EPA Superfund Site

EIGHTEENMILE CREEK

NY | EPA ID NYN000206456

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of January 2025, the Eighteen Mile Creek site is considered Human Exposure Not Under Control due to residential properties with lead contamination. The remedy to address these residential properties was selected in 2018, a contract for the implementation of the cleanups has been awarded and the cleanup of some of the properties are underway. The creek sediments are contaminated with a number of contaminants, the most prevalent being polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Other pollutants include mercury, lead, copper, pesticides/insecticides, dioxins, and furans. EPA has already completed several efforts to date to address risks identified at the site pursuant to a remedy selected in 2013. These efforts have included the demolition and removal of a contaminated production plant; the relocation of residents living on floodplain properties that had been contaminated by creek flooding; and the acquisition and demolition of PCB-contaminated properties in the floodplains. A remedy for the most contaminated portion of the Creek and adjoining properties was selected in 2017. Contracts have been awarded, and work initiated, for the implementation of the remedy for the most contaminated portion of the creek and for 33 residential properties contaminated with lead. While EPA has completed the design and initiated the cleanup at the first phase of 33 residential properties, investigations at additional OU4 residential properties are on-going. It is anticipated that soil sampling at these properties at the site to determine the potential impacts to human health and the environment will not be completed before 2026.

A remedy for the next portion of the downstream reaches of the stream (approximately 5.4 miles) referred to as the Sediment Transitional Area (STA) was issued in September 2024. The evaluation of the remainder of the Creek is still ongoing. It is not anticipated that the risk assessment to address the remainder of the Creek to determine the potential impacts to human health and the environment will be completed before 2028; as a result, a human exposure determination cannot be made before 2028.

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.