OSWER/OSRTI Washington, DC 20460



## N ATIONAL 

## P RIORITIES 

## L IST 

## (NPL)

[The description of the site (release) is based on information ava ilable at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination.]

For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxF AQs can be found on

the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/to xfaq html or by telephone at 1

- 888

- 42

- ATSDR or 1

- 888

- 422

- 8737. *** Final Site *** March 2012


### E

IGHTEENMILE CREEK Niagara County
, New York

 **Site Location:** The Eighteen m ile Creek site is located in Niagara County, in west ern NY , on the south side of Lake Ontario. It originates in Lockport, NY fro m two branches (East and West) immediately north of the New York State Barge Canal (a.k.a. Erie Canal); the creek flows nor th for 15 miles and discharges into Lake Ontario.

 **Site History:** Eighteen m ile Creek has a long history of industrial use dating back to the 19 th century. In Lockport, NY, where the creek originates, four industrial or former industrial facilities; i.e., Former Flintkote Plant s ite; Former United Paperboard Company; Upson Park; and Former White Transportation property, have been investigated. This stretch of the creek is referred to as the Eighteen m ile Creek Corridor s ite. There are numerous industrial facilities and hazardous
waste sites loca ted along Eighteen m ile Creek. I nvestigations confirm the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and other contaminants throughout Eighteen m ile Creek, but specific sources of contamination have not been

identified. Possible sources of contamination include: contaminant migration from hazardous waste sites or contaminated properties , industrial/ m unicipal wastewater discharges, storm water a nd combined sewer outfall discharges. The Burt and Newfane Dams (along the creek) may cause contaminated sediments to accumulate.

 **Site Contamination/Contaminants:** Samplin g events indicate that Eighteen m ile Creek sediments are contaminated with a variety of pollutan ts, including mercury, lead, copper, pesticide s /insecticides; PCBs , dioxins, and furans. PCBs are the primary contaminants in sediment samples collected from Eighteen m ile Creek. Although the highest PCB concentrations have been reported
within the Corridor s ite, sampling data indicate that contamination extends about 13 miles downstream to Burt Dam.

 **Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment:** Eighteen m ile Creek is surrounded by six residential townships. The land within the Eighteen m ile Creek watershed consists primarily of croplands and orchards, with residential, commercial and industrial areas located around Lockport, Newfane, and Olcott Harbor. S everal wetlands are adjacent to contam inated portion s of the creek and there

is eviden ce of fishing in the Corridor s ite and other portions of the creek. Fisherman’s Park, a public fishing area

lo cated within the creek, is a major fishing area (22,000 angler hours recorded in 2005 ) . The reach of the c reek
between Burt Dam and Lake Ontario is classified an Area of Concern by the Grea t Lakes National Program Office

, due to its natural resources value within the Lake Ontario watershed.

 **Response Activities (to date):** Eighteen m ile Creek and surro unding properties have been the focus of numerous investigations by the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the EPA since the late 1980s

. The most recent st udy

f

ocused on collecting sediment samples from Eighteen m ile Creek beginn ing just downstream of the Corridor s ite for almost the entire length of the creek, but samples w ere not collected between Burt Dam and Lake Ontario.

 **Need for NPL Listing:** Other federal and state cleanup programs were evaluated, but are not viable at t his time. The EPA received a letter of support for placing this site on the NPL from the S tate of New York.