CAMILLUS -- A just released agreement between the DEC and Honeywell may provide a schedule for the capping and remediation of several Camillus area waste beds.
There have been questions for decades about how and when Allied Chemical and Honeywell who took over for Allied would cap 670 acres that make up most of waste beds 9-15 of the former chemical plant. The DEC says Honeywell will have to file a plan early next year explaining a schedule for when the work will be done.
"The primary concern with these waste beds is that there is still material leeching into the ground water with a high salt content that could impact the groundwater, Nine Mile creek and eventually Onondaga Lake," said DEC Regional Director Ken Lynch.
The DEC says waste bed 13, the proposed site for some contaminated material taken from Onondaga Lake, is not covered under this agreement.
For many Camillus neighbors, the agreement is a good first step on what will be a long road towards cleanup. Today several were happy to hear that the long discussed project will have a schedule. Camillus Councilman Bill Davern has been involved with the issue for years and encouraged by the new agreement.
"There's going to have to be a lot of monitoring and making sure everything is done properly and the site is safe and the environment around it is protected. that's extremely important to everyone that lives around these waste beds," said Davern.
The DEC says Honeywell will also install a boat launch on the west side of Onondaga Lake and make plans for public fishing and recreation on the former waste bed sites as part of the agreement.
"We don't want these waste beds to be closed and unused. we think there's an opportunity for recreational uses such as trails on these waste beds. we want public input and then we'll incorporate that input into the closure plan,' said Lynch.
Honeywell will release an exact schedule for capping the waste beds early next year. The DEC believes it could take at least a decade to complete the work. Honeywell will also be paying hundred of thousands of dollars in penalties, fees and contributions to state and local agencies.
