Several members of the Environmental Protection Agency as well as representatives of the potentially responsible parties were present to discuss an update on the Liberty Industrial Finishing Superfund Site in Farmingdale.

At the March 19 meeting at the Farmingdale Public Library, EPA Project Manager Lorenzo Thantu explained details of the ongoing investigation.

In February 2006, 15 homes and Woodward Parkway Elementary School were sampled for sub-slab air contamination related to Plume A.

"Based on the February 2006 results, we felt two homes needed to be further sampled for indoor air intrusion," Thantu said.

In April 2006, EPA representatives went back to these sites and stated samples provided either "no detection or very low levels [of trichloroethane] according to EPA standards."

"We'd still like to complete another round of testing," Thantu said. He added that residents around the Spielman Avenue and Kent Street area would be considered ideal candidates.

Testing for soil vapor intrusion involves drilling a hole the size of a quarter into a structure's concrete foundation.

"Two rounds of samples that show there really isn't a problem," said EPA Risk Assessor Michael Sivak. "We don't anticipate the air to change either."

A multi-million dollar intrusion investigation completed by the EPA in July 2000 found two plumes. Plume B, a non-site related groundwater contaminant plume, is located north of the Liberty Site. The following is part of the presentation made by EPA representatives at the meeting:

• Aug. 2000 - EPA-funded investigation initiated to locate source of contamination.

• Dec. 2002 - Farmingdale Plaza Cleaners site listed on the NYSDEC registry of inactive hazardous waste disposal sites

• Dec. 2004 - EPA interim Plume B investigation report completed

• Jan. 2005 - NYSDEC approval of its internal State Superfund Referral to use State Funds to conduct RI/FS at the Farmingdale dry cleaning facility located at the Waldbaum Shopping Plaza

• Dec. 2005 - NYSDEC Plume B source RI field activities initiated

• Spring of 2007 - Completion of NYSDEC Plume B source RI/FS

Referring to the investigation into Plume B, Thantu said, "this wasn't a conclusive report and the investigation is still going on."

Plume A is attributed to the Liberty Site and is the reason for the soil vapor intrusion testing south of the Liberty Site. The following information from the presentation discusses ongoing clean up activities regarding groundwater and subsurface feature remediation:

• On-Site groundwater remediation (objective is to prevent additional contaminant migration beyond the facility boundary) - fully operational since June 2004

• Subsurface features remediation on the easternmost 10 acres

• March 2003 - 600 tons of highly contaminated building B ramp pile soils removed and disposed of off-site

• November 2005 - Two underground storage tanks remediated

• November 2007 - Completion of the remaining subsurface features remediation projected (half remediated)

The following information from the presentation reveals the long-term comprehensive remedy selected in the March 2002 Record of Decision for the Liberty Site:

• Soils - excavation and off-site disposal of approximately 73,100 cubic yards of contaminated soils that exceed groundwater protection cleanup levels

• Subsurface Features - removal of contaminated aqueous and/or solid materials from underground storage tanks and other subsurface features

• Groundwater - remediation of on-site and off-site contaminated groundwater

• Sediments - excavation and off-site disposal of approximately 2,600 cubic yards of contaminated sediments that exceed sediment cleanup levels within Pond A

Presently Projected Implementation of Comprehensive Remedy

The following information from the presentation states the presently projected implementation of long-term comprehensive remedy:

• August 2006 - Soils and subsurface features remedial design approved by EPA

• Summer 2007 - Completion of Pond A sediments remedial design projected

• Summer 2007 - Completion of off-site groundwater remedial design projected

• January 2007 - Soils and subsurface features remedial action commenced (remedial action work plan approved by EPA)

• Summer 2007 - Commencement of Pond A sediments remedial action projected

• Fall 2007 - Commencement of construction activities for off-site groundwater clean up projected

• January 2008 - Completion of soils and subsurface features remedial action projected

• Summer 2008 - Completion of Pond A sediments remedial action projected

• Winter 2008 - Completion of construction activities for off-site groundwater clean up and start of a fully functional and operational groundwater treatment system projected (expected to operate for 20 years)

Thantu said office trailers and other facilities would be implemented on the site by the end of March.

"In January 2008 we hope to perform the final inspection on the site," he added.

The following information from the presentation mentions soils and subsurface features remedial action:

• March 20, 2007 - Mobilization

• April 16, 2007 - Initiate soil removal activities

• April 30, 2007 - Initiate subsurface features removal

• Nov. 1, 2007 - Complete subsurface features removal

• Nov. 1, 2007 - Complete soil removal activities

• Dec. 20, 2007 - Site restoration (grading, seeding and removal of temporary facilities)

• Monitoring of restoration to continue through establishment of vegetative growth

According to the potentially responsible parties (PRP), approximately 30 trucks will be excavating and transporting 700 cubic yards of soil per day; Monday through Friday.

The trucks will be decontaminated before leaving the site.

"They will be covered and washed," explained Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tony Macagnone. "The water will then go through a grate in the ground to be recycled and reused."

The traffic pattern established for trucks leaving the site is west on Motor Avenue, north on Merritts Road, west on Hempstead Turnpike and then north on 135.

Non-hazardous materials will be transported to landfills in New Jersey. Hazardous materials that need to be evaluated will be transported to facilities in Detroit, MI or Indianapolis, IN.

These are appropriate facilities in compliance with RCRA [Resource Conservation Recovery Act].

According to the EPA website, RCRA gave EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the cradle-to-grave. This includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA also set forth a framework for the management of non-hazardous wastes.

After the presentation the floor was open to the public for inquiries.

Friends of Massapequa Preserve President Rich Schary addressed security when Pond A, which is located south of the Liberty Site, is being drained.

"The area right now around Pond A is a free-for-all," Schary said. "It is very important that you put up signage and have 24-hour security."

Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale President Mike Grello was also concerned with security at the Liberty Site.

"The Town of Oyster Bay is going to have someone on-site," Macagnone said.

"The EPA is also going to have someone on-site during the clean up," Angela Carpenter, chief of the Eastern New York Remediation Section said.

The PRPs added that while there will not be a guard on duty, there will be an improved fence system and "we'll go from there if necessary."

"There should be signage containing a 24-hour contact number," Grello suggested.

"We do that at most of our sites," Carpenter responded.

Legislator Dave Mejias told EPA officials there is "much skepticism and apathy about EPA meetings."

"You're a year off from where you told us the remediation would be completed," he added. "We've seen a lot of talking these past few years but not a lot of action. We need to get more people out here. There is a fundamental distrust among the community regarding this and I think that's because not a lot of people know what is going on."

To receive more information about the Liberty Site contact the Community Involvement Hotline at 800-346-5009 or visit the Liberty website at www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/libertyindustrial/.