Thanks to SAVE Colonie member Jeffrey Wilson, we have an update on the public meeting that NYS DEC held on January 22, 2019 regarding the Al Tech Specialty Steel Superfund Site.
Approximately 30 in attendance
Presenters:
Ruth Curley PM DEC for Al Tech site
Mike Komoroske, DEC
Steven Berninger PM DOH
Jean Firth PM MATEC
Steven Berninger – DOH
Paul Rosano – Colonie Councilman was in attendance -
Al Tech cleanup is a New York State Superfund project — the State is funding the full project — identify site, investigate, alternatives to cleanup, proposed action plan, public meeting, comment period, may modify remedy, issue record of decision.
Al Tech site is in Colonie , borders Menands. 99 acres, 31 acres on North, 68 acres on South.
The Site is divided into "Operable Units" or OUs: OU1 Main plant, OU 4 - Kromma Kill
Current proposal is for OU1 and OU4. A public hearing was held in February 2018 for OU2 and OU3. Those units are currently being monitored. OU5 is a downstream part of the Kromma Kill and will be evaluated at a later time.
All DEC documents available in the Colonie Town library or at DEC office.
Public comment period ends on February 2
Kromma Kill is contaminated with lead – 400 ft of contaminated dirt in front of Al Tech along Lincoln Ave – the presence of lead is inconsistent with the type of activity that took place on site. It was likely brought in specifically to build Lincoln Ave.
Lead in front on Lincoln Ave 2 to 5 feet deep - they think they got the dirt from somewhere else to build the road. Lead contamination is limited to 400 ft along Lincoln Ave
Other metals onsite are typical of what you’d expect: chromium, nickel, some copper
Site is contaminated with PCBs
Groundwater is contaminated with PCBs and petroleum, has not migrated off-site
Petroleum blooms in rolling mill area – vendor removes three inches every couple months
All buildings onsite will be dismantled and removed, except one on the south side that was built much later and is still structurally sound. The other buildings have a high presence of asbestos. Also, when site responsibility shifted to RealCo, Inc. During site decommissioning, the crews undermined the structural integrity of the buildings.
Per Steven Berninger of DOH, low risk to public health, would require direct exposure through breathing, direct contact, or ingestion.
Timeline for remediation, TBD
For more information on the site and public comment process:
DEC Al Tech Superfund Site Fact Sheet
More information about Kromma Kill here:
http://www.krommakillwatershed.org/
http://www.stormwateralbanycounty.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/12/GTKTSND_CemetaryCreek_2015_11x17.pdf
http://www.stormwateralbanycounty.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/12/GTKTSND_KrommaKill_2015_11x171.pdf