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|  Superfund ListingsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed both the Gowanus Canal (in March 2010) and Newtown Creek (in September 2010) as Superfund sites. Both of these channels have a long history as industrial waterways dating back to the 1800s. The City is committed to providing the community with the best and most complete information available on Combined Sewer Outfalls (CSOs) and the data related to CSOs under these Superfund programs. Gowanus CanalPublic Comments on the Proposed Plan for the Gowanus Canal Superfund SiteThe City of New York appreciates the opportunity to comment on EPA’s Proposed Plan for the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site.
On May 25, 2011, the City of New York submitted comments on the EPA's Draft Remedial Investigation (RI) of the Gowanus Canal. The City recommended that EPA perform additional technical analysis necessary to ensure that the remedy will be feasible, cost-effective, and successful over the long-term. The City's main comments include: (1) recommendations concerning additional characterization of potential contamination present on the upland sites that could be current or future sources of contamination to the Canal; (2) recommendations concerning a re-assessment of the relative significance of contamination associated with CSO discharges relative to other sources such as groundwater and overland runoff; (3) recognition of the benefits of CSO reductions from the DEP's ongoing upgrades to relevant infrastructure; (4) a critique of the Draft RI's risk assessments; and (5) recommendations concerning the development of a computer model for contaminant fate and transport.
The City gave a presentation to EPA Region 2 on the Remedial Investigation with detailed information on levels of contaminants of concern in CSO discharges.
The City gave a presentation to EPA Region 2 on the Feasibility Study with detailed analysis of CSO discharges related to requirements stated in the Study.
The City presented an extensive detailed analysis of the CSO data and the analyses normally conducted in an FS to determine whether remedial action is required under Superfund. These analyses are presented in detail in this letter from NYCDEP to the EPA Region 2. The following presentation was given before EPA’s Contaminated Sediment Technical Advisory Group (CSTAG) on November 10, 2011. It contains analyses of the CSO data presented in the Draft Remedial Investigation and comparison of the chemical concentrations in CSO sediments to background concentrations and risk-based cleanup values, or PRGs. PRGs are calculated in the Superfund process to determine concentrations for chemicals that are safe for human health and the environment. The results of the City’s analysis indicate that chemical concentrations in CSO sediments are less than risk-based values and equal to background concentrations measured in areas outside of the Canal. This presentation also includes a discussion of the Conceptual Site Model for the Canal which indicates that groundwater is a larger source of chemicals into the Canal than are CSOs. Additional data are presented which indicate that CSO solids contribute a small percentage of total solids that are depositing in the Canal. This presentation also presents information on the on-going capital improvements to the Gowanus watershed and the improved water quality that these projects will provide to the community.
The City presented an extensive detailed analysis of the CSO data and the analyses normally conducted in an FS to determine whether remedial action is required under Superfund. These analyses are presented in detail in this letter from NYCDEP to the EPA Region 2.
On January 30, 2012 CSTAG gave recommendations for the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site.
On September 27, 2011 NYCDEP Commissioner Carter Strickland presented information to the Community Advisory Group (CAG) which focused on the improvements that are underway to the Gowanus Pumping station and the Flushing tunnel under the Clean Water Act. This presentation details those improvements to water quality in the Canal.
EPA Region 2 has published the Draft Remedial Investigation and Draft Feasibility Study for the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site. The City of New York has conducted extensive technical analyses of the data presented in both of these EPA documents in an effort to better understand the potential for CSOs to contribute chemicals of concern for human health or the environment to the Canal. These analyses have been presented to EPA Region 2 and to CSTAG Newtown Creek ListingsNewtown Creek Superfund site community newsletter provides background on the Superfund process and provides dates for water and sediment sampling on the Creek.
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