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Update on the Niagara River U.S. RAP

Update on the Niagara River U.S. RAP. Niagara River Remedial Action Plan Implementers Session April 10, 2013. Overview. Planning process/addressing sediment Hydrilla Project Updates. Planning in the U.S. AOC Program.

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Update on the Niagara River U.S. RAP

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  1. Update on theNiagara River U.S. RAP Niagara River Remedial Action Plan Implementers Session April 10, 2013

  2. Overview • Planning process/addressing sediment • Hydrilla • Project Updates

  3. Planning in the U.S. AOC Program • Individual AOCs: EPA asked managers to produce detailed action plans by early 2012 • To support measurement of progress • As a basis for distributing future funding • Program-wide: Restoring AOCs remains in the top three priorities in allocating GLRI funding

  4. EPA Priority Setting • Targeting AOCs that may have an opportunity to delist sooner than others • Sediment contamination is a significant factor in selecting AOCs to target • Is the extent of contamination known? • Is a plan in place for remediation where required?

  5. Status of Niagara River Sediment • Sediment projects completed at 16 locations, over 300,000 cubic yards removed • Many projects have addressed potential contamination sources (point sources, hazardous waste sites, etc.) • Extent of contamination remaining in sediment is not well defined

  6. Federal Assistance for Sediment • Late 2011 – NYSDEC requests a federal sediment assessment in the River and lower reaches of tributaries • Summer 2012 – EPA informs NYSDEC that they have allocated some funding and will begin project • Shortly afterwards, EPA informs NYSDEC of need for boundary change

  7. Boundaries of the U.S. AOC • 1994 Stage 2 RAP • no defined geographical boundary lines for the AOC • describes the tributaries and clearly identifies them as source areas • Beginning around 2004, EPA mapped all AOC boundaries

  8. Niagara River Area of Concern (U.S. Section) 2005 EPA Mapping

  9. Source Area Tributaries • Gill Creek • Cayuga Creek • Bergholtz Creek • Little Niagara River • Tonawanda Creek • Ellicott Creek • Two Mile Creek • Rattlesnake Creek • Scajaquada Creek • Lackawanna Ship Canal • Smokes Creek

  10. EPA Guidance for Modifying Boundaries • “the geographic locations within the AOCs where there are beneficial use impairments have been referred to as ‘Impacted Areas,’ and the geographic location or areas within the AOCs that cause or contribute to beneficial use impairments have been referred to as the ‘Source Area.’” • “BUI assessments need not be performed in Source Areas.”

  11. Modifying Boundaries • The tributary areas will be designated source areas • The existing AOC (2005 boundaries) designated the Impact Area of Concern

  12. Hydrilla • Native to Australia, Asia, Africa • Forms dense surface mats that can block sunlight and displace native plants • Roots in sediment; can grow stems 25-30 feet long • Obstructs boating, swimming and fishing • Blocks water intakes • Any fragment can become a new plant

  13. Hydrilla • August 2011 – First discovery in New York, Cayuga Lake Inlet in Ithaca • September 2012 – First confirmed discovery in Western New York, Erie Canal in North Tonawanda

  14. Hydrilla Response • Joint survey last Fall by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NYSDEC and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources • Documented 13.5 miles of infested waters in the Erie Canal, from North Tonawanda to Lockport • Found no plants in the Niagara River proper

  15. Hydrilla Response Locations of Infestation

  16. Hydrilla Response 2013 • Further investigate extent of infestation • Evaluate treatment options • Outreach and education has been initiated and will continue through boating season • Recreational boating is the highest risk vector for spreading to other waters

  17. Motor Island Habitat Improvement Project Restored natural shoreline features while providing protection against wave energy and ice damage - Construction is complete - Planting to be completed this Spring

  18. Motor Island Habitat Improvement Project

  19. Shoreline Softening Demonstration Needed

  20. Reassessment of Sources of Contamination • Assess current loadings from waste sites, point sources, and primary tributaries • Update previous studies • Goals: • Confirm that point sources are no longer significant • Determine whether waste sites are still a contaminant source • Estimate contaminant loadings from primary tributaries • Support possible further source trackdown and abatement

  21. Reassessment of Sources of Contamination

  22. Contact Information Mark Filipski Niagara River AOC Coordinator NYSDEC 270 Michigan Avenue Buffalo, New York 14203 716-851-7130 mdfilips@gw.dec.state.ny.us

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