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EPA Completes Removal of Hazardous Waste at Stillwater Facility

Release Date: 03/11/2004
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(#04039) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finished its concerted effort to remove hazardous wastes and drums of chemicals from the Saratoga Radar Station site in Stillwater, Saratoga County, New York. The site was originally a U.S. Air Force radar base, then a Federal Aviation Administration facility and most recently the headquarters of a now-defunct construction company. "This site contained some very hazardous chemicals and was a danger to both nearby residents and the environment," said EPA Regional Administrator Jane M. Kenny. "We acted quickly to remove all the immediate hazards, ensuring the safety of people who live and work in Stillwater." The site consists of approximately 30 buildings, approximately 10 of which contained various wastes left behind by the military or the current owner. Wastes on site included: 77 PCB-containing electrical transformers, asbestos, leaking drums of chemicals, and storage tanks with thousands of gallons of gasoline, diesel and fuel oil. New York State requested EPA assistance at the site after a chemical fire in 2002. EPA conducted a thorough site investigation, including sampling of soil, chemical drums, and petroleum storage tanks. EPA disposed of over 137 drums of hazardous material and chemicals, including asbestos insulation and floor tiles; recycled approximately 6000 gallons of petroleum products from 16 tanks; sampled 10 nearby residences for possible drinking water contamination, removed and disposed of the 77 transformers and over 2000 gallons of PCB fluid. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, a partner with EPA on many removal actions, has agreed to continue cleanup of oil-contaminated soil and groundwater at the conclusion of the EPA site activities. The removal work, which began in October 2003, cost about $675,000. EPA intends to seek reimbursement from those parties responsible for the contamination.