culmination of years of investigations,
engineering, discussion and dialogue,
planning, and design. The cleanup plan is
based on sound science and incorporates
input from top national and
local scientists, engineers,
experts in the field,
government agencies, and
community members.
Honeywell cleaned up
former factory sites and
built the infrastructure that
paved the way for dredging
and capping operations. Habitat
has been enhanced along the lakeshore with
native plants selected by the community.
was pumped to a consolidation area at
former industrial property off Airport Road
for drying and safe long-term isolation.
will be capped to provide a new habitat
layer, prevent erosion, and isolate
remaining contaminants.
The early completion
was the result of the
focused execution of
a carefully designed
project plan. Capping
and habitat restoration
are on schedule to
be completed in 2016.
The cleanup is being
done under the
of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
and the New York State Department of
Health (DOH).
elements of Honeywell's Onondaga
Lake remediation.
shoreline at the 2013 New York State Fair.
Fairgoers spoke with experts, watched
educational videos, observed fish from the lake,
saw a bald eagle, and more. The "Onondaga
Lake: A Fresh Gateway to the New New York"
exhibit was created by a volunteer partnership
of
coordinated remediation efforts between state
and local partners are changing the region and
providing for future economic vitality.
economic growth far beyond the lakeshore.
Onondaga County and its Save the Rain
Department of Environmental Conservation,
Audubon New York, COR Development,
Destiny USA, Morrisville State College,
Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science
& Technology, O'Brien & Gere, and The Great
New York State Fair.
seen in Onondaga Lake...this will
be a great recreational and tourism
resource for Central New York for
generations to come."
(CPWG) meets monthly with the Department
of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and
Honeywell to both raise community awareness
and deepen our understanding of the complex
issues surrounding the lake cleanup. Meetings
with Onondaga County, public health officials, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and
scientists have helped us to achieve these goals.
the following were most welcome:
prevent, lessen or contain odors originating
from the consolidation area
which is designed to minimize the formation
of methylmercury that accumulates in fish,
offers hope for an enhanced edible fishery
in Onondaga Lake
of underwater historical vessels continued
county's success in reducing the
occurrence of combined sewer overflows
have further reduced the inflow of
contaminants into the lake
area, the Geddes Brook habitat restoration area,
and close-up views of dredges and lakeshore
construction sites.
opportunities for CPWG committee members to be
informed, ask questions, and engage in dialogue.
The CPWG will continue to update the community.
We invite anyone to participate in our meetings.
more information, or to contact us, please
visit
is to lower the concentrations of contaminants
in fish tissue, including mercury. This is being
accomplished by dredging; installing a new,
clean lake bottom; and treating the deep-water
sections during the summer months. The
lake bottom also will be monitored for
natural recovery.
worked together to develop a solution to reduce
mercury levels in the lake. Initial results have
shown tremendous improvements in water
quality and lower levels of mercury in fish such
as smallmouth bass.
day."
reduction in methylmercury in the
lake water. Much of this is due
to Onondaga County's efforts at the
Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater
Treatment Plant in addition to the
deep-water remedy. This is a
remarkable achievement."
and senior research scientist at Upstate
Freshwater Institute
Onondaga Lake