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54-inch stainless steel header piping for the BAF cells is lowered into place.
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Monthly report — September 2002
Equipment arriving
Process equipment arriving for ammonia/phosphorus removal facilities
Process equipment from US Filter/Krüger has begun
arriving on site on a regular basis. Large diameter
valves and other equipment have been delivered and
turned over to the general contractor for
installation. Placement of steel and concrete for the
facilities continues and moving at an accelerated rate
to attempt to recover some of time lost due to
schedule delays encountered during site preparation.
Approximately 11,000 cubic yards of concrete had been
placed by the end of September of a total of
27,000 cubic yards expected for the whole project.
Technical lake advisors meet for two days
The Onondaga Lake Technical Advisory Committee met
September 11 and 12 at the Onondaga Lake Yacht Club.
In addition to the scientists, representatives of the
State DEC, USEPA, USGS, Atlantic State Legal
Foundation, Congressman Walsh's office and County
Water Environment Protection Department staff were
present and took part in the presentations and
discussions. The meetings focused on the results of
the County's Ambient Monitoring program to date and
suggestions and considerations for future monitoring
and modeling efforts.
Post-bid meeting held on Brighton sewer separation
Review was completed on the bids received on this
project and a post-bid meeting was held with low
bidder, C.O. Falter on September 30th. Project is
scheduled to begin construction in November with a
pre-construction meeting scheduled for October 17,
2002. A public availability session is scheduled for
Tuesday, October 22 at Elmwood School. Arrangements for
the public meeting and coordination efforts with NiMo
and others were made during the month.
Kirkpatrick wet weather pumps started
This month, the construction of the new wet well was
completed and installation of the wet weather pumps
with start up of the pumps completed on September 5,
2002. Start up of the new dry weather pumps is
scheduled for October.
OLP Outreach Committee and EPA representative tour Metro and CSO facilities
Tours of the construction at the new
Ammonia/Phosphorus removal facilities currently under
construction and CSO projects were given in September
for a representative from EPA on an inspection tour on
September 10 and members of the Onondaga Lake
Partnership's Outreach Committee on September 18.
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East wall of BAF cells number 2 and number 4 for ammonia removal
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(ACJ Completion date for Ammonia Full Scale—11/3/03—schedule concerns)
(ACJ Completion date for phosphorus Removal Stage II—4/1/05—on schedule)
Construction continues at accelerated pace.
Placement of steel and concrete is moving at an
accelerated rate in the ammonia removal and UV
portions of the facilities. An acceleration schedule
was developed and implemented to attempt to recover
some of the time lost earlier in the construction
during site preparation contracts. In September, work
in the secondary effluent pump station was initiated
with installation of a portion of the base slab. Work
in the existing plant galleries is progressing to
allow tie-in with the new facilities when required.
Yard piping was initiated this month with completion
of steam and gas lines in the entrance area of the
plant. Work is underway on the UV disinfection
structure on concrete base slabs and walls.
The existing boilers were removed from the Low Lift
Pump Station and this month three new boilers were set
in the low lift pump station. Work continues on
installation of the boiler connections and exhaust
system. Boiler start up is scheduled for October 15,
2002.
Electrical work continues
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Installing conduits in the electrical room
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Installation of below slab conduits continued this
month at the BAF (ammonia removal) complex. Work was
also started on the main electrical substation this
month.
Dewatering continues
Dewatering (under contract 2D) is continuing and the
system has lowered groundwater below the excavation of
all areas needed. It is anticipated that full scale
dewatering and treatment will be discontinued by the
end of 2002. Dewatering and groundwater treatment for
miscellaneous trench excavations will be conducted on
an as needed basis.
Process equipment arriving
As mentioned in monthly highlights, process
equipment from US Filter/Krüger is arriving regularly
on site and turned over to general contractor for
future installation.
Meetings held
The following meetings were held this month:
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Construction progress meeting were held weekly on Thursdays at 10 a.m.
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Weekly meetings held between construction manager (CDM/C&S), design engineer and the County.
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Modification review meetings held weekly.
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Scheduling meetings held weekly with all prime contractors.
This is the largest and most costly single project in
the Amended Consent Judgment program and will have the
greatest positive impacts on the water quality of
Onondaga Lake by removing more ammonia and phosphorus
from the Metro effluent discharge.
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—milestone revision requested)
Milestone revision requested
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Construction at the Kirkpatrick Street Pump Station
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Because the project has expanded in scope since it was
originally conceived in the ACJ and unforeseen
hydrogeologic conditions have impacted the
construction schedule, the County has requested that
the milestone be extended to November 1, 2002 by which
time the County anticipates the project would be fully
operational. Decision on revision request still
pending.
Construction activities
Construction activities related to the pump station
upgrade continued this month.
The following activities were conducted this month:
completed construction of the new wet well and
installation of the wet weather pumps, started up wet
weather pumps on September 5th, installation of site
fence, completed masonry, completed training for bar
screens, installed new wet well hoist rail and began
installation of new dry weather pumps.
Electrical and mechanical activities
Wiring was completed on wet weather pumps, installed
bar screen level transducers, demolition of electrical
equipment of existing pumps, installation lighting for
new wet well and installation miscellaneous ductwork
and thermostat control conduit.
Activities planned for October include: installation
and start up of new dry weather pumps.
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Houses in the 053/054 sewer separation area
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After review of the bids previously received on this
project in July, changes in the documents were made
and the project was re-bid during the month of August.
The pre-bid meeting on the revised bid was held on
August 15 and bids were opened on August 23, 2002. Two
bids were received and were reviewed during September.
On September 30 a post-bid meeting was held with
apparent low bidder, C.O. Falter. A Notice of intent
to award was sent on October 9th for the $2.1 million
project.
Construction is scheduled to start on this project in
November and is estimated to be completed in 6-9
months, weather dependent. The project involves the
streets of Bishop, Marguerite, Hunt and a portion of
W. Brighton Avenue on the City's south side. New sewer
lines will be installed and existing combined lines
will be converted to stormwater use only. Lead water
service lines encountered will be replaced by the
County, and the existing gas main will be replaced by
Niagara Mohawk. Much coordination will be necessary
between the County's contractor, NiMo, City Water and
other utilities.
A pre-construction meeting is scheduled for October
17th and a public availability session is set for
Tuesday October 22.
(ACJ Completion Date—7/1/02—Complete—January 2000)
Retrofitting a total of eight tanks was completed well
ahead of the required ACJ completion milestone. The
tanks are all fully operational with the new more
energy efficient and effective fine-bubble diffuser
aeration system. Lower ammonia levels reported in lake
corresponding with operation of new system.
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—ahead of schedule)
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—December 2001—ahead of schedule)
New system in operation.
The new digital system is operational in all
locations. Certificate of Substantial completion was
submitted to NYSDEC. The contractor's warranty
continued through May 31, 2002.
(ACJ Completion date—7/1/02—Complete—December 2000—ahead of schedule)
Project completed. This project, which was designed to
reduce odors at the headworks of Metro adjacent to
Hiawatha Boulevard, is completed and in operation.
Positive comments have been received from the public
on a noticeable reduction in odors as a result of this
project.
Phosphorus removal pilot project (Metro)
(ACJ milestone date for completion of pilot—4/1/07 -
well ahead of schedule)
Final report in preparation.
The pilot was completed in December 2000. Currently
work continues on evaluation and analysis of data
compiled during the pilot operation which tested a
variety of phosphorus removal technologies. The County
is more than 6 years earlier than is called for in the
ACJ in carrying out this pilot project.
Status of ACJ Interim Projects
with completion dates of July 1, 2002* |
Evaluation of Siphon Crossings
Evaluated and rehabilitated
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Complete
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May 1999
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Hiawatha Regional Treatment Facility
Part A 30-inch CSO interceptor
Part B Regional Treatment and Storage Facility
Part C Underflow Force Main and Outfall pipeline
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Complete
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July 2001
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Newell Regional Treatment Facility
Disinfection Tested and Report filed
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Complete
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July 2001
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Teall Brook Floatables Control Facility
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Complete
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Dec 2001
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Evaluation of CSO Toxicity
Evaluated and report approved
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Complete
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May 2002
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Erie Boulevard Storage System Upgrade
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Complete
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June 2002
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Onondaga Creek Floatables Control Facility
Skimmer boat in operation summer ’02 under contract. Long-term control will include purchase of boat by County.
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Complete
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June 2002
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Harbor Brook Floatables Control Facility
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Complete
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July 2002
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Harbor Brook In-Water System**
Project changed, Facility Plan drafted
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Kirkpatrick Street Pump Station Upgrade**
Construction delays
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*As described in Appendix B pp. 10-12 of the ACJ—listed chronologically by date completed
**Milestone revision requested
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(ACJ Completion date—7/1/02—Complete June 2002 - Milestone met)
Construction completed, system operational. System is
fully operational. Project closeout activities
underway.
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Gate 1 of Erie Boulevard storage system improvements near Niagara Mohawk Building
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The project involved upgrading an existing large
diameter underground storm sewer previously
constructed to store combined sewage in storm
situations. Following a storm event, the combined flow
is released back to the sewer system for treatment at
Metro. The existing system had experienced operational
problems with control gates and was in need of
upgrading to function effectively. The project is now
complete and has successfully operated in storm
events.
(ACJ completion date—5/1/00—Complete—May 2000)
Facility in operation. This $4.7 m facility was
completed by its ACJ milestone date of May 1, 2000 and
is in operation. This is the largest floatables
facility currently planned by the County and removes
floatable debris from both the Burnet and Butternut
trunk sewers to prevent their discharge into Onondaga
Creek. Quarterly reports on their operation are filed
with DEC.
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—July 2002)
Construction complete. Construction was completed and
system is operational with three net bags in place.
County personnel have begun maintaining facility.
15-month performance period has started. Punch list
being worked on.
This project consists of a floating net-bag collection
system in the brook which includes 3 net bags to trap
floatables before they enter Onondaga Lake.
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete July 2001 - ahead of schedule)
Construction completed and operational. Construction
of all major structures of this facility is complete.
The facility was operational by July 2001.
(ACJ completion date—5/1/99—Complete May 1999)
Facility fully operational. This is the first
floatables control facility completed under the
Onondaga Lake ACJ program. Quarterly operation and
maintenance reports are filed with DEC.
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—pilot disinfection project completed)
Newell Street CSO investigated under Midland project.
Abatement of the Newell Street CSO is currently being
evaluated under the Midland Phase II and III design
contracts with EEA.
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02 -Complete—June 2002)
Trash skimmer vessel in operation in harbor. The
County obtained the services of a private company, CNY
Aquatic Harvesting, to collect, remove and dispose of
floatable debris from the Inner Harbor beginning on
June 7. Coordinated operation with officials from the
Lakefront Development Corporation to coincide with the
scheduled events in the Harbor. The response of
officials and the public to the operation of the boat
and its ability to pick up the floatable debris and
improve the aesthetics of the harbor has been
extremely positive.
DEC reviewing skimmer vessel usage. In a letter dated
May 22, 2002 to DEC as per their request, the County
provided a detailed summary of the pilot project,
alternative solutions that were evaluated, and
information on the County's recommendation to use a
skimmer boat in conjunction with a boom in the Inner
Harbor to provide effective floatables containment and
collection. The letter concluded with a formal request
for approval from State DEC on the use of the boat
with or without booms as meeting the intent of the ACJ
requirement for control of CSO-derived floatables in
the harbor and Lake. The letter also contained a list
of additional benefits of selective placement and use
of booms in the harbor area. The information provided
in the letter and the report filed April 26th are
currently under review by DEC.
County looking into skimmer boat purchase for future
years. Work has begun on collecting information for
necessary authorizations and development of bid
specifications for purchase of a skimmer boat by the
County.
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—May 1999—Milestone met)
Work completed May 28, 1999 well ahead of schedule.
(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete—Milestone met)
Construction completed. Construction was completed on
this project in December 2001 and the facility is
operational. Project consists of an underground
floatables capture facility consisting of an automatic
screening device which directs floatables and
screenings to underflow sewer channel.
Completed
Former combined lines revised. One of two previous
combined lines in the Water Street area was relined and
now transports wastewater only. The other combined
line is now used for stormwater only.
Completion of this work has eliminated one additional
CSO on Onondaga Creek. From the start of the lake
improvement program, the County has reduced the number
of untreated CSOs from 66 to 57 which includes total
closure of 4 overflow points by sewer separation.
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Appearance of West Street after sewer separation project
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(ACJ completion date—7/1/02—Complete- December 1999—Milestone met)
This was the first sewer separation project conducted
under ACJ and eliminated 3 CSOs on Onondaga Creek by
converting them to stormwater discharge only.
(ACJ completion date—Phase II RTF—5/01/04 & Phase III Conveyance—5/01/07)
County compiles further information. County design
engineers were tasked and spent further time on
development of further information on various options.
Side-by-side layouts and cross-sections for four of
the options under discussion by the involved groups
were finalized. Information was also compiled
concerning anticipated chlorinated discharges for
various operations.
Planning for a workshop on disinfection took place
this month. The workshop will be sponsored by the
County on October 15th for officials and interested
citizens and groups to share the latest information on
disinfection. No resolution or agreement achieved to
date on facility.
Design work on hold. Design engineers completed the
95% design documents for Phase II of the project which
includes the RTF and 1000 ft of conveyance to the
facility and plans which were transmitted to the State
DEC on December 3, 2001. The County will not finalize
the documents to 100% until the County and City are
able to reach agreement and/or the Federal Court
orders transfer of the needed City property to the
County or takes other action which resolve the issue.
Design of additional 10 sewer separation areas being finalized (CSO), design documents due
Design documents are being finalized following
internal review for the additional 10 areas in the
City of Syracuse proposed for sewer separation under
the ACJ. Funding for this design effort is through the
US Army Corps of Engineers. Design documents for the
Brighton Avenue and the Water streets projects were
completed under this contract and finalized earlier so
that projects could be moved along for construction.
(ACJ dates—Commence construction of conveyances and RTF—May 1, 2003, Completion of conveyances 5/1/07 and RTF 1/1/12)
Activities. One meeting was held this month with the
Mitigation Advisory Committee on September 5th.
Environmental review activities continued on areas
common to preferred sites and traffic engineering
consultation work continued to be compiled. In
addition, nine soil borings were completed on a couple
of the preferential sites for the Clinton facility. A
noise dissipation analysis with completed in response
to a request for the Mitigation Advisory Committee.
The goal of the Clinton project is to address the
abatement of ten CSOs between Fayette and Adams
Streets to be served by a Clinton Area Facility
located near downtown Syracuse. The Facilities Plan
evaluates alternative technologies to address the
overflows and alternative sites for a
storage/treatment facility. The current contract with
EEA also covers preparation of an Environmental Impact
Assessment and conceptual design.
A draft facility plan is
available.
(ACJ completion date - 7/1/02 - Revision requested)
Milestone revision requested. In a letter dated June
5, 2002 to DEC, the County provided a summary of the
history and status of this project with a milestone
revision request. The letter requested that all the
ACJ parties agree to a stipulated modification of the
ACJ that removed the in-water demonstration project
from the ACJ and established a new minor milestone
date of July 1, 2003 for submittal to DEC of a final
Facility Plan. This letter was follow up to the
County's presentation on the project given at the ACJ
All-parties meeting held on May 23.
At All-Parties meeting held on July 26, this project
and the need for a milestone revision was discussed.
The draft Facilities Plan issued in March 2002 by the
County indicates that the County cannot proceed with
implementation of the in-water system due to the
extent and type of contamination present in the area
and the fact that the contamination is on-going. As
the County has indicated previously to the ACJ parties
at previous all-parties' meetings, the County feels
these concerns make the project not technically
feasible at this time; therefore a milestone revision
is necessary.
The draft facility plan, which was released in March
2002 outlines and evaluates alternative technologies
including the in-water system for abating and treating
the 18 CSOs which release into Harbor Brook and
identifies potential sites for CSO abatement
facilities. The County will proceed with public
participation activities with interested residents and
organizations in the Harbor Brook area and could
finalize the Facility Plan with a recommended
alternative over the next year.
Tributary sampling
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Sampling in Onondaga Creek
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Bi-weekly tributary sampling events were conducted
September 10 and 24. Appropriate notification was
provided to DEC and ASLF prior to sampling dates.
Lake sampling
Summer season sampling continued this month with
sampling in the South Deep area on September 4 and 17
and special weekly sampling on September 4, 12, 17,
and 25. Appropriate notification was provided to DEC
and ASLF prior to sampling dates. In addition, a
special field survey was conducted at several sites in
the lake in response to a fish kill observed by County
monitoring technicians in the north end of the lake.
River sampling
A monthly and supplemental sampling of the river was
completed on September 19.
Fisheries sampling
During September, juvenile seining events were
conducted on September 11, 12, 13 and 16. This
completes 6 of the required 8 such sampling events.
Electrofishing events were conducted from September
23-25. This completed 2 of the required 2 such
sampling efforts.
Macrovertebrate sampling
During September, 32 of the 40 tributary screen samples were sorted.
Zebra mussel sampling
During this month, the County's consultants, Beak
Consultants, Inc., initiated the Lake Zebra mussel
density assessment as per their contract. The project
will calculate zebra mussel densities lake wide based
on the results of the habitat selection task of the
monitoring program which was conducted on June 25-26
this year.
Storm event monitoring
Near shore sampling was conducted following two storms
in September. One storm was on Sunday, September 22
with a rainfall intensity of 0.41 inch/hr. The other
event was on Friday, September 27, 2002.
Mass mailing on AMP informational materials.
The following informational materials were mailed out
to officials and interested publics and others this
month: Fishing in Onondaga Lake, Measuring Progress in
Onondaga Lake, and the Onondaga County Fact Sheet.
Copies of the new 13-minute video on the AMP program
were also mailed out to those requesting a copy.
Program gears up for Leaf campaign. Plans for a public
educational campaign to encourage the use of paper
leaf bags to decrease the amount of leaves getting
into the sewer system were developed this month. Bags
were designed and ordered with shipping expected in
October. Ads and flyers developed and contacts with
appropriate agencies including City DPW made.
Contract with Brower Kriz & Stynchcomb for
professional services relating to construction
contractor claims on Ammonia/Phosphorus. Contract
amount: $50,000. Executed 9/6/02.
Contract with Moffa & Associates for further research
and development of bid specifications for skimmer boat
for Onondaga Creek FCF. Contract amount: $49,637.
Executed 9/11/02.
Contract with MPR Technologies amended for additional computer support.
Contract amendment amount: $10,000. Executed 9/3/02.
Contract with EEA amended for completion of draft facilities plan and environmental work for the Clinton Street Conveyances & RTF project.
Contract amendment amount: $175,458. Executed 9/19/02.
Contract with John Clare amended to include additional project management services on Clinton Street Conveyances and Sewer Separation projects.
Contract amendment amount: $8,800. Executed 9/25/02.
Contract with The Pike Company increased to accommodate the revised contract schedule and Value Engineering of the SIP Decking relating to the Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal Project.
Change Order amount: $2,468,385.00. Executed 9/4/02.
Contract with C.O. Falter Construction Corp. increased for removal and disposal of excess debris, access road modifications and installation of a steel bar screen for the Harbor Brook FCF Project.
Change Order amount: $30,269.21. Executed 9/11/02.
Contract with C.O. Falter Construction Corp. increased for installation of soldier piles, probe drilling and curb removal for the Kirkpatrick Street Pump Station /Force Main Project.
Change Order amount: $105,695.75. Executed 9/12/02.
Contract with Ridley Electric increased for installation of additional conduits and re-routing of service conduits for the Erie Boulevard Storage System Project.
Change Order amount: $10,359.47. Executed 9/16/02.
Action items of the County Legislature in the month of September:
No action items presented.
Actions items of the County Legislature in the month of October:
No action items to be presented.
Upcoming for October Committees:
Appropriating $5,500,000 of serial bond proceeds authorized 9/7/99 to provide funds for design and other related expenses of the Clinton Street Conveyances & RTF project.
State Bond Act funds
Payments received this month from State Bond Act funds:
Erie Boulevard Storage System: Request #16 for $49,971.34 and Request #17 for $7,606.01 received on 9/27/02 for aggregate total of $1,522,802.84.
Midland Ave Conveyances/RTF: Request #15 for $22,544.34 and Request #16 for $27,268.26 received on 9/27/02 for aggregate total of $2,388,964.55.
Total received to date in State Bond Act funds: $31,159,833.
Payments received this month from Federal EPA funds:
Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal: Request #5 for $4,159,990, Request #6 for $2,927,323 received on 9/18/02 and Request #7 for $2,432,344 received on 9/30/02 for aggregate total of $14,850,325.
Total received to date in Federal EPA funds: $16,286,189.
Payments received this month from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
Urban Best Management Practices (UBMP): Request #1 for $9,990.66 received on 9/19/02 for aggregate total of $663,875.55.
Total received to date from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funds: $673,866.21.
The following reimbursement payments were received from EFC during the month of September:
Ammonia/Phosphorus Removal: Request #29 for $932,202.54 on 9/9/02 and Request #30 for $3,455,105.88 received on 9/4/02 for aggregate total of $51,384,986.77.
Total reimbursement monies received to date through EFC Loans for the funded ACJ projects: $85,563,015 (short term), $7,677,996 (long term).
Quarterly All-parties meeting: November 7, 2002
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Completion of Interim Projects: July 1, 2002
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Site Acquisition for the Midland Project-Phase II: Revised from April 1, 2002 to October 1, 2002.
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Submit Engineering Report for Clinton Project: revised to November 1, 2002.
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Susan Miller, Project Deputy Director
Onondaga County Dept of Water Environment Protection