For Release: Friday, August 24, 2007
State Regulators Direct Niagara County Hazardous Waste Facility to Investigate and Control past Chemical and Radiological Contamination
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis has directed Chemical Waste Management (CWM) to conduct a series of tests at its facility in Porter, Niagara County.
These new requirements stem from public comments received during the CWM permit renewal process and are in response to concerns raised about the potential for chemical and radiological contamination at the site. CWM operates on land that was once part of the federal government's Lake Ontario Ordnance Works, where radioactive wastes were handled and stored during and following World War II. Although the federal government released this land for other uses, some residual radioactive contamination could remain, and it is this possibility that the stepped up testing is designed to address.
In consultation with the State Department of Health (DOH), updated testing and oversight plans were made a condition of the facility's renewed permit, which was issued in 2005. To comply with the permit, CWM has been developing the plans needed to implement the testing and submitted the materials to DEC. DEC has reviewed the materials and, in concurrence with DOH, approved CWM's plans. CWM is expected to begin implementing these plans immediately.
DEC implemented these measures for enhanced regulatory control over CWM's day-to-day activities with respect to any residual radioactive materials that may be encountered during operations at the site. DEC is directing CWM to periodically collect and analyze environmental samples for radioactive materials. CWM will also be required to take radiation measurements during any excavation project necessary for site maintenance. In addition, the company must utilize a radiation-detection device to measure ground-surface radiation levels to detect any elevated radiation levels. The approved plans include the measures that must be taken to provide worker safety, protect the environment and ensure any excavated soil that is found to be contaminated is properly handled.
Copies of the approved plans and the reports of all the required surveys are available at the Youngstown Free Library, 240 Lockport Street, Youngstown and Porter Town Hall, 3265 Creek Road, Youngstown.
