Environment DEC
From the October 2004 issue
$8 Million Earmarked for Brownfields Projects
Governor George E. Pataki recently announced more than $8 million in Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) grants from the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act for six communities in New York State to investigate and clean up environmental contamination. ERP grants were awarded to the City of Poughkeepsie, the City of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency, the Syracuse Housing Authority and the City of New York.
"New York State has one of the most successful brownfields redevelopment programs in the nation and we're proud of the progress we've made in cleaning up contaminated properties and returning them to productive use," Governor Pataki said. "Across the state, brownfields offer tremendous opportunities to protect our precious open spaces and natural resources while promoting new economic development and job creation within our communities. These grants will provide local governments with the resources they need to reclaim and redevelop these properties for the benefit of the entire community."
One section of the General Cable
brownfields site in Rome, NY has
been successfully redeveloped into
the East Rome Business Park.
Historic Legislation
As a result of historic legislation passed last year to refinance and reform the state's Superfund and brownfield programs, the grants announced provide up to 90 percent of the eligible costs of investigation or cleanup. Grant recipients are responsible for the balance of the costs.
Governor Pataki signed legislation on October 7, 2003 which refinances the State Superfund Program; expands the scope of the State Superfund Program to include hazardous substances; creates a new State Brownfields Cleanup Program to encourage private investment through liability reform, tax incentives, and a predictable process for cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields; improves the municipal ERP to encourage even more municipal participation; creates a new brownfield opportunity areas program for community-based organizations and municipalities to address area-wide planning, and implements liability reform to the State Superfund Program and Oil Spill Program. The legislation also established a comprehensive package of tax credits to offset costs associated with real property taxes, site preparation, water treatment expenses, and property improvements for sites remediated under the Brownfields Cleanup Program.
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said, "With the Bond Act grants, these brownfields sites could one day become safe, clean, and beautiful focal points for each of the six communities. The funding that Governor Pataki has awarded today supports his commitment to environmental improvement, the creation of green spaces, and brownfield reuse and will help transform communities throughout New York State."
Grant Projects
The six grant recipients, amounts and project descriptions are as follows:
City of Poughkeepsie - $266,000
For the investigation of the PURA-14 Property, located on Pine Street, just south of Laurel Drive in the city of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County. The property consists of two parcels of land totaling 5.53 acres, where industrial manufacturers of plows, military shells and chemical fertilizers once operated. Some of the property's soils are contaminated with elevated levels of semi-volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. Investigation work will include sampling to further delineate the nature and extent of soil contamination at the site and also to determine potential groundwater contamination. Upon successful remediation of the site, construction of a 60 thousand-square-foot office building and parking lot will begin.
City of Ogdensburg - $168,750
For the investigation of the Former Diamond International paper mill site located on Pearl Street in the City of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County. This property consists of the demolition remains of a former paper mill. The site includes a former wastewater treatment plant and several areas where petroleum products have been identified including underground storage tanks and paper mill process vaults that may contain paper-making chemicals abandoned when the plant closed. The city intends to use the site for public outdoor recreation and tourism related activities such as a recreational vehicle park, boat slips, a scuba diving center and a nautical museum.
St. Lawrence County - $180,000
For the investigation of the former Jones and Laughlin Iron Ore Processing facility, located at the intersection of NYS Route 3 and County Route 60 in the Town of Clifton. The property consists of a 54-acre iron ore processing facility that, during its operating life, consumed approximately 7 thousand gallons of No. 2 fuel oil on a day to fire its sintering furnaces. In addition to fuel oil, other environmental concerns include PCB contaminated soil in the former transformer yard, abandoned mercury switches in one of the processing buildings, and asbestos that was disposed within the foundations of the plant buildings. The county intends to initiate foreclosure proceedings against its tax lien on the property in the near future and is interested in redeveloping the property as a business and light industrial park.
The Oneida County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) - $324,000
For an investigation of the former Rome Cable site located on Ridge Street in the City of Rome, Oneida County. The property consists of Building Complex No. 1 and No. 3 of the former Rome Cable Corporation. Fuel tanks, pits, drums of waste and other petroleum and hazardous substances may remain on the site and will require evaluation. The investigation will include an evaluation of the nature and extent of contamination found in subsurface structures, surface and subsurface soils, and groundwater. OCIDA is in the process of acquiring the site due to bankruptcy and plans to use it for industrial purposes in the wire-making industry.
Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA) - $475,000
For the investigation of the McKinney property, located at 1226 McBride Street in Syracuse, Onondaga County. The property is approximately one half acre and was previously used for a scrap metal business. The investigation will include gathering additional site data to confirm contaminants of concern, developing objectives for remedial action, and identifying removal alternatives. SHA plans to take title of the property and use it for a surface parking lot that will support local businesses and SHA staff.
Barretto Point brownfield
located in the Bronx
City of New York - $6,616,830
For the remediation of the Barretto Point site, located at Viele Avenue and Manida Street in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx, Bronx County. The property to be remediated consists of a 13-acre, city-owned waterfront parcel that was developed primarily for various industrial purposes in the 1950s. Remediation will include excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil; installation of a two-foot soil cover; groundwater extraction and treatment, and institutional controls. Upon completion of the remedial action, a public waterfront park will be created on the five-acre northwestern portion of the site, and the remainder of the site is intended for use as an area for the upgrade of the Hunts Point Water Pollution Control Plant (HPWPCP).
