The site has two main contaminant streams: lead in the soil, and chlorinated solvents in the groundwater.

“Site-related primary COCs in soil are primarily lead, with concentrations exceeding both Unrestricted and Restricted-Residential SCOs. […] In some locations, soil contained a few metals, pesticides, and SVOCs in addition to PCBs above their Unrestricted and Restricted-Residential SCOs[. …]  Groundwater collected from all but two of the on-site wells contains VOCs at concentrations exceeding the Class GA SGV. The primary compounds detected include PCE and its degradation byproducts TCE, CDCE and VC. The highest concentrations are observed in wells MW-08 and MW-09 located on the [site’s] western edge. […] Soil vapor samples collected during the FSI identified low concentrations of VOCs in vapor.” (RIR, printed pages numbered 36-38)

“The property was formerly owned by the Ithaca Gun Company, which operated the Ithaca Gun manufacturing plant and test site on the property for approximately one hundred years. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1979. The Site is currently vacant, with primary buildings demolished in 2009, leaving only a small single-story building and the Ithaca Gun boiler house smoke stack on the Western Parcel. […] The primary constituents of concern (COCs) associated with the Site include lead and chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs), specifically tetrachloroethene (PCE) and associated degradation products: cis-1,2-dichloroethene (CDCE), trichloroethene (TCE), and vinyl chloride (VC). Secondary COCs, include semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and in a limited area, PCBs.” (RAAR, printed page number 4)

Our consulting engineers (C&S, based in Syracuse), are continuing to work on a remediation strategy outlined by the prior owner’s engineers.

The site has two main contaminant streams: lead in the soil, and chlorinated solvents in the groundwater. Lead is being addressed by physically removing all the soil down to bedrock, and stabilizing soil by mixing it with standard cement, which will allow us to dispose of the soil in a non-hazardous-waste landfill.

Chlorinated solvents are addressed through a surprisingly poetic process called enhanced bioremediation: adding nutrients to the groundwater to help the naturally-occurring microbes break down these chlorinated solvents faster. The technique provides them a nutrient base for them to increase their population and break down the organic bonds so that over time there will be less and less chlorine in the groundwater; the microbes will break the organic bonds and over time to dichloroethane, and eventually into carbon dioxide and water (same as in seltzer water!).

Institutional Controls:

• Environmental easement prohibiting future groundwater use and permitting DEC access onto the site

• Periodic site reviews

• Site management plan: ongoing soil and groundwater monitoring

Treatment Actions:

• Reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in groundwater via in situ biostimulation

• On-site stabilization of excavated materials prior to transportation and disposal

Removal Actions:

• Excavation of surface overburden in majority of the site

• Specialized excavation in northwestern corner

Containment Actions:

• Engineered soil cover system over metals-impact soils

• If necessary: sub-slab vapor barrier and/or mitigation system