HomeMy WebLinkAboutMorse Remediation Report tc Department of
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1fu�u'rE environmental March 2018
Conservation
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Site Name: Morse Industrial Corporation Have questions'
DEC Site : 75501.0 Operable Unit 02 See
Address: NYS Route 96B "Who to Contact"
Ithaca, NY 14550 Below
Investigation Completed at State Supierfuntt Site;
Results Will Help to Evaluate Ways to Address Contamination
An investigation has been completed for the Morse Industrial Corporation site("site") located at.
NYS Route 9613, Ithaca, Tompkins County. Please see the map for the site location(Figure 1).
Documents related to the cleanup ofthis site can be found at the location(s) identified below under
"Where to Find Information." The investigation was conducted by Emerson Electric Co. (Emerson)
with oversight provided by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (1' YSDEQ.
The site is listed as a Class 'T' site in the State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites
(list of State Superfund sites).A Class 2 site represents a significant threat 1:0 public health or the
environment; action is required.
Additional site details, including environmental and health assessment summaries, are available on
NYSDC C's website at:
lettla: "i ww+v,cicc.ua lr�a e,xtatf l:usl'tlt us ternal/haz.rdet ffl c1'h1 faauuuial... tc4,p)Lggl 0-_- 1.1'o JWc)J
NYSDE1C has approved a report,called a"Phase 11 Supplemental Remedial Investigation Report,"
that describes the results of the site investigation and recommends development of a rernedy to
address the contamination that was found.
Highlights ofthe Remedial Investigation Report
A Phase 11 Supla]emental Remedial Investigation was completed in 2016 to collect additional soil,
sediment, stormwater and groundwater data to support the completion of a feasibility study for the
60-acre former-manufacturing complex referred to as Operable Unit 2 (OU2). Based on the
investigations conducted to date within OU2, the primary contaminants of concern include
chlorinated volatile organic compounds(CVOCs), including trichloroethene(TCC.;),
tetrachloroethane (PCE), cis-l,2-dielilorocthene (DCC:), and vinyl chloride, petro]uum
hydrocarbons; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAI-1s); and RCRA metals, including barium;
and cyanide.
Soil:
The soil investigations in OLJ2 were focused on I I Areas.of Concern (AOCs) at.the site,
designated as AOC I and AOCs 26 through 35 (see Figure 2). AOC 35 consists of 13 distinct.
locations, labeled 35A through 35M, as shown on Figure 2. Based on the current redevelopment
plans for the site which is comprised of mixed uses, soil sample:,results for AOC 30 (Rice Paddy
Area)were compared to industrial use Soil Cleanup Objectives(SCOs). Soil sample results in
AOC 28 (Dormer Oil Shed Area)and AOC 29(Former Propane Above-Ground Storage TankArea)
were compared to commercial use SCOs; and the remaining 8 ADCs(1, 26, 27, 31,, 32, 33, 34, and
35)were conipared to restricted residential use SCOs.
*Operable Unit:An administrative teras nscd to identify a portion of site that can be addres.wd by a aiastinct investigation atarl/car
cleanup approach.An operable snit Lan receive specific investigation,and a particular remedymay be proposed.
F•
Each of the AOCs was further investigated and data compared to relevant SCOs.Findings support
the need for remedial action in 16 AOCs(this includes seven of the AOC 35 distinct areas).No
further action was wan-anted in AOC 33 or in six of the AOC 35 distinct areas.Table 1 provides a
summary of the soil AOCs that will be carried forward to the next step.
Groundwater:
Groundwater contaminant levels exceed the NYSDEC groundwater standards(Class GA)
standards for CVOCs,specifically TCE,cis-1,2-dichloroethene(DCE),vinyl chloride,and
1,1,1-trichloroethane(TCA);and for metals,specifically barium and cyanide.
CVOCs were detected above groundwater standards primarily in the following areas;AOC 1,AOC
26,AOC 28,and downgradient of AOC 35C below Building 2.Additionally,an isolated area of
TCA-impacted groundwater was identified below Building 5.The maximum concentrations of
CVOCs were detected in exterior wells within the AOC-1 area.DCE and vinyl chloride were
detected up to 19,700 parts per billion(ppb)and 2,040 ppb,respectively, in these wells as
compared to their groundwater standards of 5 and 2 ppb.TCA and its breakdown product
1,1-dichloroethane,were detected at a maximum total concentration of 4,780 ppb.Total CVOCs in
the other three areas were generally less than 3,000 ppb. See Table 1 for a summary of findings by
AOC.
Barium was detected above the groundwater standard of 1000 ppb in several areas, including
below and downgradient of AOC 27,upgradient and below Building 2,below Building 24 in AOC
26,and in one well located between Building 3 and the Former Fire Water Reservoir.Cyanide was
detected above groundwater standards in AOC 27 and in the southwestern portion of the site
(AOCs 28 and 30). Based on the concentrations detected and the distribution of barium and
cyanide in groundwater,the primary source area is within the bedrock in the immediate vicinity
and downgradient of AOC 27. Barium and cyanide were detected up to 6.5 and 42 times the
standard,respectively, in this area.
Vinyl chloride and lead were detected slightly above the NYS groundwater standards in a
discharge pipe west of Building 18,and TCE was detected above the groundwater standard in a
pipe discharging from Building 24 in AOC 26.Discharge from this pipe is currently being treated
using activated carbon.
A historical abandoned well(HISTWELL-1)was discovered during construction activities
associated with an upgrade to the existing groundwater treatment system in OU I.The well depth
was measured to be approximately 142 feet deep and contained an approximate 7-foot layer of
viscous light non-aqueous phase liquid(LNAPL).A fingerprint analysis of the LNAPL indicated a
petroleum compound consistent with motor oil at a concentration of 560,000 ppm(56%). Elevated
levels of PAHs and site-related CVOCs were also detected in the LNAPL.
Sanitary Sewers:
Samples of water and residuals,where present,were collected from the majority of sanitary sewer
manholes/manways and trench drains originating from below plant Buildings 13, 14, 15,34,35
and 6A.Most were found to contain metals and cyanide.Elevated concentrations of barium and
cadmium were detected in residuals from two sanitary sewer lines proximate to Buildings 14 and
15.The concentrations of metals detected in the aqueous samples were all below the sanitary sewer
discharge limits.
Soil Vapor:
Soil vapor intrusion testing was not conducted as part of this investigation,however results from
previous sampling events showed TCE, DCE and/or 1,1,1-trichloroethane in indoor air at
concentrations greater than the NY State Department of Health indoor air guidelines in many of the
plant buildings.This information,combined with presence of CVOCs in soil and groundwater
beneath on-site buildings, indicate that soil vapor intrusion is occurring or has the potential to
occur.
Page 2
The site buildings are currently unoccupied and potential exposure issues due to vapor intrusion in the
South Hill neighborhood to the north have been mitigated by Emerson under a Record of Decision
issued by NYSDEC in 2010.There are no other site-related exposure issues to surrounding properties.
Next Steps
A Feasibility Study will be conducted based on information obtained during the investigation to
achieve the following:
1)define the objectives of the site cleanup program;
2)develop cleanup alternatives;and
3)screen and analyze the alternatives.
NYSDEC will then develop a draft cleanup plan,called a"Proposed Remedial Action Plan." This
plan describes the remedy preferred by NYSDEC to address contamination related to the site.The
draft cleanup plan will explain the decision that led to the preferred remedy by discussing each
alternative and the reasons for choosing or rejecting it.The goal of the plan will be to ensure the
protection of public health and the environment.NYSDEC will announce the draft cleanup plan in a
future fact sheet and present it to the public for its review and comment during a 30-day comment
period and at a public meeting.
NYSDEC will keep the public informed throughout the investigation and cleanup of the site.,
Site Description
Location: The Morse Industrial Corporation site is located at 620 South Aurora Street along the west
side of South Aurora Street/Danby Road(Route 96B)in the South Hill portion of the Town of Ithaca,
Tompkins County,New York.The northern one third of the site(29 acres)resides in the City of Ithaca,
with the remaining portion(67 acres)residing in the Town of Ithaca.The site's surface elevation ranges
from 450 to 720 feet above mean sea level(amsl),resulting in a very hilly topography,with the plant
buildings situated at the top of the hillside. The site is bounded by Aurora Street to the east;
undeveloped,steep woodlands to the south and southwest;and residential neighborhoods to the north and
northwest.
An approximate 60-acre former manufacturing plant complex is located on the northern half of the site.
This area is referred to as Operable Unit 02 Former Manufacturing Complex(OU2).The former Fire
Water Reservoir located immediately west of the main plant is designated as Operable Unit 0l (OU 1);
and the surrounding South Hill neighborhood to the north is designated as Operable Unit 03 (OU3).
Site Features: The main plant building consists of series of interconnected buildings constructed on
manmade terraces along the bedrock slope.There is one free-standing building(Building 24)located
immediately'to the north of the main building,and a small oil shed located immediately to the south of
the main building.The buildings are flanked by a series of access roads and parking lots that terrace the
hillside above the plant to the east.The entire southern portion of the site is wooded and undisturbed.
There is a former rail spur and two drainage ditches that run north-south along the western side of the
site.
Current Zoning/Use: The site is currently zoned predominantly industrial by both the City and the Town
of Ithaca.Land uses surrounding the site are predominantly residential to the north and northwest,
commercial to the west and south,and a mix of residential and commercial to the east. SouthHill
Elementary School and the Ithaca College campus are located approximately 500 feet northeast and a
half-mile east of the site,respectively.The South Hill Business Campus is located adjacent to the site to
the south.
Geology and Hydrogeology: The site buildings were constructed on partially excavated and back-filled
terraces along the bedrock slope above Cayuga Valley.Underlying the site is a thin,discontinuous layer
of glacial till and manmade fill.The soil consists of silty or clayey gravel and ranges in depth from 2.3 to
33 feet.Overburden is thickest to the west,behind the retaining walls and is comprised primarily of fill.
North of the plant,the topography drops off at a 40%grade(approximately 80 feet)to a residential area.
Page 3
The residential structures are generally terraced into the steel) hillside. Bedrock beneath the overburden
can be classified into three zones;the upper weathered B-zone ranging Crom 8 to 10 feet in thickness,,
the transitional C'-None extending Up to 55 feet below the B-zone, and the D-zone extending to a
rninimUni depth of 145, feet below ground surface. The shallowest bedrock (less than I foo,t below
ground surface) is encountered on the undeveloped hillsides and below the plant buildings and
roadways. Groundwater flow direction within the overburden and underlying B-zone generally mimics
surface topography, which slopes to the northwest.
State Superfund Program: New York's State Superfund Program (SSF) identifies and characterizes
suspected inactive hazardous waste disposal sites. Sites that pose a significant threat to,public health
and/or the environment go through a process of investigation, evaluation,cleanup and nionitoring.
NYS EC attempts to identify parties responsible for site contamination and require cleanup before
committing State funds.
For more information about the SSF, visit: littp:liwww.dec.ny.,qov/chemical/84.3g,littriI
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Where to Find Information:
Project documents are available at the following location(s)to help the public stay informed.
I"onipkins County Public Library NYSDEC Region 7
101 I"'ast Green Street Attn: Karen Cahill
Ithaca, NY 14850 615 Erie Blvd West
phone: (607)272-4557 Syracuse, NY 13204
phone: (3 15)426-7551
Who to Contact:
Comments and questions are always welcome and should be directed as follows:
Project lZelated Questions Site-[�.elated Health Q)Uestions
Karen Cahill Steve Karpinski
Department of l"Jivironimntal Conservation New York State Department of-AHealth
Division of Environmental Remediation Empire State plaza Corning Tower, Room 1787
615 Erie Blvd W Albany,NY
Syracuse,NY 13204 (5 18)402-7860
(3 15)426-7551 BEEI( health.ny,gov
karen.caliiH@,dec.ny.gov
We encourage you to share this fact sheet with neighbors and tenants,and/or post this fact
sheet in a prominent area ofyour building for others to see.
Receive Site Fact Sheets by Email V
1-lave site information such as this fact sheet sent right to your email inbox.
NYSDEC invites you to sign up with one or more contaminated sites
41
county email listservs available at the following web page:
�ov/chernica1/61 092.1itin 1. It's quick, it's free,
and it will help keel)you better informed.
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Page 4
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Table 1: Summary of Investigation Findings
Area of Concern Soil Cleanup Objective', Anticipated Future
(AOC) AOC Description/Sub-Area Contaminant(s) Affected Media Driver Land Use
Restricted Residential/Mixed Use Area
1 Former Department 507 Degreaser CVOCs Soil,Groundwater Protection of Groundwater Restricted Residential
(exterior)
Building 24 Interior(second floor) CVOCs Soil,Groundwater Protection of Groundwater Restricted Residential
26 Building 24 Exterior(parking lot) CVOCs Soil,Groundwater Protection of Groundwater Restricted Residential
27 Former Salt Baths Metals(Be) Soil,Bedrock, Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
Groundwater
31 Upper Parking Lot 6 Metals Soil Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
(As,Be,Cd,Cr,Cu,Ni)
Former Spray Pond Area PAHs,PCBs,and Metals Soil Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
(As,Be,Pb,Hg)
32
Former Spray Pond Area Ditch PAHs and Metals Sediment Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
CVOCs Soil Protection of Groundwater Restricted Residential
34 Area East of
Buildings 13A and 14 PAHs Soil Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
35A East of Building 24 Metals(As) Soil Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
(SB-1031SB-103SS)
CVOCs SOIVGroundwater Protection of Groundwater Restricted Residential
35C Building 11A(LBA-SB-250) PAHs Soil Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
35D Near Parking Lot 4(SS-100) PAHs Soil Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
35G South of Parking Lot 3 Metals(Be) Soil Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
(LBA-B17-TSS-3)
35H Parking Lot 3 (LBA-TP-03) PAHs Soil Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
35K Former Railway Right-of-Way Metals(As) Soil Restricted Residential Use Restricted Residential
(SB-240)
35L Former Railway Right-of-Way PAHs Sal Restricted Residential UseRestricted Residential
(DS-1)
Commercial Use Area
28 Oil Shed Area-Northeast CVOCs Soil/Groundwater Protection of Groundwater Commercial
29 Former Propane Aboveground PAHs Soil Commercial Use Commercial
Storage Tank Area
Industrial Use Area
30 Rice Paddy Area PAHs Soil Industrial Use Industrial
Other
Building 2 Building 2 Area CVOCs,Metals(Be) Groundwater NA NA
CVOC=chlorinated volatile organic compound;PAH=polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon;PCBs=polychlorinated biphenyls;
As=arsenic;Be=barium;Cd=cadmium;Cr=chromium;Cu=copper,Pb=lead;Hg=mercury;Ni=nickel.
NA-Not applicable
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