Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the release of the final selected remedy to fully contain and treat the plume of contamination caused by industrial waste from U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman manufacturing facilities in Oyster Bay, Nassau County.
In 2019, the Department of Environmental Conservation’s investigation of the nearly four-mile long and two-mile wide underground plume confirmed that construction, long-term operation and maintenance of an estimated $585 million full plume containment and treatment system is feasible and can effectively halt the further spread of contaminants.
The DEC’s analysis and proposed amended record of decision was released for public comment in May 2019. The agency received more than 200 comments on the plan during the public comment period. The final remedy, developed in consultation with the State Department of Health, is a comprehensive plan to contain and clean up the plume and hold the responsible parties — U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman — accountable for its implementation.
The DEC’s chosen alternative includes the construction of 24 groundwater extraction wells, five treatment plants, four recharge basins and approximately 24 miles of conveyance piping. The estimated cost to construct and operate the system is $585 million.
The DEC is demanding that Navy and Grumman implement the selected plan as soon as possible and will use all legal and regulatory authority to compel them to act. If the responsible parties decline to act, the agency will begin construction of the new system using State resources.
