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Eighteenmile Creek River Area of Concern
Background
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 Eighteenmile Creek River AoC Boundary Map (PDF 515KB 1 page) (click on map to view in separate window) Eighteenmile Creek River Shape File
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Background
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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 through Olcott Harbor into
Lake Ontario, approximately 18 miles east of the mouth of the
Niagara River. 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 located just downstream of the Burt Dam,
approximately 2 miles south of Olcott Harbor. The Eighteenmile Creek
watershed downstream of the Burt Dam is primarily composed of
cropland, orchards and residential areas. Upstream of the Burt Dam,
the watershed is composed mainly of cropland and orchards, with
residential and commercial areas like the historically
industrialized City of Lockport.
As of January 1, 2005, the Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation
District has taken over as coordinator of Eighteenmile Creek’s
Remedial Action Plan (RAP). The District also assists the
Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Advisory Committee (RAC) by facilitating
their quarterly meetings and providing staff support towards the
implementation of the creek’s RAP. For more information about the
RAC and the RAP, please visit www.eighteenmilerap.com, or see
Community Involvement below.
Priorities for the Eighteenmile Creek continue to include track-down
of possible sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and other
contaminants, identification and assessment of contaminated
sediments present throughout the creek, and the assessment of
Beneficial Use Impairments which remain classified as “unknown” and
“likely.” The Eighteenmile Creek corridor and Olcott Harbor provide
important riparian and aquatic habitat for cold and warm water fish
as well as threatened species like the Blanding’s Turtle, which has
been identified in the AoC. The AoC is mainly characterized by
activities like sport fishing and attracts approximately 15,000
anglers yearly, especially during fall salmon runs. For these
reasons, additional priorities for Eighteenmile Creek include
habitat creation and restoration as well as improved fishing and
recreation access.
Why was this area listed as an AoC?
In 1985 Eighteenmile Creek was designated as an AoC because of water
quality and bottom sediment problems associated with past industrial
and municipal discharge practices, the disposal of waste and the use
of pesticides. Over the years, numerous contaminants have been
identified in creek sediments which have a detrimental effect to the
AoC and Lake Ontario. These contaminants include but are not limited
to; Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs); Mercury; Dioxins and Furans;
Dieldrin; Mirex; DDT; Lead; and Copper. Sediments contaminated with
these substances have contributed to the restrictions of fish and
wildlife consumption, degradation of benthitic organisms, and
restrictions on dredging activities in the AoC. It is also suspected
that these contaminated sediments contribute to a degradation of
fish and wildlife populations, the presence of fish tumors, and the
prevalence of bird and animal deformities or reproductive problems.
Beneficial Use Impairments
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Eighteenmile Creek Beneficial Use Impairments Of the 14
beneficial uses
In addition, three beneficial uses need further assessment to determined their status:
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Prior to 2002, the status of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Populations in the AoC was “unknown.” A June 2002 study of the plankton community conducted by SUNY Brockport Center for Applied Aquatic Science and Aquaculture confirmed that the plankton use impairment indicator was not impaired.
Restrictions on Fish
and Wildlife Consumption:
A fish consumption advisory has been imposed in the Eighteenmile
Creek AoC due to PCB contamination. Fish that migrate from Lake
Ontario are present in the AoC as well. An advisory exists for Lake
Ontario as well due to PCB, Mirex and Dioxin contamination
Advisories are as follows:
- Restrictions indicate that there is to be no human consumption of any fish species and/or American eel of any size.
- Women of child bearing age and children under the age of 15 should not consume snapping turtles because of possible PCB contamination.
- Restrictions indicate that there is to be no human consumption of American eel, channel catfish, carp, lake trout over 25”, brown trout over 20”, and Chinook salmon.
- Restrictions indicate that no more than one meal per month should be consumed consisting of white sucker, rainbow trout, smaller lake trout, smaller brown trout and coho salmon over 25”.
Past studies have evaluated the toxicity of sediments as well as the species makeup of benthic organisms in the AoC. In general, the results indicate that sediments in the AoC are less contaminated than those upstream of it. They also show that in most parts of the AoC the surface sediments are more contaminated. Microtox measurements taken in the AoC suggest possible sediment toxicity. The assessment of the number and species diversity of the benthic organisms in the AoC indicates a slight to moderate impairment.
Restrictions on
Dredging Activities:
Maintenance dredging for recreational boating in the AoC has been
determined to be impaired. Interim guidance values for sediment
contamination for both the EPA and DEC are exceeded. Pollutants
consist of chromium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, zinc,
cyanides, mercury and benzo(a)anthracene. Dredged materials from the
mid-point of the harbor area are unsuitable for open lake disposal.
The likely status of this use impairment is caused by the presence of PCBs, DDT and some other contaminants exceeding wildlife criteria. Concentration in adult fish flesh and the concern for bioaccumulation will require further study of this use impairment.
Fish Tumors or Other
Deformities:
The Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District has recently
completed a plan to assess the prevalence of fish tumors in AoC fish
populations and is currently seeking grant monies needed to fund a
fish pathology study required to determine the status of this use
impairment.
Historical information indicates portions of the creek were polluted and fish populations were degraded. The Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District has recently completed a plan to assess the status of fish and wildlife populations in the AoC and is currently seeking grant monies to fund a population survey required to determine the status of this use impairment.
Delisting Targets
The Eighteenmile Creek RAC is in the process of collaborating
with the Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District to
determine suitable and attainable delisting targets for the AoC.
Utilizing criteria released by the International Joint Commission,
the two entities will collaborate with various federal and state
agencies to achieve success. It is important to remember that the
Eighteenmile Creek AoC is affected mostly by the area upstream of
the AoC and the backwater conditions of Lake Ontario. At the very
least delisting targets will need to be synonymous with the
attainable goals of both of these sources. For updates as to the
status of Eighteenmile Creek’s delisting targets, please visit
www.eighteenmilerap.com
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RAP Development and Status
Development of the Eighteenmile Creek RAP was initiated in March
of 1994. A combined final Stage 1 and Stage 2 RAP document was
completed and published in August 0f 1997 by NYSDEC in cooperation
with the Eighteenmile Creek RAC. Efforts to complete this
publication included conducting two RAP review workshops, public
information and comment meetings, field trips, as well as numerous
committee meetings. A RAP Status Report document was completed by
the NYSDEC in June of 2001. A Status Report document is scheduled
for completion in December 2005 by the Niagara County Soil & Water
Conservation District. Significant RAP Milestones
- 2005: Eighteenmile Creek AoC Report Card [PDF 1.77MB 2 pages] completed.
- 2005: Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District takes over as lead agency for development and oversight of Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Action Plan (RAP).
- 2001: Eighteenmile Creek RAP Status Update [PDF 4.24MB 38 pages] completed.
- 1997: Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Action Plan (RAP) [PDF 10.78MB 70 pages] completed.
- 1993: Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Advisory Committee established.
View the Eighteenmile Creek Watershed Project Catalogue (PDF 11Kb 3 pages) to see a complete list of projects and a brief description of each.
RAP Implementation
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Recent Progress and Achievements
- 2005: The New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation Division of Environmental Remediation and the
Niagara County Department of Health initiated a comprehensive
trackdown sampling project for various contaminants in the area
of the Flintkote Plant Site. This site is linked to unknown
contaminant sources that are emitting various concentrations of
PCBs, mercury and lead into Eighteenmile Creek. The results of
this trackdown study will aid in the identification and
hopefully remediation of these sites.
- 2005: As of May 2005, the Guterl Steel Landfill Site
is now included in the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action
Program (FUSRAP). FUSRAP is a federal program designed to
cleanup sites that became contaminated with low levels of
residual radioactivity during the nation’s early atomic energy
program over 50 years ago. In 1999, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers completed a Preliminary Assessment (PA) of the site,
which included a review of radiological data that was part of a
survey prepared for the United States. Though the Corps has
determined that there is no immediate health risk posed by AEC
or Manhattan Engineer District (MED)-related contaminants at the
site, the agency has determined that radiological contamination
in excess of current federal and state standards exist at the
site. This means that there is a high probability that remedial
action would be needed before any future development of the
property.
- 2005: During 2001, Delphi Harrison Radiator installed additional monitoring wells to further define the nature and extent of the groundwater contamination plume associated with its TCE site. The Remedial Investigation and focused Feasibility Study Reports have since been completed by Delphi and reviewed by the DEC. The DEC issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the site in March 2005 which called for a remedy consisting of Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) for groundwater contamination. The ROD includes a Site Management Plan (SMP) to protect current and future site users. An intensive groundwater monitoring program will be developed for the site as well.
- 2005: The Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Advisory
Committee (RAC) is re-vitalized and again meeting on a quarterly
basis.
- 2004: The Eighteenmile Creek Restoration Project is
awarded a 2004 New York State Governor’s Waterfront Re-Discovery
Award.
- 2004: For its success and diversity of project
partners, the Eighteenmile Creek Streambank Stabilization &
Habitat Restoration Project is awarded the 2004 USDA Team
Excellence Award.
- 2004: Phase I of the Eighteenmile Creek Streambank Stabilization & Habitat Restoration Project is completed. To address the problems associated with the creek, Niagara County Department of Economic Development and numerous project partners implemented a pilot project for habitat restoration over a one-mile reach of the AoC below the Burt Dam. This project was designed to be the first critical step in creating sustainable fisheries in, and improving access to, Eighteenmile Creek. The long-term goals of the project included the restoration of the physical, biological and chemical integrity of the entire creek ecosystem, and the eventual delisting of Eighteenmile Creek as an AoC.
- 2003: Following the completion of a Remedial
Investigation/Feasibility Study at the AKZO Chemical Site, a
Corrective Measures Study Report was completed and submitted to
the NYSDEC for public review. The NYSDEC anticipates closure
certification and corrective action approval by July 2005.
- 2003: The City of Lockport developed a Combined Sewer Overflow Assessment for their sewer system, which included measurements of the volume, duration and impact of CSOs on Eighteenmile Creek.
- 2002: Three projects within the City of Lockport
sewer system were developed and funded by the New York State
Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act for the reduction of combined
sewer overflows. The Vine-North Sewer project installed new
sanitary sewers in the northeastern portion of the city
resulting in the separation of Stormwater from the combined
sewer system. The Ohio-Simonds Sewer Project constructed new
storm sewers in the west central portion of the city resulting
in separation of Stormwater from the combined sewer system. The
Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project constructed a new
clarifier at the treatment plant to increase the capability to
treat wet weather flows from the combined sewer system.
- 2001: Under a grant funded by U.S. EPA--GLNPO, SUNY
Brockport Department of Biological Sciences conducted an
investigative study of the plankton community in the
Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern. The results of the plankton
study establish that the plankton use impairment indicator is
not impaired. A presentation by the author, Dr. Joseph
Makarewicz, was provided to the Eighteenmile Creek RAC in 2002.
- 2001: Following the completion of Phase II studies, the Norton Labs and Diamond Shamrock sites were delisted from the list of Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites in the Eighteenmile Creek watershed due to the absence of hazardous waste.
Current Projects and Outlook
- The Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Advisory Committee (RAC) is
in the process of adopting written guidelines, ground rules, and
participant responsibilities as well as delisting criteria for
the identified impaired beneficial uses of the creek.
- Initial planning and design of Phase II of the Eighteenmile
Creek Streambank Stabilization and Habitat Restoration Project
is underway. Phase II consists of the construction of a low flow
deflector/fishing access wall to re-define and narrow the
channel to its former configuration, re-establishment of 30,000
square feet of wetland habitat, and the creation of additional
aquatic habitat through the placement of numerous hydraulic
coverstones in the creek. This project is a joint effort of the
Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District, Niagara
County Public Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NYSDEC, Town
of Newfane, the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection
Alliance, and the Eighteenmile Creek RAC.
- The Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District has
secured funds from the U.S. EPA--GLNPO to conduct PCB source
track-down related sampling downstream of the Clinton Street
Dam, in the City of Lockport, NY. Track-down sampling will
consist of sediment core extraction in potential hot spots to
characterize upstream and down stream differences in
concentration and hopefully pinpoint sources of contaminants
currently unknown.
- With the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and
Ecology & Environment Inc., the Niagara County Soil & Water
Conservation District has taken the second step in initiating
the development of a Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for
the Eighteenmile Creek watershed. As part of the restoration
project, a management plan concept document was completed by
Ecology & Environment Inc. for Eighteenmile Creek.
- With assistance from SUNY Brockport Department of Biological Sciences, the Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District is completing a two-year investigation of the baseline and storm event sediment and nutrient loading in Eighteenmile Creek. Monitoring of water quality in the creek was performed via a fixed monitoring station and grab samples. Sampling parameters included total phosphorus, total suspended solids, sodium, nitrate, nitrite and total kjeldahl nitrogen.
- The Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District is in the process of completing an Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Program Tier I/ II inventory of farms in the Eighteenmile Creek watershed. The AEM inventory establishes a foundation for identifying the Best Management Practices (BMP) needed to address farm needs. It also establishes a framework for providing farmers with financial, technical and other assistance they need to reduce non-point source pollution and protect water quality.
Implementation of the Eighteenmile Creek RAP is a continuous process that will include periodic updates and improvements as knowledge of the use impairments, sources and the effectiveness of remedial actions increases in the future. Remedial actions will be evaluated and coordinated as to the impacts on restoration of beneficial uses. Within the AoC and watershed, a number of studies and assessments mentioned above will continue to be priorities. These include fish and wildlife consumption restrictions, habitat creation, sediment investigations and contaminant track-downs. Restoring and maintaining an improved quality of life in the ecosystem of the Eighteenmile Creek AoC and its watershed is the ultimate goal.
RAP-Related Publications
- 2005:
Restoration Monitoring Plan for the Eighteenmile Creek Habitat Restoration Project
[PDF 6.20Mb pages] - 2005: Eighteenmile Creek AoC Factsheet #1 [PDF 24Kb 1 page]
- 2005: Eighteenmile Creek AoC Factsheet #2 [PDF 23Kb 1 page]
- 2000: The State of the New York Lake Ontario Basin: A Report on Water Resources and Local Watershed Management Programs [PDF 2.40Mb 122 pages]
In addition, an on-line public repository of AoC-related
documents for Eighteenmile Creek is maintained by the Niagara County
Soil & Water Conservation District and can be accessed at
www.eighteenmilerap.com/data.htm.
An
Eighteenmile Creek Documents, Reports & Data [PDF 7Kb 4 pages]
table provides a listing of RAP-related documents by title, date,
type, availability and source.
Community/Local RAP Group Involvement
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The
Eighteenmile
Creek Remedial Advisory Committee
(RAC) is a group of local officials, landowners, and stakeholders
selected by the commissioner of the NYSDEC to provide a balanced
representation of various segments of the community along the creek.
Initially, the RAC worked cooperatively with the NYSDEC to organize,
develop and review the RAP and create public awareness and support
for Eighteenmile Creek. Additionally, it is the responsibility of
the RAC to:
- Advise RAP management in identifying and updating priorities for RAP implementation activities;
- Advise RAP management in the preparation and approval of RAP documents;
- Assist RAP management in building a stakeholder base for implementation of RAP recommendations;
- Review and comment on current environmental initiatives and issues affecting the RAP;
- Assist in developing and seeking funding for a list of activities requiring funding; and
- Advise RAP management on social and economic impacts of RAP implementation.
The RAC has been instrumental in the development of the RAP and
the implementation of public outreach activities. These activities
have maintained the continued involvement and interest of the
organizations represented on the RAC and built general interest and
support for the RAP in the community.
The Newfane Intermediate School and Town of Newfane Environmental
Fair is an annual event that occurs within the Eighteenmile Creek
AoC. Every year, students travel down to the creek where they are
broken up into groups and rotated through seven learning stations.
Each learning station provides the students with information on such
topics as conservation facts, wildlife rehabilitation, water quality
protection, tree and shrub planting and the restoration of
Eighteenmile Creek.
Partners and Stakeholders
- Atlantic States Legal Foundation
- Ecology and Environment Inc.
- Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Advisory Committee
- Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance (FL-LOWPA)
- Great Lakes Research Consortium
- Great Lakes United
- International Joint Commission
- Lake Ontario Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP)
- Lake Ontario Sportfishing Promotional Council
- NYS Canal Corporation
- NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
- NYS Department of Health
- Niagara County Department of Health
- Niagara County Department of Planning & Economic Development
- Niagara County Department of Tourism
- Niagara County Government
- Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District
- Niagara County Water Quality Coordinating Committee
- Niagara University's Environmental Leadership Institute
- Sea Grant
- Sierra Club
- State University of New York (SUNY)
- Town of Newfane
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Buffalo District
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Region 2
- U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Programs Office (GLNPO)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; LGLFRO
- USDA Farm Service Agency
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Upstate Freshwater Institute
Eighteenmile Creek AoC Contacts
U.S. EPA RAP Liaison:
Barbara Belasco
U.S. EPA - Region 2
290 Broadway
New York, NY 10007-1866
Tel: (212) 637-3848
Email: belasco.barbara@epa.gov
State RAP Contact:
Robert Townsend,
RAP Coordinator
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Water - 4th Floor
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12866
Tel: (518) 402-8284
Email:
retownse@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Eighteenmile Creek RAC Co-Chairs:
Roy Knapp
Theodore Belling
Correspondence to:
Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District
Attn: RAC
4487 Lake Avenue
Lockport, NY 14094
Local Coordinator:
Victor F. DiGiacomo Jr.
RAP Coordinator
Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District
4487 Lake Avenue
Lockport, NY 14094
Tel: (716) 434-4949
Fax: (716) 434-4985
victor.digiacomo@ny.nacdnet.net