The House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for fiscal 2017 calls on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to “proceed expeditiously” with a record of decision at the former Sylvania nuclear fuel site in Hicksville, N.Y., where residents have been awaiting cleanup. A record of decision is a public document that outlines cleanup options for a location.
Both the House and Senate energy and water appropriations bills for the budget year beginning Oct. 1 propose to fund the Corps’ Formerly Utilized Site Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) at $103 million, which is in line with the Obama administration’s request. Created in 1974, FUSRAP oversees the clean up or control of sites contaminated by early U.S. atomic weapons and energy production during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
The Department of Energy has determined that the 10-acre Sylvania site, which is 30 miles east of lower Manhattan, is eligible for inclusion in FUSRAP. Owned previously by Sylvania Electric Products, the site contains nuclear waste material from government and commercial activity between 1952 and 1967.
According to the Corps website, off-site groundwater characterization is ongoing at Sylvania, and a comprehensive remedial investigation report, which characterizes the nature and extent of any potential remaining hazards, is expected for Environmental Protection Agency review in fiscal 2017.
