Environment DEC
From the March 2005 issue
Governor Announces Brownfields Grant for Fulton County
Governor George E. Pataki announced a $185,000 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grant to the City of Johnstown for the investigation of environmental contamination at the former Karg Brothers Tannery and additional off-site brownfields in Johnstown, Fulton County. Brownfields are abandoned or underused properties whose redevelopment and reuse is hindered by known or potential environmental contamination.
"New York is leading the nation in environmental protection and our new and improved Brownfields Program is making great strides in cleaning up abandoned properties and turning them into community assets," Governor Pataki said. "With this funding, the City of Johnstown can work toward reuse of the property and help to make this former economic powerhouse a productive and beneficial addition to the local economy."
Renewal Aids Economy
After cleanup, this site will be safe
for reuse
The City of Johnstown acquired the property, located at 6-20 East Fulton Street, in 1997 and plans to redevelop the site for commercial and/or light industrial use. The grant will allow Johnstown to investigate the tannery and adjacent properties, including 2 abandoned gas stations to the west and 13 residences to the north.
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said, "The rich leather-tanning history of Fulton County helped to make the area a world leader in the industry. Unfortunately, many of these facilities have been closed in recent decades, and the potential for environmental contamination hinders property redevelopment, leaving these once booming properties abandoned. Thanks to the efforts of Governor Pataki, we have now awarded over $1 million for the investigation and cleanup of former tannery sites in Fulton County alone, renewing these properties' environmental health and creating new business opportunities."
Actions and Plans
In 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performed a Comprehensive Environmental Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) that resulted in the removal of all containerized wastes, residues, and liquids along with the decontamination and demolition of contaminated building structures at this site. An EPA site assessment revealed metals contamination in the sediments of the nearby Cayadutta Creek, groundwater, and site soils, as well as in nearby residences.
This grant will fund an investigation that will include on-site and off-site surface and subsurface soil sampling, sediment sampling, and groundwater investigation. Based on the investigation results, a determination will be made on the remediation activities necessary to make the site safe for reuse.
The 1996 billion Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act included $200 million for Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) grants to municipalities for costs associated with the investigation and cleanup of brownfields. Because of legislation signed in 2003, ERP grants now provide up to 90 percent of these eligible costs. The City of Johnstown qualifies for state assistance through the ERP because it is not responsible for having caused the contamination at the former tannery and other sites.
