<< GHS Instructional Space and Auditorium Building Committee > GHS & MISA Environmental Testing

GHS and MISA Environmental Testing

Background: In mid July 2011, during the course of the excavation work for the Greenwich High School Music Instructional Space and Auditorium (MISA) project, unexpected soil conditions were discovered in the West (or back) parking lot, adjacent to the fields, which prompted immediate environmental testing. The site work in the west lot was stopped and the excavation area was contained. The initial tests reflected low levels of some metals, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the soil. A second round of samples was taken on July 20^thand included soil and indoor and outdoor air testing. The results of the air quality tests indicate all selected factors are within acceptable levels. The results of the second round of soil samples duplicated the previous results, which showed low levels of some metals, VOCs and PCBs in the soil. On July 29, 2011 the results of a third set of soil samples taken closer to fields 3 and 4 at a depth of one foot beneath the surface, reflected PCBs levels that are above acceptable standards for residential or commercial use as determined by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). These results prompted the closure of all fields as a precaution until a more comprehensive understanding of the extent of the issue could be determined.

The Greenwich Public Schools/Board of Education, the Town of Greenwich and the GHS-MISA Building Committee are working in collaboration to address the environmental concerns of the fields at Greenwich High School. Licensed Environmental Professionals have been contracted to plan for and conduct more comprehensive testing. The Town and State Departments of Health and Environmental Protection, and the Federal EPA are also involved in consultation on the testing and remediation plans.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
The March/April 2013 Public Comment Period has concluded. The next online Public Comment opportunity will be Fall 2013.

May 2013 - Summary Update and Frequently Asked Questions:

5/8/13 Summary Update on Reports, Proposed Option, Next Steps & Project Timeline
5/8/13 Frequently Asked Questions on GHS Environmental Study
5/8/13 Opinion Editorial (OpEd) Submitted by the Commissioner of Public Works Amy Siebert

February-April 2013 GHS Environmental Study Summary & Findings Reports & Updates
All Reports are also available for review by contacting the Board of Education's Communications Office at 203-625-7426

*4/8/13 Groundwater Monitoring - February 2013 - Update (posted 4/8/13)
* Groundwater Monitoring Report (posted 4/8/13)

* 4/4/13 Presentation to Board of Education (powerpoint)

* Feasibility Study Update (Posted 4/3/13)
* Arsenic Background Study Update (Reference Appendix B in Feasibility Study Report below)(Posted 4/3/13)
* Feasibility Study Report (Posted 4/3/13) (362 pages, 36MB)

* Remedial Investigation Summary Update (Posted 2/27/13)
* Remedial Investigation Summary Report (Posted 3/12/13) (10,277 pages, 412MB)
* Remedial Investigation Summary Report - Executive Summary (Posted 2/28/13) (3 pages)

* Human Health Risk Assessment Update (Posted 2/27/13)
* Human Health Risk Assessment Report 2 (Posted 2/27/13) (1,440 pages - 26MB)

* Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessment Update (Posted 2/27/13)
* Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessment Report (Posted 2/27/13) (271 pages - 7.7MB)

Greenwich High School Environmental Reports
Large reports available by visiting the Board of Education Communications Office and/or calling 203-625-7426: