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EPA Selects $4 Million Cleanup Action For Contaminated Sediments and Groundwater At Superfund Site in Franklin County, New York

Release Date: 09/30/1998
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(#98141) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected a clean up plan for contaminated sediments and groundwater associated with the York Oil federal Superfund site, a former waste oil recycling and storage facility in Moira, New York. The action will cost approximately $4 million to complete.

EPA's cleanup plan involves excavation of wetlands sediments contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lead, followed by on-site treatment and disposal.

"This is a comprehensive remedy that addresses the contamination that has moved off the York Oil property. It complements the source control remedy that EPA selected in 1988," EPA Regional Administrator Jeanne M. Fox said. "We intend to expedite negotiations with the responsible parties to undertake the work as soon as possible."

The Agency will rely on the gradual breakdown of the contaminants in the groundwater through degradation and dilution, a process called "natural attenuation," to return the groundwater quality to state standards. EPA's plan also includes long-term monitoring of the groundwater to measure the improvement and institutional controls on the use of the on-site groundwater, specifically, a prohibition on the installation of drinking water wells.

The plan of action is based on the findings of an investigation into the extent of contamination in sediments and groundwater at the site and is the best remedy among the options identified as possible solutions to the problems associated with the site.

The investigation and studies were conducted by some of the parties deemed responsible for causing the problem under EPA supervision. In 1988, EPA selected a remedy for controlling the source of the contamination at the site. The selected remedy included the excavation of contaminated soils, followed by on-site treatment and disposal. The current plan addresses the contamination that has moved from the source area. The design of the remedy selected in 1988 is currently underway; it is anticipated that the construction will begin in the Spring of 1999.

For more information contact:
Richard Cahill, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3666 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: cahill.richard@epamail.epa.gov