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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Cornwall Properties, LLC in Mountainville, New York

On this page:

  • Cleanup Status
  • Site Description
  • Contaminants at this Facility
  • Site Responsibility

Cleanup Status 

Former Star Anchors & Fasteners has previously removed and remediated several sources from the site including a Landfill (removed), a waste pile (closed in place), the former Waste Water Treatment Area (several areas of contaminated soil removed). All excavated soils were disposed of off-site. Some remaining source areas at the site require additional investigation and remediation. In 1997, the former owner located, investigated, and removed for off-site disposal a sludge disposal area that had received contaminated soils from closure of two surface impoundments at the site in the early 1970s. This area was on former company owned property west of the New York State Thruway.

Groundwater migration in the overburden aquifer was being controlled via two groundwater pump and treat systems
for several years (these are no longer operational), however the contamination of the bedrock aquifer has not been characterized, and is not controlled. The bedrock aquifer is used as a water source by some surrounding homes that are not served by public water systems. There have been several investigations in which drinking water wells of residents in the area have been analyzed for contamination. No contamination has been found to date that was in excess of New York State groundwater/drinking water standards or traceable to the Star site. 


Site Description

The Cornwall Properties site consists of two main buildings and adjacent parking lots on approximately 37 acres of land in Orange County, located between the New York State Thruway and Woodbury Creek. The former owner operated the facility for over 40 years for manufacture of specialty metal and plastic screws and fasteners for the construction industry. Since 2004, the site has a new owner, Cornwall Properties, LLC, which is resuming environmental investigations and remedial activity. 


Contaminants at this Facility

The Site has been the subject of numerous investigations and remedial activities, mostly between 1985 and 1997, and beginning again in 2005. The actions in 1997 comprised significant soil removal activities under a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Consent Order. Releases of hazardous wastes or hazardous constituents have occurred from some or all of the following units:

  • Former Landfill
  • Waste Water Treatment Area
  • Waste Water Treatment Area-East Scrap Metal Area
  • Waste Pile / Contaminated Fill Area
  • Waste Water Treatment Lagoons
  • Former Above Ground Storage Tanks
  • Solvent Release to Storm Sewers, and
  • Current Oil - Water Separator Area.

Contaminants released at the Site include volatile organic solvents (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Substantial environmental cleanup has been completed, however some source areas remain at the site and the groundwater has been impacted in both the overburden and bedrock aquifers.


Site Responsibility at this Facility

The Post-Closure Permit NYCRR Part 373 regulates post-closure care of the hazardous waste management unit at the facility (a closed Waste Pile). It requires the Permittee to carry out a Corrective Action program to evaluate and remediate releases from all former waste management units at the Site.