A Town of Tonawanda manufacturing site where varnishing and degreasing operations took place is set to be cleaned up by the company that owns the site.
Before work begins, the state Department of Environmental Conservation will accept written public comment through Jan. 4 on the proposed remediation.
Located at 2122 Colvin Blvd., Greif Inc. would be cleaned up by Sonoco Products Company — a former owner of the property — under the DEC’s voluntary cleanup program.
According to DEC documents, the cleanup involves treating contaminated soil and ground water to reduce concentrations of volatile organic compounds found on the 25-acre site. The DEC and state Department of Health have both determined that the contamination has not spread form the Greif site.
Other steps in the cleanup include installation of a depressurization system beneath the main building to protect against potential intrusion of organic compounds from soil vapor into the main building; ground water monitoring; and creating institutional controls and a site management plan to govern future use of the site.
The DEC will consider public comments when it reviews the draft plan for the site. Once approved, remediation is expected to be completed by the end of spring.
The site, located north of Kinney Field, consists of an industrial building located on 25 acres that includes paved parking, storage and landscaped areas. The building was erected in 1948.
Continental Fiber Drum and Continental Can Corporation owned and operated the site from 1948 to 1985. While fiber drums have historically been manufactured there, production of metal lids and rims were also occurred. The production of metal lids and rims involved varnishing and degreasing operations, which were the source of the contaminants.
Sonoco acquired the Fiber drum division in 1985. Varnishing and degreasing operations were discontinued in 1995. The site was purchased by Greif in 1998. Fiber drums and associated products are still manufactured there.
Project documents may be viewed at the DEC’s Region 9 office, 270 Michigan Ave., Buffalo, or at the Kenmore Public Library, 160 Delaware Road.
Environment-related public comments may be delivered to Michael Hinton, P.E., NYSDEC Region 9, 270 Michigan Ave., Buffalo, NY 14203. Hinton’s e-mail is mjhinton@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
Health-related comments and questions may be sent to Matthew Forcucci at NYSDOH Western Regional Office, 584 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14202. Forcucci’s e-mail address is mjf13@health.state.ny.us.
