Bush Industries Environmental Restoration Program Site
Fact Sheet - January 2009
Record of Decision Announced for the Bush Industries Site in Village of Cattaraugus
Introduction
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is pleased to announce that the cleanup plan has been finalized for the Bush Industries Site in the Village of Cattaraugus.
Bush Industries site prior to cleanup
A public meeting was held on October 22, 2008 at the Cattaraugus Village Hall to discuss this final cleanup plan for the site. After seeking public comment, DEC finalized the cleanup plan in a document called a Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD also summarizes site investigations and responses to comments received from the public. The ROD and other documents related to the Bush Industries Site are available for your review at the locations listed on this fact sheet, and on the DEC's Region 9 Environmental Remediation Project Information page.
Cleanup work at the site was performed under New York State's Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) authorized by the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act. The ERP provides financial assistance to local governments for the cleanup of brownfield sites. A brownfield is currently unused or under-used property that may have been used for industrial purposes in the past, and no longer contributes to the tax base of a municipality. Brownfields may be, but are not necessarily, environmentally contaminated.
Site Background
Currently owned by the Village of Cattaraugus, the Bush Industries site is a 4.4 acre property that was formerly the location of the Setter Brothers/Bush Industries veneer manufacturing facility. The property was involved in commercial operations since the early 1900's and was once the location of the Standard Oil facility, an apple evaporator facility, and a gasoline service facility. A previous environmental cleanup action, called an Interim Remedial Measure (IRM), was performed in 2007 to remove approximately 3,400 tons of soil contaminated with petroleum and to demolish and properly dispose of asbestos-containing buildings and structures.
Description of Final Cleanup Activities
Excavation backfilled with clean soil
Based on the success of the IRM cleanup and the results of the site investigation, the DEC has determined that the final clean up plan requires the following actions beyond the IRM to return the site to productive use. The requirements for the future use of the site are:
- Depending on land use, installing a soil cover by the future site owner, to reduce dust and contact with surface soils (see paragraph below);
- Prohibiting the use of site groundwater for potable use; and
- Implementing a Site Management Plan and Environmental Easement which restricts the use of the site.
Since the IRM performed in 2007 cleaned up the soil to standards acceptable for industrial use, installation of a soil cover will not be necessary if the future use of the site is for industrial purposes. However, the ROD provides contingencies for commercial or restricted-residential reuse. If the future use of the site is for commercial purposes, a one-foot soil cover will be installed. If the use of the site is for restricted-residential purposes, a 2-foot soil cover will be installed. A "restricted-residential" designation means that townhouses or multi-dwelling housing complexes are allowed, but vegetable gardens and single family homes are prohibited.
Who Should I Call If I Have Questions About the Site?
Should you have any question about this project, please feel welcome to contact these representatives:
Project Questions
Mr. Dave Rivet
Cattaraugus County DPW
Jack Ellis Drive
8810 Route 242
Little Valley, NY 14755
(716) 938-9121
Environmental Questions
Ms. Linda Ross
Project Manager
NYSDEC
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-7220
Health Questions
Mr. Cameron O'Connor
Public Health Specialist
NYS Department of Health
584 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 847-4385
Locations to View Project Documents
Public interest and input in this project is valued and appreciated. To keep you informed, the Village of Cattaraugus and DEC have set up three locations at which you may view site-related project documents. These locations include:
Village of Cattaraugus Hall
14 Main Street
Cattaraugus, NY 14719
(716) 257-3661
Cattaraugus Free Library
23 Main Street
Cattaraugus, NY 14719
(716) 257-9500
(See reference desk)
NYSDEC Region 9 Office
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-7220
(Please call for appointment)
The ROD is also available on the DEC public website. Go to the Region 9 Environmental Remediation Project Information page and look for the Bush Industries entry under the Cattaraugus County listings.
