Health and safety is a critical part of the Bay Shore/Brightwaters former MGP site remediation project as we work to address the environmental impacts at the site and improve the environment. National Grid is committed to protecting the public, our workers and contractors and the environment from potential hazards that can occur as part of cleanup activities planned for the site.

Health and safety programs are comprised of careful planning, good communication and effective monitoring of the execution of the health and safety plans. Remediation work is performed by qualified contractors that are appropriately trained and monitored, and is to be performed in accordance with applicable regulations. Health and Safety Plans have been developed for each remediation activity. Contractors are required to have employee training and medical monitoring programs, and are evaluated based on their compliance with established health and safety plans.

Public safety is monitored under oversight from NYSDEC, the New York State Department of Health and Suffolk County using the Community Air Monitoring Program, Soil Vapor monitoring, a Traffic Control Plan Amd a Quarterly Operations, Monitoring and Maintenance Report The Community Air Monitoring Program includes air monitoring at the construction / remediation sites and also between remediation activities and nearby residential and commercial areas when intrusive activities are conducted at the site. Intrusive activities can produce unpleasant odors, and are typically controlled to the extent practicable by performing excavation under a temporary movable enclosure with air filtration technology; using foam to cover exposed waste materials, managing the extent of open excavation and by occasionally stopping work if necessary. The Community Air Monitoring Plan has specified monitoring locations and concentrations that will determine when additional odor or emission controls must be used and when the work must stop to protect workers and the public.

Soil vapor monitoring is conducted on-site and on properties near the plume paths to ensure that potentially harmful vapors associated with the contamination in the groundwater plumes is not being released into the atmosphere.  When warranted, National Grid also takes indoor air samples in properties in the area of the plume paths.

A Traffic Control Plan is used to manage traffic in and around remediation activity and whenever trucks travel to and from the site. This program includes route planning for trucks and other vehicles, and coordination with local authorities and agencies on transportation safety issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the problem?

Historical gas manufacturing activity has impacted soil and groundwater at the Bay Shore/Brightwaters former MGP Site. This includes the areas in which operations were located as well as two off-site groundwater plumes emanating from the main site. Some of these materials have the potential to affect human health or the environment. The remediation program is designed to clean up the site so that it can be returned to valuable use and to ensure that property owners in the community have the full use and enjoyment of their properties.

Should I be concerned?

The Final Remedial Investigation Report accepted by the NYSDEC identified the extent of site related contamination both on and off-site. Site related materials are also found in the groundwater plume that extends south-south-westerly from the main site for approximately 3,400 feet through an area of Bay Shore and a smaller plume extending southerly from Operable Unit 3. Shallow groundwater and surface water near the site are not used for drinking water sources. In addition, extensive testing does not show site-related impacts to the municipally supplied drinking water supplies. The main site and adjacent parcels owned by National Grid are fenced and secured to prevent non-project personnel from entering. With the completion of the first two phases of remediation of Operable Unit 1, the potential for exposure to surface soil contamination has been eliminated, and the amount of source material for contamination of the groundwater plumes substantially reduced. When the In-situ chemical oxidation treatment phase of the remedy and the groundwater treatment facility are completed on the main site and the additional oxygen lines are installed in Operable Unit 2 there will be a reduction in the amount of contamination in the groundwater plume.

What can I expect as remediation continues?

There will be minor and temporary disruptions of traffic as three additional oxygen injection systems are installed in the Operable Unit 2 groundwater plume path, primarily in the area of North Clinton Avenue. There may be similar minor disruptions during the implementation of Interim Remedial Measures in the Operable Unit 4. None of these activities are expected to produce odors or other impacts, but the work crews will have odor reducing foams available should they unexpectedly encounter odors or if the air monitoring systems report the presence of chemicals approaching action levels.

For more information about the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Manufactured Gas Plant Site program go to: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8430.html.