Buffalo Color Brownfield Cleanup Program Site
Site Numbers C915230, C915231, C915232
Fact Sheet - May 2009
Demolition and Cleanup Activities to Begin at Buffalo Color Site
Introduction
Aerial map of Buffalo Color Site
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is pleased to inform you that cleanup activities at the Buffalo Color Site located at 1337 South Park Avenue, 229 Elk Street and 85 Lee Street in Buffalo are expected to begin in Spring 2009. Cleanup work at the site will be performed by South Buffalo Development Corporation (SBD) as a participant in New York State's Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP). The BCP provides incentives to private companies and current or potential site owners to cleanup and redevelop brownfields. Brownfields are typically former industrial properties that have been impacted by contamination.
This fact sheet has been prepared to explain why cleanup of the site is necessary, what the upcoming cleanup work will involve, and how you can obtain more information.
Site Background
Large storage tanks at Buffalo Color Site
The Buffalo Color Site occupies approximately 42 acres of land adjacent to the Buffalo River. The area surrounding the site is currently zoned for heavy industry. For over one hundred years, the Buffalo Color facility has been involved in the continuous production of dyestuffs and organic chemicals. Certain soils and groundwater at the Buffalo Color facility (including some areas that are being addressed separately outside of the Brownfield program) have been impacted.
In 2005, Honeywell, a potentially responsible party, conducted a cleanup effort called an Interim Corrective Measure (ICM). An ICM may be conducted relatively quickly to address an obvious problem impacting the environment and potentially threatening public health. The ICM included:
- Installing a groundwater extraction system in Area A to control the migration of groundwater to the Buffalo River;
- Controlling the discharge location of groundwater in Areas B, C and E using the existing sewer system
- Repairing a breach in the sewer sheet pile in Area E for proper water drainage at the site;
- Performing stream bank erosion control in Area A; and
- Properly disposing all hazardous materials generated during cleanup at an off-site permitted facility.
Above ground storage tank inside Buffalo Color facility
Additionally, in 2006 Honeywell voluntarily removed over 1.5 million pounds of potentially hazardous chemicals abandoned at the facility by the bankrupt former operator, the Buffalo Color Corporation.
These measures addressed some, but not all, of the contamination associated with the site.
South Buffalo Development Corporation officially acquired the property early in 2009 and plans to remediate and redevelop the site for commercial or light industrial purposes. SBD developed a cleanup plan, called a Remedial Work Plan, and presented it at a public meeting in September 2008. After the public comment period on the plan concluded in October 2008, the plan was modified to reflect comments made by the public and review agencies.
Highlights of Upcoming Demolition and Cleanup Activities
Initial demolition activities at the site started in May 2009, with more extensive demolition work to follow thereafter. Real time air monitoring for the community will be performed and can be viewed on the web. A link to "Buffalo Color Air Monitoring" is provided in the column to the right.
The Remedial Work Plan states that the onsite soil and groundwater cleanup will involve:
Production facilities at Buffalo Color Site
- Excavating contaminated soil at the source area on Area E and properly disposing it, and installing a cover system over the excavation as well as on Areas A, B and C;
- Continuing operation of the Area A groundwater extraction system and installing a hydraulic barrier between the extraction system and the Buffalo River. Presently, the extraction system's groundwater wells are in close proximity to the Buffalo River. As a result, they are extracting both contaminated groundwater and non-impacted river water. The barrier wall will effectively increase the capture of contaminated groundwater;
- Monitoring and controlling the floating oil present in affected wells;
- Monitoring and controlling groundwater in Areas B, C and E and treating groundwater contamination with the appropriate remedial technologies (to be determined);
- Evaluating restoration of the riverbank along Area A; and
- Collecting additional data to enhance the remedy.
Next Steps
Because of the complexity of the project, cleanup will occur in phases and is expected to take a number of years. During 2009, the asbestos abatement, building demolition and remedial design work will continue. The remedy for the soil and groundwater will follow after the design and is planned to be completed by 2012. NYSDEC will continue to update you about significant project milestones through fact sheets similar to this one.
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
Ms. Linda Ross
Project Manager
NYSDEC
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-7220
Development Related Questions
Mr. Ron Chapin
Project Manager
South Buffalo Development
333 Ganson Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 856-3333 x319
Health Related Questions
Mr. Cameron O'Connor
Public Health Specialist
NYSDOH
584 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 847-4385
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
You may also view project documents on NYSDEC's Region 9 Environmental Remediation Project Information page. Look for the Buffalo Color entry under the Erie County heading.
