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Buffalo Color Brownfield Cleanup Program Site

Site Numbers C915230, C915231, C915232

Fact Sheet - January 2011

NYSDEC Certifies Cleanup at Buffalo Color Corp. Area C Site

Introduction

Aerial map of Former Buffalo Color Site

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is pleased to announce that remediation of the Buffalo Color Corp. (BCC) Area C Site in the City of Buffalo has been completed. Remediation refers to actions taken to eliminate, abate, or contain contamination that may be harmful to public health, welfare, or the environment. The remediation addressed elevated levels of soil and groundwater contaminants associated with past facility operations.

NYSDEC has issued a Certificate of Completion to the applicant regarding the site. A copy of the Notice of the Certification of Completion is available at the locations identified in this fact sheet.

Description of Completed Remedial Activities

The site remediation was accomplished by completing the following cleanup actions, which included:

  • Preparing two existing structures for post-remediation reuse and redevelopment;
  • Excavating soil impacted by specific contaminants, properly disposing the material, backfilling the excavation with clean fill, and adding an oxygen releasing bio-stimulant to the clean backfill to treat residual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in adjoining soil and groundwater;
  • Covering the site with an integrated cover system consisting of one foot of vegetated soil or gravel, and utilizing existing buildings and pavement for the balance of cover over the site; and
  • Developing a site management plan with institutional and engineering controls that will be implemented during redevelopment and reuse of the site. An institutional control is a legal or administrative restriction placed on the use of the site when residual contamination left after the cleanup action makes the site suitable for some but not all uses. An engineering control is a physical barrier or method to manage contamination, such as a soil cover system.

The remedial measures successfully addressed contamination and will serve as the final remedy for the site.

What Controls Are in Place to Ensure the Effectiveness of the Cleanup?

The site owner will be required to adhere to Institutional and Engineering Controls as stipulated in the Site Management Plan (SMP). The plan specifies that:

  • The site may be used for commercial and industrial purposes. Any residential use is prohibited;
  • Vapor intrusion from residual VOCs in the soil and groundwater must be evaluated for new and existing structures and if warranted, active vapor intrusion mitigation systems must be installed, operated, maintained and monitored until testing shows that it is no longer needed;
  • Procedures must be implemented according to an Excavation Work Plan to minimize human and ecological exposure if future work on the site requires the disturbance of the remaining impacted soil;
  • Long-term groundwater monitoring is required to monitor the effectiveness of the remediation measures; and
  • A site-wide inspection assuring that the Institutional and Engineering controls have not been altered and remain effective must be conducted in accordance with the SMP.

Next Steps

NYSDEC issued the Certificate of Completion based on review and approval of a Final Engineering Report submitted by the applicant. With the receipt of a Certificate of Completion the applicant:

  • Has no liability for contamination at or coming from the site, subject to certain conditions; and
  • Is eligible for tax credits to offset cleanup and redevelopment costs.

A Certificate of Completion may be modified or revoked if, for example, the applicant commits fraud regarding its application or its certification that it has met cleanup levels.

Site Background

The site is located in an industrial area of the City of Buffalo and is bounded by the former industrial BCC Area B to the south, an active railroad corridor to the west, Elk Street to the north and Lee Street to the east. Over the last 100 years, the Site has been used for chemical dye-stuff manufacturing purposes. Remediation at the site addressed intermediate dye-stuff chemicals (VOCs and SVOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals contamination. The completion of remedial activities at the site means that the owner may proceed with commercial and industrial development of the site.

Who Should I Call 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:

Environment Related Questions
Mr. Eugene Melnyk
NYSDEC
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-7220

Development Related Questions
Mr. John Yensan
South Buffalo Development
333 Ganson Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 856-3333 Ext. 302

Health Related Questions
Mr. Nathan Freeman
NYSDOH
547 River St., Rm. 300
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 402-7860

Locations to View Project Documents

Two locations have been established as document repositories to provide you with access to project information. Documents are available at:

NYSDEC Region 9 Office
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-7220

Dudley Branch Library
2010 South Park Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14220
(716) 823-1854