Pennsylvania and Fountain Avenue Landfills (State Superfund Program)
Sites #22402 and #22403
The combined size of the landfills exceeds 400 acres
Site Description
The Pennsylvania and Fountain Avenue Landfills, set along the edge of Jamaica Bay, have been remediated and closed under the New York State Superfund Program. The sites were operated by the New York City Department of Sanitation as landfills in the 1950s and 60s. The shoreline along Fresh Creek was saturated with oil that is contaminated with PCBs and heavy metals. This contamination leached into Jamaica Bay.
Cleanup
Remedial activities at the sites included capping, leachate and gas collection, and dredging of contaminated sediment. The landfills were capped with an impermeable membrane and covered by millions of tons of sand and topsoil brought in by barge. However, work at the property has not stopped there. Once construction of the caps were completed, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection began ecological restoration efforts, planting native tree, shrub and wildflower species. Eventually, seeds of these species will be spread to other habitats in the New York City area.
An American Kestrel visits the former landfills. Photo courtesy of Great Eastern Ecology.
Reuse
When the ecological restoration project is completed, the sites will be ceded to the National Park Service to become part of the Gateway National Park system.
Highlights
Methane produced from decomposition beneath the membrane will be used to generate electricity to operate the park facilities. Native plantings have already begun to attract wildlife to the area.
