EPA Superfund Site

ONONDAGA LAKE

NY | EPA ID NYD986913580

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of January 2025, the Onondaga Lake Superfund Site is considered Human Exposure Not Under Control because of ongoing subsistence fishing in the lake and its tributaries. The Lake Bottom dredging and capping has been completed, with more than 2 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment removed and close to 500 acres of cap placed. Although the lake bottom has been remediated, fish tissue still has elevated levels of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls. Although fish consumption advisories have been issued by New York State and fish consumption advisory signs have been posted, subsistence fishing in the lake continues. Cleanup of several subsites that contributed to contamination in the Lake have been completed. Additional planned activities to address the exposure pathway include the completion of a remedial investigation/feasibility study related to regional deep groundwater contamination, several remedial designs, and several remedial actions.

EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by September 2048, when clean up goals are met and the site is deleted from the National Priorities List.

EPA ensures community participation throughout the remedial process by meeting with residents and affected stakeholders, issuing public notices and updating fact sheets. A site profile has been established on the EPA website to keep the community informed of recent progress at the site. Additionally, an EPA Community Involvement Coordinator is assigned to the site and can address specific community concerns as they arise.