• The property in question is located in the Borough of Richmond, County of Richmond, Staten Island, NY (The Site). In the early 1940's, the site was used by African Metals for the off-loading of Manhattan Engineering District (MED) Materials such as ore. This ore was rich in Uranium. The DOE surveyed this property as being contaminated with radiation. From the information provided, it appears the Site is now divided into three parcels. One portion is owned by port authority, another was eventually utilized as a truck terminal, and the parcel across the street is a Federal Express Building with an empty lot next door.
• According to records acquired by OSC Ferriola, John Scaramella sold one portion of the property to James Von Dollen on July 23, 1986. The street address of this parcel is 2351 Richmond Terrace and the Block/Lot numbers are Block 1105/Lot 26 in Richmond Borough, Richmond County, NY. This would become the Dolan Transportation Services, Inc. site.
• NYSDEC performed an assessment of the Dolan Transportation property on July 22, 1992. DEC used a Ludlum Model 2221 (NaI, Fiddler) to measure gamma readings of the surface soil. DEC discovered several areas with survey readings of at least three times the normal background level. One reading was over 160 times that of background. The NYSDEC recommended a cleanup in the August 18, 1992 report.
• The NYSDEC made another Site visit in 2003. DEC surveyed the parcel next to the Federal Express Building. There were no gamma radiological readings that exceeded natural background levels for that area. DEC requested that the property owner hire a consultant to do further radiological investigation prior to development.
• January 2008, USEPA ERRD Director attended an Environmental Justice meeting. The Richmond Terrace Property was brought up by a concerned citizen and EPA was requested to investigate this site.
• January 31, 2008, USEPA Representatives (Daloia, Ferriola, Daly) held a phone conference with John Mitchell (NYSDEC). John Mitchell wrote the 1992 NYSDEC Inspection Field Report. Historical information, field report, and other pertinent information were relayed by Mr. Mitchell. A radiological site assessment was tentatively scheduled for the week of February 18, 2008.
• February 12, 2008, representatives from USEPA, NYSDEC, and NYCDOHM (among other local, state, and federal agencies) attended a DOE Exercise Planning Meeting in Albany, NY for a June 2009 radiological exercise unrelated to the Richmond Terrace planned assessment. Mr. Mitchell (NYSDEC), Joe Defranco (NYCDOHMH Survey Team Member), Eric Simpson (USEPA Health Physicist), Mike Ferriola (USEPA OSC), and Eric Daly (USEPA OSC) were all attending this meeting. The parties discussed personnel availability, site history, soil sampling, and potential gamma spectroscopy laboratory analysis by the State DOH lab in Albany, NY.
• February 14, 2008, after many correspondences and coordination from all agencies:
o All personnel requested to participate in this initial assessment were given authorization.
o NYSDEC coordinated with NYSDOH laboratory to accept approximately ten (10) surface soil samples for gamma spectroscopy analysis. NYSDEC personnel will transport the samples to the Albany, NY laboratory for analyses.
o NYCDOHMH Mobile Detector System (MDS) will be utilized to survey the accessible land (i.e. Parking lot surfaces) and provide a map illustrating areas with above background readings.
o USEPA made contact with the current trustees for the James Von Dollen Estate and were given verbal access to the Dolan Transportation Property on February 15, 2008.
o NY/NJ Port Authority granted USEPA access to the Port Authority portion of the property in question (Block 1105/Lot 51).
o USEPA Public Affairs Officials are aware of the assessment.
• February 15, 2008, EPA Public Affairs contacted the Office of Staten Island Borough President, Molinaro.
• February 18, 2008, OSC Daly contacted local officials (Police Department, Fire Department, Medical Center)
