October 19, 1998

Contact: Cathy DelliCarpini (718/595-6600)

DEP Celebrates Pelham Bay Landfill Remediation

Future Recreational Use To Be Outlined

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will celebrate the completion of remediation activities at the Pelham Bay Landfill in the Bronx. The meeting will include a review of construction and landscaping activities and a preview of future activities at the site.

Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E. said, "Since 1991, DEP has been testing soil and air quality, participating in health studies in conjunction with the City Health Department, and planning for the final grading, capping and beneficial reuse of the Pelham Bay Landfill. We are holding this public meeting to review our recent accomplishments and provide an update on DEP's plans for long-term maintenance of the site." Commissioner Miele added, "DEP is grateful to the Pelham Bay Landfill community and civic leaders for their continued interest and support of our endeavors."

"Tonight's meeting represents the attainment of long-term success," Commissioner Miele continued. "Thanks to the innovative efforts of DEP and our partners at other City and State agencies, the eventual reuse of the Pelham Bay Landfill as recreational parkland will be a unique metropolitan achievement. When DEP's operation and maintenance activities are complete, the Pelham Bay Landfill will be returned to the Parks Department to be used as passive recreational land. Walking trails will traverse the site and users of the land will have the opportunity to view birds and flora in an enhanced natural habitat."

Remediation work that has taken place at the Pelham Bay Landfill includes the following:

• The site's 89 acres were covered with soil that has been tested, treated and seeded. Grass is now growing on the landfill.
• This fall, 26 'landscaped islands' were planted. These areas, which were designed to integrate the landfill into its surrounding environment, feature a variety of trees, shrubs and bushes.
• In January 1998, a force main was constructed to pipe leachate from the landfill to the Hunts Point Water Pollution Control Plant for treatment. In cases of heavy rain, the force main uses sonar technology to redirect leachate to 120,000 gallon holding tanks on-site. After flows return to normal, the leachate is pumped back to the force main and the Hunts Point Plant.