Project Update: Hudson River PCBs Superfund Site October 24, 2012 Mr. David King, PE – USEPA Region 2 Mr. Gary Klawinski – USEPA Region 2 Mr. Mark Surette – Ecology and Environment, Inc.

Site History

2002 ROD Overview EPA selects dredging as remedy for Hudson in 2002 – ~2.65 million cubic yards targeted for removal from 40 miles of river – Two phases separated by independent peer review – Engineering Performance Standards, set criteria covering: Residuals / Resuspension / Productivity – Unique Quality of Life Performance Standards, set criteria covering: Air / Noise / Odor / Light / Navigation – Monitoring programs developed to assess EPS / QoLPS – Extensive facility siting process, input from various stakeholders / public

Phase 1 Dredging

Sediment Processing Facility

Phase 1 Overview Conducted May - October 2009 – ~283,000 cubic yards removed – Containing ~20,000 kilograms TPCB 24-hours a day / 6 days per week Up to 12 dredge platforms – 19 Barges – 21 Tugboats – 90+ Vessels

Phase 1 “Lessons Learned” Number of challenges identified: – Uncertainties in depth of contaminated sediments – Woody debris / bedrock / glacial lake clay – Delays in unloading material – Off-site disposal extended into 2010 Steps taken: – Significant resampling effort (~2,000 cores) – Revised dredging approach Reduced number of passes Adjusted method to setting dredge depth following first pass – Revised performance standards Limit the extent of capping allowed – Equipment modifications at Processing Facility

Phase 2 Year 1 Overview Conducted June – November 2011 – ~363,000 cubic yards removed – Containing ~27,000 kilograms TPCB – Up to 3 dredge platforms Delayed start due to 100-year high-flow event Significant improvement vs. Phase 1 – Volume removed greater than EPA target of 350,000 CY – Improved compliance with EPS/QoLPS Additional improvements at Processing Facility

Additional Facility Improvements Coarse Material Staging Area Expansion Project Additional Gravity Thickener Construction Additional Barge Unloading Station Construction

Phase 2 Year 2 Overview Currently underway – Began in May – ~509,000 cubic yards removed as of October 6 Highest productivity seen to-date Continuing to perform in-compliance with EPS / QoLPS – Up to 4 dredge platforms Separation of TSCA / Non-TSCA regulated material – In-situ characterization – Separate treatment systems – Confirmation through sampling – Disposal at different facilities

Future Years ~3 – 5 additional years of dredging – ~34 miles of river to complete dredging Additional challenging areas to be dredged: – West Griffin Island Area Shallow water depth / extensive vegetation and wetland area – Land-Locked Area / Multiple Low-Head Dams Not accessible from “main stem” via boat Low-head dams at northern / southern extent – Hot Spot 28 Extensive depth of contamination (> 5 feet) and PCB mass (> 11,000 kilograms TPCB mass)

Future Years Continued West Griffin Island Area

Land-Locked Area – Southern Extent

Future Years (cont.) Dredging project will continue within an adaptive management framework – Changes to operations / standards as new information is gathered – Allows for continuous refinement of remedial action

For More Information Mr. David King, PE – USEPA Project Director Mr. Gary Klawinski – USEPA Project Manager Phone: (518) Mr. John Fazzolari, PE – E & E Project Manager Phone: (716)