Emerson Power Transmission Environmental Investigation
Background
The Emerson Power Transmission (EPT) facility, located off Route 96B in the City of Ithaca, has operated since the early 1900s and currently is a manufacturer of steel roller chain. This process includes metal stamping, heat treating, oil quenching, parts washing, and final product assembly. Waste solvents, which were used to clean equipment at various locations within the plant, and waste oil were generated from this operation.
An environmental investigation in and around the facility began in the late 1980s. Groundwater was found to contain various organic compounds including trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene, compounds commonly found in cleaning solvents. In the 1990s, EPT began extracting groundwater and treating it before discharging it to City storm sewers that discharge to a tributary of Cayuga Inlet. Approximately 1,440 cubic yards of petroleum-contaminated soil was excavated and disposed of at High Acres Landfill in Fairport, New York. In 1991, the NYSDOH conducted indoor air sampling at several area residences and found that three of the ten homes tested, those closest to EPT, may have been slightly impacted by site-related compounds. Subsequent sampling for soil gas between EPT and these residences was attempted but could not be accomplished because of high groundwater. This sampling was completed in 2004 and results indicate the need for additional sampling near EPT and inside nearby properties.
The proposed ROD amendment issued in February 2009, includes an upgrade of the existing extraction system to provide more effective hydraulic control of the groundwater plume and to enhance removal of the contaminant mass. This would be combined with in situ treatment of the plume. Additional provisions of the proposed ROD amendment include the removal of weathered petroleum product, the implementation of mitigative measures to address soil vapor intrusion into the plant buildings, and the evaluation of remedial alternatives to control and/or mitigate the migration of soil vapor into the surrounding neighborhood.
A public comment period was held between February 19, 2009 and March 20, 2009 to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed amendment. A public meeting was held on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the Ithaca Town Hall beginning at 7:00 PM. An availability session was also held from 2:30 to 4:30 PM on the same day to allow interested parties an opportunity to meet with State officials on an individual basis.
Fact Sheet - February 13, 2009 - ROD Amendment Proposed for the Morse Industrial Corporation Site
South Aurora Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, Site No. 755010
Public Meeting Invitation
Thursday, March 5, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM with Availability Session - 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Ithaca Town Hall
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health (NYSDEC and NYSDOH) will discuss the proposed ROD amendment for the Morse Industrial Corporation Site. At the meeting, representatives from the NYSDEC and NYSDOH will:
- Describe the results of the supplemental site investigation;
- Explain the proposed amendment;
- Answer your questions about the amendment;
- Receive your verbal or written comments about the amendment.
Public Comment Period
February 19, 2009 to March 20, 2009
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), working cooperatively with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), has proposed an amendment to the December 1994 Record of Decision (ROD) for the Morse Industrial Corporation Site in Ithaca, NY
The Proposed Action: Highlights of the proposed amendment include: upgrades to the existing groundwater extraction and treatment system combined with in situ (in place) treatment of groundwater; capping of contaminated soils; sealing/repair of cracks and penetrations in on-site buildings to address soil vapor intrusion; removal and off-site disposal of weathered petroleum product from several areas of concern; and completion of an alternatives analysis and selection of remedial actions to address the migration of soil vapor into the surrounding neighborhood. These actions are described in the site's proposed ROD amendment. The amendment was developed following a detailed investigation of the site. The amendment evaluates different options to clean up the site and presents the alternatives preferred by the NYSDEC and NYSDOH.
Your Opportunities to Comment on the Proposed Amendment: Release of the proposed amendment begins a process to finalize selection of additional remedial actions for the site. Your comment and input are important and encouraged.
Your oral and written comments about the proposed amendment are welcome at the public meeting and during a public comment period which runs until March 20, 2009. Written comments also may be mailed until the end of the comment period to:
Gregg A. Townsend, PE
Regional Hazardous Waste Remediation Engineer
NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Division of Environmental Remediation
615 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13204-2400
Phone: (315) 426-7551
What Happens Next: All comments received during the public comment period will be considered as the ROD amendment for the Morse Industrial Corporation Site is finalized. Public input will be factored into the final ROD amendment which will describe the remedial actions selected and why they were chosen. NYSDEC will respond to comments in a Responsiveness Summary included in the final ROD amendment.
Site History
The Morse Industrial Corporation Site occupies 110 acres along the west side of South Aurora Street/Danby Road (Route 96B) in the South Hill section of the Town of Ithaca in Tompkins County. The original building was constructed in 1906 for the manufacture of steel roller chain for the automobile industry. From approximately 1928 to 1983 the property was owned by Borg Warner Corporation, which manufactured automotive components and power transmission equipment. In 1983, the facility was purchased by Emerson Electric Company, and in the late 1980s it became known as Emerson Power Transmission (EPT). EPT currently manufactures industrial roller chain, bearings and clutching for the power transmission industry.
During Borg Warner's ownership, the solvent trichloroethene (TCE) was utilized for cleaning and degreasing metal parts. Spent solvents were apparently flushed into the plant's sanitary sewer system and were also discharged to the facility's fire water reservoir.
Site Investigation
Beginning in the late 1980s, numerous investigations were conducted by EPT to characterize the nature and extent of contamination on and around the plant. The primary contaminants of concern identified were chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including TCE, perchloroethene (PCE) and their degradation products. The most adverse impacts have been to groundwater and soil vapor.
Interim Remedial Measures
An interim remedial measure (IRM) is conducted at a site when a source of contamination or exposure pathway can be effectively addressed before a ROD (or ROD amendment) is issued. In this instance, the upgrades to the existing groundwater extraction and treatment system were completed in the fall of 2008. In addition, mitigation measures will be implemented in the on-site buildings this winter to address potential human exposures (via inhalation) to volatile organic compounds associated with soil vapor intrusion.
Summary of Proposed ROD Amendment
The proposed ROD amendment identifies the additional remedial actions preferred by the NYSDEC and NYSDOH to remediate the VOC contamination present in soil, groundwater and soil vapor. The proposed actions were chosen following a detailed investigation of the site and an evaluation of alternatives for remediating the contamination. The elements of the proposed ROD amendment include:
- upgrades to the existing groundwater extraction and treatment system combined with in situ treatment of groundwater;
- capping of contaminated soils;
- sealing/repair of cracks and penetrations in on-site buildings to address soil vapor intrusion;
- removal and off-site disposal of free product from several areas of concern; and
- completion of an alternatives analysis and selection of remedial actions to address the migration of soil vapor into the surrounding neighborhood.
Implementation of these proposed additional remedial actions is protective of public health.
Costs and Funding for the Site Remedy
The total present worth to construct and implement the proposed remedial actions is estimated at $3.5M, excluding the actions to be selected to address off-site soil vapor migration. EPT and Borg Warner are responsible for these costs.
Health Issues
Health-related concerns include direct contact with contaminated soil or groundwater by construction or utility workers, and inhalation of contaminated vapors by plant personnel or off-site residents or building occupants as a result of soil vapor intrusion into on-site buildings and nearby structures.
Document Locations: To review the complete ROD amendment and other site information:
Tompkins County Public Library
101 East Green Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 272-4557
Hours: M-Th 10:00 AM - 8:15PM, F-Sa 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Su 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
NYSDEC Region 7
615 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13204-2400
Phone: (315) 426-7551
Hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
For More Information: Call or write the following staff for more information about:
Meeting/Comment Period/Technical Information:
Gregg A. Townsend, PE
Division of Environmental Remediation
NYSDEC Region 7
615 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13204-2400
Phone: (315) 426-7551
Health-Related Information:
Susan B. Shearer, PE
NYSDOH
547 River Street, Room 300
Troy, New York 12180-2216
Phone: (518) 402-7860 or toll free (800) 458-1158 ext. 27860
Citizen Participation:
Diane Carlton
Division of Public Affairs
NYSDEC Region 7
615 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13204-2400
Phone: (315) 426-7403
Reports and other information
The following information is available for download:
- Morse Industrial Corporation - Record of Decision Amendment June 2009 (37 pages, PDF, 701 KB)
- South Hill Update - June 2009 (2 Page PDF, 23 KB)
- Proposed Record of Decision Amendment Morse Industrial Corporation. February 2009 (14 pages PDF, 760 KB)
- The Supplemental Remedial Investigation Report, December 7, 2007. The report is available in five parts:
- Report text Pages 1-30 (30 Page PDF, 700 KB)
- Report text Pages 31-68 (38 Page PDF, 900 KB)
- Report text Pages 69-75 and Figures 1-8 (16 Page PDF, 900 KB)
- Figures 9-14 and Tables 1-2 (21 Page PDF, 1 MB)
- Tables 3-10 (27 Page PDF, 600 KB).
- South Hill Update - August 2008 (2 Page PDF, 25 KB)
- South Hill Update - April 2008 (2 Page PDF, 25 KB)
- Letter of April 25, 2006 from Environmental Strategies Consulting to New York State Department of Health (10 pages PDF, 1.082 KB)
- Letters of April 28, 2006 through May 18, 2006 from NYSDEC to Emerson Power Transmission (16 pages PDF, 457 KB)
- Letter of June 16, 2006 from Environmental Strategies Consulting to NYSDEC (44 pages PDF, 1.288 KB)
- Letters of June 16, 2006 to July 28, 2006 from Environmental Strategies to NYSDEC (7 pages PDF, 162 KB)
- Letters of May 27, 2005 to June 17, 2005 between Environmental Strategies Consulting and NYSDEC (15 pages PDF, 761 KB)
- Letters of October 12, 2005 to March 20, 2006 between NYSDEC and Environmental Strategies Consulting and Emerson Power Transmission (25 pages PDF, 589 KB)
- Geophysical Survey Investigation Report, Emerson Power Transmission Facility, Ithaca, NY (38 page PDF, 816 KB) and the associated Appendix A (32 page PDF, 791 KB).
For additional information: Copies of site-related documents are available for review at the Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca, NY.
