United States
            Environmental Protection
            Agency
Office o'
Public Affairs (A-',07)
Washington DC 20460
JANUARY — FEBRUARY  1984
            Environmental  News

            Superfund Status  Report

            The Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation and Liaoility Act ot 1380 iCERCL-1! prcvcea "re
            authority and a trust funo (the "Superfund") so that EPA and State governments can respono ;o nazarcouS
            substances emergencies and uncontrolled hazardous sites wnere longer-term cerrranent ren-ec'es are rea>j
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CUMULATIVE CLEANUP TOTALS as of January 31, 1984: Removals—emergency
             type actions—have been approved for 244 sites (196 are
             completed) .  Longer-term  remedial work has been initiated
             at 157 of  the sites on the current National Priorities
             List and proposed update, with six completed.  Completed
             sites are: Chemical Metals Industry (Baltimore, Md. ) ,
             Walcott Chemical Co.  Warehouse  (near Greenville £ ,Mi,ss.),
             Luminous Processes  (near  Athens, Ga.), Butler Tunnel
             (near Pittson, Pa.),  Chemical Minerals (Cleveland,
             Ohio), and Gratiot County Golf Cours.e (St. Louis, Mich.).
             See under  heading for each EPA Region the number of
             remedial projects that have reached the 'construct:ion
             phase.

CLEANUP WORK THIS WEEK  was being carried out  at 195 hazardous
             waste sites across  the nation (49 removal actions and
             157 long-term remedial actions;  both kinds of actions
             are going  on at some  of the sites).

SUPERFUND  ENFORCEMENT APPROACHES:  Superfund  sites are grouped  in
             one of three enforcement  categories:
                   o First,  those  to be  financed completely by  the
                     Trust Fund  because  insufficient  responsible-
                     party participation  is anticipated
                   o Second, those to  be  financed by  private parties
                     responsible  for placement of the hazardous
                     wastes  at  the sites
                   o Third,  those  where  financing will be  negotiated
                     with private  parties  (whether before  or after
                     cleanup is  begun).
             In  all  cases where  Superfund  money  is spent,  EPA  takes
             whatever  action is  necessary  to  recover  costs  from
             responsible  parties found to be  financially  capable.

CUMULATIVE ENFORCEMENT  ACTION  TOTALS:  Since December  1981,  federal
             and state  authorities have  reached  settlements for
             $277.3  million  worth  of  cleanup  at  Superfund  sites.
             In  addition,  cost recoveries,  totalling  some  $17  million
             to  date,  are  being  placed in  the fund via suits  by  fed-
             eral  ($3.6 million)  and  state ($13.6 million)  authorities.
                   EPA  has  also issued  (since  December 1981) Admin-
              istrative Orders  for cleanups at 92  uncontrolled  or  ab-
             andoned  sites—39 of  these  under the Resource Conservation
              and Recovery Act and 53  under Superfund. Since  1977,  EPA
             has referred 113  cleanup  cases  to the Department  of
             Justice,  and 85 of these have been  filed in  the  courts.
                    CERCLA enforcement  activities  carried  out  by EPA
              and states are summarized on the attached list.

TRUST MONIES:  As of  December 31, 1983, total  receipts were about  $885
              million;  $884.5 million  from the Trust  Fund  is now
              appropriated by Congress for EPA's  use  in the Superfund
              program.  As of December  31, EPA had obligated a  total  of
              $492 million for program work.

                                     -2-

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                              OFFICE OF WASTE PROGRAMS ENFORCEMENT

                                 SUMMARY  OF  ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
 ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
                                         FISCAL  YEAR
§3013 (RCRA)

§7003 (RCRA)

§106  (CERCLA)
               '81

                1
              '82

               6

               3

               4
'83

 15

  3

 26
                                                           '84

                                                             8
                                               2

                                               23
FY '84 ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
§3013
McGraw-Edison/Olean Wellfield
Monsanto (Region III)
Monsanto (Region I)
M & T Delisa (Equitable Life
                 Assurance)
Saunders Leasing (Tulane Road)
Saunders Leasing System, Inc
        (Jeffery Crawford)
Johnson & Towers, Inc.
Envirosafe Services of Idaho
                         Consent
                         Consent
                         Unilateral
                         Consent

                         Unilateral

                         Unilateral
                         Consent
                         Consent
§ 106
 §7003
GE Moreau
Dallas Lead, RSR
Lynden Transportation
Marshall Landfill
St. Regis Paper
John Sludge Pond
Charles George/
        Dorothy George Landfill
GE Wiring
Wade Sandvik
Big John's Salvage
Gulf Battery Exchange
United Creosote
Union Pacific Baxter, WY
Fike
Lackawanna Refuse
Ambler Asbestos
Tybouts
Lowry
Russell Bliss
Henry and Santina Marnati
Stobar, inc.
Catherine Emery
Earl Butler
               Canob
               Canob
       Park
       Park
(Mobile)
(Exxon)
                         Consent/Remedial
                         Consent/Remedial
                         Unilateral/Removal
                         Unilateral/Remedial
                         Consent/Remedial
                         Consent/Remedial
                         Ac cess/Removal

                         Consent/Remedial
                         Consent/Remedial
                         A.0./Removal
                         Unilateral/Removal
                         Removal
                         Consent/Remedial
                         Consent/Remedial
                         Consent
                         Unilateral/Removal
                         Consent/Access
                         Consent
                         Unilateral/Removal
                         Unilateral/Removal
                         Unilateral/Removal
                         Unilateral/Removal
                         Unilateral/Removal
  Consent/Remedial
  Consent/Remedial

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FISCAL YEAR
Settlements 8] 82
Number Settlements 10 23
$ Value of Settlements $3] .3 $49.4
(Dollars in Millions)
$ Value of Cost Recovery — 2.3
( Federal)
$ Value of Cost Recovery
(State)
(Dollars in Millions)
NPL Sites
Cleanup Settlements 8] 82 83 84
Total Cleanup 2 9 13 3
Surface Cleanup 11 2 -
Partial Cleanup 12 11
Studies 2 43
Immediate Removals
(Spills) - 14
SETTLEMENTS
(w/states &
Partial) 4 2 -
Cost Recovery - - 1
TOTALS 4 ]8 23 ]2
83 84 Total
31 12 76
$91.1 $100.5
.7 .600
13.6 .031
Non-NPL Sites Total
81 82 83 84
64 3-40
1-5
5
<\
1 3-]3
5
1 - - 7
1
75 7 0 76

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          FY '84 FILINGS

            Berncolors, NY
            Baird McGuire
            Goose Farm, NJ
            York Oil

         FY '84 SETTLEMENTS

            GE Moreau
            G.E. Wiring Device
            S-Area
            Homestake
            Wade-Sandvik
            John's Sludge Pond
            United Cresote -
            Petro Processors
            Metal Bank
            Lowry
            Big John's
            Dallas Lead
                                      FISCAL  YEAR

CASE REFERRALS    H    78.    7_9      8JD      8J_     {^2      ilii   TOTAL

Referrals          1     2     8      42       6     23      27     7    116
Filings            ]     ]     4      31      18      4      25     4     87
Settled            -                   ]       2     12      12    12     39
Dismissed          ___       _       i      i       2-      4
Withdrawn          ---!--       11      3
Appeal             _€---_i_      i

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EPA REGIONAL
SUPERFUND
ACTIVITIES:   (Please  see  accompanying  regional  EPA  news  releases.)


Region 1      MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE,  VERMONT,  MASSACHUSETTS,
              RHODE  ISLAND,  CONNECTICUT
              (Call  EPA at 617-223-5752 for more information)

                  As  of December  31,  Region 1 had three  ongoing
              Superfund remedial projects  in the construction  phase.

              News Releases;   o  EPA  and State of Maine  settle  suit
                                against Maine Metal  Finishing  Inc.
                              o  EPA  to  complete  decontaminating  tanks
                                at Cannons Engineering  NPL site  in
                                Plymouth,  Mass.
                              o  Public  meeting announced  on  work  progress
                                at Silresim Chemical Waste site
                              o  Public  meeting announced  for Hocomoco
                                Pond remedial action master  plan  (RAMP)
                              o  Public  meetings  announced for  Western
                                Sand &  Gravel site,  Burrillville, R.I.
                              o  EPA  allocates additional  funds for
                                Cannons Engineering  tank  decontamination
                              o  New  Bedford firms sued  for cleanup  costs
                              o  Lagoon  emptied by EPA and N.H. at Keefe
                                Environmental Services  site
                              o  EPA  and Rhode Island enter into  agreements
                                with Exxon and Mobil Oil  to  supply  water
                                to Canob Park area residents

              Public Meetings  Held;   o  Jan.l8/0n Silresim (Mass-) progress
                                     o  Feb.2 and 9/On remedial invest-
                                       igation and feasibility study for
                                       Western Sand  & Gravel site (R.I.)
                                     o  Feb.l5/0n Hocomoco (Mass.) RAMP


Region 2      NEW YORK,  NEW  JERSEY,  PUERTO RICO,  U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
              (Call  EPA, at  212-264-2515,  for more information)

                  As  of December  31, Region  2 had four ongoing
              Superfund remedial projects  in the construction  phase.

              News Releases;   No reports available
Region 3     PENNSYLVANIA, MARYLAND,  DELAWARE,  DISTRICT
             OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA
             (Call  EPA  at 215-597-9370  for more  information)

                  As of December  31,  Region  3  had  two ongoing
             Superfund  remedial projects in  the  construction phase


                                   -6-

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                  EPA's first multi-site  Superfund Cooperative  Agree-
             ment was made Feb.21 with Pennsylvania and covers  12  sites.
             The grant will be $4.7  million in total,  with 5672,254
             as the first allocation.

                  In February, a consent  agreement was signed by EPA
             and Paul Rhinehart, owner of the Winchester,  Va.,  property
             where nine million tires  have been burning since Oct.31.
             Mr. Rhinehart assumed responsibility for  controlling  the
             runoff from the melting tires with earthen constructions.

             News Releases;  o EPA and Pennsylvania announce more
                               funding for Dracup Warehouse site
                             o EPA orders Nicolet Industries to sta-
                               bilize  asbestos-containing  waste pile
                               near  playground in Montgomery County, Pa.
                             o Londonderry (Pa.) permanent water supply
                               completed  under Superfund
                             o EPA and Pennsylvania report on remedial
                               investigation at Lackawanna Refuse  site
                             o EPA and Delaware report on  remedial  in-
                               vestigation at Harvy-Knott  Drum  site
                             o EPA and Pennsylvania report on remedial
                               investigation at Drake  Chemical  site
                             o EPA and Pennsylvania sign multi-site
                               agreement
                             o EPA announces PCB test  results on wastes
                               stored  at  Old Ordnance  Works in  West  Va.
Region 4     ALABAMA,  FLORIDA,  GEORGIA,  MISSISSIPPI,  NORTH CAROLINA,
             SOUTH CAROLINA,  TENNESSEE,  KENTUCKY
             (Call EPA at 404-881-3004 for more information)

                  As of December 31,  Region 4 had no  ongoing
             Superfund remedial projects in the construction  phase.

                  Immediate removals  began in January at the  following
             sites:  Gulf Battery Exchange, Gautier, Miss.; Dockery site,
             Cordova,  N.C.; Rockbridge Road site, near Stone  Mountain,
             Ga. In February, immediate  removals were begun at:  the
             Tri-City  Oil site, Hillsborough County,  Fla.; Swains-
             boro Printworks site,  Swainsboro,  Ga.

             News Releases; o EPA and Georgia announce start  of
                              cleanup in DeKalb County
                            o EPA and Mississippi announce start of
                              cleanup at Gulf Battery Exchange
                            o EPA undertakes emergency cleanup at
                              former  printing plant  in Georgia
                            o EPA undertakes emergency cleanup in
                              Florida

                                 -7-

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              Public Meetings Held;  o Feb.S/Press briefing on Swains-
                                      boro cleanup
Region  5      MINNESOTA,  WISCONSIN,  MICHIGAN,  ILLINOIS,
              INDIANA,  OHIO
              (Call  EPA at 312-353-2072 for more information)

                  As of  January 31,  Region 5  had one  ongoing
              Superfund remedial project in the construction phase.

                  On February 29,  a  Record of Decision  on  the  remedy
              selected  for the Berlin & Farro  site was signed by  EPA's
              Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste  and Emergency
              Response.

              News Releases;  o Research scientists receive  EPA  Gold
                               Medal
                             o EPA  scientist group receive  Silver  Medal
                             o Dr.  Klee receives EPA Bronze Medal  for
                               "MOOSE"  program
                             o EPA  issues administrative  order  for
                               cleanup  by Battle Creek,  Mich.,  firm

              Public  Meetings Held; o Jan.l2/On Morris Arsenic  site,
                                     with University  of  Minnesota
Region 6     TEXAS,  LOUISIANA,  ARKANSAS,  NEW MEXICO,  OKLAHOMA
             (Call EPA  at  214-767-2630  for  more  information)

                  As of January 31,  Region  6 had no ongoing Superfund
             remedial projects  in  the construction phase.

                  In February EPA  began a $425,000 study of chemical
             contamination at the  Mid-South Wood Products NPL site
             in Mena, Ark.

             News Releases; o EPA  completes $900,000  cleanup at
                              Barker Chemical Co. site, in Texas
                            o Tar  Creek site announcement
                            o MOTCO, Inc.,  site,La Marque, Texas
                            o EPA  completes surface cleanup at Geneva
                              Industries  site, Texas
                            o EPA  starts  study at NPL site in Arkansas

             Public  Meetings Held; o Feb.9/On Tar Creek (Okla.) site
                                   o Feb.28/0n United Creosoting
                                     Co.  (Texas)  site
                                 -8-

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Region 7     IOWA, KANSAS, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA
             (Call EPA at 816-374-5894 for more information)

                  As of January 31, Region 7 had no ongoing Superfund
             remedial projects in the construction phase.

                  In January, dioxin contamination was confirmed
             at three additional sites in Missouri, bringing the
             total in the state to 36.

                  EPA provided copies in January of the Record of
             Decision and a responsiveness summary on the Times Beach
             interim storage facility to the Missouri Department of
             Natural Resources for distribution to courthouses, city
             halls,  and various libraries in the eastern Missouri
             sites area where the public could review the documents.
             Copies of the documents were also mailed to all those
             who had submitted comments on the proposed Times Beach
             Storage facility.
             News Releases:
o Dioxin contamination confirmed at
  three new sites
o Aidex feasibility study available for
  public comment
o Statement on ruling for Denney Farm site
             Public Meetings Held;
        o Jan.6/EPA and the Centers for
          Disease Control met with three
          families, local county judges,
          and representatives of the
          Missouri Highway Department
          concerning an expanded area of
          the Rosati site.
        o Jan.20/Representatives of the
          Missouri Department of Natural
          Resources met with the Castle-
          wood dioxin task force to dis-
          cuss Sontag Road site problems.
Region 8     COLORADO,  NORTH DAKOTA,  SOUTH DAKOTA,  WYOMING,  UTAH,
             MONTANA
             (Call  EPA  at 303-837-5927  for more information)
                  As of January 31,  Region 8 had no ongoing  Superfund
             remedial projects in the construction  phase.


             News Releases:   Ho report  available
                                 -9-

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Region 9      ARIZONA,  CALIFORNIA,  NEVADA,  GUAM,  HAWAII
              (Call  EPA at  415-974-8088  for more  information)

                  As of January 31,  Region 9  had one  ongoing  Superfund
              remedial  project  in the construction phase.

              News Releases:  o EPA approves Superfund study by
                                California  for Purity  Oil  Sales
                                site  in  Fresno County
                             o EPA announces  meeting  on Montrose
                                Chemical Corporation's cleanup
                                plan  to  remedy DDT contamination

              Public Meeting  Held;  o  Jan.30/0n Montrose Chemical's
                                      cleanup  plan,  in Torrance, Calif.
Region 10
ALASKA, IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON
(Call EPA at 206-442-1465  for more information)

     As of January 31, Region 10 had one Superfund remedial
project in the construction phase.
             News Releases:
                o Federal and State officials begin
                  negotiations in Seattle with parties
                  potetially responsible for Western
                  Processing site cleanup
                o EPA orders operator of Williams & Son
                  Transformer Salvage Company to immedi-
                  ate action and plans for cleanup
                                 -10-

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PR Maine Metal Finishing Inc. in Gorham       2/6




BOSTON—Attorneys for the federal government and the State of Maine,

and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency have settled a suit

against Maine Metal Finishing, Inc. of Gorham, Maine.  The company

has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $35,000.

The company was sued for discharging wastewater to the Stroudwater
River without a federal permit.  Under the terms of the Clean Water
Act, an industry or municipality which discharges to a waterway
must have a permit that sets strict limits on the type and amount
of pollutants discharged.

Michael R. Deland, EPA Regional Administrator, said that Richard S.
Cohen, U. S. Attorney for Maine, filed the suit at the request of
EPA.  The Attorney General for the State of Maine, James E. Tierney,
subsequently filed a motion with the court to intervene in the action
on the side of the federal government.

The company operates a facility in Gorham for the electroplating of
metal parts, but intends to relocate in the City of Westbrook and
tie its discharge into the municipal treatment plant.  The discharge
from the Gorham facility consisted of approximately 40,000 gallons
per day of process wastewater.

The settlement of the suit takes the form of a consent decree which
has been lodged with the court and is subject to a federally required
public notice and comment period.

According to Deland, the suit against Maine Metal Finishing came as
part of an enforcement campaign against companies discharging waste-
water without permits.  EPA intends to seek substantial penalties
and other relief in all such cases, Deland added.
                                    -n-

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                 30*    esttac^                9fi:H  69/38
                  United Stales          Office af
                  Environmental Protection    Public Affairs
                  Agency              John F Kennedy Federal Building
                  Region I             Boston, Massachusetts 02203
&EPA       Environmental


                  News


                  Release


January 9, 1983      For more information call 223-7223 or 223-5752  David Pickman




    BOSTON — The emptying and  decontamination  of a 250,000 gallon waste

    oil tank at the Cannons Engineering sice  in Plymouth will tie com-

    pleted about January 27,  it was announced today by the U. S.

    Environmental Protection  Agency.

    Paul G. Keough, Deputy Regional Administrator of EPA, said the Agency
    had expected to complete  the task this  week, but had encountered
    problems with pumping out the last of three tanks at the Cordage Park
    site.  Cannons Engineering operated an  oil recycling company at the
    site from 1971 -to 1976 and later declared bankruptcy.

    "We have pumped out moat  of the liquids from the tank, but the sludge
    at the bottom was too thick to pump. We  added the solvent toluene,
    which thins the sludge and also makes it  possible to dispose of it
    by incineration, which is more environmentally acceptable than land
    disposal," Mr. Keough said.

    "The incinerator to which the sludge is being trucked is accepting
    5,000 gallons a day oE the Plymouth waste.  About 33,000 gallons
    remain," he said.

    The Agency has spent ?245,000 o£ a $330,000 Superfund authorization
    for preliminary cleanup at the site.

    "However, due to the higher cost of incineration and the subfreezing
    weather that has delayed  the work, additional funds may be needed to
    complete the job," Mr. Keough concluded.

    The site is one of 15 from Massachusetts  on the national priority
    list of hazardous waste sites eligible  for Superfund assistance.
    A  study of contamination  will be undertaken to determine what long-
    term cleanup will be necessary,
                                    -11.-

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                                                     60/39
                 United States •          Office of
                 Environmental Protection    Public Affairs
                 Agency             John F. Kennedy Federal Building
                 Region 1             Boston, Massachusetts 02203
                 Environmental
                 News
                 Release
January £, 1984      For more information call 223-7223 Or 223-5752   David Piekman
           ../.  •  - •'
                  / I
                  - '          NOTICE
   A public meeting of the Siiresim Task Force will  be held at 7:30 p.m.
   Wednesday, January 18  to review recent developments at the Siiresim
   Chemical Waste site and the schedule for capping  the area.

   The meeting will be held at the home of Robert  and Janet Brand, 334  '
   Lincoln  Street, Lowell.  Richard Leigh ton,  project officer assigned
   to Siiresim by the  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,  will report
   on the progress on  work at the  Superfund  site,  and outline plans for
   future work.

   Dr.  John Cutler of  the Massachusetts Department of Public  Health will
   answer questions  about the  Commonwealth's recent health study if it
   is  available.


   A full report  on  the meeting will be mailed to residents in the  affected
   area.  Space is llmited to  about forty persons for comfortable seating.
   Chairing  the meeting will be Allan Danley.

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               UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                                 REGION I
               J. F KENNEDY FEDERAL BUILDING. BOSTON. MASSACHUSETTS 02203



                      PUDLIC MEETING ANNOUNCED

      Plans for the Superfund cleanup sturjy at  the  Hocomonco

 Pond  site in Westborough, MA, will be presented at a public

 meeting  February 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Westborough Town Hall,

 it  was announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

      A representative of EPA will explain the Remedial Action
 Master Plan and the work plan for a remedial investigation to delineate
 pond, groundwater,  and soil contamination and a feasibility
 study leading to selection and design of long term remedial
 action.

      Copies of the  RAMP are available for public inspection and
 at  cost  copying at  the Westborough Town Hall and Public Library.

      The  liocoraonco  Pond  site is included on EPA's National Priority
 List  of  hazardous waste  sites'eligible for Supyrfund  money.  The
 <£    Too?1?8  ™Site of a wood treatin9 operation that was open
 from  1928  to  1946.   Creosote and related wastes were  discharged
 to  an unlined  lagoon near the  shore  of  the pond and may have
migrated  to  the  pond itself  and a lowland east  of the  laqoon.
During periods of warm weather  and  high  water an oily  liquid
enters a sewer pipe  through  open joints  and  discharges  to the
pond.   Attempts  to  seal  the  joints  have  been  unsuccessful.

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                                                        69/38
                    United States          Office of
                    Environmental Protection    Public Affairs
                    Agency              John F. Kennedy Federal Building
                    Region I             Boston, Massachusetts 02203
  &EPA      Environmental
                    News
                    Release
                                                  4923
January 23, 1984     For more information call 223*3883 or 2234Z&4   Christine Spadafor


            EPA TO HOLD MEETINGS  ON WESTERN SAND  AND GRAVEL SITE

      Boston  -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold

      successive meetings February 2 and 9 to present plans for

      cleanup at the Western  Sand and Gravel hazardous waste site  in

      Burrillville, Rhode Island, and to hear citizens' comments.

           At the first meeting EPA will present  the results of a
      remedial- investigation  at the site and a feasibility study of
      cleanup alternatives.   At the second meeting the Agency will
      seek  the  town's comments on the alternatives.  Both  meetings
      will  be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Burrillville Town Hall.

           The  former sand and gravel quarry accepted various liquid
      wastes,  including chemicals and septage,  between 1975 and 1979.
      The wastes infiltrated  through the soil  and have contaminated
      9K°Uv 2^™;  Previ°usly, EPA spent  about $475,000 to remove
      about 60,000 gallons of chemicals  from open lagoons.   The state
      spent about $300,000 for installation  of a  temporary  groundwater
      recirculation system.   EPA has identified parties potentially
      responsible for waste associated with  the site and is seeking
      thexr cooperation in the cleanup.

          Copies of  the  Remedial  Investigation and  Feasibility
      Study,  which  outlines cleanup alternatives,  will  be available
      S£nPt£nC inHP!£fciSu 2fc rh? Burrillville and  North Smithfield
      Town Halls and  the  Rhode Island  Department of  Environmental
      Management, 75  Davis Street,  204 Cannon Building,  Providence,
      starting the  week of January 30.   The  Rhode  Island DEM conducted
                                   feasibilit* stud*  ""der a  cooperative
          EPA will  accept written  comments on cleanup alternatives
      from February  2 to 23.  Comments should be sent to
                           Christine Spadafor
                   Waste Management  Division, Room  1903
                   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                    John F.  Kennedy Federal Building
                           Boston, MA  02203
                                    -IS"-

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            90 JO  90#    09frfr0Si!                8S:M 613/30

                 United States          Office of
                 Environmental Protection    Public Affairs
                 Agency             John Fi KennedV Federal Building
                     I             Boston. Massachusetts 02203
&EPA       Environmental

                  News

                  Release

January 19, 1984   For more information call ____ ZZ3-5246   ______   Chris Jendras

       BOSTON --- The tl .  S. Environmental Protection Aqency has allocated
       an additional $85,000 from Superfund to finish a sludge pumping
       operation at a  hazardous waste site in  Plymouth, Massachusetts .
       Work began on January 18 to pump out the  remaining 18,600 gallons
       of sludge from  a  tank in Cordage Park.
       "Although work  at  the situ was temporarily halted pending approval
       of the additional  funds, the Agency hopes to have the work completed
       by January 30.   By that time the oil tank should be empty and
       decontaminated,"  said Michael R. Deland,  EPA Regional Administrator.
       Aproximately 25-ftyOOfl gallons  of oily wastes a-n* solvents, and
       5500 gfllletra- o£  sludge have already been  pumped at a  cost of
       $280,000.  The wastes have been trucked  to a licensed hazardous
       waste disposal facility where the sludge  has been incinerated.

       "The additional  funds were needed due to  higher than  anticipated
       costs for the sludge incineration along with problems caused by the
       subfreezing weather," Mr.  Deland said.

       Cannons Engineering operated  an oil recycling company at the site
       from 1971 to 1976 and later declared bankruptcy.   The site is one
       of 15 from Massachusetts on the national  priority list of hazardous
       waste sites eligible for Superfund assistance.  A study of contam-
       ination will be  undertaken at the site  to determine what long-term
       cleanup will be  necessary.

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                O'ted Slates          0*-ce of
                Environmental Protection    Public Affairs
                Agency              J°nn F Kennedy Federal Building
                Region I             Boston. Massachusetts 02203
  EPA       Environmental


                News


                Release

February 27, 1984   For more information call 617/223-1951          Gerard Sotolongo


             NEW BEDFORD COMPANIES  SUED  FOR PCS CLEANUP COSTS


    BOSTON	An  amended lawsuit filed today seeks to recover several

    million dollars  in past and future expenses incurred by  the U.  S.

    Environmental Protection Agency, the Coast Guard and other agencies

    to cleanup PCB contamination in New  Bedford Harbor.

    The suit was filed by the United States against six corporations  under
    the Comprehensive  Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
    Act, commonly known as Superfund.  The defendants are AVX, Inc.,
    Belleville Industries, Inc., Aerovox, Inc., the Federal  Pacific
    Electric Company,  Cornell-Dubilier  Electronics Corporation, and FTE
    Corporation, which have operated one or the other of two capacitor
    manufacturing plants at various times on  the Acushnet River in
    New Bedford.

    The complaint alleges that the polychlorinated biphenyls  (PCBs) were
    discharged into the harbor from the  plants  from the 1940s to the
    1970s, directly and also by way of  the municipal sewer.   EPA and
    other federal agencies have already  spent or committed more than
    §3.5 million in order to develop appropriate remedies.

    This new action amends a pending suit filed by the  United States  in
    December 1983 against the same corporations in behalf of the National
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to recover damages for injury
    to  natural  resources caused by the  release  of PCBs.  The suit also
    seeks an order requiring the defendants  to  remedy the PCB contamination.

    EPA is conducting a  remedial investigation  and feasibility study which
    will  lead to recommendations for long-term  remedial action under Super-
     fund.  A fast-track  feasibility study for dealing with the PCB hot spot:
     in  the Acushnet River above  the Coggleshall Bridge  has been completed,
     and alternative remedial actions are being  reviewed as to engineering,
     scientific  and financial feasibility.
                                  (more)
                                  -n-

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                               -2-
PCB contamination extends over about  18,000 acres of productive fish-
ing and lobstering waters.  There  is  a ban on fishing and lobstering
in the contaminated area.  Concentrations of PCBs in the harbor and
estuary range up to 190,000 parts  per million, or 19 percent.

Ccfrnell-Dubilier and Aerovox agreed  in 1982 to consent orders by EPA
to clean up their respective properties as far as the water line.
Cornell-Dubilier has completed its clean up and  is now working to
clean the sewer lines  under a unilateral administrative order issued
by EPA.  Aerovox is still working  on  the clean up at its site.

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PR Keefe Environmental Services, NH          2/16




BOSTON—Governor John H. Sununu and Michael Deland, Regional

Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region I,

announced today completion of the Lagoon Decommission Project at the

Keefe Environmental Services (KES) hazardous waste site in Epping,

New Hampshire.

The work was undertaken as part of a contract awarded to D'Appolonia
Waste Management Services, Inc. of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

Approximately 600,000 gallons of contaminated liquids held in the lagoon
were removed and transported to the Dupont Hazardous Waste Treatment
Facility in Deepwater, New Jersey.  Sludges at the bottom pf the lagoon
were solidified and transported to SCA Services  in Model City, New York
for disposal in a secure landfill.  The lagoon has been dismantled to
allow for proper drainage of the area to avoid accumulation of rainwater
and spring runoff.

The total cost of the lagoon removal project is  now estimated at
$575,000, up from the earlier estimate of $350,000.  This will bring
the lagoon and barrel waste removal cleanup costs to approximately
$2,500,000.

The KES site is on the National Priority List for hazardous waste sites
and is, therefore, eligible for funding through  Superfund.  A 90% grant
was awarded to the State of New Hampshire by U.S. EPA to cleanup this
site.  Michael Deland, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator, said, "This  is
an important milestone in cleaning up the hazardous waste site at Epping
a good demonstration  of State-Federal cooperation.  This has been a New
Hampshire project carried out with Federal funds in accordance with
Superfund regulations.  I look  forward to  further progress  in the re-
medial investigation  which will lead to the selection, design and con-
struction of a long-term solution."

Governor Sununu  said,  "This State site cleanup administered by the Water
Supply and  Pollution  Control Commission, with hazardous waste removal
assistance  from  the Office of Waste Management,  is a good example of how
Superfund cleanup  should proceed at all sites  in the State.

                               (MORE)

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A remedial investigation  (RI)  is ongoing at the site to determine
potential risks to the environment and extent of groundwater con-
tamination.  This study is scheduled for completion in the summer
of 1984.

Questions regarding  the completion of Lagoon Decommissioning should
be directed  to Kathleen E. Barlow at 271-3301.
  BOSTON—Residents of the Canob Park area of Richmond,  Rhode  Island,

  are assured of a permanent water supply under agreements reached by

  state and federal agencies and two major oil companies.

  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of
  Rhode Island entered into agreements with Exxon Company and  Mobil
  Oil Corporation, owners of two gasoline filling stations on  Route
  138 in Richmond.

  The agreements provide for a permanent water supply by September 1,
  1985.  Residents with contaminated wells will be supplied with bottled
  water until September 1, 1984, when bulk tanks will be installed.

  The cost of constructing the permanent water supply and the  bulk
  tank for the area residents will be shared equally by the two firms
  and the state up to a maximum of $1.1 million under a memorandum
  of agreement.  Each firm is liable for a maximum of $366,666 of
  the cost with any excess to be paid by the State.

  "The consent orders agreed to with EPA also require the companies
  to test private wells in the Canob Park area periodically for ben-
  zene, toluene and xylene," said Paul G. Keough, EPA Deputy Regional
  Administrator in announcing the agreements.

  "The test results must be submitted promptly to EPA for review, and
  if they show that additional wells have been contaminated, water
  must be supplied to the affected households," Keough added.
  Both companies have voluntarily supplied bottled water to affected
  residents since June 20, 1983.  Both companies earlier removed con-
  taminated soil from the vicinity of gasoline storage tanks.   Exxon
  conducted a study to learn whether downgradient surface water was
  at risk of contamination and determined that it was not.  EPA con-
  curred in Exxon's findings.

                                 (MORE)

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The actions required under the consent orders for Exxon and Mobil
are identical except that Mobil is required to install a temporary _
groundwater interceptor while the construction of the water system
is in progress.

Sampling and analysis of private well water by Rhode Island Department
of Environmental Management and others from 1979 through 1982 revealed
the presence of toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene and xylene in several
wells, and affected residents were advised not to drink it.  Neither
Exxon nor Mobil admit to causing the contamination, although hydro-
geological studies revealed that plumes of these chemicals typically
found in gasoline were moving toward the affected wells from the di-
rection of Exxon and Mobil tanks.  EPA also observed that soil beneath
the tanks was contaminated by the same chemicals.

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                                                           63:60  60/30
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4>EPA        Environmental   News
                                                     Concact:  Janet Luffy
                                                              (215) 597-9825
                                                     84-1,  January 6,  198*
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    EPA REMOVES PCB CONTAMINATED SOIL FROM YOUNGSVILLE

        PHILADELPHIA,  PA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania

    Department of Environmental Resources have announced that an additional  $50,000 has

    been allocated from Superfund for the final removal of contaminated soil from Che

    former Dracup warehouse site in Youngsville, PA.  Pennsylvania will pay  ten percent

    of the coat of this action.

        The funding will be used to excavate approximately 400 cubic yards  of soil
    contaminated with low levels of PCBs  (polychlorinated biphenyls).  The work, which
    will be performed by CECOS International, the EPA contractor on  the site, is expected
    to take approximately one week to complete. The soil will be transported to an
    approved hazardous waste landfill out-of-state.

        EPA and DER have expended over one million dollars during the past  four years
    for the removal of PCB contaminated soil, oil in drums and the demolition and removal
    of the warehouse where they had been  stored,  EPA first discovered that  PCBs were
    stored at the warehouse during an investigation of a waste hauler who had disposed
    of PCB contaminated oil along North Carolina roadsides.

              f                            //                                *

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&EPA         Environmental  News
                                                    Contact:  Janet Luffy
                                                             (215) 597-9825
                                                    84-5,  January 17,  1984
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    LONDONDERRY PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM COMPLETED UNDER SUPERFUND

        PHILADELPHIA, PA — Federal and state environmental officials were present  today

    as a new water supply was turned-on ending a contamination problem which has affected

    residents along Route 441 in Londonderry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  The

    system was made available utilizing 5250,000 in Superfund money.

        U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Thomas P.  Eichler
    and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources Secretary Nicholas DeBenedictis
    officiated along with state and local  representatives as the new system began supplying
    drinking water to 12 homes whose water had been contaminated by chemicals.

        "This project is the first using  the new EPA and Department of Defense agreecent
    which addresses problems at current and former DOD hazardous waste sices,"  said  Eichler.
    "We  are pleased with the cooperation and support wa have received from DER  and local
    officials In our efforts to make life  more livable for these families."

        "DER's vigorous investigation after being contacted by the State Department of
    Transportation last February at Harrlsburg International Airport led to the discovery
    of  chis contamination," said DeBenedictis.  "With the aid of Senator John Shumaker (R-
    Dauphln) and other area legislators and EPA,  we have been able to provide safe water
    for  these homes very swiftly."

                                       - more -

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                                                                 60/30
     Water sample testing done  by  the  atate had  verified  the presence of
trichloroethylene and vinyl chloride in the wells  of  12 Londonderry homes.  Studies
also showed that the source of  the  contamination was  a disposal site which was part
of che former Ohmstead Air Force Base.   To expedite actions, the Air Force signed  an
agreement with the EPA to use Superfund money  to supply water to the homes.  The Air
Force also agreed to implement  a complete search of their records in an attempt to
determine the types, quantities, and disposal  history of  wastes generated at the
portion of the former Air Force base known as  Sunset  Golf Course,

     EPA began the project on October  21, 1983.  While the water supply was being
installed, EPA arranged for portable tanks to  provide a temporary drinking water
supply for the affected residences.  The Middlacown Water Authority and the Borough
of Royalton expeditiously approved  an  agreement  with  Londonderry Township to allow
che 4600 foot water main to be  installed and operated.

            *                          *                                #

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vvEPA         Environmental   News
                                                      Contdcc:   Janet Luffy
                                                               (215) 597-9825
                                                      84-7, January 18, 1984
   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   LACKAWANNA REFUSE SITE PROGRESS AND PLANS - JANUARY 198& UPDATE

        PHILADELPHIA, PA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and ehe Pennsylvania

   Department of Envi ronmencal Resources  report che following progr^a and plans under

   the Remedial Investigation phase of the Uckawanna Refuse Site.

   Progress in December".

      The drilling and tnstallaclon of monitoring veils  continued.  Information obtained
      trom previously drilled wells was used to determine the number and location for
      additional wells.

      To assure the safety  of the community, additional  air inonitoring was  performed -ic
      the site and in the vicinity of  che site  during  drilling activities.   Mo air
      contaminants have  been detected  which would present a threat to the workers on
      site or the community.

      The air around each borehole was monitored continuously during drilling activities.
      Low levels  of air  vapors were detected directly  over boreholes near the disposal
      pit, but the vapors quickly dissipated within 20 feet of the boreholes.

      Test results from  previous  sampling were  studied as the  data were  received-

     Additional  meteorological (weather) and air monitoring  studies wera conducted at
      the request of EPA  to help  determine actual meteorological and atmospheric  conditions
         r
     Additional studies of geophysics (characteristics of che ground) were conducc-sd.
     These  studies will be used with data  obtained  during ehe previous aagnaeowcer
                                      - more -

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Plans for January?

0  The drilling and installation of  monitoring wells  will be  completed.   Air around
   each borehole will be monitored continuously.

0  Monitoring wells will be developed and sampled after the wells  are drilled and
   tnatalled.

0  Data obtained during the meteorological study  will continue to  be studied.

0  Data which have  been studied will be used to establish the objectives and criteria
   for remedial actions.  Potential  alternatives  for  remedial action at  Che site will
   be identified.

°  The need for additional site activities will be evaluated.  Whether or not test
   pits are needed will be determined.

           #                            #                            *

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                     Environmental   News
                                                  Concact:   Janec Luffy
                                                           (215) 597-9825
                                                  84-3, January 18. 1984
   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   HARVEY-KiNQTT DRUM SITE PROGRESS AND PLANS - JANUARY 1984 "UPDATE

       PHILADELPHIA, PA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and che Delaware

   Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control  report the following progress

   and plans under the Remedial Investigation phase of the Harvey-Knott Drum Sice.

   Progress in December:

      The preparation of all necessary field equipment haa been completed.  The command
      trailer has been set  up and the telephone lines have been connected.

      Sampling of selected  residential wells and existing monitoring wells was  completed.
      bampUnj? of surface vater and sediment was also completed.  Samples have  been senc
      to laboratories to be analysed.

      The selected subcontractor completed the aerial photography and -oncinued with
      ground survey activities.  This will result  in the  preparation of  topographic' maps
      flandforms) for the site and the vicinity.                        ^ *   r     K

   Plans for January;

      Because of problems in obtaining a subcontractor,  the disposal of drums which was
      planned for December  is now  planned for January.  When an approved subcontractor
      is hired, surface  drums will be removed from  the  site and will be disposed of at
     an approved facility.                                          *j.»^o5,ea «
                                      - more -

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                                                                68/36
Permission for access to properties bordering the  site  La  being sought.

A qualified company will be selected to drill monitoring wells  on and  off Che site
(pending receipt of access from affected property  owners).   These wells  will
provide Information on geology and possible groundwater contamination.

Mapping of the topography (landforma) will  be completed.

Survey grids will be established.   This grid will  be  used  to pinpoint  exact
locations on the site for the sampling of surface  soils and  tha geophysical
investigations (conditions of the  ground).

       #                               *                               #

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&EPA        Environmental  News
                                                  Contact:  Janet Luffy
                                                           (215) 597-9825
                                                  84-9, January 20,  1984
   FOR IMMEDIATE  RELEASE

   DRAKE CHEMICAL SITE PROGRESS AND PLANS - JANUARY 1984 UPDATE

       PHILADELPHIA, PA — The IKS. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania

   Department of  Environmental Resources report the following progress under the remedial

   Investigation  phase of the Drake Chemical site.  Proposed plans for for January are

   also noted:

   Progress In December

   *  Preparation of the remedial investigation report was started.  Information from
      testing of  samples Is b«ing organized and studied for this report.

   9  All major field work has been completed.  Ground water levels in monitoring wells
      continue to be measured on a periodic basis.

   Plans for January

   0  Samples have been sent to laboratories to be tested.  Test results will be analyzed
      when the results are received.

   "  Preparation of the remedial investigation reports will continue.   Information
      gathered during the field investigation phase will be completed and evaluated for
      the remedial investigation report.  The investigation report for the leachate
      stream will be prepared in advance of the entire remedial investigation study tc
      expedite corrective measures for the contaminated stream.  The report will be
      available in April.

   *  An appraisal of the value of buildings, equipment, and real estate  is to be
      scheduled.  This appraisal will be used to determine the resale or  salvage
      value for the property and equipment.

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                                              Contact:  Bruce Dallas (DER)
                                                        (717) 787-1323
                                                              or
                                                        George Bochanski (EPA)
                                                        (215) 597-9370
                                              84-18, February 22, 1984
FORIMMEDIATERELEASE
     PHILADELPHIA, PA  —  Pennsylvania has been allocated $4.7 million in federal

Superfund assistance to accelerate the cleanup of at least eight hazardous waste

sites in the Commonwealth under an unprecedented agreement finalized today by Governor

Dick Thornburgh and Thomas Eichler, Region III Administrator of the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA).

     The agreement marks the first time EPA has delegated its cleanup investigation
and planning responsibilities for more than one site under one agreement to a state
government .

     "This agreement puts into action our commitment to share federal funds and
responsibilities with the states for cleanup of hazardous waste sites.  The message
is simple:  we want to be full partners with Pennsylvania, and this historic document
demonstrates our joint and cooperative effort to this end," Eichler said.  "Pennsylvania's
commitment to addressing hazardous waste sites makes it an appropriate choice to
receive this authorization."

     Thornburgh said the agreement and the initial $4.7 million in planning funds
could cut project preparation time by as much as half a year and give Pennsylvania a
substantial head start in claiming the additional federal funds needed for actual
cleanup.

     "That's the key to this agreement," Thornburgh said.  "It will help us move much
faster in removing these blights on our environment and in assuring that the legacy
of the past will not be paid by future generations of Pennsylvanians."
                                      -3,1-

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     Citing the Commonwealth's status as a major recipient of  illegal clumping,
Thornburgh was among  the early supporters of Congressional action to deal with the
problem.

     After Congress approved the Superfund in December of 1980, Pennsylvania, through
its commitment of state funds, has qualified for about $30 million  in federal funds
for cleanup activity.  The state could qualify for another $45 million in federal
funds  under the Governor's 1984-85 budget proposal.

     Subsequently, EPA and DER have identified 39 sites in Pennsylvania among the 546
now on the National Priorities List qualifying for Superfund.  The eight sites affected
by today's agreement  are:

     Berks Sand Pit,  Longswamp Township (Berks County)
     Brodhead Creek,  Stroudsburg (Monroe County)
     Dorney Road Landfill, Upper Macungie Township (Lehigh County)
     East Mt. Zion Site, Springettsbury Township (York County)
     Havertown PCP Site, Haverford (Montgomery County)
     Henderson Road Site, Upper Merion Township (Montgomery County)
     Voortman Farm, Upper Saucon Township (Lehigh County)
     Walsh Road Site, Honeybrook Township (Chester County)

     Additional sites may be added as agreed upon by EPA and DER.  Besides the eight
sites  included in today's agreement, federal-state cleanups are underway at three
sites, 10 are being cleaned up by private parties and 18 are in various stages of
investigation and planning.

     Among the 10 sites being handled by private parties, the Osborne Landfill in
Mercer County is being cleaned up under an agreement between DER and Cooper Industries
that EPA considers a model for voluntary Superfund cleanups nationally.

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                      Environmental   News
                                                         Contact:  Joe Donovan
                                                                  (21 )  597-9905
                                                         84-20,  February  24,  L9S4
   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   EPA ANNOUNCES PCB TEST RESULTS AT MQRGAHTOWN ORDNANCE WORKS

        PHILADELPHIA, PA — The U.S. Environmental  Protection Agency today announced

   that a short-term significant health risk has been temporarily mitigated in the

   Southeast  portion of the Morgancown Ordnance Works.  The current owner has  voluntarily

   confined several dozen drums, some of which may  contain high  levels of polychlorinated

   blphenyls  (PCBs).  Once these drums are safely Inventoried and disposed of  in

   conformance with state and EPA requirements, this potential short term threat will

   be eliminated.  EPA will closely monitor all activities by the current owner.  No

   other short-term health risk has been found at the site.

        EPA also announced today its finding that a limited area of the Morgantown
   Ordnance Works may present a potential long-term threat to public health and the
   environment.  This finding is based in large part on the results of an investigation
   conducted  hy an EPA contractor.   The contractor's report found a potential  for the
   release  of PCBs via runoff from the site.  This may cause the contaminant to migrate
   into the Monongahela River, a source of drinking water In the area.

        The investigation involved  sampling of drums, soil, surface water and  a pelletieed
   material.  Of the ten drums sampled, three contained PCB; some 40 other drums were
   not sampled.  One drum contained 83 percent (834 .OOOppm), or nearly  pure PCB; a second
   was more than 1 percent PCB (10,700ppm); the third drum contained 16.8ppm PCB.   A
   sample of a blue pelletized material taken from the old landfill area was found to
   contain  7,500ppm of a PCB mixture.  None of the soil or surface water samples taken
   at the site revealed PCBs, within limits of analytical detection.

                                       - more  -
                                        -33-

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                                        - 2 -
     EPA's finding of a potential long-term public health threat is the first step in
investigating the site for possible inclusion in the federal government's Superfund
Program.  The next step is the development of a hazard ranking score to compare the
site to other sites nationally in terms of relative risk.  If the site ranks high
enough, it would be included on the Superfund's National Priority List and become
eligible for funding under Superfund.

              #                            #                          #

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         UnittdStUM  	    Region 4,           Alaoama        Mia	
         Sivironmantal Prancaon- Offte» of Public Attain   Ronaa         Norm Carolina
         Agency           346 Courtand Strati N6  Georgia        Sown Carolina
                        Aflum. GA 30385      KantucKy       Te
         Environmental  News
381-3004
January 3, 1984
                                             Gordon Kenna
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

     ATLANTA, GA - The  Environmental  Protection Agency (EPA)


cTnd the Georgia Environmental  Protection Division (EPD)

announced today the clean-up of  approximately 200 drums which

have been found in a wooded area in northeast DeKalb County.


The drums contain primarily waste paint sludge and solids and do

not seem to present any immediate health threat, but are


being cleaned up to prevent any  possible spread of contamination


to nearby streams and lakes.   The site, which is southeast of


Stone Mountain near Rockbridge Park,  was discovered and


reported by neighborhood children.  The drums appear to have


been in place for at least two years.

     The clean-up, using federal "Superfund" resources, will

begin January 3 and should be  completed within a week.


     The Comprehensive  Environmental  Response, Compensation

and Liability Act of 1980, popularly  known as Superfund, is a


$1.6 billion tax on oil and chemical  products administered by


EPA to clean up abandoned hazardous waste sites.

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                United States         Region 4          Alabama       Mississippi
                Environmental Protection  Office of Public Affairs   Flonda        North Carolina
                Aaency            345 Courtland Street, NE  Georgia       South Carolina
                              •  Atlanta. GA 30365     Kentucky       Tennessee
&EPA      Environmental  News
          MX fa- - J3S4

                                       Gordon Kenna 404/881-3004
         FOR IMMEDIATE  RELEASE
              Atlanta,  Ga.  -  Removal of contaminated soil and  treatment of
         acidic  surface water has begun at the former site of  the  Gulf
         Battery  Exchange  in  South Mississippi between Gautier and Ocean
         Springs.   The  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  and the
         Mississippi  Bureau of  Pollution Control are working  together on
         the cleanup  which  is federally financed by the Superfund  program.
         The Mississippi Department of Health has also investigated health
         related  issues at  the  site.  No off-site contamination has been  found,
              The facility  had  been used as a battery recycling operation
         until mid-1983.  High  levels of lead have been found in the  soil,
         and acid from  the  batteries has contaminated the surface water.
         The cleanup  -of the site  is expected to take two weeks and cost
         approximately  $100,000.   Soil excavated from the site will be
         disposed of  in a secure  landfill  located out of state.
              The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,  and
         Liability Act  of 1980, popularly  known as Superfund, is a $1.6
         billion tax  on oil and chemical products administered by EPA to
         «
         clean up abandoned hazardous  waste sites.
                                        ####

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               United Stain        Region *           Alaoama       Mlsaiaaoei
               Snvttqnmanai Pnaaului Cfflc* of Puolic Atfsira   Honda         Norm Carolina
               Agency           346 Courtand Streat Ng  Georgia        Sown Carolina
                              Atlanta. QA OQ6S      Kentucky       Ta
3EPA      Environmental  News

       February 1 , 1984
                                                   Gordon Kenna
                                                   Hagan Thompson
       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
            Atlanta, Ga.  - Hazardous  waste  left at the site of a former


       printing company,  Swainsboro Print Works, Inc., in Swainsboro,
                     •

       Georgia, ( Emanuel  County)  will be cleaned up with money from the


       federal Superfund, Charles R.  Jeter,  EPA Regional Administrator,


       said today.


            Jeter said some 600 drums containing a variety of chemical


       wastes -and five tanks were found  in  the company's abandoned and


       partially burned warehouse.


            The cleanup,  Jeter said,  "will  begin during the second week


       of February, and could take  two to three weeks to complete".


            Federal, state and local  officials will work closely together to


       assure that the material is  removed  safely and that area residents


       are informed about the status  of  the  project.   County Manager


       Roger Shaw will serve as local coordinator for the cleanup.


            The facility, damaged by  a December 15, 1983, fire, closed in


       February 1980 after 18 years in operation.  The plant's primary


       production involved th% bleaching , dyeing, and printing of cloth.


            The abandoned waste was discovered by the Georgia Environmental


       Protection Division ( EPD)  during an  inspection related to the


       fire.   Following the state's investigation, EPD Director J.
                             •

       Leonard Ledbetter  requested  EPA's assistance through the Superfund


       program to assure  that the waste was  removed and disposed of as


                                     -more-

-------
                            -2-





promptly as possible.  The state will provide laboratory analysis



for characterizing the waste and assist EPA in supervising the



decontamination of the site.






                               ###





(NOTE TO EDITORS:  A press briefing will be held February 8 at



10:00 a.m. at the site, 412 South Circle Drive in Swainsboro.)

-------
                -.egicn *
environmental Protacaon  Crtlca of Puoiic Attain   rlorwa        Norm Carolina
Aganey            346 Courtand Streat NS  Georgia        Soutn Carolina
                Atlanta, GA 30366 -     Kantucky       Ten
Environmental  News
                                                          381-3004.


February 13, 1984


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                                                 Gordon Kenna

     ATLANTA, GA - An1 "immediate removal"  of waste  oil, contaminated

soils and liquid waste at a Hillsborough County,  Florida,  hazardous

waste site is scheduled to begin today.   The U.  S.  Environmental

Protection Agency will supervise the cleanup.


     Presently, about 260 cubic yards of contaminated  oil  and sludge

cover the grounds of the Tri-City Oil Conservationist  Corporation


in Temple Terrace.  Tri-City Oil, a waste  oil  recycling facility was

recently added to the U. S. EPA "Superfund"  list  which catalogues


more than 400 uncontrolled hazardous waste sites  throughout  the U.  S.

The "Superfund" list is used to direct priorities for  action,  including


site study and cleanups, voluntary action  from responsible parties

and enforcement measures.


     Florida Department of Environmental Regulation officials  requested

the "immediate removal" action in January  because of potential

health risks that the Tri-City Oil facility  poses to residents and


employees of surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.   Eight private

drinking water wells are in immediate proximity to  the  site.  The

closest well is less than  thirty-five feet away.


     The "immediate  removal"  action is limited to six months  time or one

million dollars in expenditures and is designed only to prevent immediate


and significant harm to health and environment.   A  long-term solution to


the Tri-City Oil pollution problem will  be initiated at a- later date.


                                ####

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     vvEPA
                      United Slates
                      Environmental Protection
                      Agency
                  Environmental Research
                  Center
                  Cincinnati OH 45268
 Environmental
 Information
                      FOR  IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                      JANUARY 31,1984	
                              PATI  COOKE  513/684-7935
RESEARCH SCIENTISTS
RECEIVE EPA GOLD
MEDAL
     Six members of  the Municipal Environmental Research
Laboratory (MERL)  at the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's Field Station located in Edison, New Jersey,
have been awarded the EPA Gold Medal  for Exceptional
Service.

     In ceremonies held in Washington, D.C., Ira Wilder,
Frank J. Freestone,  John E. Brugger,  Michael Gruenfeld,
Uwe Frank, and James J. Yezzi, Jr. were honored for
exceptional achievement in the development of the EPA
Mobile Incineration  System.

     The six scientists, all from the Office of Research
and Development's  Solid and Hazardous Waste Research
Division, MERL,  in Edison, New Jersey, contributed to  the
design, construction, and evaluation  of the 3-trailer,
15-million BTU per hour, prototype EPA Mobile Incinera-
tion System,  which will be used for the ultimate disposal
of toxic chemicals,  such as PCB's and dioxin, at field
sites where transport of the wastes is inappropriate.  In
performance tests  conducted to date with liquid PCB's,
carbon tetrachloride, and chlorobenzenes, the system far
exceeded the TSCA  and RCRA regulation-required standards
for combustion efficiency, destruction and removal
efficiency,  and  particulate emissions and levels of
hydrochloric acid  and sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the
stack gas.  The  plans, specifications, reports,  and
permits-to-construct/operate this system will be made
available to interested organizations to stimulate and
encourage the use  of  mobile or transportable equipment
as alternatives  to other approaches for cleanup  and
disposal of hazardous wastes and releases.

     Each year EPA honors the competence and dedication
of its employees for  significant acts and achievements
which materially aid  or affect the successful accom-
plishment of  the Agency mission or serve the public
interest.  The Gold Medal is the highest honor given by
the Agency.

-------
     vvEPA
                     United Slates
                     Environmental Protection
                     Agency
                  Environmental Research
                  Center
                  Cincinnati OH 45268
 Environmental
 Information
                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                    January 31,  1984
                              Pati  Cooke (513)  684-7771
EPA SCIENTISTS
RECEIVE SILVER
MEDAL
     A group award was  presented to the Environmental

Response Team.  Two members of the Team are located

at the Environmental Protection Agency's  (EPA)

Andrew W.  Breidenbach Environmental Research Center

in Cincinnati, Ohio. The EPA Silver Medal was awarded

for Superior Service.

     John M. Gilbert and Thomas C. Sell were honored
for outstanding dedication, perserverance, and
technical excellence in the effective response to
numerous complex emergency and remedial episodes.

     The two scientists along with 11 other members
of the national team, located in Edison, New Jersey,
provide technical assistance to EPA regional response
organizations.  At the  request of the regional office,
members of the team are available around-the-clock to
support the efforts of  EPA and other agencies response
to oil and hazardous material incidents.  The Environ-
mental Response Team also provides incident response
training to personnel working in the area of hazardous
materials response.

     Each year EPA honors the competence and dedica-
tion of its employees -for significant acts and
achievements which materially aid or affect the
successful accomplishment of the Agency mission or
serve the public interest.  The Silver Medal is the
second highest honor given by the Agency.

-------
  &EPA
                      United States
                      Environmental Protection
                      Agency
                     Environmental Research
                     Center
                     Cincinnati OH 45268
 Environmental
 Information
                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                     February 21. 1984
                                   Pati Cooke (513) 684-7771
DR. ALBERT J. KLEE
RECEIVES EPA BRONZE
MEDAL
     Dr.  Albert J. Klee,  Acting Chief, Hazardous Waste Treatment

Group at  the D.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Andrew W.

Breidenbach Environmental Research Center in Cincinnati, Ohio,

has been  awarded the EPA  Bronze Medal for Commendable Service.

     In a presentation held Thursday, February 9,  Dr. Klee was
awarded the EPA Bronze Medal in recognition of his highly
meritorious service in the development of the "MOUSE" (Modular-
Oriented  Uncertainty System Emulator) program.  "MOUSE" is
a computer program that deals with the uncertainties that analysts
are confronted with when  modeling environmental phenomena.  It
is designed to incorporate quantitative measures of uncertainty
into environmental measurements,  reducing much of the arbitrariness
that analysts confront when modeling environmental phenomena.   The
program contains important routines for the economic appraisal  of
projects  and regulatory programs as well as a wide selection of
statistical distributions.  It has great potential for assisting
decision-making in the Agency at all levels, since it gives decision
makers numbered and graphical information on decision-making under
uncertainty.

     This program is currently being used by the Industrial
Environmental Research Laboratory-Cincinnati, the Office of Solid
Waste, and Office of Solid Waste contractors as well as the
University of Monterray (Mexico).  The program's versatility
assures that it will be used more and more as analysts recognize
its potential.

     Each year EPA honors the competence and dedication of its
employees for significant acts and achievements which materially
aid or affect the successful accomplishment of the Agency mission
or serve  the public interest.  The Bronze Medal is the third
highest honor given by the Agency.

     Dr.  Klee resides in  Fayetteville, Ohic^with his wife.  He  has
been a federal employee for 19 years, 17 of which he has spent
working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its
predecessor agencies.   He also holds the rank of Adjunct Associate
Professor of Quantative Methods at Xavier University.

-------
                    United States                Region 6                    Arkansas
                    Environmental Protection          Office Of Public Awareness (6AA)      Louisiana
                    Agency                    First International Building          JJS"1.Me>"eo
                                            1201 Elm Street
                                            Dallas. TX 75270
&EPA       Environmental  News       ROGER MEACHAH
(214)  767-2630
              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  JANUARY  10.  1984


                    The Environmental Protection Agency  is seeking public comments on

              several strategies  for dealing with Oklahoma's highest priority  hazardous

              waste site, Dick  Whittington, EPA's Regional Administrator, announced  today.

                    Known as Tar  Creek, the site is located  in the Picher Mining Field
              in northeastern Oklahoma.  It extends north  from Ottawa County into
              Cherokee County,  Kansas and covers a 40 square mile area.

                    EPA will hold a meeting to get public  comments on the alternatives
              for controlling the discharges of highly acid, heavy metals-contaminated
              water from the abandoned lead and zinc mines.

                    The public  meeting will begin at 7:00  p.m. February 9,  in the Ottawa
              County Courthouse Annex, Courthouse Square,  Miami, Oklahoma.  People who
              wish to  speak should bring  a written copy of their  comments or questions
              to the meeting.  Written comments on the proposed remedies will  be accepted
              from January  26 through February  16, 1984 and  should be mailed to:
              Mr. Ron Jarman, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, P.O. Box 53585, Oklahoma
              City, Oklahoma 73152.

                     "EPA will select the  final  remedy for  the water  pollution problems
               at Tar Creek  after careful  consideration of the  public comments,"
              Whittington said.

                     EPA  and the State  recommend the following  as  an  environmentally
               sound  solution:

                     -  Plug  the subsurface,  abandoned wells (in the Oklahoma and Kansas
               portions of  the  site) to reduce  the  downward migration of  contaminated
              water  into the Roubidoux  Aquifer,  a  source of drinking water  for the  area.

                     -  Divert the surface inflow water  away from open mine works  at
               specific sites in Kansas  and Oklahoma to reduce  the outflow of  acid mine
               water discharges.

                     -  Initiate a groundwater monitoring program that will measure
               the effectiveness  of the well-plugging  and  diversion actions.

                     A description and analysis of the  five alternatives, along with the
               reasons the preferred alternative was  selected, are in a document  entitled,
               "Tar Creek Remedial Alternatives Analysis Information  Package." This
               document, the feasibility study  report  and  related information  are available
               for review,  before the public meeting,  at these locations:

                                                (more)

-------
        Miami Public  Library
        200 N. Main Street
        Miami, Oklahoma 74354

        Quapaw High School  Library
        300 West  First Street
        Quapaw, Oklahoma 74363

        Johnston  Public Library
        210 W. 10th Street
        Baxter Springs, Kansas

        Oklahoma  Water Resources Board
        Library,  12th Floor
        1000  N.E. 10th Street
        Oklahoma  City, Oklahoma 73152
                              Commerce High School Library
                              420 D. Street
                              Commerce, Oklahoma  74339

                              Picher High School  Library
                              West A. Street
                              Picher, Oklahoma 74360

                              Missouri Southern University  Library
                              Newman and Duquesne Roads
                              Joplin, Missouri 64803

                              EPA Library
                              28th Floor,  Interfirst  Two  Building
                              1201 Elm Street
                              Dallas, Texas 75270
               "The  work  should begin next summer, and we expect to complete the project by
       the  fall  of  1985  at the latest,"  Whittington said.

               The work on the Tar Creek site is being done under the Comprehensive
       Environmental  Response, Compensation and Liability Act  (CERCLA), passed by Congress
       in 1980.  Commonly called "Superfund", the Act established a $1.6 billion trust
       fund to deal with abandoned hazardous waste sites that  threaten public health or
       the  environment.

               "The  Act  requires that we find the best solution for the money we spend,
       and  that solution has to protect the public so we can assure people that their
       health  is not  threatened," Whittington said.

               Small-scale mining of lead and zinc began at the Tar Creek site in the early
       1900s.   Major mining activities ceased in the mid-1960s, and the last operation
       stopped in  1976.   The vacant mines began filling with groundwater, and hig^y acid
       water,  contaminated with heavy metals, began flowing from the mines, polluting
       surface water in  the area.  Investigative work began in 1982.

               The  investigation and feasibility  studies for the site,  leading to the
       proposed alternatives, were done by the State under an  EPA grant of $525,368.00.

                                                i i i
United Slates
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 6
Office of Public Awareness (6AA)
First International Building
1201 Elm Street
Dallas TX 75270

-------
                     United States                 Region 6                      Arkansas
                     Environmental Prelection          Qflice of Public Awareness (6AP)      Louisiana
                     Agency                    Firsl International Building           Ne» Me«ico
                                             1201 Elm Street                 Oklahoma
                                             Dallas. TX 75270                Te*as
€€PA        Environmental  News  $5!
             FOR  IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 JANUARY 16. 1984


                  Beginning today,  the Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA) is doing

             a partial cleanup of surface  contamination at the MOTCO hazardous waste

             site located near LaMarque, Texas.

                  The cleanup at the  11-acre site, also known as  the Texas City Wye
             Chemical Waste Dump, will cost  an estimated $300,000  and is expected to
             take six weeks, Dick Whittington, EPA's Regional  Administrator, said.

                  "We are doing this  cleanup now to protect people from the wastes in
             deteriorating storage tanks on-site," Whittington said.

                  Ninety percent of the work will be paid for with EPA  Superfund
             money, and the State of Texas will pay ten percent of the cleanup costs.

                  The work will concentrate on liquid organic wastes, contaminated
             with heavy metals, vinyl  chloride, some polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
             and  other hazardous wastes that are now contained in  nine above-ground
             storage tanks in a diked  area of the site.

                  The tanks contain some  69,000 gallons of contaminated liquid which
             will be sampled, characterized  and removed.

                  After the wastes  are removed, the tanks will be decontaminated,
             dismantled and disposed of.   Two of the tanks will stay on-site for use
             during future work at the site. Contaminated surface soil  and debris
             around the tanks also will be removed.

                  Then the area will  be backfilled with clean soil and  the surface
             will be graded to control water runoff.

                  The PCB-contaminated wastes will be sent to the Rollins Environmental
             Services facility in Deer Park, Texas for incineration.  The  non-PCB wastes
             will go to the TECO hazardous waste disposal site in  Robstown. Texas.

                  The MOTCO site, which began operating in 1959,  reclaimed styrene
             tars generated by local industries.  In 1961, flood tides from Hurricane
             Carl a inundated the site, destroying the operation.   The site then was used
             as  a waste disposal site  for  various solid and liquid industrial wastes.

             ihi§ tneer .1 you do NOT «i»h to receive inn materiel  O  or if cnenge el ecMree* u needed O (Indicele Cheng*. Including lie code)

-------
               The City of LaMarque passed an ordinance in  1968  prohibiting the disposal
               of liquid industrial wastes in pits within  city  limits  and disposal  at
               the site ceased.

                     In August of 1983, heavy rains and flood tides  from Hurricane  Alicia
               threatened to trigger an overflow of the hazardous  wastes held in disposal
               pits at MOTCO.

                     In an emergency Superfund action, beginning the first of September,
               EPA "pumped-down" excessive, contaminated rainwater from the pits,
               attaining approximately two and one-half feet of  freeboard.  Freeboard is
               the distance from the top of a pit to the highest level  of waste.  The
               contaminated wastewater was neutralized on-site  and discharged.   This
               action prevented the spread of the wastes to the  surrounding area at a
               cost of $39,000.

                     The current work, originally scheduled to begin last October,  was
               delayed because of the impact of the hurricane -  and  the original bids
               were considerably higher than EPA's top estimate  of what the work should
               cost, which necessitated further contract negotiations.   That process and
               other planning for the project were completed last  week.

                     Investigation and feasibility studies  at the  site, which will  lead
               to a long-term solution to the pollution problems at  MOTCO are expected
               to be finished in early February.

                     A final  rep.ort, detailing several alternatives, will  be available
               for public review, during a three-week comment period,  before the most
               environmentally sound solution is selected.

                                                  # # #
United states                 Region 6
Environmental Protection          Office Of Public Awareness (6AA)
*enc                    First International Building
                        1201 Elm Street
                        Dallas, TX 75270
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300



Postage and
Fees Paid
Environmental
Protection
Agency
EPA-335

^^^ ^*(
^Sjt****
^Fq_
US.WAJL

-------
            United Slates                 Region 6                      Arkansas
            Environmental Protection           Office of Public Awareness (6AP)      Louisiana
            *9encV                     First International Building           N«* Mexico
                                     1201 Elm Street                 Oklahoma
                                     Dallas. TX 75270                Teias
            Environmental  News
ROGER MEACHAM
(214) 767-2630
        FOR  IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             FEBRUARY 3. 1984


            The Environmental Protection Agency  has  finished its surface

        cleanup of the Geneva Industries hazardous  waste  site at  an

        estimated cost of $1.6 million.  The 13-acre  site is located one

        mile east of Houston's Hobby Airport, at  9334 Caniff Road.

            The work, which began October 27, was  completed on February 1.
        Dick Whittington, EPA Regional Administrator, said,  "We did this
        cleanup to prevent an undue risk to public  health from deteriorating
        conditions at the site.

            This work takes us one step closer to  a  long-term, scientifically
        sound  solution to the contamination problems  at the  Geneva site,"
        he said.

            The cleanup was paid for with money  from EPA's  Superfund  and
        done under contract by Chemical Waste Management, Incorporated of
        Oak  Brook, Illinois.

            The work included the treatment and  removal  of  1.5 million
        gallons of contaminated stormwater held in  storage tanks  and  lagoons
        on-site, the removal of 30 tons of PCB-contaminated  asbestos,  4,000
        gallons of PCB-contaminated oil from another tank, 500  drums  of
        waste  that were scattered around the site,  50 cubic  yards of  PCB-
        contaminated, flammable sludge from a warehouse on-site,  several
        hundred small jars of flammable solvents  and  PCBs from  a  warehouse
        and  50 cubic yards of waste chemicals and debris containing PCBs
        in a wooded area south of the plant.

            Further  actions  included the excavation of 3,400  tons of PCB-
        contaminated sludge and sediments from the  main waste  lagoon,
        installation  of  a bottom  liner and backfilling the lagoon with
        clean, compacted clay.  The lagoon was then covered  with  a top
        plastic liner,  another layer of clay and protective topsoil.

            One  PCB-contaminated pond was also cleaned out,  backfilled,
        covered with  a  plastic liner, clay-capped and covered  with top soil.

                                     (more)

Return inn ihwi if you do NOT •lift to r«c*lv* inn miiwW O. or If onwig* of Mdrw II nnd«d d (lndlc«» ching*. Including up ood«l

-------
                The area of greatest surface PCB-contamination, covering about three
            acres, was clay-capped to prevent  release  of  the  PCB wastes.

                After the surface wastes were  cleaned  up, the protective clay cap was
            graded to improve and control stormwater runoff:

                Three monitoring wells were installed  to  help determine the depth of
            groundwater contamination.

                All of the waste was sent to the Chemical Waste Management Company  in
            Emelle, Alabama, an  approved hazardous  waste  disposal  facility.

                On December 28, EPA awarded a  $569,997 grant  to the Texas Department of
            Water Resources to carry out investigation and  feasibility  studies  at the
            site which will lead to a long-term solution  to the contamination problems  at
            Geneva, Whittington  said.  This phase of the  Superfund work  at Geneva is
            scheduled to begin in April.

                The studies will identify the  kinds and amounts of hazardous wastes that
            are still on site and develop alternatives from which  the most effective
            solution will be chosen.

                Before the best  alternative is selected,  there will be  a three-week public
            comment period.  Next comes the design  phase  during which the work  is planned,
            and the final step is the construction  phase  when the  work  is done.

                The Geneva Industries site  ranks  number three on  EPA's  list  of  priority
            Superfund sites released last September.   Previous owners manufactured  and
            processed polychlorinated biphenyls  (PCBs), contaminating soil,  surface water
            and groundwater in the area with PCB wastes.  Last June, using $75,000  of
            Superfund money, EPA  fenced an  area  adjacent  to the  site  and tested an
            abandoned tank that was believed to contain chlorine.  Testing showed that
            the tank was empty.
                                                  #  # f
United Slates                 Region 6
Environmental Protection          Office Of Public Awareness (6AA)
A9ency                    First International Building
                        1201 Elm Street
                        Dallas. TX 75270
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300



Postage and
Fees Paid
Environmental
Protection
Agency
EPA-335

-^CU
2j&*
~^E
US.MAJL
L^ _J

-------
            United Slates
            Environmental Protection
            Agency
Region 6
Office of Public Awareness (6AP)
First International Building
1201 Elm Street
Dallas. TX 75270
Arkansas
Louisiana
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Texas
               nvironmenfal  News
                       ROGER MEACHAM
                      (214)  767-2630
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                      FEBRUARY 23. 1984
          The Environmental  Protection Agency  (EPA) has begun extensive

    studies at the Mid-South Wood  Products  hazardous waste site in Mena,

    Arkansas that will  lead  to a long term  solution to the pollution

    problems there.

          The multi-phased work, called  investigation and feasibility
    studies, began February  20 and will  take approximately ten months to
    complete at an estimated cost  of $425,000.

          Dick Whittington,  EPA Regional Administrator,  said,  "The work
    we're beginning now is important because it will provide a foundation
    of  information that will help us do the best job possible  at  Mid-South.

          The investigation  phase of the studies will determine the  nature
    and extent of  contamination at the site and identify the possible
    pathways for off-site contamination, while the feasibility study
    part of the work will propose long term remedies  from which we will
    select  the most environmentally sound solution."

          Mid-South was placed  on EPA's national priority list of
    Superfund sites in October  of 1981.  It now ranks  number  178  on  a
    list of 546  proposed  and  final Superfund  sites.

          The site was developed in the late  1930s to  produce  wood  poles
     and posts.   Wood treatment  operations  began there in 1962  and continue
    today.

           EPA believes that,  because of past  operations at  the site,
     nearby surface waters are contaminated with pentachlorophenol ,
     creosote,  arsenic, copper and chromium.   These wastes also may  have
     contaminated subsurface waters  in the  area.

           Mid-South Wood  Products purchased the 57-acre wood processing
     facility in 1978.

                                   (more)
Agiurn inn idem II you do NOT vith to rccilv* inn material Q or II cfwngo ol Mdr«i II n«*d«d O (Inoluio Chang* Including up eod«l

-------
                    Under the planning  and direction of  EPA and its lead contractor,
             CH2M Hill  of Corvallis, Oregon, the on-site studies are being  done by
             Soil  and Material Engineers, Inc. of Raleigh, North Carolina.

                    The work at the  site is being paid  for with money from EPA's
             Superfund, the $1.6 billion trust fund created by Congress in  1980 to
             provide emergency and  long term cleanups  of hazardous waste sites
             like Mid-South.
                                                # # #
United States                 Region 6
Environmental Protection           Office Of Public Awareness (6AA)
A9encv                     First International Building
                         1201 Elm Street
                         Dallas. TX 75270
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300


Postage and
Fees Paid
Environmental
Protection
Agency
EPA-335

f*l
~jE
US.MAjL
L^ j
                                               -5*0-

-------
                        United Stales
                        Environmental Protection
                        Agency
                        .
                      324 East Etevi'iiih Si
                      Kiinsiis City Mo 64106
Environmental
News
Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
Nebraska
                                                  Contact:   Rowena L.  Michaels
                                                            (816)374-5894
THREE NEW DIOXIN
SITES CONFIRMED
IH MISSOURI
IMMEDIATE  RELEASE
January 5, 1984

Dioxln contamination has been confirmed at  three additional

sites in Missouri bringing the total to 36.  The U.S. Environ-

mental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted quality assured

sample analysis data to the Centers for Disease Control  (CDC)

and state health officials confirming low-level dioxln con-

tamination at the three sites.

The newest sites in eastern Missouri (both  in St. Louis  County)
are the driveway of the Erxleben property on Booness Lane near
the intersection of Highway 100 and Highway T, and both  road
shoulders of East North Street in Eureka, Missouri, between
North Central Street and Highway 109.  The  third siie is the
Royal Talley farm near Marionville in southwest Missouri.

The dioxln contamination on East North Street is confirmed in
only two samples at levels of 1.4 parts per billion (ppb) and
1.8 ppb.  Those samples were taken on each side of the street
where a path crosses the street.  The dioxin contamination at
the Erxleben property was confirmed at 5.8 ppb and ranged from
1 ppb to 6.2 ppb on the Talley farm.

Morris Kay, EPA Regional Administrator, stated that more
extensive sampling will be done on the eastern Missouri
sites to determine the limit and extent of contamination.
The farm site in southwest Missouri is isolated and provides
little opportunity for human exposure.  As in all cases of
dioxin contamination, the public is urged to avoid long-
term exposure.

-------
                      United States
                      £nvir2: E i t f h-veiim bi
                         Lily. Mo 64106
&EPA         Environmental
                      News
towa
 ansas
                     Contact;  Rowena I. Michaels
                              (816)374-5894
AIDEX FEASIBILITY
STUD? AVAILABLE
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 1984

Morris Kay. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional

Administrator,  announced today that the draft.Remedial Investi-

gation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for the Aldex Superfund

aite has been completed and will now be available for public

Inspection.  Major objectives of the RI/FS Include coat esti-

mates for feasible remedial action alternatives, assessment of

those alternatives, and a cost-effective final remedial action

plan.

Kay said the 21-day public comment period, which will'begin
March 8, 1984.  is being provided to allow the public an
opportunity to  review and comment on the RI/FS before EPA makes
a final decision.

The Aldex site, located near Council Bluffs, is on EPA's.
national list of over 400 top priority waste sites targeted
for action under Superfund, a five-year, $1.6 billion federal
clean up program.  Superfund la the name given to the Compre-
hensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act passed by Congress in 1980.

Copies.of the RI/FS are available during business hours at the
following locations for inspection and copy by the public:

                 Mills County Auditor's Office
                 Mills County Courthouse    ' '
                 Glenwood, Iowa  51534

                 City Hall
                 Glenwood, Iowa  51534

                 Council Bluffs Public Library
                 200 Pearl Street
                 Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501  •

                (More) ..    -

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                                   Public Health Office
                                   Malvera, Iowa  51S51

                                   Iowa Department of Water,  Air
                                     and Waste Management
                                   Henry A. Wallace Building
                                   900 East Grand
                                   Des Moines, Iowa  50319

                                   Iowa Department of Water,  Air
                                     and Waste Management
                                   Regional Office
                                   316 Walnut
                                   Atlantic, Iowa  50022

      Written comments will be accepted, but must be received by close of business,
      March 29,  1984.  Please send  comments to Stephen P. Wurtz, Office of Public
      Affairs, EPA, Region 7, 324 East llth Street, Kansas  City, Missouri 64106.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Olfice o< Public Involvement
Region 7
324 East 11 th Street
Kansas City. Mo. 64106
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300



Postage and
Fees Paid
Environmental
Protection
Agency
EPA 335

^ ^^^ ^
^PTL
U&MAIL
^"^^""igj
                                          - 53-

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FEB.09 'S4  10:03 EPA kHlSSnS CIi.
                                                                  1/31/84



                                  PBHSS STATEMENT




         Russell  G.  Clark,  Chief Judge of Che  United  States  District  Court



    for the Veatern  District  of Missouri, ruled  on  January  31,  198A,  that the




    North Eastern Pharmaceutical and Chemical  Company,  Inc.  (NEPACCO),  and  it*



    officers,  Edwin  B.  Michaels and  John W,  Lee,  and  Ponald  Mills, a  former



    employee,  are Jointly and severally liable for  response  costs incurred  by



    th« Environmental  Protection Agency (EPA)  In  clean  up of the  Denney farm



    site near  Verona,  Missouri.  The action  against NEPACCO, Edwards, Michaels



    and lee Was brought by  the Department of Justice  at EPA's request for the



    recovery of Che  costs of  investigations, monitoring and  testing activities,



    engineering studies leading to a response  action, and the costs of  litigation.



    Judge Clark's ruling is the first opinion  in  the  country to be issued after  a



    full trial on the  merits  involving an action  under  the  Comprehensive Environ-



    mental Response, Compensation and Liability  Act (CERCLA) or "Superfund."



    This ruling la consistent with three earlier  court  decisions  issued within



    the last several months which have found that CERCLA provides for Joint



    and several liability for clean  up costs at  hazardous waste sices.  The



    trial on the  eaae  took place in  Springfield,  Missouri,  during the week  of



    October  3, 1983.



         Judge Clark ruled that CEFCLA provides  for strict  liability  against



    "past non-negligent off-sice generators  and  transporters." Judge Clark



    alao ruled that  the parties are  Jointly  and  severally liable  for  the



    reimbursement of costs Incurred  by EPA in  responding to the hazard  pre-



    sented  by  the presence of the dioxln wastes.

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FEB.09 '84 10:03 EPft KnNSHS CITY
          NEPACCO is a corporation which  did business in Missouri from 1969 Co



     1974, when It voluntarily dissolved  and distributed its assets Co Its



     shareholders,  Hoffraan-Taff,  Inc.,  from which NEPACCO leased space,  had



     manufactured Agent Orange at  the same  facility.   NEPACCO manufactured



     hexaehlorophene, known to involve the  production of 2,4,5-trlehlorophenol



     (TCP).  During this production process, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin



     (dioxin or TCDD) was formed as a byproduct.



          Hoffaan-Taff later ceased operations and sold out Co Syntex Agribusiness,



     Inc.  Syntex was named aa a defendant  in che action, and entered a consent



     decree with EPA on September 3, 1980,  whereby Syntex agreed to undertake



     responsibility for the removal, storage and  disposal of waste* from the fac-



     tory, which had heen moved to an area  known  as the Denney farm site*



          Investigations at the Denney farm site  revealed approximately 85 55-gallon



     drums containing wastes, from which  composited samples showed dioxin contamina-



     tion as high as 319 parts per million.



          During the trial, Dr. J. Williams, a geologist with the Missouri Department



     of Natural Resources, indicated the  Denney farm site could not be suitable for



     the disposal of hazardous wastes due Co the  presence of an underground terrain



     of limestone bedrock with underground  screams, sinks, and caverns.  This geology



     could penult the movement of particles, water and leachate tapidly through



     the soil to the water table below,  possibly  threatening drinking water and



     agricultural water supplies in the  vicinity.  Dye studies conducted in the



     area showed the movement of dye from test holes  to area springs, wells and



     Calton Creek.

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FEB.09 '84 10:04 EPfl KANSfiS CITY
         Under the terns of Judge Clark's order, the EPA  is given  30  days  Co



    itemize all costs which It incurred after December  10, 1980, and  to  pre-



    sent those coat* to the court.  The defendants are  granted  20  dayi to



    respond to the itemliation.  Judge Clark's orders specifically limited



    costi for which the government may claim reimbursement to those incurred



    after December 11, 1980,  the date of enactment of CKRCLA.






                                    I    9    #

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                             995m*:
                                                 SO-'SO
        United States
        Environmental Protection
        Agency
              Regional Admmist-ator
              215 Prsmont Street
              San Francisco CA 9-41C5
Region 9
Arizona California
Hawan, Nevada
Pacific islands
                    Environmental
                    News
                         U  JOINTLY  BY  Tlth U.S.  ENVIRGMMENUL PROTECTION ACEKLY A.'.'U

                            THE CALIFORNIA  DLPARTMENT  UF  haALTii SEa.vlL£S
                    FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE:
                                                          Friday,  januar/  U,  i9b<+

                                                    Contacts:  Al  Zeusky,  U.S. EPA
                                                                    (415)  9~A-bO;jj
                                                         Florence  Pearson,  CA  OuKS
 LPA AFPROVLS
 SUPERFUtib
 STUDY AT
 PURITY OIi.
 HAZARDOUS
WASlt SITE
     (San Francisco) — The U.S.  Environmental Protection A
 and  Che Calilornia  Departmeiit of  healch Services today announced

 approval  of a  proposal  by  Che btate  of  California ror

 investigation  mid feasibility btudy  at  ihn  Purlt> uil Sales,

 in the town of Malaga,  in  t'resno  County.

    The Departraent  of Health  Servii.es. (DOhS) ,  through a. Coopera-
 tive Agre'enienL with EPA, will receive $b9d,5by  or federal
 Superfund raonies for  this,  project.   Uhile a. private consulting
 tins will he hired  to pertorm the study, DOhb  will  uaintain
 responsibility tor  overall uanagemenc.  Apjirovrtl or this
 Cooperative Agreeoent wau  granted by Lee H.  Thoniau, EPA dbbibt-
 ant aduinibtrator tor solid waste and emergency  rebpont,e.

    The purpose ot  the  remedial investiyatioti is  Lo determine
 the possible sources., extent  of groundwater and  soil con Lamina-
 tion, and any air pollution hazards  at  the  site.   In audition,
 data obtained for the study *»ill  be  used to develop and evaluate
cleanup alternatives.   Some of the activities authorized lor
 this portion of the project include  an  air  emissions survey,
 faoil borings, installation of groundwater monitoring wells,
ana laboratory analyses of soil and  water samples.

    Following the remedial investigation, a feasibility  study
 Is scheduled.  This study  will assist, in iaentirying,  developing,
and evaluating potential methods  tor cleanup and  preparing
cost estimates.  EPA and DOHS will utilise  the feasibility
study along with community input and public corunitnt  as  the
basis In determining final cleanup alternatives.
                                              - more -
                                           -51-

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                S0tt     993fr0£^                    8fr:68  S9/S9
    Purity Oil Sales  is  a  six acre site located two ratios south of Fresno.
It was che location for  a  waste  oil  refinery and reclaiming facility from
1940 until 1974,  when the  site was closed.

    Oily liquids  and  sludges were disposed on the site for many years,   Sone
liquid wastes remain  in  a  concrete pond and some former sludge disposal  ponds
have been filled  with construction debris.  Soil samples containing signit leant
concentrations of lead,  copper,  zinc, and various volatile organic coupounds
have been collected at the site.

    Purity Oil Sales  is  one of 546 sites on EPA's current and proposed National
Priorities List targeted for cleanup under the Superfund law.  it  is also on
the California State  Superfund list.

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             United States
             Environmental Protection
             Agency
                    Regional Administrator
                    215 Fremont Street
                    San Francisco CA 94105
Region 9
Arizona, California
Hawaii, Nevada
Pacific Islands
                         Environmental
                         News
                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                          January 20,
                                                      Contact:  Terry Wilbon
U.S. EPA 10
HOLu PUBLIC
MEETING ON
MONTROSE
CHEMICAL
CORPORATION'S
CLEANUP PLAN
(San i'rancisco)—The J.S. Envii-o mental Protection Agency

will hula & public meeting on Monday, January 30, 1984
         *
to receive public comment on the Agency's review of the

remedial treasures proposed by Montrose Chemical Corporation

to remedy UbT contamination at its Torrance, Caliiornia,

facility.  The Meeting, scheduled to begin dt 6:30 p.u. ,

will be held in Che 2nd Hour Board Room of the Torrance

School District Educational Materials Building at

2335 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance, California.

     In November 19&2, EPA't> Technical Assistance Team
sampled soils and runoff immediately southeast of the
Sontroae property In the vicinity of au unllned ditch
chat carried scoriuwater runoff away from the Mont rose
property.  This investigation formed the basis for EPA
Enforcement Order No. 8J-0\, which required Montrose to
cease discharges of stormwater and to undertake an
investigation Co determine the extent of" contamination.

     To control surface water run-on ana subsequent
run oil: of UD'1-contaaiinated sediuients, tlontrose Chemical
Corporation has proposed a remedial plan that involves
surface sealing of the property (.capping) and storuiwater
control.
                                           -more-

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     On January 3,  19b4,  EPA  made available tor public review
and comment,  a. report which reviews the Montroae proposed
remedial plan.  Copies of  the report are available at the
following locations;
                      Carson Public Library
                      Reference Desk
                      151 East Carson Street
                      Carson, CA  90745

                               and

                      Civic Center Library
                      Reference Desk
                      3031 Torrance lilvd.
                      Torrance, CA  90503

                               and

                     Toxics Substances Control Division
                     CA Department of Health Services
                     107 South Broadway, Room 7128
                     Los Angelea,  CA  90012
                                 -bo -

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                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. EPA TO
HOLD PUBLIC
MEETING ON
MONTROSE
CHEMICAL
CORPORATION'S
CLEANUP PLAN
                                          January 20, 1984
                                                      Contact:  Terry Wilson
                                                                415/974-8083
 (San Francisco)—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

will hold a public"meeting on Monday, January 30, 1984

to receive public comment on the Agency's review of the

remedial measures proposed by Montrose Chemical Corporation

to remedy DDT contamination at its Torrance, California,

facility.  The meeting, scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.,

will be held in the 2nd Floor Board Room of the Torrance

School District Educational Materials Building at

2335 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance, California.

     In November 1982, EPA's Technical Assistance Team
sampled soils and runoff immediately southeast of the
Montrose property in the vicinity of an unlined ditch
that carried stormwater runoff away from the Montrose
property.  This investigation formed the basis for EPA
Enforcement Order No. 83-01, which required Montrose to
cease discharges of stormwater and to undertake an
investigation to determine the extent of contamination.

     To control surface water run-on and subsequent
runoff of DDT-contaminated sediments, Montrose Chemical
Corporation has proposed a remedial plan that involves
surface sealing of the property (capping) and stormwater
control.
                                           -nore-
                                      -6,1-

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                                -2-
     On January 3,  1984, EPA made available for public review
and comment, a report which reviews the Montrose proposed
remedial plan.  Copies  of  the report are available at the
following locations:
                       Carson Public Library
                       Reference Desk
                       151 East Carson Street
                       Carson, CA  90745

                                and

                       Civic Center Library
                       Reference Desk
                       3031 Torrance Blvd.
                       Torrance, CA  90503

                                and

                      Toxics Substances Control Division
                      CA Department of Health Services
                      107 South Broadway, Room 7128
                      Los Angeles, CA  90012

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    A key presentation will be made by Jackson Fox, an assistant  U.S. Attorney
from Seattle.  Fox will urge the potentially responsible parties  to make  use
of the Rainier Room this afternoon to meet by themselves to discuss who among
them will represent the parties in negotiations with EPA.  EPA will rely  on
the parties to work out among themselves how to split the  liability.

    Fox will be available to reporters outside the Rainier Room following  the
morning session.

    When responsible parties reach settlements with EPA for Superfund
clean-ups, they can avoid litigation.  The attached EPA news release,
describing the outcome of successful negotiations with responsible parties for
a Superfund site near  Indianapolis, points out that those who did not
participate in the settlement were being sued by the Department of Justice in
Federal court.
   *
    In the Indianapolis case -- as at other Superfund sites where responsible
parties have reached clean-up settlements with EPA -- it should be noted  that
all negotiations were  restricted to only the parties involved.  Excluding
outside observers is a national EPA practice.  EPA. wants its discussions  with
responsible parties to be frank, forthright and candid, and wants to avoid any
extraneous influence that would inhibit such discussions.

                                       #

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        WESTERN PROCESSING COMPANY POTENTIALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTIES MEETING

                                 January 11, 1984
                Raimer  Room  in  the  Northwest  Rooms,  Seattle  Center
                                Seattle,  Washington
8:30     Registration

9:30     Welcome
         Federal Legal  Overview
         State Legal  Overview
         Chronology/Site Conditions
         Investigations  Leading to  Emergency
         Removal  and  Actual  Removal
         Department  of Ecology Involvement
         The Future  &  Negotiations
         Summation
 Ernesta Barnes
 Regional Administrato1-,
 EPA

 Gene Anderson
 U.S. Attorney,
 DOJ

 Charles Oouthwaite
 Ass't. Atty. General,
 State of Wash.

 Ken Feigner
 Chief, Waste Mgmt. Branch,
 EPA

 Gary O'Neal
 Dir. Env. Services Division,
 EPA

 Jerry Jewett
 Environmental Planner,
 DOE

 Jackson Fox
Ass't. U.S. Attorney,
DOJ

 Ernesta Barnes
Regional  Administrator,
 EPA

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SCC - tdi
    ^ouoaaia IBBJBUUOJIMIJ 5 n
     DUB
                                                                  CCCS
OOZl
                                                                    (S09 S/W) X
                                                                       eiusuj
                                                                       ssieis
                                                     84-18
                                                     Contact:  Jin Merrill
                                                               EPA/Seattle
                                                               (206)  442-4152

                                                               Chuck Shenk
                                                               EPA/Seattle
                                                               (206)  442-5153

                                                     February 16, 1984
   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
        The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today ordered David Williams

   of the Williams and So. Transformer Salvage Co. to immediately respond to

   the agency with plans to sample, analyze, and clean up the facility

   operated by the company in the Bucoda-Tenino area.  Other persons, as yet

   unknown, may also be subject to the Order issued under Sections 104 and

   106 of the Federal Comprehensive Environmental  Response and Liability Act

   (CERCLA).

        The Williams company has handled, stored and disposed of hazardous
   substances including polychloi inated biphenyls (PCBs) contained in
   electrical capacitators and electrical transformers which were scrapped
   and salvaged at the facility.  EPA has previously determined that "any
   exposure of human beings or the environment to PCBs as measured and
   detected by any ... acceptable method is a significant exposure."

        Mr. Williams is ordered to immediately operate in a lawful manner and
   not later than 72 hours after receipt of the Order to provide EPA a plan
   for sampling, analysis and cleanup.  If such plan is not provided or is
   not acceptable, the agency may move forward to do the cleanup.

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