FUSRAP

About the Niagara Falls Storage Site

Niagara Falls Storage Site


Beginning in 1944 the Niagara Falls Storage Site (NFSS) was used by the Manhattan Engineer District (MED) to store radioactive residues and wastes from uranium ore processing. Radioactive wastes and residues continued to be brought to the site for storage until 1952. In 1982 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) began cleanup and consolidation of the radioactive wastes and residues in an earthen containment cell constructed on the property, which was completed in 1986.

Project Status

The 191-acre federally owned Niagara Falls Storage Site (NFSS) includes a 10-acre engineered Interim Waste Containment Structure (IWCS), which contains radioactive residues, contaminated rubble and debris from the demolition of buildings, and contaminated soil from the NFSS and NFSS vicinity properties (VPs). While implementing FUSRAP, the Corps of Engineers serves as the site caretaker, performing NFSS site operations, maintenance, security, and environmental surveillance activities.

The site is divided into three operable units (OUs): the IWCS OU applies to all the material within the IWCS; the Balance of Plant OU includes all of the material at the NFSS not in the IWCS (soils, buildings and building foundations, utilities, roads, and roadbeds); and the Groundwater OU refers to contaminated groundwater. The status for the OUs is outlined below.

Collapse All Expand All
 Interim Waste Containment Structure Operable Unit

Based on analysis of the extensive data compiled for over 30 years, the IWCS, which was engineered and constructed by the U.S. Department of Energy in the mid-1980s, is performing as designed and remains protective of human health and the environment.

During 2015, the Corps of Engineers released a feasibility study and proposed plan for the IWCS OU. The proposed plan identified Alternative 4: excavation, partial treatment, and off-site disposal of the entire contents of the IWCS as the preferred alternative. Responses to comments received on the proposed plan were included in the record of decision. A video of the public meeting, the meeting transcript, and the comments received regarding the proposed plan are available in the Public Presentations/Posters/Transcripts section of this webpage.

During 2019, the Corps of Engineers completed the decision making for the most significant source of contamination at the site, the IWCS, with a record of decision to completely remove the entire IWCS, process the contaminated materials, and ship the materials out of state for permanent disposal. The 2019 record of decision is available in the Reports section below.

During September 2021, the Corps of Engineers awarded a $35M architect-engineer contract to prepare detailed plans and designs and provide construction management services for the complete removal of the IWCS.

 Balance of Plant Operable Unit and Groundwater Operable Units

The record of decision for the NFSS Balance of Plant and Groundwater OUs is available at the link provided in the Reports section below. A fact sheet regarding the record of decision is available at the link in the Fact Sheet/FAQs section below.

The selected remedy outlined in the record of decision for both OUs is Alternative 2, Complete Removal. The major components of the selected remedy include: removal and off-site disposal of radiological- and/or chemically contaminated soil, road bedding, and Building 401 foundation/utilities; removal and off-site disposal of impacted foundations and underlying soil, including Building 430 and 431/432, and Building 433; and, removal and off-site disposal of a chlorinated volatile organic compound soil and groundwater plume and placement of clay backfill into the excavation. FUSRAP-related material that is removed will be transported off-site for disposal at an appropriately permitted disposal facility.

Based on input received during the public comment period, the Corps of Engineers’ selected remedy for the Balance of Plant and Groundwater OUs was changed from the preferred alternative outlined in the proposed plan, which was Alternative 3, Removal with Building Decontamination. The main differences between the alternatives are the remedial strategies for building foundations (other than Building 401) and the chlorinated volatile organic compound plume. Contaminated concrete will be excavated under Alternative 2 and would have been scarified to remove contamination and left in place under Alternative 3. Clay soil be used to backfill the chlorinated volatile organic compound excavation area to ensure the protectiveness of the remedy.

A contract to remediate the Balance of Plant and Groundwater OUs is currently scheduled for award in 2023. After complete removal of the IWCS, the soils beneath the IWCS will be investigated and remediated, as necessary, using the remediation goals outlined in the record of decision for the Balance of Plant and Groundwater OUs.

Following completion of remedial activities, the site would be suitable for industrial use (i.e., protective of construction, industrial, and maintenance workers, as well as adolescent and adult trespassers). Five-year reviews will be conducted to ensure protectiveness of the remedy.

The administrative record file, which contains the documents supporting the decision-making process for the site, is available electronically at the link below.

 Vicinity Properties

During the 1980s the DOE began cleanup and consolidation of the radioactive wastes and residues that were on NFSS and its VPs. The DOE found that VP C and VP H did not require remedial action. Remedial action performed on VPs A, B, C Prime (C’), D, F, H Prime (H’), L, M, N/N Prime (N/N’) North, N/N’ South, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, W was completed in 1986. The DOE closed those VPs; certified they were in compliance with DOE decontamination criteria and standards at the time, which were developed to protect human health, safety, and the environment; and released the VPs for unrestricted use.

The Corps of Engineers is responsible for environmental investigations and response at open NFSS VPs. Four parcels, VP-E, E-Prime, H-Prime, and G, are located north of NFSS on a private parcel owned by CWM Chemical Services, LLC. These open VPs were impacted by MED/AEC. Three of these parcels, VP-E, E-Prime, and G were not accessible for investigation by the DOE. The Corps will investigate these VPs once the areas are accessible for investigation and sufficient funding is available. The Corps is currently preparing a remedial investigation report for VP H-Prime, and performing a site inspection of VP X, which is owned by the Town of Lewiston.

Community Involvement

The US Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District welcomes your input at any time. Our goal is to offer timely and meaningful opportunities for public input to our projects and to promote the dissemination of project information to the community. Public involvement activities complement the Corps' mission to address environmental contamination at the NFSS from past Manhattan Engineer District and Atomic Energy Commission activities.

You are welcome to contact us. If you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding the NFSS, please send an e-mail to fusrap@usace.army.mil. You may also mail a letter to:

USACE, Buffalo District
Attn: Environmental Project Management Section - Outreach
1776 Niagara Street
Buffalo, NY 14207

or call us at 1-800-833-6390 (option 4).

Community Relations Plan for the Niagara Falls Storage Site (Jul 2014)

News

News from the Corps emails are sent regularly when new information is available regarding the NFSS FUSRAP Site and its VPs. To receive News from the Corps, please email us at: fusrap@usace.army.mil and ask to be added to our list.
Collapse All Expand All
 News from The Corps
 News Releases

Fact Sheets / FAQs

Collapse All Expand All
 Environmental Monitoring Fact Sheets
 Site Wide Fact Sheets
 Balance of Plan and Groundwater Operable Units Fact Sheets
 Interim Waste Containment Structure Fact Sheets
 IWCS Feasibility Study Fact Sheets
 Vicinity Property Fact Sheets
 Off-Site
 Frequently Asked Questions

Public Presentations / Posters / Transcripts

Collapse All Expand All
 NFSS BOP and GW Proposed Plan Presentation (Oct 2020)
 NFSS BOP and GW Feasibility Study (Nov 2019)
 NFSS IWCS Proposed Plan (Jan 2016)
 Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation (Mar 2015)
 IWCS Remedial Alternatives Workshop (Jun 2013)
 Radon Assessment and Health Effects Evaluation Workshop (Mar 2012)
 Waste Disposal and Fernald Lessons Learned Workshop (Sep 2011)
 Remedial Investigation Addendum (Jun 2011)
 LOOW and NFSS Workshop (Nov 2010)
 LOOW and NFSS Workshop (Jun 2010)
 DOE Review of Vicinity Properties (Mar 2010)
 DOE Role in FUSRAP and Vicinity Properties (Dec 2009)
 LOOW and NFSS Workshop (Sep 2009)
 NFSS Public Workshop (Jun 2009)
 Remedial Investigation Findings, Session 2 (Sep 2008)
 Remedial Investigation Findings (May 2008)
 NFSS Groundwater Model (May 2008)

Reports

Collapse All Expand All
 Specific FUSRAP Document Request

To request specific FUSRAP documents, please fill out this Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request Form and submit it to the Buffalo District FOIA Coordinator listed on the form

 Site-Wide Environmental Monitoring Documents

2020 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Nov 2021)

2020 NESHAP Annual Report (Jun 2021)

2019 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Sep 2020)

2019 NESHAP Annual Report (Jun 2020)

2018 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Oct 2019)

2018 NESHAP Annual Report (Jun 2019)

2017 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Nov 2018)

2017 NESHAP Annual Report (Nov 2018)

2016 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Oct 2017)

2016 NESHAP Annual Report (October 2017)

2015 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Dec 2016)

2015 NESHAP Annual Report (Jun 2016)

2014 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Jan 2016)

2013 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Sep 2014)

2012 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Jan 2014)

2011 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Nov 2012)

2010 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Dec 2011) 

Groundwater Sampling After 23 Jun 2010 Quebec Earthquake (Sep 2010)

2009 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Nov 2010)

2008 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Nov 2009)

2007 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Sep 2008)

2006 Environmental Surveillance Technical Memorandum (Sep 2007)

     Historical DOE Data Reports

          IWCS Performance Monitoring Report for 1991 (Jul 1992) 

          IWCS Performance Monitoring Report for 1990 (Mar 1992)

          IWCS Performance Monitoring Report for Second Half of 1988 and 1989 (Jun 1990)

          IWCS Performance Monitoring Report for 1987 and First Half of 1988 (Jan 1989)

          IWCS Performance Monitoring Report for 1986 (Jul 1987)

 Site-Wide Documents

Remedial Investigation Addendum - Report (Apr 2011)

     Remedial Investigation Addendum - Appendices 3A - 12A (Apr 2011)

     Remedial Investigation Addendum - Appendix 12A, Part 1 (Apr 2011)

     Remedial Investigation Addendum - Appendix 12A, Part 2 (Apr 2011)

     Remedial Investigation Addendum - Appendix 12A, Part3 (Apr 2011)

     Remedial Investigation Addendum - Appendix 12A, Part 4 (Apr 2011)

     Remedial Investigation Addendum - Appendix 12B (Apr 2011)

     Remedial Investigation Addendum - Appendices 12C - 13A (Apr 2011)

Remedial Investigation Addendum - Validated Radiological & Chemical Data (Aug 2010)

     Remedial Investigation Addendum - Sampling Locations (May 2010)

Remedial Investigation Addendum - Sampling and Analysis Plan (Nov 2009)

Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Modeling Results (Mar 2011)

Feasibility Study Work Plan (Dec 2009)

Historical Photographic Analysis (Sep 2009)

Public Comments on the Remedial Investigation Report (May 2009)

     Responses to Public Comments on the Remedial Investigation Report (Aug 2010)

     Responses to Top 7 NYSDEC Comments on the Remedial Investigation Report (Aug 2010)

     Responses to Top 10 USEPA Comments on the Remedial Investigation Report (Aug 2010)

Remedial Investigation Report - Text (Dec 2007)

     Remedial Investigation Report - Figures (Dec 2007)

     Remedial Investigation Report - Tables (Dec 2007)

Baseline Risk Assessment Report - Text (Dec 2007)

Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Modeling - Text Only (Dec 2007)

     Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Modeling - Full Report (Dec 2007)

Closeout Report for Investigation Derived Waste (IDW) and Legacy Waste Disposal (Feb 2011)

IDW and Legacy Waste Disposal - Contractor Quality Control Plan (Aug 2010)

     IDW and Legacy Waste Disposal - Sampling and Analysis Plan (Aug 2010)

     IDW and Legacy Waste Disposal - Waste Mgmt, Transportation & Disposal Plan (Aug 2010)

     IDW and Legacy Waste Disposal - Accident Prevention Plan (Aug 2010)

IDW and Legacy Waste Disposal - Scope of Work (Jun 2010)

 Balance of Plant Documents

Record of Decision for the Balance of Plant and Groundwater Operable Units (Aug 2022)

Proposed Plan Balance of Plant and Groundwater Operable Units (Oct 2020)

Written Public Comments on the Proposed Plan for the Balance of Plant and Groundwater Operable Units (Jan 2021)

Revised Balance of Plant and Groundwater Operable Units Feasibility Study (Apr 2020)

Balance of Plant and Groundwater Operable Units Feasibility Study Sep 2019 Errata (Apr 2020)

Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Main Body (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix A (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix B-1 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix B-2 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix B-3 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix B-4 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix B-5 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix C-1 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix C-2 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix D (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix E-1 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix E-2 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix E-3 (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix F (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix G (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix H (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix I (Feb 2015)

    Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Report - Appendix J (Feb 2015)

Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Field Sampling Plan (Oct 2013)

     Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Quality Assurance Project Plan (Oct 2013)

     Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Accident Prevention Plan (Oct 2013)

     Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Site Safety and Health Plan (Oct 2013)

     Balance of Plant Contamination Extent Investigation - Radiation Protection Plan (Oct 2013)

Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Main Body (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix A (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix B (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix C (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix D (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix E (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix F (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix G (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix H (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix I (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix J (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix K (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix L (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix M (Aug 2013)

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Report - Appendix O (Aug 2013)

Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Field Sampling Plan (Nov 2012) 

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Quality Assurance Project Plan (Nov 2012) 

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Accident Prevention Plan (Nov 2012) 

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Site Safety and Health Plan (Nov 2012) 

     Balance of Plant Field Investigation - Radiation Protection Plan (Nov 2012)

 Building 401 Documents
 Interim Waste Containment Structure (IWCS) Documents
 Vicinity Properties - Vicinity Property G
 Vicinity Properties - Vicinity Property H'
 Vicinity Properties - Vicinity Property X
 Off Site Documents 

Videos

IWCS Proposed Plan Public Meeting - January 13, 2016

History of the Niagara Falls Storage Site (NFSS)

Administrative Record File

The administrative record file is a collection of documents that form the basis for the selection of a response action at an environmental restoration site. Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is required to establish an administrative record for every remedial or response action under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). The administrative record file for the Niagara Falls Storage Site can be found at the following link:

Administrative Record File for the Niagara Falls Storage Site