Red Hook Coastal Resiliency

Phase I & II ESA, RAP, CHASP, CAMP

CORE was retained by NV5 to complete the contaminated materials investigation portion of the Environmental Assessment for the Red Hook Coastal Resiliency Project (RHCR). This included a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Phase II ESA, and a hazardous materials survey. The RHCR project is an approximately 470 acre that has been identified as vulnerable to flooding based on Integrated flood Protection Systems (IFPS) studies conducted in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy by the New York City Economic Development Corp. (NYCEDC) and the Mayors Office of Recovery and Resiliency (ORR). The study concluded that recommendation were needed for a new flood protection system for Red Hook.

CORE performed a Limited Phase I ESA to identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs), historical recognized environmental conditions (HRECs), and/or controlled recognized environmental conditions (CRECs) that may impact construction within the flood improvement corridors. CORE identified several RECs that warranted further investigation. CORE prepared a Phase II ESA Work plan and completed the field work in conformance with the NYSDEC Division of Environmental Remediation (DER)-10 Technical Guidance for Site Investigation and Remediation (May 2010) and the 2021 City Environmental Quality Review Technical Manual (CEQR).

The purpose of the Phase II was to characterize the subsurface media in the area of environmental concern identified in the Phase I ESA. CORE’s subcontractor driller advanced a total of 114 borings and 10 being temporary groundwater wells. 297 soil samples and 16 groundwater samples were collected for analysis against the 6 NYCRR Part 375 Table 375-6.8(b) Restricted Use Soil Cleanup Objectives –Residential Use and Commercial Use Standards. Groundwater sample results were compared to Guidance values from 6 NYCRR Part 703: Surface Water and Groundwater Quality Standards and Groundwater Effluent Limitations, for Class GA Waters presented in TOGS 1.1.1 June 1998.

While no gross contamination was observed during the subsurface investigation, subsurface soil and groundwater samples contained elevated concentrations of primarily semi-volatile organic compounds and heavy metals in the subsurface soil and groundwater. Numerous samples contained concentrations of these compounds exceeding applicable regulatory guidelines. The presence of these pollutants is most likely attributable to historic fill and the industrial and manufacturing history of the area. CORE is preparing a Remedial Action Plan, Community Air Monitoring Plan, and Health and Safety Plan for construction.