Public comment on Hicksville cleanup extended

The public comment period on a proposed cleanup plan for the Hooker Chemical site in Hicksville has been extended until April 30, state Department of Environmental Conservation officials said last week.

The 14-acre Superfund site, located near New South Road and Commerce Place, has tested positive for PCBs, arsenic, cadmium and other chemicals.

It was formerly home to both the Hooker Chemical and Plastic Corp. and the Occidental Chemical Corp.

A remediation strategy proposed by the DEC, with the state Department of Health, includes the removal and disposal of contaminated soils.

Tests would then be conducted to ensure the site meets safety standards and a cover system — such as a building, sidewalks or at least a foot of clean soil — would be implemented, state officials said.

The proposal was presented to residents at a meeting last Tuesday at the Bethpage Community Center.

Written comments on the plan — available for review at the DEC’s offices in Stony Brook, at the Hicksville Public Library and at www.dec.ny.gov — will be accepted until April 30, an extension from March 29, state officials said.

Comments can be submitted by mail to Steven Sharf, Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Remediation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233, or by email to sxscharf@gw.dec.state.ny.us.