The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), working with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the LIRR's environmental consultant, has developed an Investigation Work Plan and has scheduled field work to investigate the nature and extent of soil and groundwater contamination at 17 LIRR substations, including one in Floral Park. Other substation sites include one in Little Neck, Queens; Mineola; Garden City (Nassau Boulevard) and Port Washington.

The work will be carried out by the current owner, the LIRR, identified as the potentially responsible party for the site under the provisions of the NYSDEC Voluntary Cleanup Program.

The proposed action: an investigation of the surface soil, subsurface soil and groundwater will be conducted at each site to define the nature and extent of the soil and groundwater contamination identified during preliminary investigations. The work plan for the Floral Park substation is available for review at the Floral Park Public Library, located at 17 Caroline Place in Floral Park (326-6330). The field work is expected to start in late summer and last into fall 2005. Separate investigation reports will be generated for each site at the conclusion of the investigation activities. After reviewing the investigation reports, the NYSDEC will determine if remediation of the sites is necessary.

Background: the investigations to be conducted at the LIRR substation sites are called voluntary cleanup investigations and are implemented under the provisions of the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP). The VCP was established in New York to address the environmental, legal and financial barriers that often hinder the redevelopment and reuse of contaminated properties. The Voluntary Cleanup Agreement signed by the NYSDEC and the LIRR went into effect in November 2004. As described in the agreement, the LIRR will conduct detailed environmental investigations at 17 LIRR substation sites located in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The LIRR completed the Investigation Work Plan for all of the substation sites in June of this year.

The substation structures are generally less than 2,500 square feet in size. Each site consists of a one- or two-story building situated next to a fenced transformer yard. The sites have multiple dry wells, manholes, pits and troughs, which may be contaminated.

The LIRR built, owned and operated the substations from the early 1930s. Until the 1980s, the substations housed mercury rectifiers, devices used to supply power to LIRR locomotives and electric passenger car fleets. During the 1980s, the mercury rectifiers were removed from the substations and replaced with non-mercury containing solid state equipment. However, past work practices employed during the operation and maintenance of the mercury rectifiers may have affected the site and surrounding environment.

Previous investigation conclusions: The LIRR has conducted previous investigations that have uncovered mercury contamination in and around substation buildings. Limited mercury cleanup was conducted within and soil was removed from the exterior of certain substations. These interim measures reduced exposure to mercury but did not eliminate contamination from the sites.

Citizen participation: To stay informed about activities at the LIRR substation sites throughout the investigation and remediation process, residents are encouraged to take advantage of the site's document repository (Floral Park Public Library) and staff contacts, which are listed below. As documents are generated during the remedial process, they will be added to the library. Documents currently available include the June 2005 Investigation Work Plan and the June 2005 Health and Safety Plan.

For investigation related concerns, contact Nathan Putnam, project manager at NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, 11th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-7015; 518-402-9621, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. For health-related concerns, contact Rebecca Mitchell, NYSDOH, Flanigan Square, 547 River Street, Troy, NY 12180-2216; 518-402-7870 or 1-800-458-1158, extension 27870.