ABOUT THE EIGHTEENMILE CREEK R.A.P.

The Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern (AOC) is located in the town of Newfane, Niagara County, in Western New York State. The creek flows from the south and discharges into Lake Ontario, approximately 18 miles east of the mouth of the Niagara River, through Olcott Harbor.  The AOC includes Olcott Harbor at the mouth of the creek and extends upstream to the farthest point at which backwater conditions exist during Lake Ontario’s highest monthly average lake level. This point is just downstream of the Burt Dam located about two miles from the harbor.

Background & RAP Structure

Development of the Eighteenmile Creek RAP was initiated in March 1994. The Area of Concern includes Olcott Harbor on Lake Ontario and Eighteenmile Creek upstream to a point just below the Burt Dam in the Hamlet of Burt.  A combined final Stage 1 and Stage 2 RAP document was completed and published in August 1997 by NYSDEC in cooperation with the Eighteenmile Creek  Remedial Advisory Committee.  Efforts to complete this publication included conducting two RAP review workshops, public information and comment meetings, field trips, as well as numerous committee meetings

Impairments

  Past industrial and municipal waste disposal practices have contributed to the causes of use impairments in Eighteenmile Creek.  Fish consumption restrictions exist because of PCBs and dioxins found in fish flesh.  This is linked to Lake Ontario.  The health of the benthos has been impaired by PCBs and metals in sediments.  Bird and animal health is likely impaired by the PCBs, dioxins, DDT and its metabolites, and dieldrin found in fish flesh.  PCB and metal contamination prevents open lake disposal of dredged sediment material.  Additional investigations need to be conducted concerning fish and wildlife populations and the presence of fish tumors or other deformities.

RAP Status and Progress

A RAP Status Report document was completed in June 2001.  An investigative study of the plankton community was conducted by SUNY College at Brockport under an EPA grant.  The report was published and distributed.  The results of the Plankton Study establish that the plankton use impairment indicator is not impaired. A presentation by the author was provided to the Remedial Advisory Committee in June 2002. The upgrading and addition of wastewater treatment facilities at Lockport is to be funded by the New York State Environmental Bond Act.    

 RAP Outlook

At an October 2003 RAP Workshop, Remedial Advisory Committee members decided to explore opportunities on how the committee can better address RAP implementation in conjunction with DEC and EPA.  Currently, RAP activities are focused on continuing the investigation and assessment of creek sediments; evaluating possible sources of PCBs and other contaminants in the watershed; remediating inactive hazardous waste sites; correcting combined sewer overflows (CSOs); and, continuing surveillance activities.  A recent USACE grant award to Niagara County Dept. of Panning, Development, and Tourism focuses various project components on habitat restoration and watershed management to benefit the AOC. The projects provide for streambank stability, sediment assessment, best management practices, and community outreach. A separate New York State Department of State grant will develop and implement a monitoring plan to document restoration activities. Other RAP implementation addresses:  continued trackdown sampling for PCBs; assessment and remedial considerations for sediment sites such as the Barge Canal at Lockport and the William Street Island; an evaluation of potential pollutant sources within the sewer system in the City of Lockport; and, continued fish flesh analyses for contamination.

IN THE NEWS

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