The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued more details about cleanup plans for the former foundry site in Geneva.
That company operated from 1868 to 1988, and the DEC says the main contaminants left behind include lead and arsenic in the soil.
The state mailed letters to owners of properties near the foundry site last fall about the contamination.
Now the DEC has issued what’s called a “record of decision” which outlines the remediation plans.
Assistant DEC Commissioner for Public Affairs, Sean Mahar says the plans include removing the contaminated soil.
“Per the record of decision, we’re going to be going in and removing contaminated soil and sediment from residential properties surrounding the Geneva foundry while the city of Geneva is working with the developer to remediate contamination found at the former foundry site itself through the brownfield cleanup program.”
The cleanup is estimated to cost around $16.8 million, and will be paid for through state superfund money.
The work should begin this summer; there’s no word yet how long it will take to complete.
Mahar told WXXI News that, “Once the construction begins this summer and as we progress at going through property by property we’ll have a better sense of the time frame of what it’s going to take, but it’s the state’s priority to move in and mobilize as quickly as we can to get this contamination remediated.”
Geneva City Manager Matt Horn says the city is pleased this step in the process is complete and he says Geneva City Council has re-committed to supporting the DEC in its efforts to move the next phase forward. He says the city continues to urge quick action on all elements of the cleanup.
The Democrat & Chronicle reported earlier this month that legal claims for damages from soil contamination have been filed on behalf of 136 people. Those claims reportedly accused the city of Geneva, Ontario County and the state of failing to warn residents of the presence of lead and arsenic.
