Case Study – A Brownfield Cleanup in the City of Amsterdam, NY Joseph S. Campisi Geomatrix Consultants, Inc.

Former Mohasco Mills Complex-Case Study of Brownfield Assessment & Cleanup  Background & Site History  Site Characterization  Key Environmental Issues  Funding Mechanisms  Remediation Framework  Positive Results

Former Mohasco Mills Site

Background  Mohasco Mills Complex –carpet mill since the late 19 th century  Mainstay Employer in Amsterdam for 100 years  23 Acre Site including Mill Buildings & Powerhouse  North Chuctanunga Creek flows through the center of the property  Surrounded by mixed commercial/residential use  History including fires in 1992 and 1994-destroyed old mill buildings  City acquired property in 1994

Aerial View Pre-Remediation

Remedial Program-Chronology  Mid 1990’s City Assumed responsibility for site cleanup  2000 –Completed Remedial Investigation & Feasibility Study  2000-IRMs initiated to remove PCB-impacted soils and 100,000 gal tank in steam plant  2001-ROD signed requiring removal of PAH impacted soil, building demolition and capping of remaining impacted materials  2004 Remedial Design Completed  Fall 2005 Remedial Construction contract bid  Spring through Fall 2006 Site Remediation performed

Site Characterization  Late 1990’s completed RI  Key Issues PAHs from fire Asbestos in buildings PCBs from transformers Trace Metals in soils Residual petroleum impact  Groundwater impacts were minimal

View West from Forest Avenue Bridge Spring 2006

East View toward Foot Bridge Spring 2006

Remedial Design

NYSDEC Remediation Framework  ERP Grants are available for Municipalities and Non-Profits 90:10 Matching grant for qualifying remediation 50:50 Matching grant for building demolition New York initially set aside $200 Million for ERP Grants  NY State ERP follows CERCLA process  Process requires RI/FS, ROD, RD/RA  ERP includes NYSDEC oversite  Brownfield cleanups allow institutional controls and engineering controls/barriers  Focus on source or hot spot removals  Process is methodical-may be too slow for developers

New York’s New Brownfield Cleanup Program  The NYS Brownfield Cleanup Program is available for Developers and Non-Profits  Underlying regulations (Part 375) provide the same template  Can be Faster than the ERP  Public notice and participation provisions  Applicant compensates NYDEC for oversite  Either will deliver a “Covenant Not To Sue” from NY  Significant Incentives to help offset cleanup costs Credits for Remediation Credits for Tangible Property Property Tax Credit for Job Creation

Funding Mechanisms for Mohasco Mills  Total Cleanup Cost –Approx $3 million  NY State ERP Assistance Contracts (Totaling $2.2 million) for Remedial Design ($320k) Remedy Implementation ($1.95 million)  City of Amsterdam-$950k (other State match and municipal bonds)

Mohasco Mills-Remediation FAQs  Duration of Field Activities – 7 months  Removal of hazardous materials – Pesticides  Demolition of three major buildings  Soft demolition debris (sheet-rock, wood, non- asbestos insulation disposed offsite  Asbestos abatement in three buildings  Implosion of a 240-ft smoke stack  Stream debris clean-up and restoration  Disposal of concrete and brick debris onsite  Placement of 2-ft thick soil cap on less-impacted soils and consolidated demolition debris  Modification of final site grades to enhance drainage, minimize erosion, and create footprint for future pedestrian trail along creek

Mohasco Mills Success Factors  City of Amsterdam motivated to cleanup this site  Community interest to improve site  Availability of ERP money for cleanup  City of Amsterdam identified other State funding for match  Pragmatic Approach taken by NYSDEC Project manager  Great Follow Through by City’s Consultant (ENSR/AECOM)