The Department of Environmental Protection has approved the Erie County Convention Center Authority’s plan to clean up the former GAF Materials plant. 

The 100 year old former shingle plant is located adjacent to the Erie County Convention Center on Erie’s west bayfront.

The environmental investigation and assessment of the property identified several environmental and human health concerns at the site.  The approved cleanup plan for the site addresses those concerns through capping of contaminated site soils, construction of a underground wall to contain and prevent the movement of a tar like material found on bedrock at the property, installation of a new seawall to contain site soils on-site, along with design and construction requirements for future buildings on site.

“The former GAF site has several cleanup and redevelopment challenges associated with it.” DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said. “The cleanup plan approved by DEP addresses those challenges and provides a logical, practical and commonsense approach to ensure the safety of users of the site and protection of the environment.”

The Pennsylvania Land Recycling Program encourages the voluntary cleanup and reuse of contaminated commercial and industrial sites.  The Program provides clear and uniform standards to promote the voluntary elimination of public health and environmental hazards.  Cleanup plans approved under the Land Recycling Program are based on the actual site conditions and risk posed to public health and the environment.

Other former Erie industrial sites successfully cleaned up under the Land Recycling Program include the former Front Street Generating Station, now home to the Flagship Niagara, Erie Maritime Museum and the Raymond Blasco, M.D. Memorial Library.

4/15/2013