4) Environmental Considerations

There are two types of environmental factors that need to be considered while conceptualizing future development options on the PCG site.  The first factor is the nature and extent of environmental contamination on the site itself, and how that contamination could impact future land use options.  Having been listed on the National Priorities List (Superfund) the site clearly is environmentally impaired and great caution has to be exercised in the selection, design, construction and maintenance of future site uses.  The nature and extent of site contamination are summarized in the recently completed draft Remedial Investigation (RI) report.  For the purpose of characterization, the site was divided into multiple media: landfill sludge, landfill gas, surface soil, subsurface soil, shallow groundwater, deep groundwater, seep water, creek water, and wetland/creek sediment.  The groundwater and soil materials are further characterized in terms of location (landfill or former manufacturing area).  Multiple contaminants have been identified at levels that exceed background and/or published guidance values.  A Risk Assessment is currently under review by EPA and the Village’s technical consultants.  Key “contaminants of potential concern” (COPC) identified to date include the following.

In general, localized contamination by organic compounds has been observed at relatively low levels compared to chromium and arsenic, which are found across the site in multiple media.  While not believed to represent an immediate health concern, the elevated levels of these metals could present long-term health risks under specific exposure scenarios.  The actual magnitude and likelihood of such risks are currently being evaluated through the Risk Assessment process. Until the full extent of potential risks associated with contamination on the site is known, it is very difficult to decide on a remedial strategy or plan for the ultimate reuse.  Some of the general remedial options that have been discussed by engineers involved in the project are removal of contaminated soils, on-site treatment of soils/groundwater, and containment technologies. 

The second environmental factor to be considered is if future development on the site could be constrained by the presence of environmentally sensitive features. The Village of Gowanda is keenly aware of the importance that the natural environmental has played in the community’s past, and of its importance to present and future residents.  As such the Village is taking a proactive approach in the reuse planning process by examining some of the environmentally sensitive features that could impact, or be impacted by future use of the site.  Four of the environmental features of the site and area that can be considered sensitive to development activities are discussed in the full text of the report.  Recommendations on how the Village can incorporate these four environmental attributes into final site design include:

100-year floodplains. Before final site design is undertaken, detailed topographic mapping of the site should be undertaken in order to delineate the 100-year floodplain and plan accordingly.


Wellhead Protection Areas.  Continue to consult the County Department of Health and the Village Water Department regarding any concerns on wellhead protection or source water quality.


Wetlands. Before final design of the site is completed, professional wetland delineation should be completed on the site in order to help determine applicability of state/federal regulations.  


Habitat of Threatened or Endangered Species. At the beginning of final design for the site the NYSDEC Natural Heritage Program should be contacted and an official request made for assistance in identifying locations of rare species or significant natural communities.

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