Dewey Loeffel Landfill Cleanup

New Document Available for Dewey Loeffel Landfill Site

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announce that a draft Health Consultation (HC) is now available for public review.

This HC updates human exposure information for the Dewey Loeffel Landfill site since the 2003 ATSDR Health Consultation was released and includes information from the investigation of off-site groundwater and private drinking wells around the site.

We would like your comments on the HC. Please send them to DOH by February 29, 2012. A comment form with return information will be provided with each copy of the document.

For copies of the document (with comment form):

ü Visit the DOH website at http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/investigations/dewey

ü Call the DOH at 518-402-7880 or email request to documentcomments@health.state.ny.us

ü Visit the Nassau Free Library (official document repository) at 18 Church St, Nassau, NY 12123

EPA REGION 2, DEWEY LOEFFEL LANDFILL SUPERFUND SITE PROJECT UPDATE, December, 2011

DEWEY LOEFFEL LANDFILL SUPERFUND SITE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigation of the landfill and groundwater contamination components of the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund Site began last spring.
In April, field crews completed magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical surveys of the landfill to assess the presence of residual sources of buried contamination in the landfill. Additional tests were conducted to evaluate the current integrity of the existing landfill cap by assessing the physical and geotechnical properties of the cap.
The Landfill Cap Investigation was initiated in May 2011. A total of 20 borings were advanced through the landfill to evaluate the thickness of the cap. Twenty subsurface landfill cap samples and 10 surface soil samples were collected, and submitted for geotechnical analyses. The technical report with the results of the landfill investigation is available on EPA Region 2’s Dewey Loeffel web page at http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/dewey/.
In May, EPA also identified the locations of five groundwater monitoring wells to further evaluate groundwater and contaminants. Well installation began in late June and was completed in mid-July. Groundwater samples and geophysical information was collected through September. A report summarizing the results of the groundwater investigations is expected this winter. Additional groundwater investigations may be necessary and are dependent on the findings of the report.
Additional details, as well as future activities, have been documented in a work plan, which is available on the Dewey Loeffel page of the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/dewey/.

EPA TAKES OVER NYSDEC EXTRACTION WELL OPERATIONS
Since 2008, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had been operating three groundwater extraction wells to reduce contaminant concentrations and prevent the spread of the groundwater plume. In October 2011, EPA’s Removal Program took over responsibility for the operation (pumping) and maintenance of the leachate collection system and groundwater extraction wells. EPA’s action also included winterization of the extraction well system to allow for year-round operation of the wells, as well as disposal of the collected leachate and groundwater.
As part of the winterization of the extraction well system, an additional above ground storage tank was installed, insulated structures were built on-site to enclose the aboveground piping for the extraction wells and a heated barn was constructed around the aboveground storage tanks. More detailed information regarding the winterization of the extraction well system and EPA's removal action can be found in the Pollution Report (POLREPS) section of the following website: www.epaosc.org/DeweyLoeffelLandfill.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT (TAG) AWARDED
A Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) has been awarded to “United Neighbors Concerned About GE Dewey Loeffel Landfill (UNCAGED)” for the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund Site. TAG funding allows qualified community groups to contract with independent technical advisors who can interpret and help the community understand technical information about their local Superfund site. More information about TAG’s is available at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/community/tag/.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Interviews with local officials, organizations, and community residents began over the summer for the Community Involvement Plan (CIP) for the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund Site. The CIP will identify the ways that EPA will involve the community and the tools and activities that will be used to share information and receive public feedback as the project progresses. The draft CIP is expected this winter and will be made available for public input. If you have questions about EPA’s community involvement program, contact Larisa Romanowski at (518) 747-4389, or by email, romanowski.larisa@epa.gov.

INFORMATION REPOSITORY
The Nassau Free Library has been established as the Information Repository for the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund Site. Project documents will be available at the library by request, and will also be available online at http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/dewey/.

Nassau Free Library
18 Church Street
Nassau, NY 12123
(518)766-2715

For more information about the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund Site, contact:

Ben Conetta
Remedial Project Manager
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10007
(212) 637-3030
conetta.benny@epa.gov

Or

Larisa Romanowski
Community Involvement Coordinator
Hudson River Field Office
421 Lower Main Street
Hudson Falls, NY 12839
(518) 747-4389
romanowski.larisa@epa.gov

Or visit, http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/dewey/.

Loeffel Site Update – November 21, 2011

The Town of Nassau has been reminded that the USEPA is not required to obtain permits for ongoing removal action. However, they have advised us that they would be willing to discuss and address any concerns the municipality has moving forward. They have provided the Town with the section of CERCLA regarding permitting, as well as the engineer's drawings (signed by a NY State Registered P.E.) for the pole barn that's currently being constructed around the frack tanks for winterization and waste removal. The pole barn will be insulated and heated with propane heaters which will be powered by a generator until power lines can be brought to the Site. All building and installation is being conducted by licensed and certified professionals within proper code.

More detailed information regarding the winterization of the extraction well system and EPA's removal action can be found in the "POLREPS" section of www.epaosc.org/DeweyLoeffelLandfill. USEPA has also submitted the Administrative Record for this removal action for public review at the Nassau Free Library. The Administrative Record provides documentation for the basis of our decision to conduct this removal action.

October 2011 EPA UPDATE ON THE LOEFFEL TOXIC WASTE SITE

EPA will be assuming responsibility for the operation (pumping) and maintenance of the leachate collection system and groundwater extraction well system at the Site, which are currently being operated by NYSDEC. Contracting mechanisms are being set up for weekly transportation of the collected leachate and groundwater to off-Site treatment and disposal facilities. In addition, EPA will be winterizing the extraction well system and associated storage tank to allow for year-round operation of the system.

This work is being conducted as an action initiated by EPA’s Removal Program. From October 17-20, 2011, insulated enclosures were constructed around the aboveground portions of the piping for the extraction well system. On October 19, 2011, an additional storage tank for the extraction well system was also installed to increase the storage capacity of the groundwater collection/extraction well system. In addition, on October 25, 2011, construction of a heated barn which will enclose the aboveground storage tanks is scheduled to begin.

Larisa W. Romanowski, USEPA Region 2
Public Affairs Specialist
Hudson River Field Office
421 Lower Main Street, Suite 100
Hudson Falls, NY 12839

LOEFFEL UPDATE- July 2011:

The following information picks up where we left off with the last Loeffel Site update.

The well drillers completed their mobilization to the Loeffel Site on Tuesday, June 21. Drilling operations began on June 23 and are reported to be progressing well. EPA has reported that it is anticipated that the drilling and development of the monitoring wells will be completed this week. Nassau’s Mr. McCagg reports that the EPA subcontractors are on well number four of five and expect to be done by Wednesday.

The Town has supplied support as far as property and water storage usage. After demobilizing the contractors are expected to return in approximately three weeks to test the wells they just installed. Following that work, it is anticipated that geophysical evaluation and further testing of the wells (including sampling) will be scheduled for August.

Additionally, EPA reports that the extraction well system has been started up by the NYSDEC and should be fully operational by the week of July 18th.

Thank you.

David Fleming

LOEFFEL ENVIRONS OCTOBER 2011 GROUNDWATER SAMPLING EVENT MONITORING REPORT

report.hw442006.2011-12-27.MACTEC_2011_leachate_and GW_Pump_and_Truck_rpt (PDF - 2.1 MB) NYSDEC UPDATE on Groundwater Extraction The following is the Loeffel 2011 Leachate and Off-site Groundwater Extraction report provided by NYSDEC and completed by the DEC consultant up to the point to when EPA took responsibility to operate the pump and truck systems. This report is dated December 27, 2011.
Coalition Letter Doc and Attachments 1-3 (PDF - 1.5 MB)
Coalition Attachments 4-10 (PDF - 2.6 MB)
Coalition Attachments 11-15 (PDF - 1.7 MB)
Coalition Attachments 16-22 (PDF - 3.2 MB)
Permitting Rule Excerpt (PDF - 21.2 KB)
Pole Barn - Engineer's Drawings (PDF - 726.1 KB)
Dewey Loeffel lSSI Figure 1 Proposed Borehole Location - September 2011 ( - 2.2 MB) EPA UPDATE – 8/31/2011 EPA recently provided an update on progress at the Dewey Loeffel site. As discussed in their last report, installation of the groundwater monitoring wells began in late June and was completed in mid-July. In August, geophysical evaluation began and further testing of the wells (including sampling) is underway. The groundwater evaluation is schedule to be completed by the end of September. As you may recall, the Landfill Cap Investigation was initiated in May. The technical report with the results of the investigation is expected by the end of September and will be available on EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/dewey/. A report summarizing the results of the groundwater investigations is expected at the end of this year. Additional groundwater investigations may be necessary and are dependent on the findings of the investigation. The attachment represents a map with the well locations and properties identified for current EPA work on the Loeffel Site. EPA has placed 2 wells on property (A. Smith - Block 5 , Lot 20) . Those are wells 3 and 5 on the attached map. They have placed 3 wells on property (Block 5 , Lot 21). Those are wells 1, 2, and 4.
report.hw442006.2011-07-28.TetraTechGeo_Loeffel_May_2011_GW_Samp_Ev_Report (PDF - 2.8 MB) August 1, 2011 Update on the Loeffel Landfill Attached is the May, 2011 Groundwater Sampling Event Monitoring Report completed by GE's consultant Tetra Tech Geo (formerly GeoTrans). The report is dated July 28, 2011. GE's consultant will conduct their fall groundwater monitoring well sampling in October. As evidenced by sample results from OMW-222 and OMW-223 (all parameters were non-detect), the groundwater plume has not migrated further in that direction. This sampling event is a separate effort from the residential well sampling which is conducted by GE's other consultant Arcadis. Also, I would like to report that at the request of EPA, the DEC is now operating the off-site groundwater extraction wells. You can expect that the number of tanker trips will increase considerably. EPA has completed the installation of five additional off-site monitoring wells and will be performing testing on them shortly. Mike Komoroske, P.E. Environmental Engineer 3 NYSDEC Remedial Bureau B Division of Environmental Remediation 625 Broadway, 12th Floor Albany, NY, 12233-7016
NLD Tech Inspect T2 ltr 20110727 (PDF - 298.7 KB) Here is the Nassau Lake Dam Technical Inspection report from July 2011 (NLD Tech Inspect T2) with its cover letter.
NLD Tech Inspect T2 20110727 (PDF - 6.8 MB)
T&D_Summary_May 2011_2 (PDF - 80.5 KB) LOEFFEL SITE CLEANUP UPDATE: June 17, 2011 Dear Community Members: Please find information the Town has requested concerning the tanker trips and loads from the Loeffel Landfill by clicking the above link. DEC reports that there were 14 tanker trips in the months of April and May. Their claim is that the leachate composition has not changed. Additionally, I want to advise you that EPA will begin the off-site monitoring well installation next week. Their contractors are expected to begin efforts on June 20th. The actual work is not scheduled to begin until the next day. GE is also sending consultants out to conduct additional soil and sediment sampling in/near T11A beginning June 22nd. This sampling is expected to take a few days. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you and best regards. Dave Fleming, Town Supervisor
Loeffel Meeting Update 5242011 (PDF - 89.3 KB)
EPA REGION 2, DEWEY LOEFFEL LANDFILL SUPERFUND SITE PROJECT UPDATE, April, 2011 (PDF - 14.1 KB)
LETTER OF INTENT FOR A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT (PDF - 48.8 KB)
EPA_DeweyLoeffel_PubInfoMtg_032411_ppt (PDF - 1.6 MB)
DEC and EPA Public Meeting presentation 24 March 2011 (PDF - 5.7 MB)
DeweyLoeffel_CommunityUpdate_March2011_final (PDF - 353.7 KB)
report.hw442006.2011-01-07.Mactec_2010_Leachate_and_Off-site_Groundwater_Extraction_Report (PDF - 1.3 MB) 2010 landfill leachate and off-site groundwater extraction report completed by the state consultant Mactec - posted 28 February 2011.
report.hw442006.2010-12-13.GeoTrans_Inc_Loeffel_Oct_2010_Gw_Samp_Ev_Mon_Rpt (PDF - 4.4 MB) 2010 groundwater sampling results (GE October, 2010 groundwater report) - posted 28 February 2011
Final Project Update -December 2010 (PDF - 1.6 MB)
Dewey Loeffel Project Update - July 2010 (PDF - 72.4 KB)
Dewey Loeffel Landfill DEC Project Update March 2010 (PDF - 1.1 MB)
EPA and DEC Loeffel Waste Site Meeting - 4 March 2010 - audio (MP3 - 17.1 MB)
2009 Valatie Kill and Nassau Lake Fish PCB (PDF - 5.2 MB)
2009 Valatie Kill and Nassau Lake Fish PCB - part 2 (PDF - 454.6 KB)
DEC Dewey Loeffel Public Meeting 9 November 2009 - audio (MP3 - 20.3 MB)
DEC Dewey Loeffel November 2009 Public Meeting Presentation (PDF - 7.5 MB)
DoH_report on Dewey Loeffel contamination 15 May 2003 (PDF - 2.7 MB)
DEC Dewey Loeffel Site Public Public Meeting Notice - 9 November 2009 (PDF - 1.1 MB)
Loeffel Toxic Waste Dumpsite Coalition Meeting 24 August 2009 - audio (MP3 - 7.1 MB)
Dewey Loeffel Landfill DEC Project Update June 2009 (PDF - 330.0 KB)
Dewey Loeffel Landfill DEC Project Update April 2009 (PDF - 18.2 KB)
Dewey Loeffel Landfill Fish Monitoring Update from DEC - February 2009 (PPT - 12.2 MB)
Loeffel Landfill Site Update Meeting notes 6 November 2008 (PDF - 2.6 MB)

Dewey Loeffel Landfill Cleanup

Dear Community Members:

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you and best regards.

Dave Fleming, Town Supervisor