Lawrence Aviation Industries (LAI) is located in the Village of Port Jefferson, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York. Previously a turkey farm, LAI was a manufacturer of titanium sheeting for the aeronautics industry. Throughout the years, LAI practices for disposal of containers and chemicals were found to have caused negative environmental impacts. Drums containing trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and other wastes were allowed to leak onto the ground, making way to the underlying groundwater. EPA continues to conduct work at the LAI Superfund Site, and more information can be found at http://epaosc.org/lawrenceaviation
Starting in the fall of 2007 and continuing through the summer of 2008, EPA and it’s contractors conducted a groundwater investigation around the LAI Site. Based on June 2008 sampling results, it was determined that a groundwater TCE plume was traveling from the LAI Site to the North towards Port Jefferson Harbor. In the fall of 2009, EPA authorized the allocation of funding to build a groundwater pump and treat system. The system will assist in extracting contaminated water from the underground water plume, as well as prevent contaminated water from leaching into the Old Mill Pond, Old Mill Creek, and Port Jefferson Harbor. The EPA Region II Remedial Program has asked the Removal Program to assist in developing the strategies, construction concepts, and technical requirements for the groundwater project.
EPA is currently constructing a groundwater pump and treatment facility in the western area of the Caroline Avenue Ball Field. This area of the field is not utilized during events held at the Ball Field and is logistically and technically advantageous to accomplish the necessary actions. EPA and the Village of Port Jefferson worked together to design a structure that incorporates architectural themes of the surrounding area. Pre-construction activities commenced in October 2010 and groundbreaking commenced in November 2010.
