Wide Beach Development is a 55-acre suburban subdivision in Brant, New York. From 1968 to 1978, the Wide Beach Homeowners' Association spread waste oil laced with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, on local roads to control dust. Contamination reached roads, driveways, storm drains, homes, and private wells. In 1980, residents unknowingly used excavated roadway soil as fill in yards and a community recreational area, spreading the problem further. EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List in September 1983.
The main contaminants of concern are Aroclor 1254, PCBs, dibutyl phthalate, dichloromethane (also called methylene chloride), and selenium. PCBs and Aroclor 1254 have been found in soil, surface water, and groundwater. Dibutyl phthalate, dichloromethane, and selenium were detected in groundwater. Testing also turned up PCBs in air, road dust, and vacuum cleaner dust inside homes.
EPA launched emergency actions in 1985. Workers paved roads and driveways, vacuumed homes and replaced air filters, and installed particulate filters on private wells. The long-term cleanup plan, chosen in September 1985, called for excavating about 36,160 tons of contaminated soil from roads, drainage ditches, driveways, yards, and wetlands. Workers chemically treated the excavated soil, backfilled the areas with treated material, and repaved surfaces. A later amendment added a chemical dehalogenation treatment option. Remedial work on soils and roads ran from January 1989 through September 1991. Wetland mitigation and restoration work followed, finishing in September 1992.
The site was deleted from the National Priorities List on August 30, 1994. Human exposure is under control, with no unacceptable exposure pathways identified. All cleanup goals for current and reasonably anticipated future land uses have been achieved, required controls are in place, and the site achieved sitewide ready for anticipated use status in June 2006. Physical construction is complete across all operable units.
Community members can review site records at Brant Town Hall in Brant, New York, or at the EPA Region 2 Superfund Records Center in New York City. For questions, contact the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager.
