BILL NUMBER:S7832

TITLE OF BILL:  An act in relation to directing the department of
environmental conservation to issue a report outlining a plan to
hydraulically contain and remediate the Navy Grumman plume emanating
of contaminants and chemicals in the underground aquifer and drinking
water of the southeastern portion of Nassau county

PURPOSE:  This legislation is designed to direct the DEC to create a
report providing the legislature, the state, and its residence, with a
plan to contain clean and remediate contaminants from a portion of
Long Island's drinking water. It further outlines how the facilities
will be run until remediation of the plume is complete. Such report
must provide a timetable to ensure that the containment takes place
before the plume reaches uncontaminated drinking water supply wells
and the natural resources of the region, and finally devises a
strategy to work with the New York State Department of Justice and the
United States Department of Justice to compel the United States Navy
to pay for this project.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 directs the DEC to create and deliver to the legislature a
report of the options of achieving hydraulic containment and
remediation of the Navy Grumman plume without the use of well head
treatment and identifies the origin of the plume and the responsible
              

party.

Section 2 outlines what scientific and engineering techniques must be
delineated, the timetable each phase must be accomplished by, as well
as the boundaries and resources which must be protected.

Section 3 estimates the cost, scope, and timetable of such a project,
and how the DEC would partner with the New York State Department of
Justice and United States Department of Justice in order to enforce
the law.

Section 4 mandates that the act shall take effect immediately.

EXISTING LAW: New bill.

JUSTIFICATION:  All scientific and engineering studies conducted in
this region prove that a growing and migrating plume of contaminants
have been traveling through the aquifer system in this region of Long
Island.  While the concentrations of these contaminants raise
questions as to the level of danger they present, it is clear that the
most prudent approach is to remove all contaminants possible. This
legislation sets out to create a comprehensive report designed to stop
the plume's migration, remove the contaminants, and protect the public
drinking water supply wells, and the natural resources including the
fresh water wetlands and salt water environment from dangerous
chemicals and contaminants.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  None, As DEC staff can compile the data required
for the report from data they have already collected on this subject.


EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act shall take effect immediately.