City of New York - Corporate Counsel

Site Description[1]
This site is on the north-east portion of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. Industrial Park (BNYDC) and is operated by the NYC Department of Sanitation. The site is bordered by the East River on the north and west, by Kent Avenue on the east, and by the rest of BNYDC site on the south. The site includes a barge basin, the Building 419 transformer substation, two former drum storage areas, a former boat shop area and a former coal gasification plant area. The site is currently used for the storage of salt and, to a lesser extent, vehicles. The surrounding area includes industrial, commercial and residential uses. From 1890s to 1940s, the northern part of the site was occupied by a coal gasification plant, identified as the Nassau Works. This plant generated tar-like wastes containing several semi-volatile organic compounds. The two drum storage areas and the transformer substation also have demonstrable levels of lead and PCB contamination. Several preliminary characterization studies have been performed, and some interim remedial actions have been undertaken (the later have been focused on the Building 419 area). The NYC Department of Sanitation has completed the field investigation on 9.5 acres of the site, while Keyspan Energy, Inc. is finalizing the investigation the 3.5 acre Coal Gasification portion of the site. Feasibility studies will be submitted for both projects in the next phase. Both investigations are being performed pursuant to a NYSDEC consent order.

Site Environmental Assessment
Groundwater contaminated with coal gasification wastes poses a threat to barge basins which have potential for use as a nursery for immature fish and shellfish. The site also contains levels of PCB and lead in soils that could cause a problem if eroded soils were to wash into the barge basin.

Site Health Assessment
Access to the site is generally restricted, therefore there exists the potential for human exposures through direct contact with contaminants in surface soil. However, based on current site usage, any exposure to contaminated soil would be expected to be infrequent and short in duration. Groundwater is contaminated with benzene, however exposures to groundwater contamination are unlikely as the area is served by public drinking water.

Contaminants of Concern

Type of Waste	Quantity
LEAD	UNKNOWN
PCB OIL	UNKNOWN
NAPHTHALENE	UNKNOWN
Benzene (D018 Waste)	unknown
CHLOROBENZENE	UNKNOWN