JUNE 16, 2017--As part of the five-year review process for the Hudson River site, EPA convened a Five Year Review Team that included state and federal agencies, Community Advisory Group members, EPA and their consultants.

Staff from NOAA's Assessment and Restoration Division were members of the team that met between June 2016 and February 2017.

Between 2009 and 2015, more than 2.75 million cubic yards of PCB contaminated sediment and approximately 310,000 lbs. of PCB were dredged from the Upper Hudson River between Ft. Edward and the Federal Dam at Troy. About 8% of the dredged areas were subsequently capped, the remainder backfilled. On June 1, 2017, EPA released the Second Five Year Review Report for the Hudson River PCBs Superfund Site. In the report, EPA determined that the in-river remedy will be protective of human health and the environment when the remedy is completed, when the natural attenuation component of the remedy has been completed. The time frame to meet some of the remedial action goals is multiple decades. Following the release of EPA's report, Basil Seggos, the Commissioner for the New York State Department of the Environment and Senator Kristin Gillibrand voiced opposition to EPA's conclusions.

EPA also determined that the 1991 capping remedy and subsequent fencing and signage of the Remnant Deposits is protective of human health and the environment but institutional controls need to be implemented to ensure long-term protectiveness. The Remnant Deposits or Operable Unit 1 are located downstream of the two GE plant sites and upstream of the portions of the river that were dredged. The Remnant Deposits are former river sediments that became exposed when the Ft Edward dam was removed in 1973 and water levels in this area of the river dropped.

EPA will hold public information meetings on June 28 In Poughkeepsie and on July 19 in Saratoga Springs. The public comment period for the Second Five Year Review Report has been extended and closes September 1.

For further information, contact Lisa.Rosman@noaa.gov.

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