Once again Great Neck residents are asked by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in consultation with the NYS Department of Health, to attend a public informational meeting to discuss a Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) for the Citizens Development Company (CDC), 47 Northern Boulevard. It will take place on Tuesday evening, March 14, 7 p.m. at the main branch of the Great Neck Library, 159 Bayview Avenue, Community Room and not at the Lakeville branch as announced in a previous limited DEC mailing.

The NYSDEC fact sheet for the CDC states, "No exposures are expected for individuals drinking groundwater since the area is served with public water which is treated prior to distribution. This time the investigation drilled down deeper into the Upper Glacial Aquifer. Groundwater from this aquifer is pumped and treated by the Water Authority of Great Neck North (WAGNN) and is a source of drinking water." When informed of the March 14 public meeting WAGNN Superintendent Robert Graziano said, "Every Great Neck resident should attend the NYSDEC public meeting because the remediation plan for CDC must protect our drinking water from contamination."

Additional groundwater contamination increases the cost of treatment which is passed on to the consumer. The cost of electricity has skyrocketed since air strippers must now run 24 hours a day.

The draft Proposed Remedial Action Plan, OU-2, February 2006, for Citizens Development Company was prepared by the NYSDEC. It can be read at the reference desk of the 159 Bayview Avenue, main Great Neck Library.

The NYSDEC is asking the public to "review and comment on all of the alternatives identified in the draft PRAP."

The fact sheet states, "Historically tenants (of 47 Northern Boulevard) were exposed to PCE indoor air levels above 100 micrograms per cubic meter in the on-site building and in businesses adjacent to the site" The indoor PCE vapor comes from soil saturated with PCE. Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) systems were upgraded to remove it. Also, it says that "indoor air monitoring will continue for the previously impacted buildings."

The following questions must be asked: How often will monitoring take place? Where will the data be available for review by the tenants? Who should prevent property owners from allowing business occupants to dump hazardous wastes on the ground, in basement sumps and into dry wells on their property? Are there enough NYSDOH/DEC inspectors to make sure that remedial measures are actually performed if certified? Much has been learned from the large public participation in meetings during the EPA Stanton Superfund Remediation which successfully used sub-slab depressurization, blowers, SVE and Radon removal methods for indoor PCE vapor removal with help from the NYSDOH.

At a public hearing in 1998 Great Neck residents heard the NYSDEC Proposed Remedial Action Plan for the CDC hazardous waste disposal site, OU-1. They objected to the NYSDEC choosing the recommended remedy, "No further action with three years of ground water monitoring and review of remedy after three years." This information is from SCAG technical advisor Colleen Kovarik, EMCG." The public asked for drilling deeper into the Upper Glacial Aquifer to sample for PCE because there has been an increase in PCE levels. This was implemented in 1999.

It is very important that the public attend the March 14 meeting, to hear CA Rich Environmental Specialists, subcontractors for NYSDEC answer PRAP questions. The proposed remedial action plan includes 1) "Continued operation of the sub-slab SVE system to mitigate vapor intrusion into the site; 2) Continued operation of the SVE system installed in the contaminant source area until such time that soil quality meets the remedial goals; 3) Additional treatment of shallow groundwater via additional applications of sodium permanganate; 4) Development of a site management plan which will address continued operation, maintenance and monitoring of the remedies, including monitoring of soil gas, indoor air and groundwater; 5) Imposition of an institutional control in the form of an environmental easement that would require compliance with the approved site management plan; restrict the use of groundwater as a source of potable or process water without the necessary water quality treatment; and require the property owner to complete and submit to the NYSDEC an annual certification."

The "annual certification" stated in the fifth proposal would need safeguards, according to SCAG. SCAG advises residents to ask for a definition of "environmental easement" and how it will work in the remediation.

Send comments on the draft PRAP for the CDC site to Project Manager Jamie Ascher, NYSDEC, Environmental Remediation, Region 1, Building 40, Stony Brook, NY 11790-2356. It will be made part of the record of decision of the site.