BUFFALO -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, has issued the Proposed Plan for Remedial Action (cleanup) of low-level radioactive contamination at the former Linde Site for public comment from March 28 to April 27, 1999. The proposed cleanup is authorized under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program.

The Proposed Plan for the former Linde Site is available on the Buffalo District website at: http://www.lrb.usace.army.mil/fusrap/linde/linde.htm. It is also available for review in the Administrative Record File at the, Tonawanda Public Library, 333 Main Street, Tonawanda, New York and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers FUSRAP Information Center located at 1776 Niagara Street, Buffalo, New York. Copies may be requested from the Corps in writing.

Written comments will be accepted if postmarked by April 27, 1999, and should be sent to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers FUSRAP Public Information Center, 1776 Niagara Street, Buffalo, New York 14207.

A public meeting will be held at a future date to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the alternatives developed for cleanup of the former Linde Site and to submit their comments on the Proposed Plan.

The preferred alternative is Alternative 4, which includes Excavation, Decontamination with Offsite Disposal, and establishment of Institutional Controls. This alternative is believed to provide the best balance among the considered alternatives with respect to the evaluation criteria, complies with applicable relevant and appropriate regulations, will be protective of human health and the environment, and is considered cost effective. This alternative involves:

• excavation and off-site disposal of Manhattan Engineering District contaminated soils exceeding 40 CFR 192 criteria, in addition to a uranium cleanup guideline of 600 pCi/g (except under Building 14 due to inaccessible soils),
• demolition of buildings necessary to remediate the site with either acquisition of, or compensation for Buildings 57, 67, 73, 73B, 75 and 76 and would include the building slabs and foundations,
• removal of former building slabs where Buildings 30 and 38 existed,
• a wall in Building 31 would be removed to access sub-slab and sub-footing soil exceeding criteria,
• removal of contaminated sediments in drainlines and contaminated soils in the blast wall east of Building 58,
• the subsurface vault west of Building 73 would be investigated and removed if found to be contaminated,
• remediation of tank saddles north of the former Building 30,
• establishment of institutional controls at Building 14, and,
• periodic reviews to ensure the effectiveness of institutional controls that are put in place.

The former Linde Site (currently Praxiar, Inc.) is located at 175 East Park Drive, Tonawanda, New York.

During the 1940's, portions of the Linde Site were used for separation of uranium ores under a Manhattan Engineering District contract. The processing activities resulted in elevated levels of radionuclides in portions of the property and buildings. Interim actions that have been completed at the site are: decontamination and demolition of Building 37, demolition and disposal of Building 38, decontamination of Building 31, decontamination of Building 14 and demolition and disposal of Building 30.