Dozens of Farmingdale residents packed the auditorium of the Farmingdale Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 14 to obtain information about the progress and upcoming cleanup activities planned for the Liberty Site.

The EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator Cecilia Echols opened the presentation by explaining why the meeting was being held.

"We will be going over comprehensive remedial actions and the implementation of long-term plans," Echols said.

Echols then turned the microphone over to Project Manager Lorenzo Thantu, who gave a PowerPoint presentation.

"We have given some presentations over the last few years... and I'd just like to re-summarize some work that has been done on the site," Thantu explained. "I would also like to focus on the implementation of cleanup plans selected in March 2002."

This was when the EPA issued another cleanup order to the owners of the Liberty Site, requiring them to address below ground features in a number of buildings on the property. Also during the time, the EPA issued a Record of Decision, documenting the selection of a $34 million comprehensive remedial action.

The Liberty Industrial Finishing Superfund Site includes a 30-acre property at the east end of Motor Avenue, adjacent to Allen Park. The site was used for airplane parts manufacturing and associated metal finishing activities during World War II and the Korean War. In the late 1950s, the site was converted into an industrial park and was used for a variety of operations including metal plating and finishing and fiberglass product manufacturing. Since the 1980s the site has been used for light manufacturing and warehousing. Due to the industrial practices and cleaning materials used on this property subsurface features became contaminated, creating plumes. In 1986 the EPA placed the site on its National Priorities List, a published list of hazardous waste sites in the country that are eligible for extensive, long-term cleanup action under the Superfund program.

A groundwater plume contaminated with organic and inorganic substances underlies the Liberty Site, extending about one mile south. This site has been designated Plume A. A separate plume of organic contamination, designated as Plume B, originates to the north of the Liberty Site and migrates toward the south before co-mingling with a portion of Plume A.

"We are still completing an investigation to determine the source of Plume B," Thantu said. "We want to do it correctly."

In 1998 a network of six wells was created just north of the Southern State Parkway to monitor the ground for data and samples. This system could provide early indication of threat from the Liberty plumes and toxins that dissolve easily into the ground like chromium.

"We have collected 700 soil samples and hardly found any," Thantu said.

In 1990, the EPA assumed the role of the lead governmental agency for environmental investigation, however the cleanup of this site is being addressed by both federal and state governments and potentially responsible parties (PRPs).

Liberty Site owners have already removed approximately 400 cubic yards of soil located at the basement ramp of former building B. The on-property groundwater has undergone treatment intended to prevent additional contaminant migration beyond the facility boundary.

"We had some trouble getting the system running on a full basis," Thantu reported. "But we made a modification to get it running 100 percent. As of the end of June 2004 we achieved fully operational run time of just about 100 percent."

The EPA has approved contracts for remedial design work plans for groundwater and Pond A sediments. Pond A is a portion of the Massapequa Preserve. These plans were submitted in August, however the EPA has to approve all plans and designs, which has yet to be done. Another goal is to assess all present contaminants and make sure they are under a certain ratio for parts per million.

Remedial designs for 30 percent of soils and subsurface features (the easternmost 10 acres targeted for redevelopment) are expected to be submitted by this October. Completion of remedial design for soils and subsurface features is slated for October 2005 as is the completion of remedial design for Pond A sediments. Completion of remedial design for on- and off-site groundwater is expected to be finished next summer.

The eastern portion of the Liberty Site will undergo cleanup first and it was noted that this is the proposed Stop & Shop area. A public hearing on this matter will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at Howitt Middle School. Thantu stated this portion is first on the cleanup agenda due to potential development.

"The western portion didn't have any PRPs come forward who wanted to complete the project," Thantu said.

Currently there are 14 parties and two government agencies involved in the eastern portion of the Liberty Site.

During a question and answer session residents brought up concerns about the length of time the project is taking to complete, many of whom have been involved for several years.

"Every time we have a meeting, the time frame changes," Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale President Mike Grello said.

A teacher at Woodward Parkway Elementary School attended the meeting and raised concerns over the quality of the water at the drinking fountains.

"I cringe every time the kids ask to get a drink from the water fountain," she said.

John Hirt, a commissioner with the South Farmingdale Water District said that there are 11 monitoring wells which the town uses for its potable water supply.

"The water district analyzes water more frequently than is required," Hirt explained. "At this point we have not observed anything."

Thantu asked people to focus on the positive.

"A work plan has started and plans are in the [library] repository," Thantu said.

"This project has gotten funding and you will see this project continue," EPA Section Chief Angela Carpenter said.

For more information on the Superfund process, visit the EPA's website at www.epa.gov/superfund. Site related documents can be reviewed in the repository at the Farmingdale Public Library.