For Release: Thursday, December 28, 2006
DEC Announces Brownfield Grants for Lewis, Herkimer, and Jefferson Counties
$912,000 for Cleanup of Contaminated Sites in Town of Leyden, Village of Dolgeville, and City of Watertown
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced $912,000 in Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) grants for the investigation of potential environmental contamination at sites in Lewis County, Herkimer County, and Jefferson County. The grants are being funded through the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.
"Today's new grant announcements again signify Governor Pataki's strong commitment to environmental health and to the revitalization of communities across the State," said Commissioner Sheehan. "Key partnerships between municipalities and DEC's Environmental Restoration Program are essential to the development plans and to restoring communities to their fullest potential through these program goals."
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 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.
To date, more than $137.7 million in Bond Act funding has been committed for 216 investigation and cleanup projects at brownfield sites throughout New York State. This funding includes 181 investigation projects totaling more than $66.7 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 ERP grants announced today include:
$146,900 to the Town of Leyden, Lewis County: For the investigation of environmental contamination at the former Gas Station site in the Village of Port Leyden, Lewis County, located at the intersection of Mechanic Street and North Street in Port Leyden.
The Town of Leyden owns the property and plans to make the property available for commercial development to create jobs and expand the local tax base. The property to be investigated is approximately ½ acre in size containing an abandoned gasoline/service station. Historical operations at the site which may have contributed to its contamination include the former use as a gasoline filling station and vehicle repair shop with associated underground storage tanks.
The investigation will include geophysical survey work to confirm the location of underground storage tanks, fuel lines, and to identify utilities and drains. The project will also include an inspection of the property and the existing buildings, groundwater sampling wells, and environmental sampling. Once the investigation is complete, a determination will be made on the remediation activities necessary to make the site safe for reuse.
$203,900 to the Village of Dolgeville, Herkimer County: For the investigation of environmental contamination at the former Citgo Gas Station located at the corner of North Main Street and State Street.
The property to be investigated consists of a 0.14 acre parcel that once was a gas station and service garage. All above-ground structures have been removed, however at least five underground storage tanks are known to remain. The garage contained several car lifts and a mechanic's pit which are likely sources of contamination. Groundwater and soil contamination has been documented on site and are related to the past petroleum distribution operations.
The investigation will include the removal of tanks and impacted soils. Soil sampling, groundwater sampling and an evaluation of surrounding properties will be conducted. Confirmation sampling will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the removal activities. Any remaining contamination will be evaluated in the alternative analysis report. The Village intends to return the site to commercial use.
$561,200 to the City of Watertown, Jefferson County: For the investigation of environmental contamination at the Sewall's Island site located at 400 Pearl Street.
The City of Watertown currently owns a portion of the property and is in the process of obtaining title to the remaining portion. Future plans for the property include incorporation into the City's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for uses such as fishing, kayaking and rafting, and public access points to the Black River.
The site is approximately 15 acres in size and is comprised of multiple parcels including two parcels on Huntington Street to the south of Sewall's Island, four parcels on Water Street north of the island, and five parcels located on Sewall's Island itself. The property to be investigated on Sewall's Island was used for industrial purposes from the mid-1800s until late 1990 and is most recently noted for the operation of the Bagley & Sewall Company, which was a division of the Black Clawson Company, maker of paper manufacturing machines. Historical operations at the site which may have contributed to its contamination include iron, steel, and brass casting; pulp grinding, machining, painting, sanding and paper milling.
The investigation will include geophysical survey work to confirm the location of any underground storage tanks, fuel lines, or metallic objects. Also included will be the completion of test pits, soil borings, concrete slab and debris removal, installing groundwater sampling wells, and performing environmental sampling. Once the investigation is complete, a determination will be made on the remediation activities necessary to ensure the site is safe for reuse.
