Record of Decision Issued for the Crouse-Hinds Landfills Site

The Crouse-Hinds Landfills Site is a NY State Superfund site composed of 2 inactive landfills containing industrial and municipal wastes. The landfills lie near Ley Creek and 7^th North Street in the City of Syracuse and the Town of Salina. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has issued a Record of Decision for this site, which explains the remedy that has been selected following public comment. (For more information about the process of selecting and completing remedial actions for State Superfund sites, click here.)

You can read the Record of Decision online:

Part 1: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/crousehinds1.pdf

Part 2: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/crousehinds2.pdf

Or you can read a paper copy at these locations:

Salina Free Library

100 Belmont Street

Mattydale, NY 13211

315-454-4524

Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am–8pm

Fri 10am–5pm/Sat 10am–4pm

NYSDEC, Albany Office

625 Broadway

Albany, NY 12233-7013

518-402-9676

Hours: 8:30 am – 4:45 pm

Please call for an appointment

F.O.C.U.S. on BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES… "ONONDAGA COUNTY'S SAVE THE RAIN PROGRAM: PROJECT 50 IN 2011"

Join F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse for their Core Group meeting on Friday, April 15^th from 7:30 AM to 8:45 AM, at City Hall Commons. Khris Dodson and Bj Adiqun will discuss Onondaga County’s “Save the Rain” program, including the program’s history and mission, signature projects, and Green Improvement Fund.

Upcoming presentations of "Re-imagining the Future of Onondaga Lake"

Join us for “Re-imagining the Future of Onondaga Lake,” an introduction to the historical ecology of Onondaga Lake and its watershed, major sources of damage to the lake environment, some of the current remediation and restoration efforts, and the Onondaga Nation’s vision for the future of the lake. The Onondaga Nation, Onondaga Environmental Institute, and Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation are sharing this presentation with local community groups. Come see the presentation and join the community conversation at one of these upcoming public meetings:

• Partnership for Onondaga Creek: Tuesday, April 5^th, 6:00-8:00 PM. Brady Faith Center, 404 South Avenue, Syracuse

• SUNY-ESF Earth Week:  Wednesday, April 20, 4:00-5:00 PM. 110 Moon Library, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse

Onondaga Lake Areas of Concern

This is the best map I've seen describing all the areas around Onondaga Lake that are of concern to the health of the Lake (click on the map to view the larger version at DEC's website). It's hard to help a patient heal when you don't have a full diagnosis, right? I particularly like the inclusion of all of Onondaga Lake's tributaries. This includes sites that are being handled under other remedial programs within the Department of Environmental Conservation, in addition to the Superfund sites. I believe that this does not include sites that are being investigated under the voluntary cleanup program.

Mercury in Birds

Sarah Wraight, myself, and Betsy Robson presented "Re-imagining the Future of Onondaga Lake"
to F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse last Friday morning. There were a number of good questions asked afterward, including one asking about the impact of the mercury pollution of Onondaga Lake on the eagles.

Mercury in Onondaga Lake is primarily found in the sediments; it enters the food chain through bacteria at the bottom of the lake, which are then eaten by macroinvertebrates (underwater bugs), then fish, and then eagles. Because fish eat many macroinvertebrates, eagles eat many fish, and mercury is not easily eliminated from their systems, it "bioaccumulates". The US Fish and Wildlife Service studied songbirds and shorebirds around Onondaga Lake. These birds' diets rely on the macroinvertebrates when the bugs reach the flying stage of their life.

"Data collected through this study will help evaluate whether or not mercury levels on Onondaga Lake are a concern to other bird species, including bald eagles that winter in large numbers on the lake," the USFWS website states. "The study showed blood levels of mercury that were as high as 2 parts per million in those birds, while the threshold of concern for sensitive species is closer to 0.6 parts per million. Further studies are now being conducted."

In other words: the birds have reason to be concerned about what they're eating.

Crouse-Hinds Landfills Site: Comment Period Extended to March 25th

The Crouse-Hinds Landfills Site is a NY State Superfund site composed of 2 inactive landfills that lie near Ley Creek and 7^th North Street in the City of Syracuse and the Town of Salina. The NY State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a Proposed Remedial Action Plan for the site, and is accepting public comments on the plan through Friday, March 25^th. Learn more about the site and how to make your voice heard by clicking on the links below:

Crouse-Hinds Landfills site fact sheet

Proposed Remedial Action Plan

Questions about this NYS Superfund site? Contact:

Project Related Questions:

Richard Mustico, P.E.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

625 Broadway

Albany, NY  12233

Phone: 518-402-9676

E-Mail: rxmustic@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Project Health Related Questions:

Mark Sergott, Project Manager

New York State Department of Health

547 River Street

Troy, NY 12180-2216

Phone: 800-458-1158 Ext. 27860

E-Mail:  beei@health.state.ny.us

"Porous Pavement in Cold Climates" is SOLD OUT!

 “Porous Pavement in Cold Climates,” a full-day workshop on green infrastructure, green jobs, and green funding, has sold out! The workshop will focus on working with porous pavement in Onondaga County including instruction on the design and installation of porous concrete and asphalts, and opportunities involving the local green-job workforce in future projects.  Visit the Onondaga Environmental Institute’s (OEI) website to request information about future events.  In late March, check back on OEI’s site to access PowerPoint presentations and other conference materials!