For Release: Tuesday, December 12, 2006
DEC Announces Brownfield Grants for Orange County
$827,000 for Cleanup of Contaminated Sites in the City of Newburgh and Town of Chester
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced $827,000 in Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) grants for the investigation of potential environmental contamination at three sites in Orange County. The grants are being funded through the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.
"These announcements exemplify the important connection between environmental health and economic growth, two of Governor Pataki's highest priorities," said Commissioner Sheehan. "Municipalities are valuable partners in the State's Environmental Restoration Program, which allows localities to investigate and clean up contamination from underused properties with the goal of redeveloping and restoring community assets to their fullest potential."
"I'm proud that these grants will help Orange County, the City of Newburgh, and the Town of Chester in their efforts to revitalize and redevelop these critical properties and create a cleaner environment and healthier future."
As a result of historic legislation signed by Governor George E. Pataki in October 2003 to refinance and reform the State's Superfund and Brownfield programs, the grants announced today provide up to 90 percent of the eligible cost of the investigation. The municipalities are eligible for State assistance through the ERP because they are not responsible for the contamination.
The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, proposed by Governor Pataki and approved by voters in November 1996, authorizes $1.75 billion for important environmental programs. The Bond Act included $200 million for ERP grants to municipalities for costs associated with the investigation and cleanup of brownfields.
"I'm pleased that Governor Pataki's continued commitment to restoring and cleaning up these State properties has afforded Orange County this opportunity," said Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun (R,C-Blooming Grove). "I look forward to working with the State in this valuable partnership and the revitalization efforts for the overall benefit of the State and or local economy."
Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) said, "I am very pleased by this announcement from Governor Pataki. The City of Newburgh and the Town of Chester will benefit greatly as a result of these critical environmental grants. The timely cleanup of the identified brownfields in these areas will produce environmental and economic benefits for everyone. It will bring eyesores in our local neighborhoods back to life, increase the value of surrounding properties, and protect public health."
To date, more than $136 million in Bond Act funding has been committed for 213 investigation and cleanup projects at brownfield sites throughout New York State. This funding includes 178 investigation projects totaling more than $65.4 million and 35 remediation projects totaling more than $71 million. Other applications are under review by DEC and additional grants are anticipated in the near future. Brownfields are abandoned or underused properties where real or perceived environmental contamination hinders the potential for redevelopment.
The three ERP grants announced today for Orange County include:
$289,850 to the City of Newburgh, Orange County: For the investigation of environmental contamination at 350-352 Liberty Street.
The City of Newburgh will investigate the property that consists of a former gasoline station and corresponding underground and above-ground storage tanks. In 1954, the retail gasoline station received a permit for several underground storage tanks from the Newburgh Fire Department. Based on visual inspection of the site, the underground storage tanks were never removed. The business operated until the mid 1980's before being taken by the City for failure to pay taxes.
The investigation will include a ground penetrating radar survey, identification and removal of all underground storage tanks, soil sampling, a vapor intrusion survey, and the installation and monitoring of both on-and off-site monitoring wells. Following the investigation, a determination will be made on the remediation activities necessary to make the site safe for reuse. The City wishes to sell the property to a potential developer for development based on current zoning (residential, light industrial).
$223,150 to the City of Newburgh, Orange County: For the investigation of environmental contamination at 7-11 Johnes Street.
The City of Newburgh will investigate the property that is the location of a former dry cleaner. In 1954, the dry cleaning establishment received a permit for three underground storage tanks from the Newburgh Fire Department. The dry cleaner operated for 40 years. Three significantly deteriorated underground storage tanks and approximately 362 tons of material was removed from the site in August 2000 by the City of Newburgh. Initial screening of soil and groundwater indicated high levels of chemicals associated with dry cleaning, such as trichlorethane and other volatile compounds. The City of Newburgh acquired the property via a tax foreclosure in March 1998.
The investigation will include a ground penetrating radar survey, soil sampling, a vapor intrusion survey, and the installation and monitoring of both on-and off-site monitoring wells. Following the investigation, a determination will be made on the remediation activities necessary to make the site safe for reuse. The City wishes to sell the property to a potential developer for development based on the current zoning (light industrial).
$314,000 to Orange County: For the investigation of environmental contamination at the Glenmere Lake Property in the Town of Chester, Orange County.
Orange County will investigate the property located that consists of approximately 9.9 acres situated on the north end of Glenmere Lake. The site contains four abandoned, dilapidated buildings with a total square footage of approximately 20,000 square feet. In the 1940's, the site was part of a 1440-acre private estate and was later used as a resort and golf course, after which it was acquired for back-taxes by Orange County in 1978. The property has been abandoned since. Initial inspections of the site performed in the spring of 2006 have identified significant quantities of asbestos-containing building materials, much of which has fallen off the building onto the ground. Other items of potential concern include six underground petroleum storage tanks, and a number of 55-gallon drums. The investigation will determine to what extent the tanks and drums may have leaked, contaminating soil and/or groundwater. Evidence of automobile repair activities was also noted at the time of the inspection.
The investigation will begin with the demolition of the buildings at the site, to be performed as an interim remedial measure to allow further investigation to be performed in a safe manner. The underground storage tanks and any contaminated soil encountered around the tanks will be excavated and properly disposed of as an interim remedial measure. The investigation will also include the installation of several soil borings, test pits, and groundwater monitoring wells to determine if contamination is present in the subsurface and the extent of any contamination found. Following the investigation, a determination will be made if further remedial activities beyond those interim remedial activities discussed above will be necessary to make the site safe for reuse. Orange County currently plans on redeveloping the site for public recreation.
