The Lucas Avenue Superfund site in Dunkirk, NY has been determined to have subterranean levels of contamination “much higher than expected” according to City DPW Director Randy Woodbury. The contamination is said to include lead, arsenic, cyanide, and PCBs.
The excess contamination is expected to slow down remediation and clean-up in the highly populated industrial area. Many citizens fear the contamination may spread and halt the remediation process if the underground cap is removed or otherwise disturbed.
Woodbury says the property is still owned privately, but the owner has “agreed to environmental easements for the cleanup” and may allow the DEC to lease the property to the city to expedite the remediation process.