New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

FACT SHEET
Syracuse - Hiawatha Boulevard Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site Site #734059 Hiawatha Boulevard City of Syracuse, NY

Manufactured Gas Plant Program

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February 2012

Cleanup to Begin at Syracuse Hiawatha Boulevard oulevard Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site
Actions are scheduled to begin in February 2012 that will address contamination remaining at the former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site located at 600 Hiawatha Boulevard West in the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County. The cleanup area encompasses part of the former MGP and is located on the northern portion of property owned by Onondaga County and occupied by the Onondaga Metropolitan Sewage Treatment Plant ( (Metro STP). See the attached map for the site location and aerial photograph for the cleanup area. The upcoming cleanup action, which is the first of two final phases, includes the in-situ in solidification (ISS) of impacted soils within an approximately 0.5 acre area and installation of a clean soil cover over the solidified soils. Cleanup activities will be performed by a contractor . hired by National Grid, the responsible party Oversight will be provided by the New York State party. Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Highlights of the Upcoming Cleanup Actions The goal of this first phase of the site cleanup is the solidification of soils to encapsulate coal tar and associated chemical constituents resulting from former MGP operations. Coal tar was a operations. byproduct from the production of manufactured gas that took place between 1924 and 1958. Primary activities to be performed under this remedial phase include: ties Mobilization and site preparation preparation. Installation and maintenance of erosion and sediment control measures measures. Excavation of approximately 2,815 cubic yards (CY) of asphalt pavement, topsoil, and pavement underlying soil/fill materials to a depth of 4 feet below ground surface (bgs) within the /fill proposed remedial area. The excavation will provide space for soil volume increases that . olume will occur when soil below 4 feet bgs is solidified solidified. Reuse/recycling of excavated clean materials and transportation of excavated impacted materials for offsite treatment/disposal treatment/disposal.

Solidification of soils extending from 4 feet bgs to depths of 22- or 24-feet bgs, depending on location, for a total of 13,500 CY. Solidification will be accomplished by mixing reagents (cement, bentonite, and water) into the soil using an excavator. Confirmation sampling to document that the ISS monolith meets performance goals. Placement of a demarcation layer and 4 feet of clean backfill above the solidified material. Management and transportation of approximately 2,700 CY of ISS spoils (i.e., surplus material resulting from the volume increase when ISS reagents are mixed into the impacted soil) to an offsite facility as a nonhazardous waste. Collection, sampling, and onsite treatment of groundwater, precipitation, and storm water runoff that accumulates in the excavation/work area (if any). Removal and replacement of existing natural gas lines, water lines, and storm water drainage structures located within the excavation/ISS area. Community air monitoring in accordance with NYSDOH requirements and implementation of dust, vapor, and odor control measures, as needed, based on air monitoring and visual assessment during the remedial activities. Surveying and restoration of the disturbed paved and vegetated areas to their original condition at the conclusion of the remedial activities.

The project is expected to begin in February 2012 and be substantially complete by the end of July 2012. Weather-dependent site restoration activities, such as establishment of vegetative cover, are anticipated to continue through Summer 2012. Background The Syracuse Hiawatha Boulevard former MGP was operated by National Grids predecessor companies from approximately 1924 to 1958. Gas was manufactured by heating coal, which released gas for collection and distribution to consumers for cooking, lighting, etc. Freshlymanufactured gas had to be cooled and its impurities removed before it could be used. A coal tar resulted from these processes, some of which was released to the ground. The coal tar contains a number of chemical contaminants similar to gasoline or fuel oil (primarily benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes [BTEX] and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs]). The extent of MGP impacts was delineated by a series of investigations conducted by National Grid. MGP impacts were found primarily in soil and groundwater on the northern portion of the property owned by Onondaga County and occupied by the Metro STP. Most of the site is covered by Metro STP structures, asphalt or vegetation, and therefore direct contact with MGP-related contaminants is not likely. The surrounding area is served by public water, so exposure to MGPimpacted groundwater is also not likely. Cleanup was previously conducted at the site (adjacent to the proposed ISS limits) from September 2001 to February 2003 in preparation for the Countys construction of the Ammonia Removal/Stage II Phosphorous Removal facility. The previous cleanup was performed as an interim remedial measure and involved: (1) the removal and offsite disposal of 110,000 tons of contaminated soil from within the footprint of the Countys new treatment facility; and (2) excavation dewatering that resulted in onsite treatment of more than 283 million gallons of impacted groundwater.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Where to Find Information Project documents are available at the following locations to help the public to stay informed. These documents include the Record of Decision and the Remedial Design, which present the cleanup plan for the site. Onondaga County Public Library 477 S. Salina Street Syracuse, New York 13201 (315) 435-1800 M,Th,F,S 11am-4:50pm T,W 11am-7:20pm Closed Sunday New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 615 Erie Boulevard West Syracuse, NY 13204 Mon Fri: 8:30am 4:30pm Contact Diane Carlton for an appointment (315) 426-7403 Who to Contact Comments and questions are always welcome and should be directed as follows: Project Related Questions Mr. Anthony Karwiel Project Manager NYSDEC 625 Broadway, 11th Floor Albany, NY 12233 (518) 402-9662 Toll Free 1-866-520-2334 alkarwie@gw.dec.state.ny.us Direct Questions to National Grid: Mr. James Morgan Project Manager National Grid 300 Erie Boulevard West Syracuse, NY 13202 Phone: 315-428-3101 If you know someone who would like to be added to the site contact list, have them contact the NYSDEC project manager listed above. We encourage you to share this fact sheet with Site-Related Health Questions Richard Jones NYSDOH Central Regional Office 217 S. Salina St. Syracuse, NY 13202 (315) 477-8148 rej05@health.state.ny.us NYSDEC 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-7014 By appointment, contact Anthony Karwiel (518) 402-9662

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