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EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Contaminated Soil and Ground Water at North Hempstead Superfund Site

Release Date: 07/22/2004
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(#04119) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking community input on its plan to clean up contaminated soil and ground water at the Jackson Steel Superfund site in North Hempstead, New York. Under the proposed plan, systems will be installed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the soil and to treat contaminated ground water. In addition, some soil and other material will be excavated and disposed of off-site, and the floor of the on- site building will be decontaminated. The proposed cleanup plan is expected to cost nearly $7 million. "We are working to clean up the source of the contamination and make this site a viable place for redevelopment," said EPA Regional Administrator Jane M. Kenny. "I encourage the public to review and comment on this proposed plan." Jackson Steel was a metal manufacturing facility that operated from 1970 through 1991. As part of its operation, the company used tetrachloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane as degreasers. The practice of disposing of wastes into on-site dry wells, spills, and leaks during the facility's operations and from drums storing various chemicals are the likely sources of the contamination to the soil and groundwater. EPA listed Jackson Steel on the National Priorities List of the nation's most hazardous waste sites on February 4, 2000. As a result of the detection of the VOC tetrachloroethylene in air samples collected from an adjacent daycare center and a billiards club and the concern that the Jackson Steel site could be the source of this contamination, the Agency installed systems to remove soil vapors from underneath these buildings. In addition, in order to provide fresh air circulation in the buildings, ventilation systems were installed. EPA staff will explain the proposed plan, and all of the cleanup alternatives considered, during a public meeting at 7:00 p.m. on August 10, 2004 at the Mineola Village Hall Gymnasium, 155 Washington Avenue, Mineola, New York, 11722. The public comment period begins on July 22 and will end on August 21, 2004. Written comments on this Proposed Plan should be addressed to: Joel Singerman, Chief Central New York Remediation Section U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 290 Broadway, 20th Floor New York, New York 10007-1866 Telefax: (212) 637-3966 Email: [email protected]