCBs and metals (i.e., arsenic, chromium, copper, lead and zinc) in the sediment of Eighteenmile Creek and the millrace adjacent to the Former Flintkote Plant Site;
elevated concentrations of metals (i.e., arsenic, chromium, copper, lead and zinc) in soil and fill at the residential properties along Water Street; and
contaminated sediment in the New York State Barge Canal immediately upstream of Eighteenmile Creek, and contaminated fill at Upson Park, the White Transportation property, the former United Paperboard Company property and the Former Flintkote Plant Site source areas.

The concentrations of PCBs, arsenic, chromium, copper, lead and zinc detected at the source areas suggest that these properties have the potential to negatively impact Eighteenmile Creek. However, the RI did not fully investigate these potential source areas, nor did it quantify the volume of contaminated sediment requiring remediation. In addition, it was found that deeper sediment investigation is needed in the creek between the canal and Clinton Street dam, as well as in the depositional area on the east side of the mill pond south of the dam. These data gaps need to be addressed before a Feasibility Study (FS) can be prepared for the Site. The FS will develop and evaluate the clean-up methods that can be used on the project to address the contamination in the creek area.

What is the Next Step?

A Supplemental Remedial Investigation has begun to fill in the data gaps identified during the RI. Supplemental RI activities are expected to be completed during the spring of 2007, and will include:

conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments at source areas to help locate potential sampling locations and possibly identify the source(s) of the fill materials found there;
determining the creek's sediment thickness;
collecting sediment samples from areas not previously sampled (e.g., the center of the creek); and
completing a Feasibility Study that evaluates clean-up methods for Eighteenmile Creek and the residential properties.

Fact sheets, similar to this one, will be sent to keep you updated on the project's progress.

Locations to View Project Related Documents

Public understanding and involvement in this project are valued and appreciated. Project-related documents are available for your review at the following locations:

Lockport Public Library
23 East Avenue
Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 823-1854

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-7220
(Please call for an appointment.)

Who Should I Contact if I Have Questions About the Site?

Questions regarding the investigation of this site are welcome. Should you have any questions, please contact the following representatives:

Site-Related Environmental Questions
Mr. Glenn May, Project Manager
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-7220

Site-Related Health Questions
Mr. Matthew Forcucci, Public Health Specialist
NYS Department of Health
584 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 847-4385