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EPA Announces $16.5 Million Remedy For Forest Glen Subdivision, Niagara Falls, New York

Release Date: 04/24/1998
Contact Information:

(#98044) Niagara Falls, NY -- The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected a $16.5 million cleanup plan for the Forest Glen Subdivision Superfund site in Niagara Falls, New York. The selected remedy for the 39-acre site, which was used from the 1950s through the 1970s for illegal dumping of industrial wastes, includes excavating contaminated soils from the southern portion of the site, consolidating these soils on the northern portion of the site and covering them with an 8.5-acre cap. This is the second phase of activity at the Forest Glen site. The major component of the first phase of site activities was the permanent relocation of the residents who were living in 51 mobile homes and two permanent dwellings in the subdivision.

"Our first actions at the mobile home subdivision were to protect the health and safety of the community." said Regional Administrator Jeanne M. Fox. "The plan announced today is a major step forward in reaching a final cleanup of this site."

In addition to soil excavation and capping, EPA's cleanup plan also calls for the removal and off-site disposal of the vacant mobile and permanent homes that remain at the site. In addition, a wetlands assessment will be performed to determine if these cleanup actions will have any adverse affect on site wetlands. If any are identified, a wetlands mitigation plan will be prepared to minimize any adverse impacts. EPA will also implement an inspection and maintenance program to monitor the long-term effectiveness of the entire cleanup plan.

Once these cleanup actions are completed, EPA will address any potential groundwater contamination at the site in a third phase of activities. Investigations into the extent and nature of groundwater contamination at the site are currently in progress.

EPA has begun negotiations to implement the cleanup plan with parties that have been identified as responsible for the contamination.

Site Background

The Forest Glen Subdivision is a 39-acre site that was used for the illegal dumping of industrial waste from the 1950's through the 1970's. In 1973, the site was purchased by Niagara Falls USA Campsites Corporation and developed into a mobile home subdivision. Evidence of past waste disposal became apparent during the installation of utilities in 1973. The Niagara County Health Department and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation requested that EPA conduct an initial site investigation in 1987. Soil sampling results in 1988 and 1989 revealed elevated levels of benzothiazole, aniline, phenothiazine and other hazardous wastes.

Based on a health assessement and public health advisory issued by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), EPA, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), began a program in July 1989 to temporarily relocate the residents living in the subdivision. In November 1989, the site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) and the following month, EPA issued a Record of Decision calling for permanent relocation of the residents. FEMA completed the permanent relocation in December 1992.

For more information contact:

Mike Basile, Press Office
EPA Region 2 Niagara Field Office
345 third Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Voice: 716-285-8842 FAX: 716-285-8788 E-Mail: basile.michael@epamail.epa.gov