RATIONALE FOR SUSPENDING BENTHIC STUDIES ANDMOVING TO FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR MGP-IMPACTEDSEDIMENTS IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN

摘要

Benthic Community Analysis was used as a measurement endpoint to determine the generalrnhealth of the aquatic ecosystem of the Saranac River and Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, NewrnYork, downstream of a former MGP. However, there was inherent uncertainty in the definitionrnof the relationship between the measurement and assessment endpoints. As a result, additionalrnbenthic study would not provide the information needed to make effective cleanup decisions tornprotect the environment. Therefore, intensive chemical characterization and complete delineationrnof MGP-related sediment impacts in the lake was undertaken. Based on the results, the RemedialrnInvestigation Report recommended moving forward to a Feasibility Study (FS). The objective ofrnthe FS will be determination of the most cost-effective and least habitat-disturbing method ofrnmeeting New York State regulations and improving environmental quality. The likely approachrnwill be a combination of limited "hot-spot" removal and monitored natural attenuation.