Q. Where is the sand for capping coming from; destroying another environment for it?

A. This question refers to the agreed upon remedy for cleanup of the bottom of Onondaga Lake that was reached through a Record of Decision issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency and a Consent Decree between the NYSDEC, NYS Attorney General's Office, and Honeywell International. The selected remedy includes the use of isolation capping over an estimated 420 acres of the lake bottom and in water depths greater than 30 feet, a thin-layer cap will be installed over an estimated 154 acres.

The source of the material for the Onondaga Lake capping activities is not yet determined. As part of the design process for the capping plan, the NYSDEC will review Honeywell's proposals for the type of sand. The NYSDEC will ensure that the sources are in compliance with NYSDEC permitting and mining regulations. Click here for additional information regarding the cleanup.

Further comments and/or questions may be referred to the Onondaga Lake Partnership:
Email (click here).
Or, call toll-free 1-800-833-6390. Inquiries are received through these venues by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, and responses are coordinated with the appropriate Partnership members and agencies.