BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
PUBLIC SAFETY/ENV PROT/PERMITS/LICENSES COMMITTEE
AUGUST 29, 2011
PRESENT:
P. BLAKE J. LODGE S. MILLER
G. REILLY M. SCOTT M. SHAMES
B. STOLTZ
EXCUSED:
M. DEPALMA M. KENTON T. MISKEL
M. SILVERMAN L. SONES
ABSENT:
T. ALEXANDER
GUESTS:
C. ZINNEL – REP. FOR HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
HON. JOAN MILLMAN, STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER
I. VAN SLYKE – REP. FOR HON. VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY, STATE SENATOR
S. SCOTTO B. APPEL A. STRAHLE
J. LEVIN G. KELLY K. KELLY
R. MILLER M. YOUNG J. MUIR
H. HESSELEIN J. VAN BRAMER
***MINUTES***
Update and presentation by representatives for National Grid and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on the development of remediation plans for the Public Place aka Citizen’s manufactured gas plant site at the southeast corner of Smith and 5th Streets.
The Department of Environmental Conservation was unable to attend due to the fact that Metro North was not in service because of the storm. National Grid made the presentation. Nearly 7,000 gallons (thousands of gallons) of coal tar have already been removed from the ground. DEC approved the initial design concept – specific plans being worked on now. Coal tar has been found at depths of over 100 feet. Selected remedy is to excavate to 8 feet throughout the site; backfill to street grade; holders will be excavated to their base. HDPE liner at 2 feet below grade throughout site for storm water management. NAPL recovery wells – NAPL barrier wall to 50 feet.
HDPE – High Density Polyester is the projected barrier material. National Grid is not finding tar on the Smith Street side – just mainly along the bulkhead and areas that held tanks.
The barrier wall will require sewer relocation. The design of the barrier wall is different in each of 3 sections.
1. Smith/5th Streets corner - Large 2. Ferrara area 3. Abadi area
There will be pilot testing (field demonstrations driving the street piles) starting in October. Heavy equipment noise Vibration MTA elevated structure issues will abound Barrier wall seal is tricky – using/trying 3 different joint seals, then a primary seal and a secondary seal.
The test pits will examine how various existing bulkheads, cribbing, dock cribbing and sheeting are installed and supported and how to address them in creating the barrier wall. One test pit site is not yet found at ground level. Manhole 13 is around Bond/4th Streets looking up from the sewer (via video camera) but not yet found above – need complete sewer study. Sheet pile steel corrosion study is needed. Need to test grouts and joint seals.
DEC has approved the plan. Environmental Protection (EPA) has questions about cap material to be used, about barrier wall and about being able to build above.
Site 4 – Hoyt/5th Streets had a newer holding tank which leaked far less and will be easier to clean up according to National Grid.
If someone comes into the site to develop, they must do that respecting the safeguards put into place by National Grid in the remediation.
How can foundations be sunk through the HDPE? There must be a plan for restoring the integrity of the barrier. In addition to the remediation there is need for a long term monitoring and management plan including who does it and to what standards for what length.
The minutes were submitted by Bette Stoltz.