Pan American Tannery

Proposed Intermediate Remedial Measures Work Plan

INTRODUCTION

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), in cooperation with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and the City of Gloversville (City), is pleased to announce the availability of a proposed Interim Remedial Measures Work Plan (IRM Work Plan) for the Pan American Tannery site located at 312 West Fulton Street in the City of Gloversville, Fulton County, New York.

The IRM Work Plan outlines the City's plans to ready the site for a detailed environmental remedial (cleanup) investigation the City intends to complete as part of New York State's Environmental Restoration Program (ERP). The poor condition of the main tannery building is preventing the City from completing the remedial investigation activity. The City proposes demolition of the main tannery building and other related IRM activities to allow for the complete remedial investigation. The findings of the remedial investigation could then be used to develop a plan of action for remediation of the Pan American Tannery site. NYSDEC is providing this fact sheet to explain highlights of the planned IRM and how to get more information. The Interim Remedial Measures Work Plan (IRM Work Plan) was submitted by the City of Gloversville and is available for public review at the document repository identified in this fact sheet.

BACKGROUND

The site, an abandoned tannery complex, is located on the north side of West Fulton Street in the City of Gloversville, Fulton County, New York, mainly in a residential area with some commercial use. The site is approximately 4.8 acres of land and is identified on the City of Gloversville tax maps as being within the parcel with Section 148.08, Block 2, Lot 17.5. A copy of a portion of the City of Gloversville tax map showing the site and surrounding areas is attached. There has been no previous investigations or remedial activities performed at the Pan American Tannery prior to the City's involvement with the ERP.

HIGHLIGHTS

Demolish the Main Tannery Building No. 1;
Clean and close petroleum storage tanks;
Install chain-link fencing to secure the site;
Remove and dispose waste materials from the Main Tannery Building No. 1;
Evaluate building materials for disposal;
Design and implement asbestos abatement;
Dispose residual bulk tanning materials and wastes in the Main Tannery Building No. 1;
Remove and dispose polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) laden transformers;
Clean the floor drains and trenches in the Main Tannery Building No. 1; and
Clean the waste water treatment plant.

The City of Gloversville will complete the work proposed in the IRM Work Plan with oversight by NYSDEC and the NYSDOH. The work proposed in the IRM is expected to begin in early Spring 2006 and may take two to three months to complete.

NEXT STEPS

The City of Gloversville will prepare technical plans and specifications for publicly bidding the IRM, and will then authorize a Contractor to conduct the IRM. NYSDEC will keep the public informed during the IRM at the Pan American Tannery through mailings and, possibly, public meetings. NYSDEC will announce the time, date, and location of any public meetings by mail. The City of Gloversville, with guidance and input from the NYSDEC, has developed a Citizen Participation Plan for the Pan American Tannery site. This plan describes activities that will occur at different stages of the site investigation and cleanup process, including opportunities for public input. It also includes a glossary of terms and other useful information. The Citizen Participation Plan and other site related documents can be reviewed at the repositories listed below.

DOCUMENT REPOSITORIES

A local document repository has been established at the following location to help the public to review important project documents. These documents include the application to participate in the ERP accepted by NYSDEC, and the IRM Work Plan:

NYSDEC Regional Office
Route 86, P. O. Box 296
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Telephone: (518)897-1242
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:45 pm

City of Gloversville Clerk's Office
City Hall
3 Frontage Road
Gloversville, New York 12078-2897
Telephone: (518)773-4542
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Gloversville Public Library
58 E. Fulton Street
Gloversville, New York 12078
Telephone: (518)725-2819
Hours of Operation: Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm; Thursday and Friday 10am- 6pm; and Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
(Summer Hours for July through Labor Day Weekend, Tuesday thru Friday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm)

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions or would like more information regarding the project, please contact:

Alicia Thorne
Project Manager
NYSDEC - Region 5
1115 Route 86, P. O. Box 296
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Phone: (518)897-1242

For site related health questions, please contact the following New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) representative at:

Jacquelyn Nealon
Technical Lead
NYSDOH - Div. of Environmental Health Investigation
547 River Street, Room 300
Troy, New York 12180
Phone: (518)402-7870

If you, or someone you know, would like to be added to the project mailing list, contact the NYSDEC project manager above. We encourage you to share the fact sheet with neighbors and tenants, and/or post the fact sheet in a prominent area of your building for others to see.

A printable form of this page can be reached using the link to the PDF document listed at the top of the page.