The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) are proposing to move ahead with the Operable Unit V cleanup project, now that all environmental investigations are complete. Operable Unit V (OU V) is the administrative name referring to an area in the eastern-central portion of BNL. This area includes the Lab's sewage treatment plant, as well as areas of the Peconic River that have been impacted by past Laboratory operations (see map below).
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| Operable Unit V and the Peconic River |
River investigations
In 1997, BNL completed sampling Peconic River sediments for the OU V Remedial Investigation. A remedial investigation takes place to determine what materials are present, and in what amounts, so that an appropriate cleanup can be planned. The river sediments were tested for a number of materials.
The results showed that Peconic River sediments on the Lab site contain heavy metals such as mercury, and organic chemicals such as PCBs. Levels of these materials on Lab property are below those that could pose a threat to the public's health. However, they could pose an ecological risk to fish and other river creatures.
Contaminant levels off Lab property were below those that would pose a risk to the public's health or to aquatic life.
In May 1999, the Lab conducted a comprehensive investigation of the Peconic River to look for plutonium and other radioactive materials. The Connetquot River was also sampled as a control, or comparison, location. The Lab released the results of this sampling in October.
These results show that average plutonium levels in the Peconic River on Lab property, as well as portions of the Lab's sewage treatment plant, are slightly higher than reference levels. However, the plutonium levels are well below those that pose a risk to the public's health or to aquatic life. The elevated average plutonium levels are most likely the result of past processing of waste from the Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor. This reactor ceased operation in 1969.
Average levels of plutonium in the Peconic River, off Lab property, are comparable to levels in the Connetquot River, a reference location which is unaffected by Lab operations. The levels of plutonium found in off-site Peconic River sediments are similar to those expected to be found due to fallout that occurred in the 1950s and '60s.
Plutonium was not detected in Peconic River fish or surface water samples.
A brochure on these results was distributed to residents on the Environmental Restoration Division mailing list, as well as all Laboratory employees. Copies of this brochure are available by calling (631) 344-7459. The Lab also held three information sessions during October to discuss these results with the community.
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| Peconic River information session, October 1999 |
Cleanup alternatives examined
After completing the investigation of OU V, the Lab released the Operable Unit V Feasibility Study Report on November 1, 1999. This report describes planned and completed cleanup actions for areas at the Lab's sewage treatment plant. It also evaluates five cleanup alternatives for the Peconic River: In all of these alternatives, levels of heavy metals and organic chemicals in the river sediments will determine the areas requiring cleanup.
Alternative 1 - Take no action, although monitoring would continue. This alternative is required by law to be evaluated for comparison with the other alternatives.
Alternative 2 - Excavate all sediments with contaminant levels higher than cleanup goals. Dry them and dispose of them off site. Remove approximately 8,300 cubic yards of sediments.
Alternative 3 - Excavate the two areas of the Peconic River containing sediments with the highest levels of contamination. Dry the sediments and dispose of them off site. Minimize disturbance of wetlands through this limited excavation. Place a silt curtain near the Laboratory's boundary to prevent remaining sediments from travelling off site. Remove approximately 6,600 cubic yards of sediments.
Alternative 4 - As in Alternative 2, excavate all sediments with contaminant levels higher than cleanup goals. Dry them, and consider them for beneficial reuse either on or off site. Potential uses have not yet been identified.
Alternative 5 - As in Alternative 2, excavate all sediments with contaminant levels higher than cleanup goals. Place the sediments in drying beds and prepare them for planting by adding fertilizers and lime. Grow plants in the prepared sediments to absorb the contaminants (in a process called "phytoreme-diation"). Harvest these plants every six to nine weeks and dispose of them off site. Reuse the treated sediments.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Brookhaven Lab will select their preferred alternative for the river cleanup and report it in the Operable Unit V Proposed Plan, which is expected to be released in early January 2000.
Your role in the Peconic River cleanup
Public comments will be key to the final cleanup decision for Operable Unit V. The Lab will hold information sessions and a public meeting to inform residents about the cleanup and gather their comments. Interested parties are invited to attend one of these meetings to learn more about this cleanup project. Meeting dates and times will be announced in a later mailing.
All comments received by DOE will be reviewed and considered. A final cleanup decision will be made by DOE, with the concurrence of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This decision will be documented in the Operable Unit V Record of Decision. After these agencies agree on the cleanup plan, the remedy will be designed and implemented.