Buffalo, N.Y. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed the Record of Decision for the former Linde Building 14 Operable Unit on April 10. The Record of Decision sets into motion the remediation action plan that demolishes the current building structure and removes the debris from the Linde site as previously outlined in Alternative 5.

The Buffalo District held a public meeting on November 19, 2002 to discuss with the public the options for cleanup of this structure. Public participation included both the public meeting and a formal comment period. The Corps of Engineers received 15 comments from the public meeting and six formal written comments. The comments were reviewed and incorporated into Record of Decision.

The former Linde site is currently owned by Praxair Incorporated and is located at 175 East Park Drive, Tonawanda, New York. The cleanup of the former Linde site is managed under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP).

The approved remedy is protective of human health and the environment, complies with Federal and State requirements that are applicable, relevant, and appropriate to hazardous substances that are subject to this response action and is cost effective. Alternative 5 (selected) was considered to be the most protective, and will be permanent because all the building components and subsurface soils that are potentially contaminated with radiological materials would be removed from the site.

The Record of Decision is available for public review in the Administrative Record located at the Tonawanda Library, 333 Main Street, Tonawanda, N.Y. A copy of the record is also available at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, 1776 Niagara Street, Buffalo, N.Y.