United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region II
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The Ithaca Gun Company Site (the “Site”) comprises property formerly occupied by the Ithaca Gun Company at 121-125 Lake Street, Ithaca, New York, as well as adjacent properties where hazardous substances from the Site have come to be located.  The City of Ithaca owns most of the adjacent property that is contaminated with hazardous substances and this property is popular with hikers, swimmers, fishermen and others due to the scenic nature of the Ithaca Falls/Fall Creek gorge area.  Lead shot was dumped from the Ithaca Gun Company property into a millrace and lead shot as well as lead contaminated soils have migrated onto downgradient properties via erosion from a portion of the Ithaca Gun Company property.  While the Ithaca Gun Company property is fenced, there are indications that trespassers frequently visit the Site.  The City’s property is not fenced and there is clear evidence that this property is actively used.  Significant quantities of lead shot are clearly evident on the ground surface on both the Ithaca Gun Company property and the adjacent properties.  Analytical results from sampling conducted by New York State on the City’s property yielded lead concentrations ranging from 251 parts per million (ppm) to 215,000 ppm.

On August 29, 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received a  request from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to conduct an emergency removal action at the Ithaca Gun Company Site under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (see Attachment B).  This request was prompted by historical soil sampling that was conducted by the NYSDEC and by Cornell University that revealed elevated lead concentrations.  Based upon the sampling results, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) considers the Site a potentially significant health threat, particularly for children.

During the week of July 29,2002, vacuuming of lead soil from the east area continued.  Four vacuum boxes of lead soil were shipped for off-site disposal at the Ontario County Landfill in Stanley, New York.  Average rate of progress is one vacuum box per day generated with a weight of eleven tons.

During the week of August 5, 2002, vacuuming of lead soil from the east area continued.  Six vacuum boxes of lead soil were shipped for off-site disposal at the Ontario County Landfill.  The  weight per vacuum box continues to average approximaely eleven tons.  From Tuesday thru Thursday, nine loads of clean topsoil were delivered and spread over sections E-12 and E-11.  On Friday, these two sections were seeded, fertilized and covered with erosion control matting.

Clearance was received for the westerly area.  Efforts are underway to contract another turbo-vacuum truck and crew to address this area.  Work will begin this week to remove trees and brush as well as to collect background air data.

The RST contractor continues to provide air monitoring/sampling.  The air monitoring/sampling continues with no increases in particulates being observed from the soil removal operation. Except for one “hit” for arsenic that can be attributed to cigarette smoke, all personal air pump samples for resulted in “non-detects” for lead and arsenic.  All particulate data, thru August 9, and a summary table with lead and arsenic results from personal air pumps were posted on the website.  In addition to these postings, the health & safety plan and initial POLREP were posted previously.

Plans are being developed to address the westerly parcel.  During the week of August 12, 2002, vegetation will be removed.  Removal of lead contaminated soil will be initiated once an additional crew can be assembled

The Administrative Record, once completed, will be placed in the Tompkins County Library.  The Site’s website, www.epaosc.net/ithacagun will be updated frequently with site progress reports, photographs, POLREPs, post excavation soil sampling results, air monitoring results, etc...

Once the east area has been completed, soil removal activities will move to the westerly parcel.

Due to the Site’s industrial history, a Phase I Cultural Resources Survey is  being conducted under Section 106 of the National Historical Preservation Act (NHPA).