Site Name: PLATTSBURGH AIR FORCE BASE
EPA ID: NY4571924774 EPA Region: 02 Metro Statistical Area:
PLATTSBURGH AFB, PLATTSBURGH, NY 12901
Site Description:
PLATTSBURGH AFB CONDUCTS SUPPORTING ACTIVITY TO THE 380TH BOMBARDMENT WING TO INCLUDE SUPPLY & EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT, SECURITY, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, DINING FACILITIES, MAINTENANCE, & ALL CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK.
Operable Unit: 02
ROD ID: EPA/ROD/R02-95/266 ROD Date: 03/31/95
Contaminant: chloroform, vinyl chloride, chlorobenzene, benzene, ethylbenzene, xylene, napthalene, 2-butanone, chloroethane, dichloroethane, dichloroethene, bis(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate, arsenic, nickel, chromium, zinc
Keys: groundwater, surface water, sediment, institutional controls, landfill, deed restrictions, monitoring, wells, arsenic, xylene, cover
Abstract:
Please note that the text in this document summarizes the Record of Decision for the purposes of facilitating searching and retrieving key text on the ROD. It is not the officially approved abstract drafted by the EPA Regional offices. Once EPA Headquarters receives the official abstract, this text will be replaced.
Plattsburgh Air Force Base (AFB) is located in Clinton County in northeastern New York State. It is bordered on the north by the City of Plattsburgh and on the east by Lake Champlain. It lies approximately 26 miles south of the Canadian border and 167 miles north of Albany. Landfill LF-023 is situated west of the base runway.
The main portion of the landfilled area is approximately 500 feet wide by 800 feet long, with its western edge approximately 300 feet from the Plattsburgh AFB western boundary. The site slopes toward the east and south. LF-023, the last active municipal landfill at Plattsburgh AFB, reportedly received domestic waste for disposal. Since the operations at LF-023 ceased, secondary plant growth has begun to cover the site and an exercise training course had been constructed on the site. In the summer of 1993, the exercise course was removed and installation of an impermeable cap initiated as part of OU1.
Operations at the landfill reportedly consisted of digging 25-foot-deep trenches spreading and compacting the trash, and covering it daily with 6-inch layers of sandy soil. Hazardous and organic wastes were not routinely disposed of in this landfill. There are indications, however, that the landfill contains hazardous materials.
A site investigation (SI) was conducted at the site. Data from the SI indicated the presence of vinyl chloride and aromatic organic chemicals in groundwater east and southeast of the landfill. Dichlorobenzene was detected in samples of waste and soil collected from test pits. No site contaminants were detected in groundwater from the private wells.
A remedial investigation (RI) was then conducted at LF-023. Contaminants were detected in all media sampled.
Remedy:
The selected remedy is institutional action. Human health and welfare will be protected through this remedy by preventing human exposure to contaminated groundwater. In addition, existing groundwater contamination will be reduced by natural process of attenuation.
The major components of the selected remedy include: deed restrictions prohibiting withdrawal of groundwater for potable use in this area; all elements of the source control remedy provided by OU1; installation of additional monitoring wells; long-term environmental monitoring of groundwater; action criteria for sidegradient wells to protect drinking water; action criteria for downgradient wells to protect surface water resources; site reviews at five-year intervals to evaluate the effectiveness of the remedy.