SDMS Document
113228
Lower Grasse River Ice Breaking Demonstration Project - Community Health and Safety Plan Grasse River Study Area Massena, New York
Q ALCOA
Alcoa Inc. Massena, New York
March 2007 Table of Contents
Section 1. Introduction 1-1
1.1 Objective 1-1 1.2 Site Description 1-1 1.3 Demonstration Project Background and Overview 1-1 1.4 Sclieduie for the Demonstration Project 1-3 1.5 Document Organization 1-3
Section 2. Potential Project Areas of Evaluation and Notification Measures 2-1
2.1 Overview 2-1 2.2 River Access/Recreational Use 2-1 2.2.1 Notification 2-2 2.2.2 Posting of Access/Egress Points 2-3 2.2.3 Emergency Planning/Response 2-4 2.3 Noise 2-5 2.3.1 l\/litigation of Noise 2-5 2.3.2 Noise Monitoring 2-6
Section 3. Project Personnel 3-1
3.1 Overview 3-1
3.2 Key Site Personnel 3-1
Section 4. Community Relations Plan 4-1
4.1 Overview 4-1
Section 5. References 5-1
Tables
Table 2-1 Known Primary Snowmobile Access and Egress Points Table 2-2 Proposed Posting Locations Table 2-3 Emergency Contacts Table 2-4 Sound Levels at Perimeter of Site Table 3-1 Site Contact Information Table 4-1 Anticipated Media Contact List Table 4-2 Known Area Snowmobile/Outdoor Clubs
Figures
Figure 1-1 Grasse River - Location Map Figure 2-1 Known Snowmobile Access and Egress Locations and Proposed Posting Locations Figure 2-2 Ice Breaking Warning Sign Posting
3/8/07 F:\USERS\AM1LLERV2007\0467112l4Jce Breaking CHASP Texl.doc 1. Introduction
1.1 Objective
This Community Health and Safety Plan (CHASP) prepared by Alcoa Inc. (Alcoa) describes community health and safety considerations associated with implementation of a United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)-directed ice breaking demonstration project that, pending USEPA approval, will be conducted in spring 2007 in the lower Grasse River. This demonstration project includes mechanical breaking and clearing of the intact ice cover in an approximate 7-mile reach of the lower Grasse River prior to the natural breakup of ice in the upstream reaches of the river (i.e., upstream of Massena). This ice breaking demonstration project is being conducted to evaluate the feasibility of mechanical ice breaking as an interim measure for mitigating ice jams and potential sediment scour from these ice jams in the lower Grasse River. These activities are expected to provide the increased flow capacity needed to reduce the likelihood of ice jams capable of disturbing bottom sediments from forming in the lower Grasse River.
The overall objective of this CHASP is to outline actions to be taken to protect the community from potential concerns during implementation of the demonstration project and provide a mechanism for addressing these concerns.
1.2 Site Description
The Grasse River is located along the northern boundary of New York State (NYS) in the town of Massena. The lower Grasse River is defined as the portion of the river extending from the confluence with the Power Canal to the confluence with the St. Lawrence River. Ice breaking activities will be conducted in an approximate 7-mile reach of the lower river, extending from about 500 feet downstream of the Alcoa Bridge to the first open water encountered downstream of the confluence with the St. Lawrence Seaway (Figure 1 -1). The first open water on the downstream extent of the ice breaking area is typically at the confluence of the St. Lawrence Seaway with the St. Lawrence River (approximately 950 feet from the mouth of the Grasse River). However, open water can extend up to the mouth of the Grasse River, as evidenced in past years during which ice breaking on the St. Lawrence Seaway has been conducted prior to ice out of the Grasse River.
1.3 Demonstration Project Background and Overview
Routine monitoring of the river during and after the spring ice breakup in 2003 indicated that an ice jam had formed in the lower Grasse River and disturbed capping materials that had been placed as part of the 2001 Capping Pilot Study in addition to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-containing sediments beneath the cap. An intensive follow-up investigation in 2003 and 2004 indicated that the 2003 ice jam-related scour did not cause any system-wide changes to PCB levels in the sediments, water column and fish; however, some local effects were observed. This investigation also provided evidence that ice-jam related scour events occur at a frequency of approximately once every 10 years (Alcoa, April 2004) and occur in the upper two miles of the lower river. As a result, Alcoa and USEPA identified the need to evaluate ice control measures to mitigate the potential for ice jam-related scour events.
To this end, a pier type ice control structure (ICS) in the river upstream of Massena was evaluated for inclusion as a component of the 2005 Remedial Options Pilot Study (ROPS) as an interim and possible longer-term measure to prevent future ice jams in the lower Grasse River. However, based on community concerns related
3/8/07 1-1 F:\USERS\AMILLERV2007\0467n214 Ics Breaking CHASP Text.doc to the proposed location of the structure, installation of an ICS at this location was not pursued. The assessment of structural ice control methods as a longer term ice control measure is continuing through the evaluation of a pier type structure located within the lower Grasse River, and through the evaluation of the possibility of integrating ice control into a proposed hydroelectric project on the river that is currently under evaluation by the Massena Electric Department (MED).
An additional component of the 2005 ROPS that was anticipated to limit the potential impact of future ice jam events was the targeted dredging of PCB-containing sediments from the ice jam (and resulting sediment scour) prone section of the river. While PCB-containing sediments were removed, a lower than anticipated removal volume was achieved due to a number of difficulties encountered during the conduct of the work (i.e., difficult site conditions, persistent PCB residuals in removal areas, containment system maintenance issues, and several high flow events).
In response to these events, possible interim measures for preventing future ice jam events were evaluated. Results of this work identified that ice breaking in the lower river prior to the natural breakup of ice in the upstream reaches of the river is the only potentially feasible non-structural interim measure.
Available methods of ice breaking, especially in relation to the Grasse River, were evaluated at the direction of USEPA through a review of previous research conducted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) Cold Regions Research Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), interviews with equipment and service providers, phone inquiries with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and other agencies, and a site visit and interview with the Canadian Coast Guard. The analysis to date indicates that ice breaking could be feasible as an interim means of mitigating ice jams in the lower Grasse River, and that a demonstration study for ice breaking is necessary to further evaluate the likelihood of success. Consequently, USEPA directed Alcoa to move forward with the ice breaking project.
The objectives of the Grasse River ice breaking demonstration project are as follows:
• Evaluate the feasibility of ice breaking as an interim measure for mitigating ice jam related scour in the lower Grasse River; and • Develop information to support an understanding of the impact of site conditions (e.g., ice thickness, river flow, weather conditions) on the schedule and associated cost of ice breaking services.
Prior to initiation of the demonstration project, Alcoa will monitor river ice conditions (e.g., extent of cover, thickness, etc.) throughout the winter to determine if ice breaking is necessary. If necessary, ice breaking will be accomplished using two excavators on a flat deck barge propelled by a shallow draft tug boat. Starting at the downstream extent of the intact ice cover, the two excavators will mechanically break and clear the ice from an approximate 250 foot width of river channel. Ice breaking will proceed upstream to allow broken ice to move downstream into open water, and will continue until the approximate 7-mile channel between the confluence with the St. Lawrence River and the Alcoa Bridge has been cleared of ice.
A key project objective specific to this CHASP is an evaluation of the notification measures to minimize potential safety issues associated with winter recreational use of the river during the period of the year when an ice cover exists on the lower river. This specific objective and notification measures/monitoring to be implemented are discussed further in Section 2.
Additional information regarding the ice breaking activities is provided in the Lower Grasse River Ice Breaking Demonstration Project - Final Work Plan (Work Plan; Alcoa, March 2007). It should be noted that community health and safety measures identified in this CHASP supersede those identified in the Work Plan in the instance that any conflicts exist. A general schedule for ice breaking activities is presented in Section 1.4.
3/8/07 1 -2 FAUSERS\AM]LLER\2007\(M6711214_Ice Breaking CHASP Text doc 1.4 Schedule for the Demonstration Project
The preliminary schedule for implementation of the demonstration project is as follows:
• December 2006: Mobilization of a tug boat and barge to the St. Lawrence River at Alcoa's East Plant for over-winter storage; • December 2006 through February 2007: Monitor river ice conditions to determine necessity of ice breaking activities; • January through March 2007: Distribution of community-related information; • March 2007: Determine necessity of ice breaking activities, and if necessary, provide public notification and complete ice breaking activities; and • July 2007: Projected timeframe for submittal of a report documenting ice breaking activities.
It is anticipated that ice breaking activities will be conducted on a continual basis (i.e., 24 hours per day) for a period of three days; however, the actual duration of activities will be dependent on the thickness of the ice to be broken and weather conditions.
1.5 Document Organization
The remainder of this CHASP is organized as follows: potential demonstration project considerations and notification measures (Section 2); key project personnel (Section 3); community relations overview (Section 4); and references (Section 5).
3/8/07 1 -3 F:\USERS\AMlLLER\2007\0467n214_lce Breaking CHASP Text doc 2. Potential Project Areas of Evaluation and Notification Measures
2.1 Overview
This section identifies the possible areas of concern for the community that may resuh from implementation of the ice breaking demonstration project, along with potential notification measures and monitoring to be implemented related to these considerations. Specifically, potential areas of concern that have been identified for the community in association with implementation of the ice breaking demonstration project include the following:
• Potential safety issues associated with the use of the river reach targeted for ice breaking (lower Grasse River) by winter recreational users of the river (e.g., snowmobiles); and • Noise associated with operation of mechanical ice breaking equipment such as tugs and excavators.
Details regarding each of these concerns and the applicable notification measures/monitoring to be conducted are presented in the subsequent sections. Note that site worker safety will be addressed in a separately prepared Health and Safety Plan (HASP) that will address hazards and mitigation measures necessary to protect the workers during the demonstration project.
2.2 River Access/Recreational Use
As described in Section 1.3, implementation of the demonstration project will result in mechanical breaking of the intact ice cover over approximately 7 miles of the lower Grasse River prior to natural ice breakup. These activities will result in portions of the lower river containing both intact and broken ice cover during the ice breaking operation and the potential for re-development of a thin ice cover over the width of the ice breaking channel following the completion of operations, but prior to natural ice out from the river. As a result, once ice breaking activities commence, the lower river will not be safe for access or recreational use, and measures will be enacted to notify the public regarding these hazards.
Although use of trails on water ways is not recommended or supported by the New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA; NYSSA, June 2004), based on discussions with community members and local snowmobile clubs as well as anecdotal information, Alcoa is aware that the Grasse River is used for recreational purposes during the winter months by snowmobiles. It is also possible that the river may be accessed for other recreational purposes as well (e.g., ice fishing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, skating, etc.). To notify the community of these hazards, access mitigation measures to the Grasse River will be implemented in March 2007 due to the demonstration project. Due to the nature of these recreational activities, speeds involved during snowmobile use, length of the reach of the river to be broken, possible unknown entry points to the river, and limited visibility related to night operation and/or weather conditions, it is not possible to eliminate this potential safety concern. The identified mitigation measures are intended to manage hazards to the extent practical.
Figure 2-1 illustrates the known primary snowmobile access and egress points to the Grasse River, and Table 2- 1 lists these points. The figure and table were developed based on inquiries with local snowmobile users, and represent well-known access points and routes used by snowmobilers.
3/8/07 2-1 F \USERS\AMILLER\2007\0467112l4jce Breaking CHASP Text doc Table 2-1 Known Primary Snowmobile Access and Egress Points
Known Access,,,' and Egress Bolnts'^ #:.i *•- ''VSia&scriptioh'/^ '^tl ; #1 Massena Rod and Gun Club #2 Forest Road #3 Upstream of the Route 37 Bridge #4 Riverside Parkway/Town Line Road #5 Massena Intake Dam #6 Alcoa BridgeAA/astewater Treatment Plant #7 Hillside Motel & Kampground (Formerly KOA) #8 Route 131 Bridge #9 Massena Center Road #10 Haverstock Road #11 AmVets
Access/egress points #6 through #11 are located along the extent of the river targeted for ice breaking as part of this demonstration project, and therefore these locations should not be used to access the river for recreational purposes starting in March 2007. If there are additional known primary access and egress points commonly used by the public along the river, Alcoa requests that this information be provided to Bruce Cook, Alcoa's On- site Manager, at (315) 764-4270 so that appropriate notification measures can be implemented at those locations as well.
Community-related notification measures related to river access/recreational uses of the river include:
• Public notifications and community awareness programs; • Postings at known access/egress points to the river; and • Development of emergency planning/response procedures.
Notification measures related to planning and implementation of the work are described in the Work Plan (Alcoa, March 2007), and the community-related notification measures (i.e., public notifications, postings, and emergency planning/response) are further discussed in the following sections. In addition, the following measures will be taken to help reduce the risks:
. Conducting the ice breaking activities as late in the spring breakup period as possible to minimize the period of time between ice breaking and the natural ice breakup in the river; and • Minimize time spent conducting the work, thereby minimizing the period of time during which both intact and broken ice are present in the center channel of the river.
2.2.1 Notification
The community will be notified of the demonstration project, associated ice breaking activities and schedule through community update mailers, public meeting(s), participation of the Community Advisory Panel (CAP), broad notification through the media, and postings at local businesses, government offices, taverns, community organizations, restaurants, stores/mall, casino, hotels, churches, schools, sporting centers/events, and libraries. In addition, a targeted effort will be made to engage and inform specific groups who use the river recreationally (e.g., snowmobile groups, ice fishermen, and other winter recreational users) and land owners directly adjacent to the project area, as further described in this document.
3/8/07 2-2 F:\USERS\AMILLER\2007\0467n214_lce Breaking CHASP Text.doc Broad notification will be made to the community through newspapers, radio, and television. Direct targeted notification will be provided to the snowmobile groups and adjacent land owners through meetings or letters. Details on the notification processes and media to be utilized are presented in Section 5.
2.2.2 Posting of Access/Egress Points
Several notification measures will be implemented at known primary public access and egress locations (Figure 2-1) along the river prior to, during, and immediately after ice breaking activities. These notification measures will be maintained over the timeframe in which ice typically naturally thaws and moves out of the river (typically occurs late March/early April). In general, these notification measures are anticipated to include:
• Placement of reflective postings (see Figure 2-2) at all known primary access/egress points and other select locations one week in advance of scheduled ice breaking activities to notify recreational river users of ice breaking activities (see Figure 2-1 and Table 2-2 for proposed posting locations); o Postings at Locations F through U (i.e., those located within the lower Grasse River area targeted for ice breaking activities) will be illuminated such that the postings are visible at night; • Periodic monitoring of primary access/egress points and river usage by Alcoa security (in coordination with local/state police) to evaluate status of postings for replacement if necessary; o Monitoring will be performed 3 to 4 times per day (i.e., every 6 hours) during ice breaking activities, and 2 times per day during the period that ice breaking activities are complete and the timeframe in which ice typically naturally thaws and moves out of the river; and • Visual markings (e.g., orange cones) at the lower river access/egress points (#6 through #11) and around the location of ice breaking operations if conditions (e.g., ice thickness) safely permit. • Lighting will be provided around the immediate work area and off the rear of the tug boat over the area where ice breaking activities have just been completed.
Table 2-2 Proposed Posting Locations
Posting Locations . Description, A Massena Rod and Gun Club B Forest Road C Upstream of the Route 37 Bridge D Town Line Road E Massena Intake Dam F Massena Wastewater Treatment Plant G Alcoa Bridge - North Shore H Alcoa Bridge - South Shore 1 Outfall 001 J Hillside Motel & Kampground (Formerly KOA) K Route 131 Bridge - North Shore L Route 131 Bridge - South Shore M Smith Road-Trippany Road Intersection N Massena Center Road - South Shore 0 Donahue Road-Snell Road Intersection Trippany Road-South Grasse River Road P Intersection Q Kinnie Road-Snell Road Intersection R Haverstock Road S AmVets T St. Lawrence Confluence - North Shore u St. Lawrence Confluence - South Shore
3/8/07 2-3 F:\USERS\AMILLER\2007\046711214_Ice Breaking CHASP Text.doc Alcoa will work closely with the snowmobile groups and local land owners such that the access/egress points are posted in a safe manner and that proper notifications (e.g., to the community, authorities, rescue squads, and emergency responders) have been made prior to commencement of any notification measures. In addition, prior to ice breaking, Alcoa will perform a visual check of the Grasse River extending to near the Snell Lock for ice shanties. If ice shanties are observed, Alcoa will contact the owner and request that the ice shanty be removed. Note that if a snowmobile (or any other individual) is observed on the ice within the lower Grasse River during the demonstration project, all ice breaking operations will be stopped and the appropriate authorities (e.g., depending on the situation, authorities can include Alcoa security, Massena police, NYS police, Massena rescue squad, and/or the Massena dive crew team) will be contacted immediately. As appropriate, work will be resumed pending consultation between the boat captain and local emergency response officials.
2.2.3 Emergency Planning/Response
Prior to the start of ice breaking activities, potential emergency situations that possibly could result will be evaluated to prepare for quick and appropriate response. In addition, emergency situations could result from damage or failure of the equipment used during the ice breaking operations. The action(s) to be taken will depend upon whether the actual incident threatens human health (e.g., observation of snowmobiles or other individuals on the ice, person through the ice cover, etc) and/or the environment (e.g., petroleum spill). All site personnel will receive training concerning proper emergency response procedures.
Lines of communication will be established prior to commencement of any ice breaking activities with all necessary on-site personnel and response agencies. The primary on-site communication device will be two-way radios and air horns will be used to alert personnel of emergency situations. Communications with response agencies, in the event of an emergency, will be accomplished and completed by Alcoa using commercial telephone lines. In addition, all vessels will be equipped with USCG safety equipment, including ship-to-shore VHF radios or cellular phones to alert emergency response personnel.
Prior to implementation, Alcoa will notify response agencies from the organizations listed in Table 2-3 of the ice breaking activities and the notification measures to be implemented. In any emergency situation, Alcoa West Plant Gate I will be the primary notification [(315) 764-4500], and all emergency information will be relayed to the appropriate response agencies.
Table 2-3 Emergency Contacts
? Agency Contacts "Site Emergency Telephone No. Alcoa Emergency Response Technician (315) 764-4500 Massena Fire 911 Massena Police 911 Massena Ambulance 911 Hospital: Massena Memorial Hospital (315)764-1711 United States Coast Guard (315) 769-5483 Massena Ice Rescue Squad (315)764-1744 NYS Police 911 NYS Department of Environmental (315)764-4500 Conservation (NYSDEC) Spill Response For all emergency situations, Alcoa West Plant Gate 1 [(315) 764-4500] will be the primary notification.
3/8/07 2-4 F:\USERS\AMILLER\2007\046711214 Ice Breaking CHASP Text.doc These organizations will be provided a copy of the HASP, this CHASP, and work plans as necessary. Emergency procedures will also be reviewed with each response agency to enable immediate response in case of an incident affecting public health.
In the event of a petroleum spill from the marine equipment associated with the ice breaking operations, the provisions of the New York State Navigation Law will be followed and New York State Spill Response and National Response Center (NRC) will be notified by Alcoa as required. The contractor will be prepared with an oil spill recovery kit, sorbents, sufficient length of boom material to entirely surround the ice breaking equipment, and list of the types and volumes of petrochemical products and/or chemicals that are stored on the barge.
2.3 Noise
Since ice breaking activities will occur 24 hours per day, there is the potential for noise to be generated by demonstration project activities throughout the day and evening hours. Noise is a potential issue associated with the operation of heavy construction equipment, and suspected high noise operations will be evaluated to determine if protective measures are warranted to mitigate noise to the surrounding community.
2.3.1 IVIitigation of Noise
As currently planned the ice breaking work will be conducted on a 24 hour basis for the duration of the project (estimated at approximately 3 days). All equipment will be inspected by the contractor to be sure that it is in good working order, and no piece of equipment will be allowed to operate if, upon inspection, the muffler system is found to be defective. Engineering mitigation measures such as sound dampening methods or enclosures to keep sound levels within acceptable levels will be implemented at the point of work activity as necessary to limit sound propagation. If necessary, procedural modifications to the work being performed will be implemented to mitigate impacts.
The Town of Massena does not have regulations or requirements regarding allowable noise levels. As such, sound levels at the perimeter of the site will be maintained against the following standards/measures developed considering a reasonable range of sound levels with the intent of minimizing noise.
Table 2-4 Sound Levels at Perimeter of Site
Receptor Star^ard^ /•-M^S'€ -..J.'^Standard Values* --.i- -, Demonstration of - V Location of Location -V,.;\ (perimeter),.'4^1,.^ ij^^jKCompTiance ,. lUlonitoring Residential Mitigation Level (established Daytime. 75 dBA (maximum Monitoring every 12 At shoreline or as as the threshold at which hourly average) hours during Ice needed at mitigation is recommend) breaking activities receptor locations Standard (established as the Daytime: 80 dBA (maximum threshold at which mitigation hourly average) is required) Evening: (10:00 pm to 7:00 am) 65 dBA (maximum hourly average) Commercial/ Standard 80 dBA (maximum hourly Monitoring every 12 At shoreline or as Industrial average) hours during ice needed at breaking activities receptor locations
3/8/07 2-5 FAUSERS\AMILLER\2007\046711214 Ice Breaking CHASP Text.doc If any of the aforementioned parameters are exceeded, noise mitigation techniques and/or appropriate engineering measures will be employed to reduce levels to below the thresholds established for the demonstration project.
2.3.2 Noise IVIonitoring
Noise monitoring will take place using a Type 1 or Type 2 sound-level meter as rated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Records of the measurement, including specifics of the measurement location, time of measurement, meteorological conditions at the time, identification of significant sound sources, model, serial number, and calibration of equipment will be maintained.
3/8/07 2-6 F:\USERS\AMILLER\2007\046711214_Ice Brealcing CHASP Text doc 3. Project Personnel
3.1 Overview
This section presents key personnel that will be involved in the safe implementation of the ice breaking demonstration project. Should any changes be made in key personnel, modifications to this section will be provided to USEPA for distribution to the community as necessary.
3.2 Key Site Personnel
There are several parties involved with implementation of the ice breaking demonstration project. USEPA is the lead Agency, and will be involved in all decision making aspects of the project. Alcoa is responsible for implementation of the overall project including coordination with USEPA. All organizations involved with implementation of the project (i.e., construction and monitoring) will report directly to Alcoa. Blasland, Bouck & Lee, Inc. (BEL), now known as ARCADIS of New York, Inc. (ARCADIS BBL), will manage the project on Alcoa's behalf. The contractor selected to implement all construction activities associated with the demonstration project is McKeil Marine Limited (McKeil). Camp, Dresser & McKee, Inc. (CDM) will be the Alcoa Responsible Person (ARP) and will provide oversight and guidance for site environmental health and safety (EHS).
Each firm will maintain on-site personnel to perform their respective tasks, and per Alcoa's safety requirements, will have completed Alcoa-specific health and safety and site orientation training along with any other required training prior to initiation of any site work. Table 3-1 lists the key personnel from each entity that will be involved in the demonstration project.
Table 3-1 Site Contact Information
'[ • \ Pr6ject.-RbleiBK;,,:l--' • ;o^':»''-^Si, ::•-:: i''';S*i*E:c¥:^-s.fci'^K:'o-^ USEPA Personnel Project Manager Young Chang On-site Representative(s) As determined by USEPA Alcoa Personnel Project Manager Larry McShea On-site Manager Bruce Cook EHS Manager John George Site Environmental Manager Charlie Dobbs Site Security Manager Lincoln Truax ARCADIS BBL Personnel Project Manager Mark Mahoney On-site Representative Dan Casey McKeil Personnel Site Superintendent Benoit Champoux Site Supervisors Yvan Peloquin Chris Kirby Captains Jean Lalancette Martin Laplante CDM Personnel ARP, Site EHS Supervisor Bill Moon
3/8/07 3-1 F;\USERS\AMILLERV2O07\0467l 1214Jce Breaking CHASP Text.doc The McKeil Site Superintendent, Site Supervisor(s), and Captain(s) will be actively involved in all ice breaking activities. The Site Superintendent is responsible for all on-site health and safety activities and decision making regarding ice breaking activities (e.g., timing, speed), and will have the authority to suspend work activities in the event of an emergency. The Site Superintendent will be available either on site or by cell phone whenever work activities are occurring. In the event an emergency occurs (e.g., snowmobile on the river, petroleum spill, etc.), the Site Superintendent (or designee if the Site Superintendent is not on site), in consultation with Alcoa Gate 1 (315-764-4500), the ARP, and Alcoa Site-Location/Project Manager, will determine the nature of the emergency and take appropriate action. In the event of an incident, the personnel involved will promptly inform the Site Superintendent so that decisions can be made regarding the need for assistance.
3/8/07 3-2 FAUSERS\AMILLER\2007\0467ll214JceBreakingCHASPText.doc 4. Community Relations Plan
4.1 Overview
Prior to initiation of the ice breaking demonstration project, USEPA and Alcoa representatives will communicate the overall project scope including the objectives/purpose of the study, activities to be performed, project schedule, and potential effects to the community. These communications will occur through broad notification via media such as newspapers, radio, and television, as well as by direct targeted notification to the snowmobile groups and adjacent land owners through meetings or letters.
Broad notification to the community will be achieved through the following:
• Distribution of community fact sheets; • Conducting public meetings/availability sessions including participation of the CAP group; • Written articles in the local newspapers; • Notifications on local radio and television stations; • Postings of notices at government offices, taverns, community organizations, restaurants, general stores, sporting stores/dealerships, hardward/building supply stores, casinos, hotels, churches, schools, hockey arenas, bait and tackle shops, and libraries; and • Postings on the project website rwww.thegrasseriver.com).
Alcoa will utilize a number of local newspapers, radio, and television stations to provide notification of the ice breaking demonstration project to the community. Notification will also be made to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Reservation. In addition, dates for the project informational meeting(s) will be communicated in the local newspapers, radio stations and posted on the project website (www.thegrasseriver.com). Table 4-1 presents a listing of media entities that Alcoa anticipates contacting to provide notification of the ice breaking demonstration project (this list may be adjusted).
Table 4-1 Anticipated Media Contact List
Television Stations Radio Stations Newspaper/Publications Internet • News 10 Now • The Valley (96.1) • Cornwall Standard • Grasse River • WPBS-TV . The Fox (101.5) Freeholder project website . WPTZ (Channel 5) . CKON (97.3) • County Pennysaver • Massena • WWTI (Channel 13) • Variety 104(104.5) • Daily Courier Observer Chamber of • WWNY-TV • North Country • Indian Times Commerce 7News/F0X 28 Public Radio Newspaper • New York State (Channel 7) . W1CY(1490) • Malone Telegram Snowmobile • WMSA(1340) • People's Voice Association . WPAC (96.7) • St. Lawrence County • North Country . WSNN (99.3)/ Free Trader Guide, St. WPDM (1470) • St. Lawrence County Lawrence • WVNV (96.5 Wild Newspapers Inc. County Country) • Watertown Daily Times Chamber of • WYBG Radio 1050 Commerce • WYSX (98.7) • St. Regis • WYUL (94.7 Hits Mohawk FM) website
3/8/07 4-1 rAUSERS\AMlLLER\2007\0467l 12HJce Breaking CHASP Texl.doc Direct notification will be made to engage and inform specific groups who use the river recreationally (e.g. snowmobile groups) and land owners directly adjacent to the project area. Alcoa will work with the known snowmobile clubs in St. Lawrence County to directly notify the groups of the activities on the lower Grasse River. The listing of the known area snowmobile clubs is presented in Table 4-2. If there are additional snowmobile clubs that should be contacted, Alcoa requests that this information be provided to Bruce Cook, Alcoa's On-site Manager, at (315) 764-4270 such that adequate notification can be provided.
Table 4-2 Known Area Snowmobile/Outdoor Clubs
Snowmobile Club , Contact;., f Telephone No. Club in Akwesasne John Lazore (518) 358-3017 Boondockers Bee Sharpstene (315)386-2301 Border Riders Snowmobile Club Shawn Miller (518)358-6620 Childwold SnoPackers Sonya Mousaw (518)262-9715 Cranberry Lake Mountaineers Clint Farnsworth (315)848-2541 Diamond Sportsmen Club Diane Church (315)386-4013 Edwards Snowmobile Club Jeffrey Sykes (315)562-2320 Hermon Sledders Fred Amo (315)347-2406 Heuvelton Punchlock Travelers Tony Testani (315)344-2388 Massena Rod and Gun Club John Hurd (315)769-3205 Parishville Pacemakers Dave MacWilliams (315)265-7564 St. Lawrence County Snowmobile Association Brian Bullard (315)265-0898 Tri Town Trailblazers Mike Hewlett (315)769-2195
Alcoa will also contact adjacent land owners to notify them of the project and specific activities to be conducted in the vicinity of their property, and arrange meetings with the land owners as necessary.
It is anticipated that information will be provided to the community via means described above in the January/February 2007 timeframe. Notifications of specific ice breaking activities will continue into March 2007 as necessary.
Any inquires from the public regarding this project should be directed to USEPA [Young Chang at (212) 637- 4253].
3/8/07 4-2 F:\USERS\AMILLER\2007\046711214 Ice Breaking CHASP Text.doc 5. References
Alcoa Inc. (Alcoa). April 2004. Draft Addendum to the Comprehensive Characterization of the Lower Grasse River.
Alcoa. March 2007. Lower Grasse River Ice Breaking Demonstration Project - Final Work Plan.
New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA). June 2004. Personal conversation with Jim Jennings (NYSSA, Executive Director).
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UNNAMED TRIBUTARY^ ,,/,;,-;, ..;«• ..^?r^- #< 1® :*> :V^. '•i V'- >. > 1Jl •- APi, .-- i^ s E^|H,->y^ •/ ROUTE 131 BRIDGE: .:J^: 7(L-^" \ POWER CANAL V OUTFALL 001 \ rC \ •liiA. • '>v/:;. ^'n/l'r>^- ^>?• ,v ^^;;::: AREA LOCATION /^ . Gravel , 'J^ V" llli 1- HI Vfi> •^^^7 W^; 3,000' 3,000' o X. '^J^.// "^.'. Approximate Scale: 1" = 3,000' MASSENA ,-• / .,/j^(i '.MASSENA X ,.• GRASSE RIVER STUDY AREA MASSENA, NEW YORK ROUTE 37 BRIDGE X ICE BREAKING DEMONSTRATION PROJECT JIarriirtie •:5>2«, .Vb I It"' COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN "J - • ;v^vh^- GRASSE RIVER - LOCATION MAP ?ij?' k GRASSE RIVER STUDY AREA MASSENA, NEW YORK LEGEND: NOTE: .3 ICE BREAKING DEMONSTRATION PROJECT #1 :^ KNOWN SNOWMOBILE ACCESS/EGRESS LOCATION RGURE AND KNOWN SNOWMOBILE ACCESS AND EGRESS If LOCATIONS RECEIVED FROM CAMP DRESSER & McKEE ON COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN 10/12/06. KNOWN SNOWMOBILE ACCESS AND PROPOSED POSTING LOCATION AO EGRESS LOCATIONS AND PROPOSED POSTING LOCATIONS FIGURE 5S APPROMMATC SCALE 2-1 ALCOA DANGER ICE BREAKING ACTIVITIES BEING PERFORMED, MARCH 19-23, 2007 Recreational activities on and near lower Grasse River from Alcoa Bridge to mouth of St. Lawrence River are hazardous, stay clear of this section of the Grasse River during/after completion of the work. STAY CLEAR AND STAY SAFE. us ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ALCOA GRASSE RIVER SUPERFUND SITE Questions? Call: US EPA (212) 637-4253 or Alcoa (315) 764-4270 Figure 2-2: Ice Breaking Warning Sign Posting Note: Sign will be approximately 24 inches by 24 inches and fabricated using a yellow background with black reflective lettering.