HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM (HRS) PACKAGE

WAPPINGER CREEK

DOWNSTREAM OF WAPPINGERS FALLS

WAPPINGER FALLS, NY

EPA ID No.: NYN000201758

EPA Contract No. EP-S13-08-01

TDD No. 0004/1508-06

Document Control No. W0269.1A.00815

April 2016

Prepared for:

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Prepared by:

Weston Solutions, Inc.

Edison, New Jersey 08837
This page has been left blank intentionally.
HRS DOCUMENTATION RECORD--REVIEW COVER SHEET

Name of Site: Wappinger Creek

Date Prepared:

Contact Persons

Site Investigation:

Documentation Record: 

April 2016 

Region 2 Site Assessment Team

Weston Solutions, Inc.

Edison, NJ

Denise Zeno (212) 637-4319

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

New York, NY 

Scott T. Snyder, CHMM (732) 417-5828

Weston Solutions, Inc.

Edison, NJ

Pathways, Components, or Threats Not Scored

The surface water migration pathway—drinking water threat, ground water migration pathway, soil exposure 

pathway, and air migration pathway were not scored because the listing decision is not affected significantly by 

those pathways. The site score is sufficient to list the site on the surface water migration pathway score based on the 

human food chain and environmental threats. 
This page has been left blank intentionally. 
HRS DOCUMENTATION RECORD

Name of Site: 

EPA ID No.:

EPA Region:

Street Address of Site*:

County and State: 

General Location in the State:

Wappinger Creek Date Prepared: April 2016 

NYN000201758

2 

Wappinger Creek downstream of Wappingers Falls, Wappingers Falls, NY

12590

Dutchess County, New York

Central Hudson River valley

Topographic Map: Wappingers Falls, NY

Latitude*: 41° 35′ 51.6624” North (41.597684°) Longitude*: 73° 55′ 37.6896′′ West (-73.927136°)

Site Reference Point: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contaminated sediment sample 

location 0269-SED19

[Figures 1 and 2; Ref. 3, pp. 1, 3; 4, p. 1; 5, p. 2; 33, pp. 92, 97, 102; 54, p. 1; 61, pp. 747, 794, 838] 

The site consists of a zone of sediment contamination with no identified source. Therefore, the reference point for 

the street address and site latitude/longitude coordinates is one of the locations where EPA identified contaminated 

sediment within the tidal portion of Wappinger Creek (i.e., 0269-SED19) [Ref. 1, p. 51605; 33, pp. 92, 97, 102]. 

** The street address, coordinates, and contaminant locations presented in this Hazard Ranking System (HRS) 

documentation record identify the general area where the site is located. They represent one or more locations EPA 

considers to be part of the site based on the screening information EPA used to evaluate the site for NPL listing. 

EPA lists national priorities among the known "releases or threatened releases" of hazardous substances; thus, the 

focus is on the release, not precisely delineated boundaries. A site is defined as where a hazardous substance has 

been "deposited, stored, placed, or otherwise come to be located." Generally, HRS scoring and the subsequent 

listing of a release merely represent the initial determination that a certain area may need to be addressed under 

CERCLA. Accordingly, EPA contemplates that the preliminary description of facility boundaries at the time of 

scoring will be refined as more information is developed as to where the contamination has come to be located.

Scores

Ground Water Pathway Not Scored

Surface Water Pathway 100.00

Soil Exposure Pathway Not Scored

Air Pathway Not Scored

HRS SITE SCORE 50.00
WORKSHEET FOR COMPUTING HRS SITE SCORE

WAPPINGER CREEK

S S2

1. Ground Water Migration Pathway Score (Sgw) Not Scored

(from Table 3-1, line 13)

2a. Surface Water Overland/Flood Migration Component 100.00 10,000.00

(from Table 4-1, line 30)

2b. Ground Water to Surface Water Migration Component Not Scored

(from Table 4-25, line 28)

2c. Surface Water Migration Pathway Score (Ssw) 100.00 10,000.00

Enter the larger of lines 2a and 2b as the pathway score.

3. Soil Exposure Pathway Score (Ss) Not Scored

(from Table 5-1, line 22)

4. Air Migration Pathway Score (Sa) Not Scored

(from Table 6-1, line 12)

5. Total of Sgw2 + Ssw2 + Ss

2 + Sa2 10,000.00

6. HRS Site Score Divide the value on line 5

 by 4 and take the square root 50.00

 2 
SURFACE WATER OVERLAND/FLOOD MIGRATION COMPONENT SCORESHEET

WAPPINGER CREEK

SURFACE WATER OVERLAND/FLOOD 

MIGRATION COMPONENT

Factor Categories & Factors

DRINKING WATER THREAT

MAXIMUM

VALUE

VALUE

ASSIGNED

Likelihood of Release

1. Observed Release

2. Potential to Release by Overland Flow

2a. Containment

2b. Runoff

2c. Distance to Surface Water

2d. Potential to Release by Overland Flow

 (lines 2a [2b + 2c])

3. Potential to Release by Flood

3a. Containment (Flood)

3b. Flood Frequency

3c. Potential to Release by Flood

 (lines 3a x 3b)

4. Potential to Release (lines 2d + 3c)

5. Likelihood of Release (higher of lines 1 and 4)

550

10

25

25

500

10

50

500

500

550

550

not scored

not scored

not scored

not scored

not scored

not scored

not scored

not scored

550

Waste Characteristics

6. Toxicity/Persistence

7. Hazardous Waste Quantity

8. Waste Characteristics

* 

* 

100

not scored

not scored

not scored

Targets

9. Nearest Intake

10. Population

10a. Level I Concentrations

10b. Level II Concentrations

10c. Potential Contamination

10d. Population (lines 10a + 10b + 10c)

11. Resources

12. Targets (lines 9 + 10d + 11)

50

**

**

**

**

5 

**

not scored

not scored

not scored

not scored

not scored

not scored

not scored

13. DRINKING WATER THREAT SCORE

([lines 5 x 8 x 12]/82,500)

100 not scored

* Maximum value applies to waste characteristics category.

** Maximum value not applicable

 3 
SURFACE WATER OVERLAND/FLOOD MIGRATION COMPONENT SCORESHEET

WAPPINGER CREEK

SURFACE WATER OVERLAND/FLOOD 

MIGRATION COMPONENT

Factor Categories & Factors

HUMAN FOOD CHAIN THREAT

MAXIMUM

VALUE

VALUE

ASSIGNED

Likelihood of Release

14. Likelihood of Release (same as line 5) 550 550

Waste Characteristics

15. Toxicity/Persistence/Bioaccumulation

16. Hazardous Waste Quantity

17. Waste Characteristics

* 

* 

1,000

5.00E+08 

100

320

Targets

18. Food Chain Individual

19. Population

19a. Level I Concentrations

19b. Level II Concentrations

19c. Potential Human Food Chain Contamination

19d. Population (lines 19a + 19b + 19c)

20. Targets (lines 18 + 19d)

50

**

**

**

**

**

45

0

0.03

0 

0.03

45.03

21. HUMAN FOOD CHAIN THREAT SCORE

([lines 14 x 17 x 20]/82,500)

100 96

* Maximum value applies to waste characteristics category.

** Maximum value not applicable

 4 
SURFACE WATER OVERLAND/FLOOD MIGRATION COMPONENT SCORESHEET

WAPPINGER CREEK

SURFACE WATER OVERLAND/FLOOD 

MIGRATION COMPONENT

Factor Categories & Factors

ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT

MAXIMUM

VALUE

VALUE

ASSIGNED

Likelihood of Release

22. Likelihood of Release (same as line 5) 550 550

Waste Characteristics

23. Ecosystem Toxicity/Persistence/Bioaccumulation

24. Hazardous Waste Quantity

25. Waste Characteristics

* 

* 

1,000

5.00E+08 

100 

320

Targets

26. Sensitive Environments

26a. Level I Concentrations

26b. Level II Concentrations

26c. Potential Contamination

26d. Sensitive Environments (lines 26a + 26b + 26c)

27. Targets (line 26d)

**

**

**

**

**

0

25

0 

25

25

28. ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT SCORE

([lines 22 x 25 x 27]/82,500)

60 53.33

29. WATERSHED SCORE (lines 13 + 21 + 28) 100 100

30. SURFACE WATER OVERLAND/FLOOD

MIGRATION COMPONENT SCORE (Sof)

100 100

SURFACE WATER MIGRATION PATHWAY

SCORE (Ssw)

100 100

* Maximum value applies to waste characteristics category.

** Maximum value not applicable

 5 
REFERENCES

Reference

Number Description of the Reference

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Revised Hazard Ranking System, Final Rule, 40 CFR

300, Appendix A. Federal Register. December 14, 1990.

http://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/HQ/174028 [138 pages]

2. EPA. Superfund Chemical Data Matrix (SCDM) Query, Selected Substances: benzo(a)pyrene and

mercury. Accessed and downloaded from http://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-chemical-datamatrix-scdm-query?c=000050-32-8&c=007439-97-6&f=f2&b=b2&d=d1&d=2d&d=d4 on January 22,

2016. [6 pages]

3. Snyder, Scott, Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON®) Abbreviated Preliminary Assessment Checklist,

Wappinger Creek. June 25, 2015. [16 pages]

4. U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey (USGS). Wappinger Falls Quadrangle, New York,

7.5-minute Series (Topographic). 2013. [1 map]

5. DiTillio, Pietro, WESTON. E-mail correspondence with Scott Snyder, WESTON, Subject: Wappinger

Creek Soil, Surface Water and Sediment Coordinates; with attached reference. December 8, 2015. [2

pages] 

6. Muessig, Paul H., Science and Technology. Supplemental Remedial Investigation Report, Tidal

Portion of Wappinger Creek, Three Star Anodizing Site OU2, Wappinger Falls, New York. June 17,

2010. [857 pages] 

7. Crawford, Douglas M., P.E., O’Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. Final Report, Three Star Anodizing Site,

Wappingers Falls, New York, Remedial Investigation, NYSDEC Site 314058. October 2007. [220

pages]

8. Environmental Data Resources (EDR). Certified Sanborn Map Report, Wappinger Creek, Market

Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590, Inquiry Number: 4397871.3. September 2, 2015. [11 pages]

9. Italiano, Joseph. A History of the Dutchess Bleachery. 1996. [42 pages]

10. EDR. The EDR Radius MapTM Report with GeoCheck, Wappinger Creek, Market Street, Wappingers

Falls, NY 12590, Inquiry Number: 4397871.2s. August 31, 2015. [148 pages]

11. Zhu, Robert, Shealy Environmental Services. ISM02.2 Summary Data Package, Case No. 45717,

SDG No. MBC7F4. December 3, 2015. [654 pages]

12. Market Properties, Inc. Market Properties Home Page and Photos. Accessed and downloaded from

http://www.marketproperties.net on October 31, 2015. [4 pages]

13. EDR. The EDR Aerial Photo Decade Package, Wappinger Creek, Market Street, Wappingers Falls,

NY 12590, Inquiry Number: 439787.9. August 31, 2015. [9 pages]

14. Wappinger Greenway Trail Committee. Wappinger Greenway Trail, Trail System of Natural Beauty

and Historic Sites. Undated. [2 pages]

15. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Record of Decision, Three

Star Anodizing Site, Operable Unit 1, Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County, New York, Site Number

31405. March 2009. [69 pages]

 6
REFERENCES (continued)

Reference

Number Description of the Reference

16. WESTON. Region 1 START III, Task Order 14, Site Assessment Team. Wappinger Creek Site

Logbook R2-A-126 (excerpts). June 3, 2015. [7 pages]

17. WESTON. Region 8 START IV, Site Assessment Team. Wappinger Creek Site Logbook

W0269.3B.00554; with attached photo documentation. August 25, 2015–November 17, 2015. [70

pages]

18. Kumar, Narendra, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC765, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. November 13, 2015. [124 pages]

19. Arnone, Russell, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC761, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. November 17, 2015. [75 pages]

20. Chemical Abstract Service (CAS). The Not-So-Mad Hatter: Occupational Hazards of Mercury.

Accessed and downloaded from https://www.cas.org/news/insights/science-connections/mad-hatter on

November 20, 2015. [2 pages]

21. NYSDEC. General Information About MGPs. Accessed and downloaded from 

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/24911.html on November 20, 2015. [7 pages]

22. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

(PAHs). Accessed and downloaded from

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=25 on November 20, 2015. [2 pages]

23. EPA. Basic Information about Mercury. Accessed and downloaded from 

http://www2.epa.gov/mercury/basic-information-about-mercury on November 20, 2015. [5 pages]

24. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). Wetlands Mapper, Find

Location: Wappingers Falls, NY. Accessed and downloaded from

www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.html on January 22, 2016. [1 page]

25. Breen, Denise, WESTON. Sampling Trip Report, Wappinger Creek (DCN: W0269.1A.00811).

November 23, 2015. [82 pages]

26. ATSDR. Public Health Statement, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. August 1995. [ 6 pages]

27. Kumar, Narendra, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

MBC765, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 1, 2015. [57 pages]

28. Kumar, Narendra, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

MBC7E7, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 1, 2015. [34 pages]

29. EPA, Division of Environmental Science and Assessment, Monitoring & Assessment Branch.

Standard Operating Procedures for Field Activities (excerpts). December 2006. [31 pages]

30. EPA. Region 2 Superfund: Electronic Data Submission–Documents. Accessed and downloaded from

http://www.epa.gov/superfund/region-2-superfund-electronic-data-submission-documents on February

29, 2016. [9 pages]

 7
REFERENCES (continued)

Reference

Number Description of the Reference

31. Arnone, Russell, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC7F4, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 1, 2015. [144 pages]

32. Kumar, Narendra, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC775, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 1, 2015. [157 pages]

33. Kumar, Narendra, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC794, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 1, 2015. [157 pages]

34. TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc. Analytical Report, TestAmerica Sample Delivery Group: 200-30752-

1, Client Project/Site: Wappinger Creek. December 1, 2015. [22 pages]

35. TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc. Analytical Report, TestAmerica Sample Delivery Group: 200-30774-

1, Client Project/Site: Wappinger Creek. November 24, 2015. [26 pages]

36. TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc. Analytical Report, TestAmerica Sample Delivery Group: 200-30776-

1, Client Project/Site: Wappinger Creek. November 24, 2015. [23 pages]

37. TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc. Analytical Report, TestAmerica Sample Delivery Group: 200-30812,

Client Project/Site: Wappinger Creek. November 27, 2015. [21 pages]

38. Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Environmental. Analysis Report, Project: Wappinger Creek, Group

Number: 1609436. December 1, 2015. [27 pages]

39. Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Environmental. Analysis Report, Project: Wappinger Creek, Group

Number: 1609497. December 1, 2015. [27 pages]

40. Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Environmental. Analysis Report, Project: Wappinger Creek, Group

Number: 1609502. December 1, 2015. [41 pages]

41. Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Environmental. Analysis Report, Project: Wappinger Creek, Group

Number: 1609958. November 30, 2015. [23 pages]

42. Arnone, Russell, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC7A7, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 3, 2015. [159 pages]

43. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances

and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological Profile for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

(excerpts). August 1995. [11 pages]

44. Reference number reserved.

45. Arnone, Russell, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

MBC7F4, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 7, 2015. [57 pages]

46. Snyder, Scott, WESTON. Project Note to Wappinger Creek File, TDD No. 0004/1508-06, Subject:

Dioxin/Furan Data; with attached reference. December 9, 2015. [12 pages]

47. EPA. Learn about Dioxin. Accessed and downloaded from http://www.epa.gov/dioxin/learn-aboutdioxin on December 9, 2015. [4 pages]

 8
REFERENCES (continued)

Reference

Number Description of the Reference

48. Kumar, Narendra, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

MBC775, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 9, 2015. [66 pages]

49. Snyder, Scott, WESTON. Project Note to Wappinger Creek File, TDD No. 0004/1508-06, Subject:

Grain Size Distribution Data; with attached reference. December 10, 2015. [8 pages]

50. Kumar, Narendra, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

MBC763, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 11, 2015. [76 pages]

51. EPA. Using Qualified Data to Document an Observed Release and Observed Contamination (EPA

540-F-94-028). November 1996. [18 pages]

52. Kumar, Narendra, USEPA/R2/HWSB/HWSS. Executive Narrative for Case No. 45717, SDG No.

MBC7B7, Wappinger Creek; with attached analytical data. December 14, 2015. [81 pages]

53. Taylor, David L, et al. Indicators of sediment and biotic mercury contamination in a southern New

England estuary. Accessed and downloaded from the National Institute of Health (NIH) Public Access

Website at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3319229/pdf/nihms351185.pdf on

December 16, 2015. [29 pages]

54. Moyik, Cathy, EPA. E-mail correspondence with Scott Snyder, WESTON and Denise Zeno, EPA,

Subject: RE: Wappinger Address. January 28, 2016. [3 pages]

55. Reyes, Mildred, V., Chemtech Consulting Group. SDG Cover Page, Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC7A7; with attached data package. November 23, 2015. [1,222 pages]

56. Reyes, Mildred, V., Chemtech Consulting Group. SDG Cover Page, Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC7D2; with attached data package. November 23, 2015. [656 pages]

57. Reyes, Mildred, V., Chemtech Consulting Group. SDG Cover Page, Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC761; with attached data package. November 6, 2015. [1,082 pages]

58. Reyes, Mildred, V., Chemtech Consulting Group. SDG Cover Page, Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC7F4; with attached data package. November 23, 2015. [1,190 pages]

59. Petitt, Corey, Chemtech Consulting Group. SDG Cover Page, Case No. 45717, SDG No. BC765; with

attached data package. November 5, 2015. [1,197 pages]

60. Reyes, Mildred, V., Chemtech Consulting Group. SDG Cover Page, Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC775; with attached data package. November 19, 2015. [1,407 pages]

61. Reyes, Mildred, V., Chemtech Consulting Group. SDG Cover Page, Case No. 45717, SDG No.

BC794; with attached data package. November 19, 2015. [1,426 pages]

62. Zhu, Robert, Shealy Environmental Services. ISM02.2 Summary Data Package, Case No. 45717,

SDG No. MBC763. December 3, 2015. [594 pages]

63. Zhu, Robert, Shealy Environmental Services. ISM02.2 Summary Data Package, Case No. 45717,

SDG No. MBC765. November 10, 2015. [645 pages]

 9
REFERENCES (continued)

Reference

Number Description of the Reference

64. Zhu, Robert, Shealy Environmental Services. ISM02.2 Summary Data Package, Case No. 45717,

SDG No. MBC775. December 2, 2015. [665 pages]

65. Zhu, Robert, Shealy Environmental Services. ISM02.2 Summary Data Package, Case No. 45717,

SDG No. MBC7B7. December 5, 2015. [561 pages]

66. Shealy Environmental Services. ISM02.2 Summary Data Package, Case No. 45717, SDG No.

MBC7C9. Undated. [621 pages]

67. Zhu, Robert, Shealy Environmental Services. ISM02.2 Summary Data Package, Case No. 45717,

SDG No. MBC7E7. November 10, 2015. [616 pages]

68. Village of Wappingers Falls. Home / Departments / Highway. Accessed and downloaded from

http://www.wappingersfallsny.gov/highway-department on February 11, 2016; with attached

reference. [2 pages]

10
SITE DESCRIPTION

The Wappinger Creek site in Wappingers Falls, New York, is the location of contaminated sediments with no 

identified source of the release causing the contamination. Sediment sampling and analysis by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in November 2015 document the presence of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene 

in the tidal portion of Wappinger Creek at concentrations that meet the criteria for observed release by chemical 

analysis [see Section 4.1.2.1 of this Hazard Ranking System (HRS) documentation record]. The November 2015 

sediment sample results document Level II actual contamination of a fishery and a wetland [see Sections 4.1.3.3 

and 4.1.4.3 of this HRS documentation record]. A Site Location Map is presented in Figure 1. The zone of 

sediment contamination is depicted on Figure 2.

For the Wappinger Creek site, EPA is evaluating the human food chain and environmental threats of the surface 

water migration pathway, overland/flood migration component. The source is evaluated as sediment contaminated 

with mercury and benzo(a)pyrene with no identified source (Source 1) because of the presence of several current 

and historical possible sources of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene in the vicinity of the site that may have contributed to 

the contamination, as further discussed in Section 4.1.2.1.1 of this HRS documentation record. 

The tidal portion of Wappinger Creek begins downstream of Wappingers Falls, by an industrial park and extends for 

approximately 2 miles downstream to the confluence with the Hudson River [Ref. 6, p. 68]. Water levels in the 

creek can typically fluctuate as much as 4 feet during the tidal cycle of the Hudson River [Ref. 6, p. 68]. At the 

upstream end, the tidal creek is approximately 90 feet wide; retaining walls border both sides of the creek in this 

reach [Ref. 6, p. 69]. Downstream, the creek width expands to approximately 600–800 feet [Ref. 6, p. 70]. The 

width is constricted to approximately 140 feet and 250 feet wide by the County Route 28 (CR 28) bridge and a 

railroad bridge, respectively, as the creek approaches the Hudson River [Ref. 6, p. 70]. Water depths in the creek 

range from less than 5 feet to approximately 25 feet, with the greatest depth beneath the CR 28 bridge [Ref. 6, p. 

70]. The composition of the creek bed varies from rocks and cobbles in the fast-moving reach near the industrial 

park at the most upstream part of the tidal portion of the creek to silt in low-flow areas [Ref. 6, pp. 69–70].

The previously identified industrial park is located approximately 0.2 miles downstream of the falls separating 

Wappinger Lake from Wappinger Creek. The industrial park is located on both the north and south banks of 

Wappinger Creek, with two bridges connecting the banks. Industrial activities have occurred at the industrial park 

location for more than 180 years [Ref. 9, p. 3].

The contaminated sediment portion of the creek is a human food chain fishery and contains wetland area, including 

a shallow embayment located along the west-northwestern shore of Wappinger Creek approximately 0.75 mile 

downstream of an industrial park situated at the upstream end of the tidal creek [Figure 2; Ref. 6, p. 69]. This 

embayment is approximately 240,000 square feet (ft2

) (approximately 800 feet by 300 feet) and is fronted by

Palustrine Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland (PFO1S) [Ref. 24, p. 1]. Sediment in this embayment is primarily of 

silt and organic matter and supports aquatic emergent and submerged plant growth throughout [Ref. 6, pp. 9, 70]. 

The main currents of the tidal creek bypass the embayment, which experiences minimal water velocity and can 

generally be described as quiescent [Ref. 6, pp. 9, 70]. During New York State Department of Environmental 

Conservation’s (NYSDEC) sampling efforts associated with a remedial investigation (RI) at the industrial park

sediment contamination was documented in the embayment and throughout the tidal creek, with some of the highest 

concentrations reported for the embayment [Ref. 6, pp. 31–32]. The Wappinger Greenway, which includes the 

Wappinger Greenway Trail, runs along the west-northwestern bank of Wappinger Creek and includes the 

embayment [Ref. 14, p. 2]. The Wappinger Greenway Trail links historical, cultural, natural, and economic 

resources of local and regional significance [Ref. 14, p. 2]. 

Historical Sediment Sampling

Sediment contamination was identified by RIs conducted at Wappinger Creek and the industrial park located at the 

upstream end of the tidal portion of the Wappinger Creek by NYSDEC. NYSDEC collected surface water and 

sediment samples from this tidally-influenced creek and from Wappinger Lake upstream in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 

2009 [Ref. 6, pp. 18–52, 74–76, 188–241]. The analytical results for the samples indicated that creek sediments 

adjacent to and downstream of the industrial park are contaminated with several inorganic constituents, including 

mercury, lead, and chromium, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), at concentrations above those 

11
detected in upstream samples [Ref. 6, pp. 31–32, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 276–282, 728–729, 731–735, 740–742, 

817–828, 834–838]. 

12
CLIENT NAME: DATE: FIGURE #:

PROJECT:

TITLE:

P:\SAT2\Wappinger Creek\MXD\16820_WC_Topo.mxd

R

EPA April 2016 1

Wappinger Creek

Site Location Map

Wappinger Creek

Village of Wappingers Falls, NY

Site Area

"

NY

NJ

PA

CT ¬

1,500 0 1,500 750

Graphic Scale in Feet

SOURCE:

U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS). 7.5 Minute 

Series (Topographic) Quadrangles: Wappingers Falls, NY, NY 1981.

Wappinger Creek
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SW06

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Discha rge

SED19

SW08

O utfa ll

Form er M GP 

Area

Form er Axton Cross Fa cility 

Form er Three Sta r 

Anodizing Fa cility 

Ea st 

Bridge

West

Bridge

Hydroelectric

Fa cility

EPA

Wa ppinger Creek

17484 2

P. DiTillio

S. Snyder

S. Snyder

1 " = 1,600 ' ¬ Surfa ce Wa ter Pa thwa y Z one of Conta m ina tion

Wa ppinger Creek

SO U RCES:

1. Weston Solutions, Inc., Region 8 START IV, Site Assessm ent Tea m . 

 Wa ppingerCreek Site Logbook W0269.3B.00554. Novem ber 10-13 a nd 16, 2015.

2. High Resolution O rthoim a gery. U nited Sta tes Geologica l Survey. 

 Acquisition Da te: April 22, 2013. Acquired da ta : Septem ber 1, 2015. 

 http://ea rthexplorer.usgs.gov.

NO TES:

1. All sa m ple loca tions preceded by “0269-”.

P:\SAT2\Wa ppinger Creek\M XD\17484_ WC_ Surfa ce_ Wa ter_ Pa thwa y_ Z one_ of_ Cont_ R1.m xd

1,600 800 0 1,600

Gra phic Sca le in Feet

400 200 0 400 800 1,200

Gra phic Sca le in Feet

!( Sedim ent Coring Loca tion

#* Surfa ce Wa ter Sa m ple Loca tion

$+ Site Fea ture

Z one of Conta m ina tion 

Wetla nd Fronta ge 

Fishery

April 2016
EPA Sediment Sampling

From November 10 through 13 and on November 16, 2015, EPA collected surface water and sediment samples from 

Wappinger Creek [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 14–37, 45–70; 25, pp. 1–6, 8–13, 30–64]. Samples were collected from 

the tidal portion of Wappinger Creek adjacent to and downstream of the industrial park [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 15–

25, 30–31, 45–61; 25, pp. 4, 8–11]. Upstream samples were collected above Wappingers Falls from Wappinger 

Lake and from Wappinger Creek upstream of the lake [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 29, 61–68; 25, pp. 5, 9, 11–12, 57–

60]. The sediment samples in the tidal portion of the creek were collected from similar locations as those identified 

by NYSDEC in 2001/2003 [Figure 2; Ref. 6, p. 32]. The sediment sampling and analysis by EPA documents an 

observed release by chemical analysis along the surface water migration pathway adjacent to and downstream of the 

industrial park [See Section 4.1.2.1].

Sediment sample analytical results report the presence of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene at concentrations 

significantly above background concentrations in the tidal portion of Wappinger Creek, delineating a zone of 

contamination that extends from the industrial park to approximately 0.25 mile upstream of the CR 28 Bridge 

[Figure 2; see Section 4.1.2.1]. With the exception of an estimated concentration of cis-1,2-dicholoroethene 

(DCE) detected in a surface water sample collected at the mouth of the former Three Star lagoon (0269-SW06) at 

the industrial park, analytical results for the surface water samples collected adjacent to and downstream of the 

industrial park reported non-detect values for organic contaminants of concern [Ref. 17, p. 16; 31, pp. 27–68]. 

Detections of inorganic constituents in surface water were comparable to upstream concentrations [Ref. 45, pp. 15–

16, 23–37, 41–46].

Six (including one environmental duplicate sample) of the sediment samples were also analyzed for dioxins and 

furans by a non-EPA laboratory [Ref. 17, p. 31; 25, pp. 3, 5, 49–50, 55; 39, pp. 5, 11, 17; 40, pp. 5, 10, 24]. Results 

for two (0269-SED12-12-24 and 0269-SED14-6-12) of the sediment samples collected adjacent to the industrial 

park at depths of 6–12 and 12–24 inches report 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) equivalent 

(hereafter referred to as “dioxin”) concentrations that exceed the NYSDEC fresh water sediment guidance value

(SGV) for dioxin [Ref. 25, p. 19; 46, pp. 1–6, 9–10, 12]. Dioxin is produced by a number of processes, including 

the burning of coal and chlorine bleaching, both of which are known to have been conducted at the industrial park 

[Ref. 7, p. 15; 9, p. 25; 47, p.3].

Six (including one environmental duplicate sample) of the sediment samples were also analyzed for methyl mercury 

by a non-EPA laboratory [Ref. 25, pp. 2, 46]. The reported methyl mercury concentrations ranged from non-detect 

to 1.3 micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg) [Ref. 34, pp. 3, 5].

The segment of Wappinger Creek under consideration (i.e., the tidal portion of the creek) is utilized for fishing for 

human consumption and secondary contact recreation [Figure 2; Ref. 3, pp. 6, 12; 16, pp. 2–3; 17, p. 20]. Walking 

trails and public spaces provide access to the shoreline [Ref. 14, p. 2]. The embayment includes wetland frontage of 

0.2 mile that fronts the zone of contamination [Figure 2; Ref. 24, p. 1]. 

15
SD-Characterization and Containment

SOURCE DESCRIPTION

2.2 SOURCE CHARACTERIZATION

2.2.1 Source Identification

Number of the source: Source No. 1

Name and description of the source: Wappinger Creek contaminated sediments

Source Type: Other–contaminated sediments with no identified source

Source 1 consists of contaminated sediments in the tidal portion of Wappinger Creek. Sediment samples collected 

by EPA in November 2015, document that hazardous substances (i.e., mercury and benzo[a]pyrene) are present in 

sediment at levels that meet the criteria for observed release by chemical analysis [Ref. 1, Section 4.1.2.1.1]. From 

November 10 through 13 and on November 16, 2015, EPA collected surface water and sediment samples from 

Wappinger Creek [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 14–37, 45–70; 25, pp. 1–6, 8–13, 30–64]. Samples were collected from 

throughout the tidal portion of the creek, from the industrial park to just upstream of the confluence with the Hudson 

River [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 15–25, 30–31, 45–61; 25, pp. 4, 8–11]. Upstream samples were collected above 

Wappingers Falls from Wappinger Lake and from Wappinger Creek upstream of the lake [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 29, 

61–68; 25, pp. 5, 9, 11–12; 57–60]. The Wappinger Creek samples in the tidal portion of the creek were collected in 

an upstream, or northerly, direction starting downstream of the CR 28 bridge near the confluence with the Hudson 

River to the bulk-headed portion of the creek between the northern and southern portions of the industrial park

[Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 15–25, 30–31, 48–49; 25, pp. 8–11]. The sediment samples were collected from similar 

locations to those sampled by NYSDEC in 2001/2003 [Figure 2; Ref. 6, p. 32]. Sediment samples from above 

Wappingers Falls were also collected in an upstream direction, starting at the southern end of Wappinger Lake to the 

samples in Wappinger Creek upstream of the lake [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 29, 32–34]. All of the sediment samples 

were collected from a boat using Vibracore push coring technology [Ref. 17, pp. 18–25, 49–57, 59, 63–66; 25, p .5]. 

With one exception due to low recovery or refusal, the sediment samples were collected from depth intervals of 0–6, 

6–12, and 12–24 inches [Ref. 17, pp. 19–21, 24–25, 31, 36, 54, 64–65; 25, pp. 5, 9–12]. 

The industrial park is located approximately 0.2 miles downstream of the falls separating Wappinger Lake from 

Wappinger Creek. The industrial park is located on both the north and south banks of Wappinger Creek, with two 

bridges connecting the banks. Industrial activities have occurred at the industrial park location for more than 

180 years [Ref. 9, p. 3].

The surface water and sediment samples collected by EPA were analyzed under the EPA Contract Laboratory 

Program (CLP) for Organic Target Analyte List (TAL) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile 

organic compounds (SVOCs), and Inorganic TAL parameters (including mercury) [Ref. 11, p. 3; 17, pp. 18, 21, 25, 

31, 35; 25, pp. 1–3, 6, 30–38, 41–45 51–52, 56–60, 65–72, 75–76, 79–80; 55, p. 1; 56, p. 1; 58, p. 1; 60, p. 1; 61, p. 

1; 62, p .3; 64, p. 3; 65, p. 3; 66, p. 3]. All of the sediment samples were also analyzed by non-CLP laboratories for 

total organic carbon (TOC) and grain size distribution [Ref. 17, pp. 25, 31, 35–36; 25, pp. 1–3, 5, 39–40, 47–50, 53–

55, 61–64, 74, 77–78, 81–82; 35, p. 4; 36, p. 4; 37, p. 4; 38, pp. 5–22; 39, pp. 3–4, 8–10, 14–16, 20–22; 40, pp. 3–4; 

8, 13–23, 35; 41, pp. 3–19]. 

The sediment sampling and analysis by EPA documents an observed release by chemical analysis along the surface 

water migration pathway [see Section 4.1.2.1 of this HRS documentation record]. CLP analytical results report the 

presence of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene at concentrations significantly above background in the tidal creek main 

channel [See Section 4.1.2.1 of this HRS documentation record] The zone of actual contamination extends from 

EPA sediment sampling location 0269-SED14 to EPA sediment sampling location 0269-SED04, a distance of 

approximately 1.2 miles (6,082 feet) downstream, and includes sediment samples 0269-SED14-0-6, 0269-SED19-0-

6, 0269-SED19-6-12, 0269-SED19-12-24, 0269-SED07-0-6, 0269-SED06-0-6, and 0269-SED04-6-12 [Figure 2]. 

See Section 4.1.2.1 of this HRS documentation record for information needed to establish that these sediment 

samples meet observed release criteria. 

16
SWOF-Observed Release

Because they are located in a similar tidal environment, and can be used to characterize contaminant contributions 

from the Hudson River, EPA sediment sampling locations 0269-SED01 and 0269-SED02 are evaluated as 

representing background conditions in the Wappinger Creek main channel [Figure 2; Ref.1, Section 4.1.2.1.1].

As further discussed in Section 4.1.2.1 of this HRS documentation record, due to the length of time multiple varying

industrial activities have been conducted along the upstream end of the tidal portion of Wappinger Creek at the 

industrial park, the presence of a various industrial and commercial activities upstream, and the discharge of village 

storm water to Wappinger Creek, the number of possible sources of the sediment contamination is too numerous to 

specifically determine which have caused a significant increase in the contamination documented in the observed 

release. 

Location of the source, with reference to a map of the site:

Wappinger Creek sediment contamination extends from EPA sediment sampling location 0269-SED14 to 0269-

SED04, a distance of approximately 1.2 miles [see Section 4.1.2.1]. The zone of contamination is depicted on 

Figure 2. 

Containment

Release to surface water via overland migration and/or flood: 

The presence of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene provides evidence that hazardous substances have migrated to 

Wappinger Creek [see Section 4.1.2.1 of this HRS documentation record]. During the November 2015 sediment 

sampling, neither of the following were observed or encountered while advancing the Vibracore: (1) maintained 

engineered cover, or (2) functioning and maintained run-on control system and runoff management system [Ref. 1, 

Table 4-2; 17, pp. 18–25, 29–30, 50–51, 53–55, 57]. Based on the documented migration of contamination (i.e., 

mercury and benzo[a]pyrene) in Wappinger Creek sediments and the lack of containment features preventing further 

migration of the contamination, a surface water containment factor value for overland migration of 10 is assigned 

for this source [Ref.1, Table 4-2].

17
SD-Hazardous Substances

Source No.: 1 

2.2.2 Hazardous Substances

Sampling and analysis by EPA in November 2015 show the presence of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene in Wappinger 

Creek sediments at concentrations significantly above background concentrations [See Section 4.1.2.1 of this HRS 

documentation record]. A zone of actual contamination extends from EPA sediment sampling location 0269-SED14 

to 0269-SED04, a distance of approximately 1.2 miles [Figure 2]. Mercury and benzo(a)pyrene were detected at 

maximum concentrations of 16.7 mg/kg (0269-SED04-6-12) and 2,100 μg/kg (0269-SED14-0-6 and 0269-SED19-

6-12), respectively [Ref. 33, p. 102; 42, p. 32; 48, p. 39; 55, p. 538; 61, p. 838; 64, p. 598]. Refer to Section 4.1.2.1

of this HRS documentation record for information supporting the significant increase above background levels of

these substances.

18
SD-Hazardous Waste Quantity

Source No.: 1 

2.4.2 Hazardous Waste Quantity

2.4.2.1.1 Tier A – Hazardous Constituent Quantity

The hazardous constituent quantity for Source 1 could not be adequately determined according to the HRS 

requirements; that is, the total mass of all Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 

Act (CERCLA) hazardous substances in the source and releases from the source is not known and cannot be 

estimated with reasonable confidence [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2.1.1]. There are insufficient historical and current data 

[manifests, potentially responsible party (PRP) records, State records, permits, waste concentration data, etc.] 

available to adequately calculate the total or partial mass of all CERCLA hazardous substances in the source and the 

associated releases from the source. Therefore, there is insufficient information to evaluate the associated releases 

from the source to calculate the hazardous constituent quantity for Source 1 with reasonable confidence. As a 

result, the evaluation of hazardous waste quantity proceeds to the evaluation of Tier B, Hazardous Wastestream 

Quantity [Ref 1, Section 2.4.2.1.1]. 

Hazardous Constituent Quantity (C) Value: NS

2.4.2.1.2 Tier B – Hazardous Wastestream Quantity

The hazardous wastestream quantity for Source 1 could not be adequately determined according to the HRS 

requirements; that is, the total mass of all hazardous wastestreams plus the mass of any additional CERCLA 

pollutants and contaminants in the source and releases from the source is not known and cannot be estimated with 

reasonable confidence [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2.1.2]. There are insufficient historical and current data (manifests, PRP 

records, State records, permits, waste concentration data, etc.) available to adequately calculate the total mass or 

partial mass of the hazardous wastestreams plus the mass of all CERCLA pollutants and contaminants in the source 

and the associated releases from the source. Therefore, there is insufficient information to evaluate the associated 

releases from the source to calculate the hazardous wastestream quantity for Source 1 with reasonable confidence. 

Scoring proceeds to the evaluation of Tier C, Volume [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2.1.2].

 Hazardous Wastestream Quantity (W) Value: NS

2.4.2.1.3 Tier C – Volume

A zone of contamination has been identified that extends from EPA sediment sampling location 0269-SED14 to 

0269-SED04, a distance of approximately 1.2 miles (6,082 feet) downstream; however, significant detections of 

mercury and benzo(a)pyrene are not continuous throughout the zone [see Section 4.1.2.1 of this HRS documentation 

record]. Therefore, the total volume of contaminated sediment is unknown and is considered to be greater than 0 

(>0) cubic yards (yd3

). The source type is “Other,” so the volume value is divided by 2.5 to obtain the assigned 

value shown below [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2.1.3].

Dimension of source (yd3

): >0 yd3

Volume (V) Assigned Value: >0/2.5 = >0 

2.4.2.1.4 Tier D – Area

The Tier D is not evaluated for source type “Other” [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2.1.4].

Area (A) Assigned Value: 0 

19
2.4.2.1.5 Source Hazardous Waste Quantity Value

The source hazardous waste quantity value for Source 1 is >0 for Tier C – Volume [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2, 2.4.2.1.4].

Source Hazardous Waste Quantity Value: >0

20
SD-Summary

SITE SUMMARY OF SOURCE DESCRIPTIONS

TABLE 1. HAZARDOUS WASTE QUANTITY AND CONTAINMENT

Source Number Source Hazardous 

Waste Quantity Value

Containment

Ground Water Surface Water Air

Gas Particulate

1 >0 NS 10 NS NS

NS = Not Scored

21
SWOF-Surface Water Overland Flow/Flood Migration Pathway

4.1 OVERLAND/FLOOD MIGRATION COMPONENT

4.1.1.1 Definition of Hazardous Substance Migration Path for Overland/Flood Component

The tidal portion of Wappinger Creek begins downstream of Wappingers Falls, upstream of the industrial park, and 

extends for approximately 2 miles downstream to the confluence with the Hudson River [Figures 2 and 3; Ref. 6, p. 

68]. Water levels in the creek can typically fluctuate as much as 4 feet during the tidal cycle of the Hudson River

[Ref. 6, p. 68]. In the vicinity of the industrial park, the creek is approximately 90 feet wide; retaining walls border 

both sides of the creek in this reach [Ref. 6, p. 69; 17, pp. 48–49]. Downstream, the creek width expands to 

approximately 800 feet [Ref. 6, p. 70]. The width is constricted to approximately 140 feet and 250 feet wide by the 

CR 28 bridge and a railroad bridge, respectively, as the creek approaches the Hudson River [Ref. 6, p. 70]. Water 

depths in the creek range from less than 5 feet to approximately 25 feet, with the greatest depth beneath the CR 28 

bridge [Ref. 6, p. 70]. The composition of the creek bed varies from rocks and cobbles in the fast-moving reach near 

the industrial park to silt and organic matter in low-flow areas [Ref. 6, p. 69–70]. 

A shallow embayment is located along the northern shore of Wappinger Creek approximately 0.75 mile downstream 

of the industrial park [Figure 2; Ref. 6, p. 69]. This embayment is approximately 240,000 ft2 (approximately 800 

feet by 300 feet) and is fronted by Palustrine Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland (PFO1S) [Ref. 24, p. 1]. Sediment 

in this embayment is primarily of silt and organic matter and supports aquatic emergent and submerged plant growth 

throughout [Ref. 6, pp. 9, 70]. The main currents of the tidal portion of the creek bypass the embayment, which 

experiences minimal water velocity and can generally be described as quiescent [Ref. 6, p. 70]. The Wappinger 

Greenway, which includes the Wappinger Greenway Trail, runs along the west-northwestern bank of Wappinger 

Creek from just downstream of the industrial park to the CR 28 bridge, and includes the embayment [Ref. 14, p. 2]. 

The Wappinger Greenway Trail links historical, cultural, natural, and economic resources of local and regional 

significance and provides access to the shoreline [Ref. 14, p. 2]. The source under evaluation for the site is 

contaminated sediments with no identified source [Ref. 1, Section 4.1.1.1]. The in-water segment of the 15-mile 

target distance limit (TDL) for the surface water pathway begins at the upstream boundary of the zone of 

contamination (i.e., EPA sediment sampling location 0269-SED14) [Figures 2 and 3; Ref. 1, Section 4.1.1.2]. The 

surface water migration pathway for the Wappinger Creek site extends for approximately 2 miles along the tidal 

creek to the Hudson River [Figure 3]. The 15-mile TDL terminates in the Hudson River to at least 13 miles south

and downstream of Wappinger Creek, but contamination may also extend upstream in the Hudson River due to tidal 

carry [Figure 3]. 

22
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Beginning of 15-Mile TDL, 

Sediment Sampling Location 0269-SED14

Wappinger Creek

End of 15-mile TDL

9

8

7

6

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2

1

15

14

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11

10

CLIENT NAME: DRAWING TITLE:

PROJECT NAME:

 REPORT DATE:

REVISION No.

WORK ORDER No.

PROJECT MANAGER:

CHECKED BY:

CONTRACT No.

DRAWN/MODIFIED BY:

DATE CREATED:

DRAWING:

PATH:

FIGURE: SCALE: DATE:

Weston Solutions, Inc.

205 Campus Drive Edison, New Jersey 08837-3939

TEL: (732) 417-5800 Fax: (732) 417-5801

http://www.westonsolutions.com

15-Mile Surface Water Pathway Map

Wappinger Creek

3 3/14/2016

EPA

Wappinger Creek

April 2016

17483_WappingerCreek_15_Mile_Pathway_R1.mxd

1

20408.012.004.0269.00

S. Synder

S. Synder

EP-S13-08-01

J. Heaton

11/23/2015

SM

P:\SAT2\Wappinger Creek\MXD\ ¬ 1 " = 2,800 '

2,800 1,400 0 2,800

Graphic Scale in Feet

SOURCES: 

1. U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS). 7.5 Minute Series

(Topographic) Quadrangles: Wappinger Falls, NY, 1981; Pughkeepsie 1995; West

Point, NY, 1981; Clintondale, NY 1957; Newburgh NY, 1957; Cornwall-on-Hudson,

NY, 1994; Oscawana Lake, NY, 1979; Hopewell Junction, NY, 1981; Pleasant Valley,

NY, 1989; Salt Point, NY, 1978; Millbrook, NY, 1989; Verbank, NY, 1976; Poughquag,

NY, 1989; Lake Carmel, NY, 1998.

2. U.S Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Petersburg, FL.

National Wetlands Inventory.

http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/State-Downloads.html. October 1, 2015.

LEGEND

HRS Eligible Wetlands

15-Mile Surface Water Pathway

#

*1 Surface Water Pathway Mile Marker
SWOF-Observed Release

4.1.2.1 Likelihood of Release

4.1.2.1.1 Observed Release

An observed release to surface water is documented by chemical analysis.

Chemical Analysis

Sediment samples collected by EPA adjacent to and downstream of the industrial park in November 2015, document 

that hazardous substances (i.e., mercury and benzo[a]pyrene) are present in sediment at levels that meet the criteria 

for observed release by chemical analysis [Ref. 1, Section 4.1.2.1.1]. From November 10 through 13 and on 

November 16, 2015, EPA collected surface water and sediment samples from Wappinger Creek [Figure 2; Ref. 17, 

pp. 14–37, 45–70; 25, pp. 1–6, 8–13, 30–64]. Samples were collected from throughout the tidal portion of 

Wappinger Creek, from the industrial park to just upstream of the confluence with the Hudson River [Figure 2; Ref. 

17, pp. 15–25, 30–31, 45–61; 24; 25, pp. 8–11]. Upstream samples were collected above Wappingers Falls from 

Wappinger Lake and from Wappinger Creek upstream of the lake [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 29, 32–37, 61–68; 25, pp. 

9, 11–12]. The Wappinger Creek samples were collected in an upstream, or northerly, direction starting 

downstream of the CR 28 bridge near the confluence with the Hudson River to just downstream of the bulk-headed 

portion of the creek between the northern and southern portions of the industrial park [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 15–25, 

30–31, 48–49; 25, pp. 8–11]. The sediment samples were collected from similar locations as those identified by 

NYSDEC in 2001/2003 [Figure 2; Ref. 6, p. 32]. Sediment samples upstream of Wappingers Falls were also 

collected in an upstream direction, starting at the southern end of Wappinger Lake to the samples in Wappinger 

Creek upstream of the lake [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 29, 32–34]. All of the sediment samples were collected from a 

boat using Vibracore push coring technology [Ref. 17, pp. 18–25, 49–57, 59, 63–66; 25, p. 5]. With one exception 

due to low recovery or refusal, the sediment samples were collected from depth intervals of 0–6, 6–12, and 12–24 

inches [Ref. 17, pp. 19–21, 24–25, 31, 36, 54, 64–65; 25, pp. 5, 9–12]. 

The surface water and sediment samples collected by EPA were analyzed under the EPA CLP for Organic TAL 

VOCs and SVOCs, and Inorganic TAL parameters (including mercury) [Ref. 11, p. 3; 17, pp. 18, 21, 25, 31, 35; 25, 

pp. 1–3, 6, 30–38, 41–45 51–52, 56–60, 65–72, 75–76, 79–80; 55, p. 1; 56, p. 1; 58, p. 1; 60, p. 1; 61, p. 1; 62, p .3; 

64, p. 3; 65, p. 3; 66, p. 3]. All of the sediment samples were also analyzed by non-CLP laboratories for total 

organic carbon (TOC) and grain size distribution [Ref. 17, pp. 25, 31, 35–36; 25, pp. 1–3, 5, 39–40, 47–50, 53–55, 

61–64, 74, 77–78, 81–82; 35, p. 4; 36, p. 4; 37, p. 4; 38, pp. 5–22; 39, pp. 3–4, 8–10, 14–16, 20–22; 40, pp. 3–4; 8, 

13–23, 35; 41, pp. 3–19]. 

The sediment sampling and analysis by EPA documents an observed release of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene by 

chemical analysis along the surface water migration pathway downstream from the industrial park to approximately 

0.25 upstream of the CR 28 bridge [Figure 2; Tables 3 and 5]. The zone of contamination extends from EPA 

sediment sampling location 0269-SED14, adjacent to the west bridge of the industrial park to EPA sediment 

sampling location 0269-SED04, approximately 1.2 miles (6,082 feet) downstream [Figure 2]. 

Because they are located in a similar tidal environment as the observed release samples, and can be used to 

characterize contaminant contributions from the Hudson River, EPA sediment sampling locations 0269-SED01 and 

0269-SED02 are evaluated as representing background conditions in the Wappinger Creek main channel [Figure 2; 

6, p. 68]. Six background sediment samples (and one duplicate sample) were collected from two locations (0269-

SED-01 and 0269-SED02). 0269-SED01 was located near the confluence with the Hudson River, and 0269-SED02 

was located just upstream of the CR 28 Bridge [Figure 2]. Samples were collected from depth intervals of 0-6 

inches, 6-12 inches, and 12-24 inches at both locations. 

Mercury concentrations of the background samples ranged from below analytical detection levels in sediment 

sample 0269-SED01-12-24 (depth: 12–24 inches) to 0.57 J- (the result is an estimated quantity, but the result may 

be biased low) mg/kg in sediment sample 0269-SED01-0-6 (depth: 0–6 inches) [Figure 2; Ref. 25, p. 33; 48, pp. 2, 

10, 18; 64, p. 587–588]. Because the reported result for 0269-SED01-0-6 of 0.57 (J-) represents the maximum 

background concentration, and is

24
SWOF-Observed Release

used in the observed release evaluation to account for the possible low bias in the 0.57(J-) sample result, EPA 

projected the possible impact of this the value was adjusted per EPA Quick Reference Fact Sheet Using Qualified 

Data to Document an Observed Release and Observed Contamination; the adjusted result is 1.04 mg/kg (0.57 x 

1.83) [Ref. 51, pp. 5–8, 18]. Percent (%) solids in the background samples designated for inorganic analysis ranged 

from 49.4% in sediment sample 0269-SED22-0-6 (environmental duplicate of 0269-SED02-0-6) to 72.8% in 

sediment sample 0269-SED01-12-24 [Figure 2; Ref. 25, p. 35; 48, pp. 18, 54]. The HRS significant increase 

criteria were verified in consideration of this projected adjustment. 

Benzo(a)pyrene concentrations were below analytical detection levels with the detection limit range of 200-290 

μg/kg in all of the background samples [Figure 2; Ref. 25, p. 35; 32, pp. 2, 24, 29; 60, pp. 576, 591]. Percent solids 

in the background samples designated for organic analyses ranged from 50.4% in sediment sample 0269-SED22-0-6 

to 71.5% in sediment sample 0269-SED01-6-12 [Figure 2; Ref. 25, p. 35; 32, pp. 23, 106]. Total organic carbon 

(TOC) concentrations in the background sediment samples ranged from 19,000 mg/kg in sediment sample 0269-

SED01-12-24 to 34,600 mg/kg in sediment sample 0269-SED02-0-6 [Figure 2; Ref. 25, p. 47; 36, p. 5]. Percent 

total fines (silt and clay) in the background samples ranged from 27.5% in sediment sample 0269-SED01-6-12 to 

86.5% in sediment sample 0269-SED02-6-12 [Figure 2; Ref. 25, p. 39; 38, pp. 7, 10; 49, p. 1]. 

Sampling and analysis by EPA in November 2015 show the presence of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene at 

concentrations significantly above background at two and seven sample locations, respectively. Tables 2 and 4

show the physical characteristics of the samples that document maximum background, and observed release

concentrations; Tables 3 and 5 present the mercury and benzo(a)pyrene results that meet observed release criteria. 

In order to show that the increase in contaminant (i.e., mercury and benzo[a]pyrene) concentrations are not due to 

any of the differences between background and release sediment sample characteristics, release concentrations are 

compared to the maximum reported background concentration in the observed release evaluation, as opposed to 

comparing them to the maximum concentration in the corresponding depth intervals of the background samples. 

25
SWOF-Observed Release

Background and Observed Release Sample Physical Characteristics

EPA Background and Release Sediment Samples, November 2015

TABLE 2. BACKGROUND AND RELEASE SAMPLE INFORMATION–MERCURY

Field Sample ID Inorganic 

CLP No.

Sample 

Date

Sample 

Time

Height of 

Water 

Column (ft) 

Depth 

below top 

of sediment 

(in)

Solids 

(%) 

TOC 

(mg/kg)

Total 

Coarse 

(%) 

Total 

Fines (Silt 

and Clay) 

(%)

References

Background Sample

0269-SED01-0-6 MBC775 11/11/15 1335 16.5 0–6 69.8 19,700 27 69

17, p. 18–19; 25, pp. 35, 39, 47–48; 

36, p. 7; 38, p. 5; 48, p. 10; 49, p. 1; 

64, p. 587.

Release Samples

0269-SED04-6-12 MBC786 11/11/15 1630 2 6–12 57.8 25,500 61.2 37

17, p. 20; 25, pp. 34, 39, 47; 36, p. 6; 

38, p. 16; 48, p. 39; 49, p. 1; 64, p. 

598.

0269-SED06-0-6 MBC790 11/12/15 1000 3.8 0–6 74.9 12,400 88.5 10.5

17, pp. 22–24; 25, pp. 43, 39, 48; 36, 

p. 6; 38, p. 20; 48, p. 46; 49, p. 1; 64,

p. 602.

ft = feet. 

in = inches. 

TOC = total organic carbon.

mg/kg = milligrams per kilogram.

26
SWOF-Observed Release 

Background and Observed Release Concentrations

EPA Background and Release Sediment Samples, November 2015

TABLE 3. BACKGROUND AND RELEASE CONCENTRATIONS–MERCURY

Maximum Background Concentration Release Concentrations

Field Sample ID 0269-SED01-0-6 0269-SED06-0-6 0269-SED04-6-12

EPA Sample No. MBC775 MBC790 MBC786

Sample Date 11/11/15 11/12/15 11/11/15

Depth (inches) 0–6 0–6 6–12

Result Bias Adjustment Factor Adjusted Result RDL** Result RDL** Result RDL**

Mercury 0.57 J-* Low 0.57 x 1.83 1.04 0.15 3.5 0.76 16.7 1.8

References 17, p. 19; 25, p. 33; 48, pp. 2, 6–8, 10, 66; 51, pp. 7–8, 18; 64, p. 587. 17, pp. 22–24; 25, p. 43; 48, pp. 

6–8, 46, 66; 64, p. 602.

17, p. 20; 25, p. 34; 48, pp. 6–8, 

39, 66; 64, p. 598.

Mercury concentrations presented in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).

RDL = Reporting Detection Limit. 

J- = The result is an estimated quantity, but the result may be biased low [Ref. 48, p. 2].

* The “J-” qualified result was adjusted per EPA Quick Reference Fact Sheet Using Qualified Data to Document and Observed Release and Observed Contamination

[Ref. 51, pp. 5–8, 18].

**The RDL for each result is the contract-required quantitation limit (CRQL) adjusted for sample and method [Ref. 30, p. 8]. Since the samples were analyzed through 

the CLP, these adjusted CRQLs are used in place of the HRS-defined sample quantitation limit (SQL) [Ref. 1, Sections 1.1 and 2.3].

Notes on samples 

• Release sample concentrations are compared to the maximum background concentration.

• Sampling Methods: The background and release samples were all collected from the tidal creek main channel by EPA, using an EPA SOP, during the same

sample event in November 2015 [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 19–24, 31; 25, pp. 4, 33–34, 43–45, 52; 29, pp. 16, 22–23].

• Analytical Procedures: The background and release samples were all analyzed for Inorganic TAL parameters (including mercury) via EPA CLP Statement of

Work (SOW) ISOM02.2 [Analytical Method: Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption (CVAA)] by the same laboratory (Shealy Environmental Services of West

Columbia, South Carolina) [Ref. 17, pp. 19–21, 24–25, 31; 25, pp. 1–2, 33–34, 43–45, 52, 70, 72, 76; 64, pp. 3, 587, 598, 602]. The chemical analyses were

coordinated through the EPA CLP; EPA validated the data according to EPA Region 2 data validation guidelines [Sample Delivery Group (SDG): MBC775]

[Ref. 48, pp. 1–8; 64, p. 3].

• Sample Description: TOC and Grain Size analyses show that background sediment sample contains a similar or greater concentration of TOC and a higher

percentage of fine-grained material (i.e., clay and silt) than the release samples [see Table 2]. Therefore, the background samples have a similar or greater

affinity for contaminants such as mercury [53, p. 6].

27
SWOF-Observed Release

Background and Observed Release Sample Physical Characteristics

EPA Background and Release Sediment Samples, November 2015

TABLE 4. BACKGROUND AND RELEASE SAMPLE INFORMATION–BENZO(A)PYRENE

Field Sample ID Organic 

CLP No.

Sample 

Date

Sample 

Time

Height of 

Water 

Column (ft)

Depth 

below top 

of sediment 

(in)

Solids

(%) 

TOC 

(mg/kg)

Total 

Coarse 

(%) 

Total 

Fines (Silt 

and Clay)

(%)

References

Background Sample

0269-SED02-0-6 BC778 11/11/15 1500 4.8 0–6 48.9 34,600 11 79

17, p. 20; 25, pp. 35, 39, 47; 32, p. 

28; 36, p. 5; 38, p. 8; 49, p. 1; 60, p. 

591.

Release Samples

0269-SED14-0-6 BC7B4 11/13/15 1220 8.2 0–6 83.1 32,800 92 7.5

17, pp. 30–31; 25, pp. 54–56; 35, p. 

6; 42, p. 31; 39, p. 15; 49, p. 2; 55, p. 

538.

0269-SED19-0-6 BC7C9 11/12/15 1530

10.7

0–6 82.1 16,100 96.5 3 

17, pp. 23, 25; 25, pp. 41, 54–55; 33, 

p. 91; 35, p. 6; 39, p. 20; 49, p. 2; 61,

p. 747.

0269-SED19-6-12 BC7D1 11/12/15 1540 6–12 86 7,740 97 2.5

17, pp. 23, 25; 25, pp. 41, 54–55; 33, 

p. 101; 35, p. 7; 39, p. 22; 49, p. 2;

61, p. 838.

0269-SED19-12-24 BC7D0 11/12/15 1550 12–24 80.2 27,400 90.5 9 

17, pp. 23, 25; 25, pp. 41, 54–55; 33, 

p. 96; 35, p. 7; 39, p. 21; 49, p. 2; 61,

p. 794.

0269-SED07-0-6 BC793 11/12/15 1045 3.4 0–6 58.1 35,200 72.5 27

17, pp. 22, 24; 25, pp. 43, 48–49, 32, 

p. 103; 36, p. 6; 40, p. 3; 49, p. 2; 60,

p. 943.

0269-SED06-0-6 BC790 11/12/15 1000 3.8 0–6 73.5 12,400 88.5 10.5

17, pp. 22, 24; 25, pp. 37, 39, 48; 32, 

p. 88; 36, p. 6; 38, p. 20; 49, p. 1; 60,

p. 841.

0269-SED04-6-12 BC786 11/11/15 1630 2 6–12 58.9 25,500 61.2 37

17, p. 20; 25, pp. 36, 39, 47; 32, p. 

66; 36, p. 6; 38, p. 16; 49, p. 1; 60, p. 

736.

ft = feet. 

in = inches. 

TOC = total organic carbon. 

mg/kg = milligrams per kilogram. 

28
SWOF-Observed Release

Background and Observed Release Concentrations

EPA Background and Release Sediment Samples, November 2015

TABLE 5. BACKGROUND AND RELEASE CONCENTRATIONS–BENZO(A)PYRENE

Maximum

Background

Concentration

Release

Concentrations

Field Sample ID 0269-SED02-0-6 0269-SED19-6-

12

0269-SED19-

12-24

0269-SED07-0-

6

0268-SED06-0-

6

0269-SED04-6-

12

0269-SED14-0-

6

0269-SED19-0-

6

EPA Sample No. BC778 BC7D1 BC7D0 BC793 BC790 BC786 BC7B4 BC7C9

Sample Date 11/11/15 11/12/15 11/12/15 11/12/15 11/12/15 11/11/15 11/13/15 11/12/15

Depth (inches) 0–6 6–12 12–24 0–6 0–6 6–12 0–6 0–6 

Result RDL* Result RDL* Result RDL* Result RDL* Result RDL* Result RDL* Result RDL* Result RDL* 

Benzo(a)pyrene 350 U 350 2,100 200 700 210 480 290 1,000 230 1,200 290 2,100 200 1,100 210

References

17, p. 20; 25, p. 

35; 32, pp. 7–10, 

29, 141; 60, p. 

591.

17, p. 25; 25, p. 

41; 33, pp. 7–

10, 102, 155; 

61, p. 838.

17, p. 25; 25, p. 

41; 33, pp. 7–

10, 97, 154; 61, 

p. 794.

17, p. 24; 25, p. 

37; 32, pp. 7–

10, 104, 155; 

60, p. 943.

17, p. 24; 25, p. 

37; 32, pp. 7–

10, 89, 152; 60, 

p. 841.

17, p. 20; 25, p. 

36; 32, pp. 7–

10, 67, 148; 60, 

p. 736.

17, p. 31; 25, p. 

56; 42, pp. 6–

10, 32, 145; 55, 

p. 538.

17, p. 25; 25, p. 

41; 33, pp. 7–

10, 92, 153; 61, 

p. 747.

Benzo(a)pyrene concentrations reported in micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg).

RDL = Reporting Detection Limit. 

U = The analyte was analyzed for, but was not detected at a level greater than or equal to the level of the adjusted Contract Required Quantitation Limit (CRQL) (i.e., 

SQL) for sample and method.

*The RDL for each result is the CRQL adjusted for sample and method [Ref. 30, p. 8]. Since the samples were analyzed through the CLP, these adjusted CRQLs are used

in place of the HRS-defined sample quantitation limit SQL [Ref. 1, Sections 1.1 and 2.3].

29
SWOF-Observed Release

Notes on samples 

• Release sample concentrations are compared to the maximum background concentration, or the detection

limit if the concentration of the sample was below analytical detection levels.

• Sampling Methods: The background and release samples were all collected from the tidal creek main

channel by EPA, using an EPA SOP, during the same sample event in November 2015 [Figure 2; Ref. 17,

pp. 19–21, 24–25; 25, pp. 4, 35–37, 41; 29, pp. 16, 22–23].

• Analytical Procedures: The background and release samples were all analyzed for Organic TAL SVOCs

via EPA SOW SOM02.2 by the same laboratory (Chemtech Consulting Group of Mountainside, New

Jersey) [Ref. 17, pp. 18, 21, 25; 25, pp. 1–3, 35–37, 41, 56, 69, 71; 55, pp. 1, 538; 60, pp. 1, 591, 736, 841,

943; 61, pp. 1, 747, 794, 838]. The chemical analyses were coordinated through the EPA CLP; EPA

validated the data according to EPA Region 2 data validation guidelines (SDGs: BC775, BC794, and

BC7A7) [Ref. 32, pp. 1–10; 33, pp. 1–10; 42, pp. 1–10; 55, p. 1; 60, p. 1; 61, p. 1].

• Sample Description: TOC and Grain Size analyses show that the background sediment sample contains a

greater concentration of TOC than most of the release samples and a higher percentage of fine-grained

material (i.e., clay and silt) than all of the release samples [see Table 4]. Therefore, the background sample

has a greater affinity for contaminants such as benzo(a)pyrene than most of the release samples [Ref. 43, p.

11].

Attribution

While many possible sources of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene exist in the Wappinger Creek watershed upstream of 

the contaminated sediments, it is not possible to attribute the increase in concentration of these substances to any 

particular historic operation or release because of the large number of historic activities at the industrial park and in 

the surrounding watershed. As discussed below, there are many different types of operations that may have released 

these substances at the industrial park, but sampling failed to demonstrate attribution of the increase in contaminant 

levels to any specific source.

Sediments in the tidal portion of Wappinger Creek are contaminated with mercury and benzo(a)pyrene; the zone of 

contamination extends for a length of approximately 1.2 miles [Figure 2]. Benzo(a)pyrene is a PAH, which are a 

group of more than 100 different chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, garbage, 

or other organic substances [Ref. 22, pp. 1-2]. A few PAH compounds are used in making dyes [Ref. 22, p. 1]. As 

discussed below, there are a number of possible sources of mercury and benzo(a)pyrene at the site. 

Industrial Park

EPA investigated the industrial park area in an attempt to identify a facility at the park to which the mercury and 

benzo(a)pyrene releases could be attributed. While it is probable that at least part of the contamination came from 

this area, it was not possible to identify any single facility at the park from which the contamination originated. 

Industrial activities have been conducted at the industrial park location for more than 180 years [Ref. 9, p. 3]. Past 

uses of the location have included textile dyeing, Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) operations, metal plating, plastic 

mold injection, felt hat manufacturing, ammunition production, chemical manufacturing and distribution, and 

several other industrial and commercial activities including a metal plating facility, the Three Star Facility [Ref. 7, 

pp. 9, 14–15; 9, p. 3]. Buildings within the industrial park associated with the metal plating facility had floor drains 

and sanitary facilities that discharged to Wappinger Creek [Ref. 7, p. 14]. A former raceway and lagoon received 

industrial wastes from the southern portion of the industrial park [Ref. 7, p. 19]. The “north lagoon”, which covered 

approximately 0.2 acre on the northern portion, reportedly received wastes from a paint manufacturing facility in the 

1960s [Ref. 6, p. 65]. NYSDEC reported that the lagoon is visible on a 1995 aerial photograph and is located 

adjacent to Wappinger Creek [Ref. 6, p. 65]. The 1995 aerial photograph obtained by EPA shows a dark area that, 

based on the NYSDEC description, appears to be the north lagoon adjacent to the north bank of Wappinger Creek 

[Ref. 13, p. 6]. 

30
SWOF-Observed Release

Some areas of the industrial park itself are reported to consist of variable fill materials, including coal cinders from 

MGP activities that occurred on the southern portion of the industrial park [Ref. 7, pp. 15, 203]. MGPs produced 

fuel by heating coal and then collecting and purifying the released volatiles [Ref. 21, p. 3]. The remaining solid 

portion of the coal (i.e., coke) was also used for industrial fuel [Ref. 21, p. 3]. The production of manufactured gas 

generated a dense, oily liquid waste known as coal tar [Ref. 21, p. 4]. Although most of the coal tar was collected 

for sale and reuse, recovery was incomplete [Ref. 21, p. 4]. Most plants had tar/water separators, which sometimes 

could not fully separate the two phases [Ref. 21, p. 4]. The resulting tar/water mixture was often discharged to a 

nearby surface water body [Ref. 21, p. 4]. It was common for substantial amounts of tar to have leaked from storage 

and processing facilities contaminating soils and ground water [Ref. 21, p. 4]. The MGP operated at the industrial 

park for approximately 38 years [Ref. 7, p. 15]. Benzo(a)pyrene was detected at a concentration of 2,100 μg/kg at 

EPA sediment sample location 0269-SED19 (6–12 inches), which was located adjacent to the former MGP area 

[Ref. 25, p. 19; 33, p. 102]. 

A May 2004 fire at the Three Star facility also likely contributed to PAH contamination of the surrounding area 

[Ref. 7, p. 16; 22, p. 1; 26, p. 2]. PAHs, including benzo(a)pyrene, can be found in exhaust from automobiles and 

trucks, and asphalt roads, and therefore can be ubiquitous to urban and industrial areas [Ref 26, pp. 1–2]. Gas 

stations and automobile repair facilities (i.e., facilities where petroleum or petroleum products are used), which are 

known to exist in Wappingers Falls, are also possible sources of PAHs [Ref. 10, p. 4; 26, p. 3]. 

Several possible sources of mercury are documented to have existed at the industrial park such as dye manufacture, 

felt hat manufacture, plastic mold injection, paint manufacturing, electronics reconditioning, and chlorine production 

[Ref. 7, pp. 9, 14–16; 9, p. 25; 15, p. 8]. Mercury (II) nitrate has historically been used in felt hat production [Ref. 

20, p. 1]. Mercury can also be released to the environment from the burning of coal, as well as from some methods 

to produce chlorine [Ref. 23, p. 2]. 

To evaluate the contribution from the industrial park to the contamination at the site EPA collected surface and 

subsurface soil samples from nine boreholes advanced throughout northern portions (i.e., north of Wappinger Creek 

and north of Three Star) of the industrial park using direct-push method in October 2015 [Ref. 25, pp. 17, 19].

Sampling and analysis of soil samples collected by EPA in October 2015 at the industrial park reported the presence 

of PAHs at multiple locations throughout northern portions of the industrial park, and did not identify a pattern that 

indicated any particular facility at the park was the source of all the contamination in the contaminated sediments. 

PAHs were reported in boreholes 0269-S03 (depth: 1–2 feet) and 0269-S04 (depth: 1–2 feet), which were advanced 

in the area of the former north lagoon; 0269-S05 (depth: 1–2 feet), which was advanced in the northeastern portion 

of the industrial park, north of Wappinger Creek; and 0269-S07, which was also advanced near the south bank of 

Wappinger Creek [Ref. 17, pp. 9–11; 18, pp. 24, 31, 36, 41; 25, pp. 7–8, 17, 23–24; 59, pp. 548, 572, 600, 623]. 

Based on this sampling, no particular location or facility could be identified as the main source of mercury or 

benzo(a)pyrene at the industrial park.

The focus of NYSDEC remedial activity at the industrial park has been the former Three Star Anodizing facility, 

which includes several buildings in the center of the southern portion of the industrial park that housed the former 

Three Star metal plating facility, as well as the raceway, lagoon, MGP, and the former Axton Cross chemical 

manufacturing facility [Ref. 7, pp. 9–11, 52–62; 15, pp. 12–13, 65]. NYSDEC identified the former Three Star 

plating vats as another possible source of contamination [Ref. 7, pp. 9, 54]. Wastewater from Three Star was 

discharged to Wappinger Creek, either directly or via the raceway and lagoon [Ref. 7, pp. 15–16, 19]. Soil and 

ground water sampling indicated that surface soil, subsurface soil, and ground water beneath the Three Star 

Anodizing facility were contaminated with PAHs; inorganic constituents, including mercury, lead, and chromium; 

and chlorinated VOCs [Ref. 7, pp. 42, 44–47, 50–51].

Inorganic analysis of a surface soil sample (SS01; depth 0–24 inches) collected by NYSDEC from the raceway 

reported the presence of chromium (6,260 mg/kg), lead (1,100 mg/kg), arsenic (9.6 mg/kg), and zinc (558 mg/kg) 

[Ref. 7, pp. 80, 107]. Inorganic analysis of sediment samples collected by NYSDEC from the metal plating facility 

lagoon, which received wastewater from the raceway, reported the presence of (max concentrations) mercury (54 

mg/kg), chromium (26,300 mg/kg), lead (9,650 mg/kg), arsenic (141 mg/kg), and zinc (3,710 mg/kg) [Ref. 7, pp. 51, 

31
SWOF-Observed Release

165–166]. Mercury (31 mg/kg) was also reported in a surface soil sample (SS-10; depth: 12–14 inches) collected 

from the former chemical manufacturing facility (i.e., Axton Cross) that was located adjacent to the lagoon [Ref. 7, 

pp. 80, 107, 204]. Maximum background concentrations detected in surface soil samples collected from areas 

outside the industrial park reported mercury, chromium, lead, arsenic, and zinc concentrations of 0.81 mg/kg, 22 

mg/kg, 497 mg/kg, 22 mg/kg, and 525 mg/kg, respectively [Ref. 7, pp. 79, 88–90]. During the 2001/2003 sediment 

investigation, NYSDEC collected sediment samples upstream of the tidal creek from Wappinger Lake [Ref. 6, p. 

76]. Maximum reported upstream concentrations of mercury were 0.57 (J-) mg/kg adjusted to 1.04 mg/kg

(NYSDEC Sample ID No.: WP-LK2; 0–6 inches), non-detect (NYSDEC Sample ID Nos. WP-LK01-A, WP-LK01-

B, WP-LK01-B DUP, and WP-LK01-C; 6–12 inches), 0.2 J mg/kg (NYSDEC Sample ID No. WP-LK01-A; 19–25 

inches), and 0.21 J mg/kg (NYSDEC Sample ID No. WP-LK01-B; 25–31 inches) [Ref 6, pp. 276–277]. Maximum 

reported mercury concentrations for sediment samples collected within the tidal creek were 31.9 mg/kg (NYSDEC 

Sample ID No. WP-29; 0–6 inches), 186 mg/kg (NYSDEC Sample ID No. WP-DOT; 6–12 inches), and 118 mg/kg 

(NYSDEC Sample ID No. WP-29; 12–18 inches) [Ref.6, pp. 32, 280–281]. NYSDEC sediment sampling results 

show that mercury concentrations peaked at the shoal and embayment areas, then generally decreased moving 

downstream towards the confluence with the Hudson River [Ref. 6, p. 32]. Maximum reported mercury 

concentrations for sediment samples collected from three locations near the confluence with the Hudson River 

(NYSDEC Sample Locations WP-OD1, WP-T3A, and WP-T3B) were 8.3 J mg/kg (NYSDEC Sample ID No. WPOD1; 0–6 inches), 20 mg/kg (NYSDEC Sample ID No. WP-OD1; 6–12 inches), and 13 mg/kg (NYSDEC Sample 

ID No. WP-T3A; 12–24 inches) [Ref. 6, pp. 32, 286–287]. 

Areas Upstream or Surrounding the Industrial Park

Activities within the Village of Wappingers Falls also represent additional possible sources of contaminants. Storm 

water from the Village of Wappingers Falls formerly drained to the south lagoon via a pipe that ran along the 

raceway, and, therefore, may have contributed to the hazardous substances identified at the site [Ref. 7, p. 19]. The 

Village borders the industrial park to the east and south on top of a steep embankment [Ref. 7, p. 202]. The types of 

industries located at a higher elevation than the industrial park include dry cleaning, machine shop, Wappingers 

Falls Village Landfill [CERCLA–No Further Remedial Action Planned (NFRAP)], gas stations, and automobile 

repair [Ref. 10, p. 4]. A Wappingers Falls Department of Public Works (DPW) (i.e., Highway Department) facility 

is located south of the industrial park on Lower Market Street on the eastern bank of Wappinger Creek [Ref. 6, p. 

66; 68, pp. 1–2]. 

As part of the November 2015 sediment sampling, EPA collected sediment samples from four upstream locations 

(0269-SED15, 0269-SED16, 0269-SED17, and 0269-SED18) above Wappingers Falls, from Wappinger Lake and 

from Wappinger Creek upstream of the lake [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 32–34, 36–37, 63–67; 25, pp. 5, 11–12]. 

Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.0066 J mg/kg in sediment sample 0269-SED18-12-24 (depth: 12–24 inches) 

to 0.11 J mg/kg in sediment sample 0269-SED15-12-24 (depth: 12–24 inches) [Ref. 52, pp. 19–20, 29, 34, 37, 39, 

41, 43, 45, 47, 49–50; 65, pp. 450–461]. Sample analyses reported non-detect values for benzo(a)pyrene for all 

upstream sediment samples [Figure 2; Ref. 42, pp. 44, 47, 52, 57, 62, 69, 74, 79, 84, 89, 92, 97; 55, pp. 685, 699, 

712, 725, 738, 751, 764, 779, 797, 824, 844, 858]. Although these samples were not used to characterize background 

in the observed release evaluation, they do provide documentation that potential upstream sources are not 

contributing to the increase in mercury and benzo(a)pyrene concentrations detected in the tidal creek. 

EPA also sampled south of the industrial park to determine if contamination was entering the creek from that area. 

Analysis of soil samples collected from borehole 0269-S10 south of the industrial park contained non-detect levels 

of PAHs, with a maximum adjusted CRQL of 200 U mg/kg reported for soil samples 0269-S10 and 0269-SS10B 

[Ref 17, pp. 12–13; 19, pp. 2, 25, 48; 25, pp. 17, 26; 57, pp. 471, 553]. 

Possible Tidal Sources 

EPA collected sediment samples from locations 0269-SED01 and 0269-SED02 to account for possible contaminants 

contributions from the Hudson River [Figures 2 and 3]. Sediment sample locations 0269-SED01 and 0269-SED02 

were located within Wappinger Creek, downstream of the zone of actual contamination and just upstream of the 

confluence of Wappinger Creek and the Hudson River [Figures 2 and 3]. Sample analytical results report mercury 

32
SWOF-Observed Release

and benzo(a)pyrene concentrations that are significantly higher in the release samples used to define the zone of

contamination than those reported for the background samples [Tables 3 and 5; Figure 2; Ref. 32, pp. 13, 19, 24,

29, 32, 39, 67, 104, 89, 107; 33, pp. 92, 97, 102; 42, p. 32; 48, pp. 10, 27, 39, 46]. Based on these results, it is

unlikely that the significant increase in mercury and benzo(a)pyrene concentrations are due to tidal carry form the 

Hudson River and any other possible downstream sources. 

Embayment Samples 

As part of the November 2015 sediment sampling, EPA also collected sediment samples from two locations within 

the embayment along the north bank of Wappinger Creek, downstream of the industrial park (0269-SED08 and 

0269-SED09) [Figure 2; Ref. 17, pp. 23–24]. Background samples from a similar quiescent environment could not 

be obtained; therefore, these samples cannot be used to establish an observed release. However, analytical results 

identified the presence of mercury in the sediment located in the embayment. The reported mercury concentrations 

for sediment samples collected from 0269-SED08 were 35.5 J mg/kg (0–6 inches) and 109 J mg/kg (6–12 inches) 

[Ref. 50, pp. 23, 27; 62, pp. 494, 496]. The reported mercury concentrations for sediment samples collected from 

0269-SED09 were 48.7 J mg/kg (6–12 inches) and 25.6 J (12–24 inches) [Ref. 50, pp. 37, 39; 62, pp. 498–499]. 

NYSDEC considers sediment to be contaminated with mercury at concentrations greater than 1 mg/kg to be highly 

contaminated and likely pose a risk to aquatic life [Ref. 46, p. 11].

Hazardous Substances Released:

Mercury

Benzo(a)pyrene

==================================================================================

Observed Release Factor Value: 550

33 
SWOF/Food Chain-Waste Characteristics

4.1.3.2 Human Food Chain Threat - Waste Characteristics

4.1.3.2.1 Toxicity/Persistence/Bioaccumulation

TABLE 6. TOXICITY/PERSISTENCE/BIOACCUMULATION

Hazardous 

Substance

Source 

Number

Toxicity 

Factor 

Value

River 

Persistence 

Factor 

Value

Fresh Water 

Food Chain 

Bioaccumulation 

Factor Value

Toxicity/Persistence/ 

Bioaccumulation Factor 

Value (HRS Table 4-16)

Ref. 2 

Page

Mercury 1 10,000 1 50,000 5 x 108 4

Benzo(a)pyrene 1 10,000 1 50,000 5 x 108 1

4.1.3.2.2 Hazardous Waste Quantity

TABLE 7. HAZARDOUS WASTE QUANTITY

Source Number Source Hazardous Waste Quantity 

(HWQ) Value (HRS Section 2.4.2.1.5)

Is source hazardous constituent 

quantity data complete? (yes/no)

1 >0 (exact amount unknown) No

Sum of Values: >0

The sum of hazardous waste quantity values corresponds to a hazardous waste quantity factor value of 1 in HRS 

Table 2-6 [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2.2]. However, the HRS states that if any target is subject to Level I or Level II 

concentrations, assign either the value for Table 2-6 or a value of 100, whichever is greater, as the hazardous waste 

quantity factor value for that pathway [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2.2]. Therefore, a hazardous waste quantity factor value 

of 100 is assigned for the surface water migration pathway. 

4.1.3.2.3 Waste Characteristics Factor Category Value

Mercury and benzo(a)pyrene associated with Source 1, which has a surface water pathway containment factor value

greater than 0 for the watershed, correspond to a toxicity/persistence factor value of 10,000 and bioaccumulation 

potential factor value of 50,000, as shown above [Ref. 1, Section 4.1.3.2.1.4; 2, pp. 1, 4]. 

(Toxicity/Persistence Factor Value) x (Hazardous Waste Quantity Factor Value) = 

10,000 x 100 = 1 x 106 

(Subject to a maximum of 1 x 108) 

[Ref. 1, Section 4.1.3.2.3] 

(Toxicity/Persistence Factor Value x Hazardous Waste Quantity Factor Value) x 

(Bioaccumulation Potential Factor Value) = (1 x 106

) x (50,000) = 5 x 1010 

(Subject to a maximum of 1 x 1012) 

[Ref. 1, Section 4.1.3.2.3] 

The resulting waste characteristics product of 5 x 1010 corresponds to a Waste Characteristics Factor Category of 

Value of 320 in Table 2-7 of the HRS [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.3.1].

==================================================================================

Toxicity/Persistence/Bioaccumulation Factor Value: 5 x 108

Hazardous Waste Quantity Factor Value: 100 

Waste Characteristics Factor Category Value: 320

34
SWOF/Food Chain-Targets/Food Chain Individual

4.1.3.3 Human Food Chain Threat - Targets

Wappinger Creek is used for consumption fishing [Ref. 3, p. 6; 16, p. 3; 17, p. 20]. Access to the creek for fishing is 

within the industrial park (on the west bridge, which connects the northern and southern portions and the upstream 

side of the southern bank across from the hydroelectric plant) and along most of the western shoreline of the tidal 

creek via the Wappinger Greenway Trail [Figure 2; Ref. 3, pp. 6, 10; 14, p. 2]. On June 3, 2015, EPA personnel 

observed a local resident fishing within the industrial park [Ref. 3, p. 6; 16, p. 3]. The resident stated that he 

consumes approximately 40 percent of the fish he catches in Wappinger Creek, including herring and striped bass

[Ref 16, p. 3]. Additional public access on the eastern shoreline is provided by a public boat launch located on 

Creek Road, approximately 0.5 mile downstream of the industrial park [Figure 2; Ref. 3, p. 12; 16, p. 2]. In 

October 2015, EPA observed a recreational fishing boat in the tidal creek [Ref. 17, pp. 4–5]. The occupants stated 

that most fishing in the tidal creek occurs during warm weather [Ref. 17, p. 5]. On November 11, 2015, a local 

resident stated to EPA that fishing for consumption occurs throughout the tidal creek and the species commonly 

consumed include crabs and carp [Ref. 17, p. 20]. The available documentation demonstrates that fishing for human 

consumption occurs throughout the tidal creek and the zone of contamination as currently defined by EPA sediment 

sample results is located within the fishery; therefore, the target fishery is evaluated for Level II actual

contamination [Figure 2; Ref. 1, Section 4.1.3.3].

Samples for Observed Release/Potential Concentrations

The sediment concentrations meet the criteria for Level II concentrations because they meet the criteria for observed 

release and their locations are associated with a human food chain fishery [Ref. 1, Section 2.5 and 4.1.4.3.1.2]:

TABLE 8. SEDIMENT SAMPLES FOR OBSERVED RELEASE

Sample ID Depth 

(inches)

Hazardous 

Substance

Concentration

0269-SED14-

0-6

0–6 Benzo(a)pyrene 2,100 μg/kg

0269-SED19-

0-6

0–6 Benzo(a)pyrene 1,100 μg/kg

0269-SED19-

6-12

6-12 Benzo(a)pyrene 2,100 μg/kg

0269-SED19-

12-24

12–24 Benzo(a)pyrene 700 μg/kg

0269-SED7-0-

6

0–6 Benzo(a)pyrene 480 μg/kg

0269-SED06-

0-6

0–6 Benzo(a)pyrene 1,000 μg/kg

0269-SED04-

6-12

6–12 Benzo(a)pyrene 1,200 μg/kg

0269-SED04-

6-12

6–12 Mercury 16.7 mg/kg

0269-SED06-

0-6

12–24 Mercury 3.5 mg/kg

[Ref. 32, pp. 67, 89, 104; 33, pp 92, 97, 102; 42, p. 32; 48, pp. 39, 46; 55, p. 538; 60, pp. 736, 841, 943; 61, pp. 747, 

794, 838; 64, pp. 598, 602] 

35
SWOF/Food Chain Individual

4.1.3.3.1 Food Chain Individual

There is an observed release to surface water of two hazardous substances (mercury and benzo[a]pyrene) with a 

bioaccumulation potential factor value of 500 or greater in several samples identified below, and there is Level II 

actual contamination of a fishery [see Sections 4.1.2.1.1, 4.1.3.2.1.3, and 4.1.3.3 of this HRS documentation record]. 

Therefore, a food chain individual factor value of 45 is assigned [Ref. 1, Section 4.1.3.3.1]. 

Sample IDs: 0269-SED06-0-6, 0269-SED04-6-12

Hazardous Substance: Mercury

Bioaccumulation Potential: 50,000

References: See Section 4.1.2.1.1of this HRS documentation record.

Sample IDs: 0269-SED19-0-6, 0269-SED19-6-12, 0269-SED19-12-24, 0269-SED07-0-6, 0269-

SED06-0-6, 0269-SED04-6-12, 0269-SED14-0-6 

Hazardous Substance: Benzo(a)pyrene

Bioaccumulation Potential: 50,000

References: See Section 4.1.2.1.1of this HRS documentation record.

==================================================================================

Food Chain Individual Factor Value: 45

36
SWOF/Food Chain-Level I/Level II Concentrations/Potential Contamination

4.1.3.3.2 Population

4.1.3.3.2.1 Level I Concentrations

The Level I concentrations factor value is 0 because there are no fisheries subject to Level I concentrations [Ref. 1, 

Section 4.1.3.3.2.1]. 

==================================================================================

Level I Concentrations Factor Value: 0 

4.1.3.3.2.2 Level II Concentrations

Wappinger Creek is used for consumption fishing [Ref. 3, p. 6; 16, p. 3; 17, p. 20]. Access to the creek for fishing is 

within the industrial park (on the west bridge, which connects the northern and southern portions and on the 

upstream side of the southern bank across from the hydroelectric plant) and along most of the western shoreline of 

the tidal creek via the Wappinger Greenway Trail [Figure 2; Ref. 3, pp. 6, 10; 14, p. 2]. On June 3, 2015, EPA 

personnel observed a local resident fishing within the industrial park [Ref. 3, p. 6; 16, p. 3]. The resident stated that 

he consumes approximately 40 percent of the fish he catches in Wappinger Creek, including herring and striped bass 

[Ref 16, p. 3]. Additional public access on the eastern shoreline is provided by a public boat launch located on 

Creek Road, approximately 0.5 mile south of the industrial park [Figure 2; Ref. 3, p. 12; 16, p. 2]. On November 

11, 2015, a local resident stated to EPA that the entire tidal creek is used for consumption fishing [Ref. 17, p. 20]. 

The species commonly consumed include crab and carp [Ref. 17, p. 20]. The fish consumption rate for the 

downstream fishery is not documented, so the fishery is assigned to the category “Greater than 0 to 100 pounds per 

year,” which corresponds to the assigned human food chain population value of 0.03 in Table 4-18 of the HRS [Ref. 

1, Section 4.1.3.3.2]. The available documentation demonstrates that fishing for human consumption occurs 

throughout the tidal creek and the zone of contamination as currently defined by EPA sediment sample results is 

located within the fishery; therefore, the target fishery is evaluated for Level II actual contamination [Figure 2; Ref. 

1, Section 4.1.3.3]. 

==================================================================================

Level II Concentrations Factor Value: 0.03

4.1.3.3.2.3 Potential Human Food Chain Contamination

The potential human food chain contamination value is 0 because there are no documented fisheries subject to 

potential concentrations [Ref. 1, Section 4.1.3.3.2.3].

==================================================================================

Potential Human Food Chain Contamination Factor Value: 0

37
SWOF/Environment-Hazardous Waste Characteristics

4.1.4.2 Environmental Threat - Waste Characteristics

4.1.4.2.1 Ecosystem Toxicity/Persistence/Bioaccumulation

TABLE 9. ECOTOXICITY/PERSISTENCE/BIOACCUMULATION 

Hazardous 

Substance

Source 

Number

Fresh 

Water 

Ecotoxicity 

Factor 

Value

River 

Persistence 

Factor 

Value

Fresh Water 

Ecosystem

Bioaccumulation 

Factor Value

Ecotoxicity/Persistence/ 

Bioaccumulation Factor 

Value (HRS Table 4-21)

Ref. 2 

Page

Mercury 1 10,000 1 50,000 5 x 108 4

Benzo(a)pyrene 1 10,000 1 50,000 5 x 108 1

4.1.4.2.2 Hazardous Waste Quantity

TABLE 10. HAZARDOUS WASTE QUANTITY 

Source Number Source Hazardous Waste Quantity 

(HWQ) Value (HRS Section 2.4.2.1.5)

Is source hazardous constituent 

quantity data complete? (yes/no)

1 >0 (exact amount unknown) No

Sum of Values: >0

The sum of hazardous waste quantity values corresponds to a hazardous waste quantity factor value of 1 in HRS 

Table 2-6 [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2.2]. However, the HRS states that if any target is subject to Level I or Level II 

concentrations, assign either the value for Table 2-6 or a value of 100, whichever is greater, as the hazardous waste 

quantity factor value for that pathway [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.2.2]. Therefore, a hazardous waste quantity factor value 

of 100 is assigned for the surface water migration pathway. 

4.1.4.2.3 Waste Characteristics Factor Category Value

Mercury and benzo(a)pyrene associated with Source 1, which has a surface water pathway containment factor value

greater than 0 for the watershed, correspond to an ecotoxicity/persistence factor value of 10,000 and 

bioaccumulation potential factor value of 50,000, as shown above [Ref. 1, Section 4.1.4.2.1.4; 2, pp. 1, 4]. 

(Ecotoxicity/persistence factor value) x (hazardous waste quantity factor value) = 

10,000 x 100 = 1 x 106 

(Subject to a maximum of 1 x 108) 

[Ref. 1, Section 4.1.4.2.3] 

(Ecotoxicity/persistence factor value x hazardous waste quantity factor value) x 

(bioaccumulation potential factor value) = (1 x 106

) x (50,000) = 5 x 1010

(Subject to a maximum of 1 x 1012)

[Ref. 1, Section 4.1.4.2.3] 

The resulting waste characteristics product of 5 x 1010 corresponds to a waste characteristics factor category value of 

320 in Table 2-7 of the HRS [Ref. 1, Section 2.4.3.1]. 

Ecosystem Toxicity/Persistence/Bioaccumulation Factor Value: 5 x 108 

Hazardous Waste Quantity Factor Value: 100

Waste Characteristics Factor Category Value: 320

38
SWOF/Environment-Targets

4.1.4.3 Environmental Threat - Targets

The zone of contamination (i.e., the creek segment where observed release by chemical analysis is documented) 

along the surface water migration pathway downstream of the site source extends from sediment sample location 

0269-SED14 south and downstream to sediment sample location 0269-SED04, a length of approximately 1.2 miles 

(6,082 feet) [Figure 2]. The zone of contamination includes a wetland that forms a peninsula that separates the 

Wappinger Creek main channel and the embayment [Figure 2]. The wetland is classified by the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service as a Palustrine Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland (PFO1S) [Ref. 24, p. 1]. This HRS-eligible 

wetland is located along the hazardous substance migration path in the area of Level II concentrations, and the total 

wetland frontage considered as subject to actual contamination is 0.2 mile [Figure 2; Ref. 1, Section 4.1.4.3.1]. The 

contaminated sediment sample locations in Table 11 define the hazardous substance migration path [Figure 2]. 

There are no media-specific benchmarks for sediment, so the target wetland is subject to Level II concentrations

[Ref. 1, Sections 2.5 and 4.1.4.3].

Samples for Observed Release/Level II Concentrations

The sediment concentrations meet the criteria for Level II concentrations because they meet criteria for observed 

release and their locations are associated with an eligible HRS wetland [Ref. 1, Sections 2.5 and 4.1.4.3.1; 2, pp. 2, 

4]:

TABLE 11. SEDIMENT SAMPLES FOR OBSERVED RELEASE 

Sample ID Depth 

(inches)

Hazardous 

Substance

Concentration

0269-SED14-

0-6

0–6 Benzo(a)pyrene 2,100 μg/kg

0269-SED19-

0-6

0–6 Benzo(a)pyrene 1,100 μg/kg

0269-SED19-

6-12

6-12 Benzo(a)pyrene 2,100 μg/kg

0269-SED19-

12-24

12–24 Benzo(a)pyrene 700 μg/kg

0269-SED7-0-

6

0–6 Benzo(a)pyrene 480 μg/kg

0269-SED06-

0-6

0–6 Benzo(a)pyrene 1,000 μg/kg

0269-SED04-

6-12

6–12 Benzo(a)pyrene 1,200 μg/kg

0269-SED04-

6-12

6–12 Mercury 16.7 mg/kg

0269-SED06-

0-6

12–24 Mercury 3.5 mg/kg

[Ref. 32, pp. 67, 89, 104; 33, pp 92, 97, 102; 42, p. 32; 48, pp. 39, 46; 55, p. 538; 60, pp. 736, 841, 943; 61, pp. 747, 

794, 838; 64, pp. 598, 602] 

39
SWOF/Environment-Level I/Level II Concentrations

4.1.4.3.1 Sensitive Environments

4.1.4.3.1.1 Level I Concentrations

The Level I concentrations factor value is 0 because there are no sensitive environments subject to Level I 

concentrations [Ref. 1, Section 4.1.4.3.1.1]. 

==================================================================================

Level I Concentrations Factor Value: 0

4.1.4.3.1.2 Level II Concentrations

The target wetlands are subject to Level II concentrations because they are located in a Level II zone of 

contamination delineated by samples meeting observed release criteria [Figure 2; Ref. 1, Sections 2.5 and 4.1.4.3].

Sensitive Environments

There are currently no known sensitive environments other than wetlands that are considered as subject to Level II 

concentrations [Ref. 1, Section 4.1.4.3].

Wetlands

There is an HRS-eligible wetland along the zone of contamination, and the total wetland frontage subject to actual 

contamination is greater than 0.1 mile [Figure 2; Ref. 1, Section 4.1.4.3.2; 24, p. 1]. 

TABLE 12. LEVEL II CONCENTRATIONS – WETLANDS 

Wetland Wetland Frontage Wetlands Rating Value 

(HRS Table 4-24)

Reference

Wappinger Creek 0.2 mile 25 Figure 2

Wetland Value: 25

Sum of Sensitive Environments Value + Wetland Value: 25

==================================================================================

Level II Concentrations Factor Value: 25

40
SWOF/Environment-Potential Contamination

4.1.4.3.1.3 Potential Contamination

The potential contamination factor value is not scored because the site already receives a listing-eligible site score 

based on other factors. 

Sensitive Environments

The sensitive environment value (Sj) is not scored. 

Wetlands

Although the most recent National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) information available from U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (USFWS) indicates that there are approximately 1.4 miles of potentially contaminated wetland frontage 

within the TDL, the wetland frontage value (Wj) is not scored [Figure 3]. 

==================================================================================

Potential Contamination Factor Value: NS

41