Hearing on Hicksville superfund site set

A public meeting to share the details of a proposed cleanup plan for the Hooker Chemical superfund site in Hicksville is scheduled for later this month, state environmental officials announced Tuesday.

Representatives from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and state Department of Health are to describe the proposal at an informative meeting slated for March 20 at 7 p.m. at the Bethpage Community Center, officials said.

The proposed remedy for the Hooker Chemical site, formally called the Bayer OXY Hooker RUCO Polymer Corp. site, includes the excavation of soil with excessive amounts of PBCs, arsenic and other chemicals and the disposal of the soil off-site, officials said.

After the excavation, soil samples are to be taken of the site to ensure the safety of the site and a cover system — which would consist of buildings, sidewalks or at least one foot of soil — is to be installed, officials said.

The DEC is accepting written public comment on the proposed cleanup through March 29. The proposed plan can be reviewed at the department’s regional office, 50 Circle Rd. in Stony Brook, or on the department’s website: www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8431.html.