For Release: Friday, June 26, 2009
Utica Harbor Point Cleanup Moves Forward
State and City Officials Join Together to Showcase Progress
State and City of Utica officials today announced continued progress in the Utica Harbor Point remediation project. City of Utica Mayor David Roefaro was joined by New York State Department of Environmental Commissioner (DEC) Pete Grannis and New York State Canal Corporation Director Carmella Mantello and other representatives at a press conference held at Harbor Point today to highlight the clean up work that has begun and the potential for economic growth that will be achieved once completed.
The Canal Corporation recently began the remediation of the area adjacent to the Utica Harbor that was contaminated by past industrial uses and periodic navigational dredging of contaminated sediments. This phase of the dredge spoil cleanup is part of National Grid's Harbor Point Site Remediation Project which will help spur economic development in Utica when completed.
Utica Mayor David Roefaro said, "Today's announcement showcases the cooperative efforts the City of Utica has with the DEC, National Grid, the Canal and the Thruway Authority. When I ran for mayor, I promised Uticans that we would cooperate with these agencies again and foster real working relationships. Well, we're not only here to say, we're in this together, but I'm here to report on a promise made, and a promise kept. We've begun the long awaited cleanup of the Utica Harbor. For the past 40 years the city has talked about doing this. Well, right here, right now, the city stops talking. Today commemorates a new era for the City of Utica both economically and environmentally."
DEC Commissioner Grannis said, "This project provides a valuable opportunity to address contamination left behind by the past and enables the City of Utica to look towards the future. As cleanup work continues, DEC will be closely monitoring the progress to help ensure that environmental concerns are addressed so that this land can be restored for redevelopment and public enjoyment."
Canal Corporation Director Mantello said, "The Canal Corporation is pleased to work with the City of Utica and DEC to help move the remediation of the Utica Harbor forward. The Utica Harbor is centrally positioned on the historic New York State Canal System and has the potential to house multi-use development and transform the harbor into a world class tourism destination."
Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, "The Utica Harbor restoration project has been a remediation priority for several years. I'm pleased that the partners in this project: the DEC, the Canal Corporation, National Grid and the City of Utica can mark this day as one of significant accomplishment for this historic site. While more work is ahead, we should commend those entities for their cooperation in the good work one so far."
Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito said, "The start of this cleanup project is truly a milestone in the economic revitalization of Utica. I will continue the work I began more than 15 years ago as a member of The Harbor Point Task Force. Under Mayor Roefaro's leadership, we now have a timetable that will allow for coordination of the cleanup, and a transformation of this beautiful canal area into a multi-purpose destination."
Harbor Point is approximately 140 acres located between Utica Harbor and the Mohawk River. The area was developed for industrial purposes in the mid 1800's and has been the site of two manufactured gas plants (MGPs), a coal-fired steam plant, a petroleum storage and distribution facility and a tar products plant. In the 1920's, the Harbor Point peninsula was the location of the largest energy-producing complex in North America
After decades of industrial use, contamination has been left behind and National Grid is under an Order on Consent with the DEC for the investigation and cleanup of Harbor Point. Contaminants present in the dredge spoils include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of chemical contaminants associated with coal tar production that include naphthalene, anthracene and benzo-a-pyrene.
The Canal Corporation also owns land along the barge canal and is working with DEC as part of an agreement with National Grid to address contaminated sediments that had been dredged for navigation and disposed of on the shore.
DEC has issued a cleanup plan that requires remediation of the harbor and three dredged sediment disposal areas. Progress has already been made, with all three disposal areas investigated, one area remediated, and one where no remedial action is needed. The Harbor Point project has resulted in the removal and off-site disposal of approximately 25,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil to date.
The Canal Corporation's current work consists of clearing the area of vegetation, excavating and disposing of contaminated soil off-site, grading, and constructing two weir boxes to prepare the disposal area to accept uncontaminated navigational dredge material from the neck area of the harbor.
To protect public safety, a Community Air Monitoring Program has been established as part of the project. It will include air monitoring at the construction/remediation site and also between the remediation site and downwind public residential or commercial areas. In addition, all vehicles and equipment will be cleaned to DEC specifications prior to leaving the dredge spoil area.
All work announced today is being done with DEC oversight and is expected to be completed by November 2009. Following the cleanup of Utica Harbor, this property will be transferred to the City of Utica, which will then seek to redevelop the site.
Additional information on the entire remediation project can be found on National Grid's Harbor Point Remediation website at www.harborpointsite.com. For additional information, the public can contact the New York State Canal Corporation at 518-436-3055; John Spellman at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 518-402-9662; or Deanna Ripstein at the New York State Department of Health at 518-402-7870.
