Sarney Farm

Overview

Sarney Farm is a former municipal landfill in Amenia, New York that accepted industrial waste illegally between 1968 and 1969. EPA added it to the National Priorities List (NPL) in June 1986 after groundwater contamination was confirmed in the early 1980s. The site remains on the NPL but has reached a late stage of cleanup, with construction finished and reuse goals met.

Contamination affects groundwater, surface water, and soil. EPA has identified 34 contaminants of concern, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethene, benzene, toluene, and chloroform. Heavy metals including arsenic, lead, nickel, vanadium, and zinc are also present, along with phthalates, naphthalene-related compounds, ketones, and chlorinated compounds like vinyl chloride. A limited area of groundwater contamination remains immediately east of Cleaver Swamp, but no contamination has been detected off-property.

Cleanup work has been extensive. An aeration treatment system went in during 1987 to reduce organic pollutants. From 1992 to 1998, workers removed 674 drums, 552 pails, and 20,353 small containers, and thermally treated 10,512 tons of contaminated soil. The site is divided into operable units (OUs) covering container excavation, on-site soil treatment, and groundwater. Construction across all units was completed in September 2001. In December 2021, EPA placed a Notice to Successors in Title on the deed for the area where contamination remains.

EPA has completed four five-year reviews (FYRs), most recently in April 2021. All reviews have confirmed that cleanup actions protect public health and the environment. Human exposure is under control, and groundwater migration has stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water reaching nearby areas. The site achieved sitewide ready for anticipated reuse status in September 2021. Annual well sampling continues to monitor remaining contamination.

Community members can follow progress through EPA's ongoing fifth five-year review, with the report expected in spring 2026. Site records are available in person at Dover Town Hall in Dover Plains, New York, or at the EPA Region 2 Superfund Records Center in New York City, which requires an advance appointment. The Community Involvement Coordinator and Remedial Project Manager can answer questions directly.