shallow root systems that will not impact the liners. Resoonse: Both white clover and weeping lovegrass have already been included in the final cover planting specifications. The second recommendation is excellent and is being carefully reviewed by DECts biologists and engineers with the goal of providing suitable habitat for breeding, migratory, and wintering species of birds and other wildlife while not compromising the cap's integrity. . - .DEC may also solicit additional input from the public before finalizing the selection and locations of plants and shrubs. Issue 16: The marsh is being overtaken by large stands of common reed which is of limited value to wildlife. Why not dredge the middle and eastern channels of the Croton marsh, which contain the highest concentrations of organics and metals, and replant with a native species such as narrow leaved cattails? An earlier interim report had shown decreased species diversity in Croton Marsh. Why are we now saying that we see no effect on the species and contaminant levels in this area? 1 ResDonse: The ROD identifies impacts to the Croton arsh in Section III.C., Summary of Site Risks. T e benthic communities in the eastern channel showed impacts and impacts to birds that directly consume be thic invertebrates are possible. 11 The Department has determined that remedi tion of the marsh sediments is impracticable since th cost is considered to be excessive for the expect d benefits that would be realized by the biotic comm nity. Therefore, the DEC has selected Alternati e 4B which will provide for continued monitoring of roton Marsh sediments. With the discharge of a signi icant portion of clean stormwater to the eastern channe of this marsh it is expected to reduce salinity a d improve the water quality in the eastern channel. Th stormwater management system has been designed with edimentation basins to eliminate any deliterious disch ge of sediments to the marsh. I Removal of the stands of common reed follo ed by plantings of cattails would not be effecti e in preventing the reestablishment of the comm n reed. The areas would have to be dredged three to fo r feet to change the hydraulic characteristics of th marsh and make it more favorable to cattails for thi to be effective. I Issue 17: What potential health hazards will exist t wildlife on the capped landfill? How will mitigate the existing health risk concerns worst case scenario used in the study)? ResDonse: The existing potential risks to humans exceed USEPA criteria (defined as a Haz greater than 1.0 or an increased Carci one in one million) include: soil ing adult residing on the landfill (reside adult worker on-site, and a child play landfill; soil dermal exposure to a re adult worker, or anyone (adult or chi1 the landfill; ambient air inhalation t adult or an adult worker. These are c risks because none of these pathways o presently complete - no one lives or on the landfill. humans or I Although a quantitative risk assessment fo wildlife is not possible, similar potential exposures f wildlife to contaminated soils on the landfill curr ntly exists. The cap will provide a physical barrier (30 in soils and an impermeable synthetic membrane) t human exposures to landfilled materials and to the potential for wildlife exposures. The collection system will eliminate any exposures to ambient air by flaring It These measures should prevent human exposures nd, therefore, reduce the hazard index to less tha 1.0 and the cancer risk to less than one in one millio for . anyone using the landfill. For these reasons, he NYSDOH believes the remedy chosen for the Crot n Point Landfill is protective of public health.