Friday, April 26, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
AKWESASNE -- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environment Division recently completed its review of RACER trust’s plan to create a 150-foot setback between the industrial landfill, the old GM fence …
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AKWESASNE -- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environment Division recently completed its review of RACER trust’s plan to create a 150-foot setback between the industrial landfill, the old GM fence line and the St. Lawrence River.
The Environmental Protection Agency has approved the work plan. Excavation work is scheduled to begin Oct. 21 and finish by Nov. 21, the tribe said.
The former GM site on state Route 37 is being cleaned of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination.
Work will begin at the southeast corner of the landfill and progress north along the GM fence line to the back end of Turtle Cove. Next year’s work will begin at the back end of the cove and progress northwest along the St. Lawrence River. Once this work is completed, a permanent cap will be built over the old cap extending over the east disposal area, which was heavily contaminated with PCBs. A groundwater collection system and monitoring network will also be installed, the tribe said.
The majority of the waste material from the setback excavation will be consolidated in the eastern disposal area. Saturated oily soils uncovered during this year’s project will be sent off-site to a secure landfill in Indiana. Storm water control features will be in place to contain the water in the excavation areas. Three high volume PCB air monitors are set up on residential property in Raquette Point, the tribe said.
Air quality will be monitored throughout this project to make sure the community’s health is protected. People living in the area can expect noise and odor due to construction activity. Steps will be taken to control the dust and smells, including spraying the excavation surface with an odor-suppressing foam. Two dust control fences will be set up to act as a wind block. The first fence will be 10 feet high, adjacent to the property line. If necessary, a second fence will placed 20 feet high along the top of the landfill, the tribe said.
Monitoring results are available online at http://racertrust.org/News/Massena_Community_Air_Monitoring_Plan_Reports.
