New York Superfund Site: Seneca Army Depot
Fight Air Pollution & Water Pollution With an Environmental Toxic Tort Lawsuit
 |
Are you in need of a Toxic Tort Lawyer in The Excelsior State? The E.P.A. has designated Seneca Army Depot in New York as a Superfund site due to its levels of enviromental contamination and threat to the environment. You can read the report for the site below.
Some Superfund sites are on the National Priority Site Lists. The National Priorities List ("NPL") is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial action financed under the federal Superfund program. Environmental Protection Agency regulations outline a formal process for assessing hazardous waste sites and placing them on the NPL. The NPL is intended primarily to guide the EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation.
Sites are listed on the NPL upon completion of Hazard Ranking System (HRS) screening, public solicitation of comments about the proposed site, and after all comments have been addressed. EPA may delete a final NPL site if it determines that no further response is required to protect human health or the environment. Sites where a remediation was completed through the Superfund program are typically deleted from the NPL.
Living near Superfund Sites in New York may place you and the people you love at higher risk of developing a disease from proximity to the site and experiencing a loss of value for your property, but you can do something to to fight back: The EPA says,
[We have] set up a "Post Construction Completion" (or PCC) strategy to ensure that Superfund response actions provide for the long-term protection of human health and the environment. EPA's Post Construction Completion activities also involve optimizing remedies to increase effectiveness and/or reduce cost without sacrificing long-term protection of human health and the environment.However, most of the Superfund sites are still very dangerous to the well-being of those near-by.
By choosing Weitz & Luxenberg, you can trust the legal passion of accomplished Toxic Tort attorneys who will help fight back against polluters and secure you and the people you love the financial compensation and remediation to which you are entitled.
Below you can read the EPA report for the Seneca Army Depot Superfund site. If you, a loved one, or someone in your community has suffered due to toxic pollution in Seneca Army Depot, or if your property has lost value because of contamination, you will need a toxic tort attorney who knows the people of the State of New York . You can begin the process of filing a claim by filling out this simple form. There is no obligation, and your case will be evaluated within one business day. To refer a friend, neighbor, or loved one, click here to let them know about the environmental toxic tort attorneys at Weitz & Luxenberg.
Seneca Army Depot
This site is a Federal Facility.
Seneca Army Depot
New York
Epa Region 2
Seneca County
Site Description
Cayuga and Seneca Lakes in the Finger Lakes region and abuts the Town of Romulus.
Approximately 1,000 people obtain drinking water from private wells within a 3
of the depot. The Army has stored and disposed of military explosives at the facility since
1941. As a result of Base Closure, SEDA has downsized significantly from 1200 to 7
employees. Following recommendation by DoD, approval by the Base Closure
Commission, the President and Congress, SEDA
Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list in October 1995. SEDA formally closed and moved
to a caretaker status on September 30,
200
0. Current reuse plans project that most of the property will be transferred for conservation/re
had been transferred to various prison and correctional authorities.
Site Responsibility:
Threats and Contaminants
minated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including
Dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, and metals. Soils are
Cleanup Approach
The site is being addressed through removal actions,
Response Action Status
Ash Landfill:SEDA’s Local Redevelopment Authority has determined that future use
of this property will be wildlife conservation/ recreation.
(RI) Report was completed in June 1994. The removal and in
35,000 tons of VOC contaminated soil was complete in June 1995. The groundwater is
contaminated with VOCs including trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,2
chloride. In response to EPA and NYSDEC comments on the Draft Feasibility Study (FS),
the Army performed ground water modeling and revised the FS. In response to EPA and
NYSDEC comments, the Army is currently revising the Proposed Plan. December 20
1998, an interceptor trench was installed and groundwater monitoring wells were placed
upgradient, downgradient, and on the wall as part of a treatability study. As result, the Army
has proposed additional continuous reactive wall to remediate the VOCs
Open Burning Grounds:
SEDA’s Local Redevelopment Authority has determined that
future use of the thirty acre OB Grounds will be wildlife conservation/ recreation. Previous
litarization of munitions had been conducted for forty years by open burning of fuses,
projectiles, explosives and propellants directly upon the ground surface. These activities
adversely impacted soil at the OB Grounds and sediments in Reeder Creek, wit
of lead in soil as high as 56,700 mg/kg. The sellected remedy includes clearance of unexploded
ordnance in the area of the remedial action, excavation of soils with concentrations of lead
above 500 mg/kg (based on human health risks) and sediments from Reeder Creek with
concentrations of lead above 31 mg/kg and copper above 16 mg/kg (NYSDEC standards to
protect benthic aquatic life); solidification/stabilization of 3,800 cubic yards of soils that are
ite disposal of soil, solidified soil and sediment with total
quantity of 17,900 cubic yards; providing 9 inches of clean fill with revegetation over remaining
soils where concentrations of lead exceed 60 mg/kg (from guidelines published by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service); and conducting appropriate postremediation groundwater monitoring to
ensure groundwater is not impacted in the future by the remaining lead in the soil. A public
meeting was held on December 17, 1997 to present to the community, th
NYSDEC’s preferred remedial action. The ROD was signed on June 14, 1999. Screening
excavation of unexploded ordnance continues together with stock piling and soil for disposal or backfill. Currently, 50,000 tons of soil have been excavated with 45,000 tons
Oversize materials are being segregated and removed. A Remedial
Action completion is expected by the end of
200
5.Fire Training Pad and Pit:
SEDA’s Local Redevelopment Authority has determined that
future use of these areas are planned industrial development and warehousing. The Army has
submitted an RI/FS workplan to characterize the extent of contamination. Field work was
completed in December 1995. Results of remedial investigations indic
practices may have adversely impacted soil and groundwater at these areas. Various Draft
Proposed Plans have been submitted, however, the Army is planning to do a dig and haul
source soil including pump and treat of groundwater duri
groundwater use restriction is also part of the remedy. The Final
Deactivation Furnaces:
SEDA’s Local Redevelopment Authority has determined that
use of these areas are planned industrial development. The Army has prepared an RI/FS
workplan to characterize the extent of contamination. Field work was completed in December
1996. The Army submitted the RI report in May 1997. Results of remedi
indicate that incineration of obsolete and unserviceable small arms munitions, fuses, boosters
and fire devices may have adversely impacted the soil and groundwater at these areas. In
response to EPA and NYSDEC comments, SEDA is revising the Draft Final FS Report. SEDA
performed a treatability study using the old deactivation furnace at SEAD
temperature thermal desorption unit and found it to be not cost effective to use as a remedial
The Old Construction Debris Landfill and the Garbage Disposal Areas:
Local Redevelopment Authority has determined that future use of this property will be wildlife
esults of site investigations indicate that previous activities may
have adversely impacted soil and groundwater. EPA and NYSDEC have reviewed and
commented on the Army’s Draft RI/FS workplan to characterize the extent of any contamination.
to do an IRM. EPA submitted comments on an Action Memorandum for the
Removal Action for the CD landfill is expected to start in
200
5.Munitions Washout Facility and Leach Field:
SEDA’s Local Redevelopment Authority
termined that future use of this property will be wildlife conservation/ recreation.
Operations at this facility included dismantling and removing explosives from munitions by
steam cleaning. Details of the operation and the wastewater discharge locations
known by the Army, but some wastewater may have been discharged into a pond area. Results
of site investigations indicate that previous activities may have adversely impacted soil and
groundwater. EPA and NYSDEC have reviewed and commented
workplan to characterize the extent of any contamination. EPA issued comments on Draft RI
Report. Draft Final FS was submitted in January 29,
200
2 and EPA comments forwarded on 200
Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid (IRFNA) Disposal Site:
Redevelopment Authority has determined that future use of this property will be wildlife
conservation/ recreation. Unserviceable IRFNA was mixed with water and deposited
limestone lined trenches in order to facilitate the neutralization of the acid. Results of site
investigations indicate that these previous activities may have adversely impacted soil and
groundwater. The Army has submitted a Draft RI/FS workplan fo
review to characterize the extent of any contamination. EPA and NYSDEC have reviewed
and commented on the Army’s Draft RI/FS workplan to characterize the extent of any
contamination. RI Field work is complete. SEDA submitted decision d
no action. All parties agreed that new sampling was needed before making a final
determination of no action. Sampling field work was performed in Spring
200
2; analytical indicate no significant impact to soils, and limited impac
200
5, and a ROD proposing institutional controls is expected to be signed in The Radioactive Waste Burial Sites, the Pitchblende Storage Igloos, and the
Miscellaneous Components Burial Site:
determined that future use of this property will be wildlife conservation/ recreation. Burial of
laboratory wastes occurred between 1940 and 1980. These pits were excavated in 1987, with
1960s wastewater generated from washing radioactive contaminated clothing was stored in
a 5000gallon tank. In 1987 SEDA attempted to remove the tank, but then back filled it in
950s and 1960s, " Miscellaneous Components Burial Site. Since the documentation related to the disposal is
considered ults of site investigations indicate that previous activities may have adversely
impacted soil and groundwater. Field work to characterize the extent of any contamination
began during the Autumn of 1998. SEDA decided to remove buried components. EPA
bmitted comments on an Action Memorandum for the removal of buried materials. Public
Comments on Final EE/CA Document opened on February 19,
200
2. taken at the miscellaneous components burial site, and a completion report
. Supplemental investigations have been performed due to sporadic hits
of TCE in the groundwater around building 813. A Final Status Survey was performed at
the pitchblende igloos, and a removal action is being proposed by the Army.
he Ammunition Breakdown Area and the Oil Discharge Area Adjacent to
Building 609:
SEDA’s Local Redevelopment Authority has determined that future use of this
property will be wildlife conservation/ recreation. The results of site investigations at the Oil
Discharge Area indicate previous activities may have adversely impacted soil and groundwater.
The Army has submitted a Draft RI/FS workplan for EPA and NYSDEC review to characterize
the extent of any contamination. SEDA is proposing no action. All conc
Open Detonation Area and Small Arms Range:
December
200
1. However, UXO material needs to be removed before a full assessment could e sites. Recent discussions with SEDA seem to indicate that they are
ft cap remedy for these sites.
acquiring of the anomalies will start in May
200
5.The Sewage Sludge Piles, the Fill Area West of Building 135 and the Alleged Paint
Disposal Area:
SEDA’s Local Redevelopment Authority has determined that future use of
these areas are planned industrial development. Results of site investigations indicate that
ies at these areas may have adversely impacted soil and groundwater. EPA and
NYSDEC have reviewed and commented on the Army’s Draft RI/FS workplan to characterize
the extent of any contamination. Based upon recommendations provided by the
l Peer Review Team, funding was only approved to perform limited soil sampling at
these areas, which did not follow the RI/FS workplan that the regulatory agencies had approved.
Limited soil sampling was conducted in the Autumn of 1997. Although no groundwater samples
were collected, the Peer Technical Review Team thinks the soil data will be sufficient to
determine if ground water has been adversely impacted and to perform a soil removal action.
Removal action is
It is expected that an additional 10 to 15 separate contaminated areas will be addressed under
future CERCLA removal or remedial actions.
Enforcement Status
A Federal Facility Agreement was signed by the Army, NYSDEC and EPA as of January 21,
Cleanup Progress
Ash Landfill (Operable Unit 1):
situ thermal treatment of 35,000 tons
of VOC contaminated soil was complete in June 1995. The groundwater is still contaminated
with VOCs including trichloroethylene, 1,2dichloroethene and vinyl chloride at levels exceeding
200
Open Burning Ground
Operable Unit 2): The proposed remedy includes clearance of
unexploded ordnance in the area of the remedial action, excavation of soils with concentrations
ts from Reeder Creek with concentrations of lead above
31 mg/kg and copper above 16 mg/kg; solidification/stabilization of 3,800 cubic yards of soils
that are expected to exceed TCLP limits; offsite disposal of soil, solidified soil and sediment
otal quantity of 17,900 cubic yards; providing 9 inches of clean fill with revegetation over
remaining soils where concentrations of lead exceed 60 mg/kg; and conducting appropriate
remediation groundwater monitoring to ensure groundwater is not impac
the remaining lead in the soil. A public meeting was held on December 17, 1997 to present to
the community, the Army, EPA and NYSDEC’s preferred remedial action. A ROD was signed
,000 tons stabilized 5,000 untreated tons) Case 1 and 2
soils have been excavated and disposed of offsite as daily cover material at two landfills. Also,
24,000 CY Case III soils ( < 500 ppm total Lead) stockpile remains at the Soil Staging for Army
along with 3,700 CY of new Case 1 awaiting Treatment and Disposal off site. 11,000 CY of
screened soils from the one foot cut and 20,000CY of oversized/UXO suspect material remain
stockpiled at the OB Grounds. The oversized material stockpile contains a
pounds of ferrous ordnance related scrap, OE, and UXO. The other material is suitable for
backfill/ site restoration if needed. The operation generated between 250,00
water, primarily from the equipment decontamination wash rack. Because the local well water
source contained 300 ppm Iron, and could not be economically treated or filtered, SEDA chose
to pay the local POTW's to dispose of it.
source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Act Now! It is essential that you inquire about your pollutant lawsuit as soon as possible. New York law may limit your time to bring a legal claim to protect your rights. Your legal review is free and there is no commitment. You case will be evaluated immediately, so get started on your claim today!
see also:
Sealand Restoration, Inc.
Environmental Pollution in New York- Site: Sealand Restoration, Inc.Sealand Restoration, Inc. Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution
Sms Instruments, Inc.
Environmental Pollution in New York- Site: Sms Instruments, Inc.Sms Instruments, Inc. Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution
Sa - Sz
New York Superfund Sites: Sa - SzNew York Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution
