Abandoned Sand and Gravel Quarry

Town of North Hempstead
Port Washington, New York

Roux Associates performed an investigation and remediation program in support of the redevelopment of a 460-acre abandoned sand and gravel quarry located in Port Washington, New York into a senior care facility and golf course. The key to the success of the program was to expedite remediation in a cost effective, timely manner to facilitate the development activities.

The program involved the decontamination and removal of over 50 transformers containing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) dielectric fluid, identifying and delineating impacts to soil and concrete in the vicinity of the transformer locations, and the removal of all PCB-contaminated soil and concrete in accordance with Toxic Substance Control Act and NYSDEC guidelines. Delineation efforts involved the field analysis of soil and concrete chip samples using immunoassay technology, which provided results within a 24-hour time period.

An underground and aboveground storage tank (UST/AST) removal program was also implemented, and included locating numerous unmapped USTs using ground penetrating radar, tank excavation, removal and disposal of petroleum-contaminated soil and closure. Debris piles, abandoned vehicles and over 100 drums, some containing hazardous materials, were also removed from the site.

An area in the northern portion of the site that showed evidence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons posed a particular problem as the contaminated soil provided slope stabilization. A limited risk assessment was conducted to show that the soil was effectively remediated by capping the area, which resulted in significant cost savings over removing the contaminated soil and re-estabilizing the slope.