DEC Announces Cleanup Completion at Former Geneva Foundry Site

Offsite Cleanup Included Excavation and Removal of 94,000 Tons of Contaminated Soil at 244 Properties Surrounding Former Foundry

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the completion of the comprehensive cleanup of the former Geneva Foundry site and neighboring properties in downtown Geneva, Ontario County. The extensive cleanup effort included working closely with the community and not only meets New York's stringent health and environmental requirements but also advanced environmental justice by removing 94,000 tons of contaminated soil from a community designated as disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.

"The successful cleanup of the former Geneva Foundry site and adjacent neighborhoods is a great example of the power of New York State's Superfund and Brownfield Cleanup programs, helping remove legacy contamination and ensure the protection of Geneva residents and the environment," Interim Commissioner Mahar said. "With the support and coordination between city officials and DEC's Division of Environmental Remediation, the work to address contamination was completed, an achievement especially important for underserved communities most impacted by environmental pollution."

The cleanup was completed as part of New York State's Superfund (SSF) and Brownfield Cleanup programs (BCP) to address contamination from the former foundry's operations and protect the health of Geneva residents and the environment.

Cleanup of the area surrounding the former foundry was necessary due to the aerial deposition of contamination onto properties from the foundry's furnaces that burned coal and later coke mixed in layers with iron. Lead and arsenic were deposited onto the soil in the surrounding area. Contamination removal was funded through the SSF and included 244 mostly residential properties, as well as several churches, businesses, and a public park.

DEC conducted the $36 million environmental cleanup of the offsite area from April 2017 through July 2024. During that time, approximately 15,000 soil samples from nearly 3,200 soil boring locations were collected and tested for lead and arsenic to define the extent of the cleanup. More than 94,000 tons of contaminated soil and debris were removed, and more than 48 acres of land were cleaned up including 244 private and community properties.

As part of the cleanup, DEC coordinated with the city of Geneva to improve Genesee Park with newly constructed sidewalks, additional seating areas, and a new community stage. Mature trees important to the character of the park were protected. In addition, a certified arborist identified both high-value and invasive trees. Trees of importance were saved whenever feasible, while invasive tree species were removed. The use of native plant species was emphasized during property restoration. Various green remediation best management practices were also implemented to reduce the environmental footprint of cleanup activities.

Watch a video highlighting offsite cleanup activities.

Cleanup of the former foundry site was previously completed by the city of Geneva under the BCP in 2018. Contaminated soil was removed from the site and replaced with clean soil. The clean soil was used to establish a two-foot-thick cover across the site, with asphalt pavement used as cover in a small area.

Geneva City Manager Amie Hendrix said, "I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the staff of the City of Geneva, as well as our partners at NYSDEC, Labella Associates, and WSP, for their unwavering dedication in successfully completing this remediation project. The support provided by the DEC throughout this process has been invaluable, offering ongoing guidance and crucial funding. Through this collaborative effort, we can ensure that both current and future residents of the City have the opportunity to enjoy a community free from pollution and contamination."

The city of Geneva is a New York State-designated a disadvantaged community and a DEC potential environmental justice area. Environmental justice areas and disadvantaged communities bear the disproportionate burdens of negative public health effects, environmental pollution, and the impacts of climate change. These historically under-resourced areas historically experience higher instances of environmental damage from commercial and industrial developments in or near their communities. To learn more, visit the DEC's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) webpage.

Additional information on the environmental cleanup of the Former Geneva Foundry Site is available on the DEC website.

State Environmental Cleanup Programs

New York's State SSF Program identifies and characterizes suspected inactive hazardous waste disposal sites. Sites that pose a significant threat to public health and/or the environment go through a process of investigation, evaluation, cleanup and monitoring. DEC attempts to identify parties responsible for site contamination and require cleanup before committing State funds. Under this program DEC has been extremely successful in cleaning up over 2,000 remedial sites since the 1980s

For more information about the SSF, visit the States Superfund Site webpage.

To learn more about the BCP, visit the Brownfield Cleanup Program webpage.

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