On November 29, 2004, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released its proposed plan for the cleanup of Onondaga Lake. During the coming weeks and months the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the specifics of the plan and submit comments during DEC’s public comment period. For a look at the plan in its entirety, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8994.html.
Honeywell and DEC share the same goal – to implement a cleanup that protects human health and the environment. Over the past several months Honeywell has worked closely with DEC to fulfill requests for additional data and that process has resulted in a comprehensive exchange of information.
DEC’s proposed plan is based in part on a comprehensive, three-volume study, called a Feasibility Study (or FS) that Honeywell submitted in May 2004 in response to the agency’s request and resubmitted with additional information in November 2004.
The FS reflects over 12 years of scientific analysis and engineering studies that evaluated a wide range of cleanup options. The cleanup plan we recommended is a comprehensive remedy that is designed to:
- protect human health and the environment;
- meet the performance criteria established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
- improve the habitat for fish and wildlife;
- improve recreational opportunities and expand public access to the lake;
- and create the conditions allowing, over time, for the lake’s natural recovery.
DEC’s plan calls for a combined dredging/capping remedy generally in line with the approach recommended in the FS. Honeywell remains committed to working with the state to finalize an approach and implement an appropriate remedy.
