Spaulding Composites Operable Units 5 and 6
Site Numbers E915050 and 915050
Fact Sheet - February 2011
DEC Announces Public Meeting on Proposal to Take No Further Action at Spaulding Fibre Site
Introduction
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the New York State Department of Health (DOH), Erie County, and the City of Tonawanda invite you to attend a public meeting about Operable Units 5 (OU5) and 6 (OU6) of the Spaulding Fibre Site, located at 310 Wheeler Street in the City of Tonawanda. Operable Units are portions of a site that for technical reasons can be cleaned up or addressed separately. OU5 is the former parking lot east of Wheeler Street, while OU6 was the main plant manufacturing area. Industrial production and waste disposal contaminated both operable units.
The public meeting will be held on Thursday March 10, 2011 at 7 PM at Tonawanda City Hall (200 Niagara Street, Tonawanda). At the meeting, DEC representatives will describe the Interim Remedial Measures (IRM) that were completed, discuss a proposal to take "no further action" at OU5 and "no further action with site management" at OU6, and be available to answer questions from the public.
The proposal is described in a document called the "Proposed Remedial Action Plan" (PRAP), which is available for your review at the locations listed in this fact sheet and on the DEC website. Public comments on the PRAP will be accepted for 45 days, from February 9 - March 25, 2011. You may address written comments to the DEC project manager listed on the opposite page.
What Does the Proposed Cleanup Plan Involve?
Contaminated soil and fill were removed from both operable units between August 2009 and November 2010. Excavated material was transported off-site to a landfill for proper disposal. Because the cleanup actions at OU5 achieved residential cleanup levels, "no further action" is required. The cleanup actions at OU6 achieved restricted residential cleanup levels. Restricted residential means that apartment buildings and condominiums may be developed at the site, but private homes and vegetable gardens are prohibited. Site management includes use restrictions and periodic certification that the use is consistent with those restrictions. The proposed future use of both operable units is commercial.
What Comes Next?
Written comments received during the comment period will be considered as the plan for OU5 and OU6 of the Spaulding Fibre Site is finalized. The final plan will be issued in a document called the Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD will describe the plan selected and why it was chosen. DEC will respond to the comments it received about the PRAP in a responsiveness summary included in the ROD. The ROD will be made available to the public.
Site Background
The 46 acre Spaulding Fibre Site is currently inactive and is zoned for commercial use. The site is bounded by Dodge and Enterprise Avenues and residential properties to the north, a mix of commercial and residential properties to the east, Hackett Drive and commercial properties to the south, and Hinds Street and a mix of commercial and residential properties to the west. The topography of the site and the surrounding area is relatively flat, with most surface water runoff toward on-site drainage ditches and storm sewers. The Niagara River is located approximately one mile to the north, while Two Mile Creek is located approximately one mile to the west.
Spaulding began operations as a manufacturer of vulcanized fiber, an early "plastic" made by treating paper with a zinc chloride solution. The paper used to produce vulcanized fiber was also manufactured at the site. During the late 1940s to early 1950s, the plant began production of composite laminates (fused layers of materials that are manufactured to provide a wide range of engineering properties - such as stiffness - not present in the original materials). They are used in a broad variety of everyday household and industrial products, such as counter tops, pergo flooring, and components of automobile or airplane doors and bodies. The resins used to make these laminates were also produced at the facility. In the fall of 1992, Spaulding ceased manufacturing operations at the site and began decommissioning the plant. Most decommissioning activities were completed from September 1992 to February 1993 with the remaining decommissioning activities completed by mid 1995.
Environmental investigations at OUs 5 and 6 included extensive soil and groundwater analysis. Results of the investigations indicated that contaminant levels exceeded New York State standards for protection of health and the environment. As a result, Erie County and the City of Tonawanda completed the Interim Remedial Measures to address site contamination. Results of the investigation and IRMs were published in several reports that are available at the locations listed below.
Who Should I call If I Have Questions About The Site?
Environmental Information
Glenn May
NYSDEC Region 9 Office
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
716-851-7220
Health-Related Information
Matthew Forcucci
NYSDOH, Buffalo Office
584 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-847-4501
Locations To View Project Documents
DEC Region 9 Office
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-7220
City of Tonawanda Public Library
333 Main Street
Tonawanda, NY 14150
(716) 693-5043
Project documents are also available in PDF format by clicking the links in the right column.
