The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a $1 billion investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to initiate cleanup and clear the backlog of 49 previously unfunded Superfund sites and accelerate cleanup at dozens of other sites across the country.
Until this historic investment, many of these were part of a backlog of hazardous waste sites awaiting funding. These sites include manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills and mining sites.
According to EPA, the $1 billion investment is the first wave of funding from the $3.5 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help clean up polluted Superfund sites in communities.
The backlog of previously unfunded sites that will now be receiving funding are in 24 states and territories and all 10 EPA regions. Some of these sites that have been waiting for cleanup funds for over four years will include removal of contaminated sediments by dredging.
Among them is the Eighteen Mile Creek site is located in Niagara County, New York which consists of contaminated sediments, soil, and groundwater. The Creek flows north for approximately 15 miles and discharges to Lake Ontario in Olcott, New York.
Using funds provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA will clean up the Eighteen Mile Creek Superfund site. The funds will be used to remove and dispose of contaminated sediment within the Creek, as well as to excavate contaminated soil at the adjacent upland commercial properties.