DEC Announces Completion of Dzus Superfund Site Cleanup

WEST ISLIP, NY — Dzus Fasterners Co., Inc, a former manufacturing factory that was labeled as a State Superfund cleanup site, has now been successfully cleaned, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced Wednesday.

The extensive remediation of the site included the removal of more than 80,000 tons of contaminated soil, restoration of sensitive ecosystems with water quality improvements and the removal of invasive species, and new climate resiliency features in the cleanup corridor to help prevent flooding issues that affected the area.

"This is a major environmental and public health accomplishment for the West Islip community and Long Island's South Shore," said Commissioner Seggos. "For years the community faced the uncertainty and constant eyesore of this contaminated site and with their direct involvement, DEC achieved all of the cleanup and restoration goals for this complex site and in the process, restored crucial habitat and built climate resiliency features to create a healthier, more sustainable community for years to come."

Dzus Fastener Co. Inc manufactured fasteners and springs for use in military, aerospace, transportation, electronics and other industries, from 1932 to 2015. Past activities from these operations contaminated the factory and areas off the Dzus site downstream, the DEC said, including in Willetts Creek and nearby Lake Capri.

According to a press release, the benefits of the cleanup include:

• A new footbridge and larger culvert at Beach Street Middle School, which will alleviate flooding
• Drainage improvements, including the grading of Willetts Creek and the lowering of the bottom of Lake Capri, to reduce flooding on nearby properties and minimize the deposition of sediment and debris during extreme weather
• Native plantings in the wetlands and floodplain of Willetts Creek and the removal of invasive species as part of continuing site management activities
• The lowering of nearby Lake Capri's lake bottom to help mitigate algal blooms and the proliferation of aquatic vegetation
• A new "living classroom" to inculcate the importance of environmental stewardship and enhance biology and ecology instructional programs for West Islip students.

From April 2019 to May 2020, DEC implemented a $20-million cleanup that included the removal of more than 80,000 tons of contaminated soil and sediment. Extensive community engagement led to the development of a plan that not only fully addressed the contamination, but restored the West Islip community with improved area drainage, expanded shoreline, and enhanced climate resiliency.

An earlier cleanup of the main site in 1999 was performed by the company and later by DEC towards its adjacent properties.

It was announced last month thata retail complex is set to be built soon, and establishments Piazzetta Italian Kitchen & Bar, Brownstones Coffee, and a QuickChek market are also slated to be part of the center.