United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
2003 Superfund Annual Report
A status report on the New England
Superfund remedial, removal,
brownfields, oil spill and
emergency response programs.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
U.S. EPA New England I EPAUedS teS
Environmental Protection
Table of Contents I Agency New England
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Introduction
Overview. .
National Priorities List
Mop
Sites of Special Interest
Watch List
Emergency Planning &
Brownfields
6
14
16
23
26
29
Response Program
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U.S. EPA New England I A Uni ed States
Environmental Protection
Introduction Agency New England
WELCOME TO EPA NEW ENGLAND
The New England office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is
dedicated to protecting all New Englanders from environmental health threats
while also preserving and protecting our unique environmental resources.
This 2003 annual report details EPA New England’s Office of Site
Remediation and Restoration programmatic accomplishments and
presents important information about funding for our Superfund and
Brownfields programs. The Superfund program directs the clean up of
National Priorities List (NPL) sites as well as the cleanup of smaller, often
less complex, sites that pose a significant risk to people or the environ-
ment. This office is prepared to handle a broad spectrum of environmen-
tal emergencies, ranging from those posed by chemical or oil spills to
those presented by potential ads of terrorism. This office also administers
the region’s Brownfields program, oversees the regulation of underground storage tanks, and works
with hazardous waste facilities to clean up contamination and create better systems for managing
environmental threats.
Our New England Superfund program remains vital and boasts strong successes. Three-quarters of
the 111 sites on the NPL are either undergoing or have completed construction of cleanup technolo-
gies. Nearly one-third of the sites are already being reused or have agreed upon productive reuse
plans. Ten sites have been deleted from the NPL, having met all cleanup goals. Through an aggres-
sive regional program to recoup federal expenses at these sites orfo have responsible parties pay
for the cleanup, we have restored $2.1 billion to the Superfund Trust Fund since the program began.
In early 2004, EPA added the Pike Hill Copper Mine in Corinth, Vermont to the NPL.
In addition, this office joins the entire agency in a focused federal effort to ensure that all New
England residents enjoy the benefit of a healthy environment. The federal government recognizes the
importance of environmental justice, and EPA seeks to protect all our communities from environmen-
tal threats.
Homeland Security continues to be a regional priority, and we have made many advances in
our ability to respond to chemical, biological and radiological incidents. EPA has purchased
updated chemical and radiological agent monitoring equipment and new protective equipment for
response personnel. The region’s mobile command post has been equipped with cell, satellite, and
radio communications, a weather station, satellite television, and broadband internet. The region’s
emergency response staff have received advanced training that well prepares them to respond, along
with local, state and federal response partners to environmental or other catastrophic events.
The agency’s Land Revitalization Agenda has resulted in many underused or unused real estate
parcels being redeveloped and contributing to the local economy in the way of taxes and jobs.
I encourage you to visit EPA’s Brownfields website to read case studies of redevelopment projects
across the region, www,epa.gov/ne/Brownfields .
We look forward to another year of working with our Congressional delegation, states and tribes,
the public and others to promote a cleaner, healthier and more productive environment.
Please visit EPAs Internet web pages to find a great deal of useful information as well as detailed
descriptions of each of the Superfund sites in New England. Bookmark the following web addresses:
www. epa . gov/ne/su perlu nd and www.epa. gov/ne/brownfields
Robert W. Varney
Regional Administrator
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 /
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Overview
Following is a quick summary of EPA New England’s Office of
Site Remediation and Restoration (OSRR) programs highlighted
in this report.
National Priorities List (Superfund) Program
OSRR’s remedial branches oversee long-term cleanups at sites that are typically on EPA’s Notional
Pnonties List Short-term cleanups con correct many hazardous waste problems and eliminate most
threats to human health and the environment Some sites, however, require lengthier and more
complex cleanups These may include large-scale soil remediation, restoring groundwater and
taking measures to protect wetlands, estuaries, and other ecological resources. These sites are often
caused by years of pollution and may take several years, even decades, to clean
Emergency Planning and Response Program
OSRR’s Emergency Planning and Response branch prepares for and conducts responses to
discharges of oil and releases of hazardous substances In addition to planning and prepanng for
regional emergency responses, gethng ready for counter-terrorism activities, inspecting oil storage
facilities, cleaning up emergency oil and chemical spills, this branch oversees time-critical short-
term cleanups in New England
Short-term cleanups, also referred to as “removal actions,” address immediate threats to public
health and the environment Short-term cleanups may take anywhere from a few days to a few years,
depending on the type and extent of contamination.
Brownfields Program
Originally established as an EPA initiative in January 1 995, the Brownfiekls program has evolved
into an effort involving more than 15 federal partners This collaborative effort, referred to as the
Browrifields National Partnership, was created in June 1 997 to promote beneficial reuse of contami-
nated sites EPA’s Brownfields Program consists of various initiatives designed to work with local,
state and tribal partners to reuse brownfields in environmentally sound ways driven by the commu-
nity Key Brownfields programs include Site Assessment Demonstration Pilots, Targeted Brownfields
Assessments, Cleanup Revolving Loan Funds, Job Training Grants, Showcase Communities and
financial help to state brownfields programs, including Voluntary Cleanup Programs
2/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England
Overview
‘ EPA United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
SUPERFUND
Discovery
Cleanup
ld.nth’y Those ___
Rsspons bl.
for Polution ____
Study Type &
Extent of
Contamination -
Ev I
i’ ; I Cleen
Shoil4enn actions may
be taken to eliminate
knmet ate public heal
or vlro n*ntaI threats.
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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Overview
Number of National Priorities List Sites
in each phase of the Superfund Process
Remedial
Assessment
not Begun 4
Study Remedy Selected;
Underway 4 Design Underway 4
* may include sites where early action has occurred tong-term monitoring, operation, and maintenance ongoing
Source: Superfund e-tacts, February 2004
0)
4-,
C
C
L i i
0)
z
9-
0
4)
-a
E
z
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
U
a
Construction Construction
Underway Complete
4 SUPERFUND ANNUM REPORT 2003
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SUPERFUND SITE CLEANUP STATUS SUMMARY
U.S EPA New England I
Overview Environmental Protection
Agency New England
Remedial Study Remedy Construction Construction
Assessment Underway* Selected; Design Underway Complete
not Begun’ Underway’
CONNECTICUT
MASSACHUSETIS
MAINE
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Brood Brook Mill
Hoverhill Landfill
Sutton Brook
Callahan Mine
Troy Mills Landfill
Durham Meadow
Nutmeg Volley Rd
Precision Plating
Scovill Landfill
SRS
B lockburn&Union
GE-Housatonic”
Hoth & Patterson
Nuclear Metals
Shpock Landfill
Mohawk Tannery”
Atlas Tack
Notick Army Lob
Naval Weapons
S Weymouth NAS
Eostlond Woolen
West Site/Hows Cor
Beocon Heights
Cheshire GWoter
Gollups Quarry
Kellogg-Deering
Lourel Park
Revere Textile
Yaworski Lagoon
Borkhomsied
Baird & McGuire
Connon Erig
Charles George LF
Devens-Sudbury Ann
Groveland Wells
Hocomonco Pond
Norwood PCBs
Plymouth Horbor
PSC Resources
Re-Solve, Inc
Rose Disposal Pit
Salem Acres
Sullivan’s Ledge
Brunswick NAS
Eastern Surplus
taring AFB
McKin Co
O’Connor Co
Pinette’s Solvage
Soco Municipal LF
Soco Tannery
Union Chemical
Winthrop Landfill
Beede Woste Oil
Fletcher’s Point
Auburn Rood LF
Dover Landfill
N H Plating”
Ottati & Goss
Savage Muni
Somersworth LF
Coakley Landfill
Keorsarge Metollurg
Keefe Enviro
Mottolo Pig Form
Pease AFB
South Muni Well
Sylvester
Tibbetts Rood
Tinkham Garage
Town Garage!
Radio Beac
Centredole Manor Rose Hill Landfill
W Kingston/URI
Central Landfill
Davis Liquid
Davisville NCBC
Newport NETC
Peterson/Puritan
Davis GSR Landfill
Landfill & Res Rec
Picillo Farm
Stamina Mills
Western Sand & Gravel
Elizabeth Mine
Ely Copper Mine
Parker Landfill
Pine Street Canal
Pownal Tannery
Bennington Landfill
BFI Landfill
Burgess Bros LF
Darling Hill Dump
Old Springfield LF
Tansitor Electronics
* may include sites where ea y actions (e g , removal actions) have occurred or are underway
long-term monitoring, operation, and maintenance ongoing
A proposed NPL site
past wetlands purchase considered ‘remedial action’, awaiting funding for actual conslruction work
Note Statistics represent most-advanced Operable Unit at each site, additional activities may be ongoing at these sites
Linemoster Sw
N London Sub
Old Southington
Rayn,ark
Fort Devens
Hanscom AFB
Industriplex
Iron Horse Park
Army Matls Tech
New Bedford
Nyonzo
Otis ANG Base
Silresim
WR Grace/Acton
Wells G&H
Portsmouth NSY
RHODE ISLAND
VERMONT
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 / 5
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National Priorities List Sites
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Summary of Superfund Status—New England
EPA has worked aggressively to clean up hazardous waste problems in
New England. In cooperation with our state counterparts, final cleanup
activities are completed, underway, or in design at most of New England’s
111 NPLsites
• 76% of New England Superfund sites (proposed, final, and deleted)
on the National Priorities List - 82 of 111 sites - have undergone or
are undergoing cleanup construction.
• 53 sites have all cleanup construction completed, 29 sites have
cleanup construction underway.
• 10 New England sites have been deleted from the NPL.
• EPA has helped promote economic development by removing 1,594
sites in New England from the CERCIIS list of waste sites.
• The Superfund program has spent over $1.3 billion in New England
to cleanup Superfund National Priorities List sites
• EPA has spent over $21 1.2 million on site assessment, investigation,
and cleanup at non- National Priorities List sites in New England
• EPA, with the cooperation of the U.S. Department of Justice,
continues to ensure that companies responsible for contamination at
sites pay their fair share of cleanup costs Since the inception of the
program, responsible party commitments to cleanups in New
England, via direct payments to the Superfund Trust Fund or via
funding of studies and cleanup work, exceeds $2.1 billion.
Source EPA New England, January 1, 2004
Cumulative Federal Superfund Dollars Expended at
National Priorities List Sites in New England (1 980-2003)
CT $1979 million
MA $759 2 million
ME $1 17 million
NH $1562 million
RI $73 5 million
VT $45 million
NEW ENGLAND TOTALS:
$1,348,800,000
Source EPA New England, January 1, 2004
6/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England
Notional Priorities List Sites
EPA United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
2003 Superfund Fast Facts—New Hampshire
EPA has worked aggressively to clean up hazardous waste problems in
New Hampshire In cooperation with the New Hampshire Department of
Environmental Services, final cleanup activities are completed, underway,
or in design at most of New Hampshire’s 20 NPL sites.
• 80% of New Hampshire’s Superfund sites on the National Priorities
List - 16 of 20 sites have undergone or are undergoing cleanup
construction, or are in final design.
• 11 Superfund sites have all cleanup construction completed,
5 Superfund sites have cleanup construction underway
• 1 site has been proposed to the National Priorities List; Mohawk
Tannery in Nashua
• Region 1 has helped promote economic redevelopment by removing
146 New Hampshire sites from the CERCLIS waste list
• The Superfund Program has spent over $156.2 million in New
Hampshire to clean up Superfund National Priorities List sites
• EPA has spent over $32.4 million on site assessment, investigation
and cleanup at non-National Priorities List sites in New Hampshire.
• EPA, with the cooperation of the U.S Department of Justice,
continues to ensure that companies responsible for contamination at
sites pay their fair share of cleanup costs Since the inception of the
program, responsible party commitments to cleanups in New
Hampshire, via direct payments to the Superfund Trust Fund or via
funding of studies and cleanup work, exceeds $290.6 million,
including $2.6 million in 2003
I
Source EPA New England, January 1, 2004
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 / 7
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Status of New England National Priorities List Sites
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Barrington
Tibbetis Road
for more infom ation on this pir ed, see’ www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/sites/tibbetts
‘ NPL Status Listed in 1 986
Cleanup Status. All Construction Completed in 1998
Superfund $$ Spent $2 8 million
Conway
Kearsarge Metallurgical
for more information on this protect, see www epa.gov/ne/superfund/siles/
keorsorge
NPL Status Listed in 1 984
Cleanup Status All Construction Completed in 1 993
Superfund $$ Spent $9 9 million
Dover
Dover Municipal Landfill
for more information on this pro,ect, see wv , ’.epa.gov/ne/superfund/sites/dover
/
NPL Status Listed in 1983
Cleanup Status Remedy Selected, Design Underway
Superfi.ind$$Spent $1 9 million
Epping
Keefe Environmental Services
for more information on this protect, see www epa gov/nelsuperfund/sifeslkeefe
NPL Status Listed in 1 983
Cleanup Status All Construction Completed in 1 993
Superfund $$ Spent $6 9 million
Greenland/North Hampton
Coakley Landfill
for more information on this project see w v epa gov/ne/superfund/sites/coakley
NPL Status Listed in 1986
Cleanup Status All Construction Completed in 1 999
Superfund $$ Spent $3 9 million
8/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England II A United States
• • • • • • Environmental Protection
Status of New England National Priorities List Sites # Agency New England
Kingston
Ottati and Goss/Kingston Steel Drum
for more information on this project, see- www.epa gov/ne/superfund/siteslo&g
NPL Status listed in 1 983
Cleanup Status Construction Underway
Superfund $$ Spent $34 8 million
Londonderry
Auburn Road Landfill
for more information on this project, see www.epa.gov/nelsuperfund/sites/
auburnroad
NPL Status Listed in 1 983
Cleanup Status All Construction Completed in 1 998
Superfund $$ Spent $3 6 million
Tin kham’s Garage
for more information on this protect, see www.epa.govlne/superfundlsites/tinkham
NPL Status Listed in 1 983 I
C’eanup Status All Construction Completed in 1 995
Superfund $$ Spent $2 million
Town Garage/Radio Beacon
for more information on this project, see www epa gov/nelsuperfund/sites/
town garage
NPL Status Listed in 1 989
Cleanup Status All Construction Completed in 1992
Superfund $$ Spent $1 .9 million
Merrimack
New Hampshire Plating
for more information on this proiect, see www epagov/ne/superfund/sitesl
nhplating
NPL Status Listed in 1 992
Cleanup Status
Wetlands Purchase Completed
Site Cleanup Remedy Selected, Design Underway
Superfund $$ Spent. $12 million
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 / 9
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Status of New England National Priorities List Sites
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Milford
Fletcher’s Paint Works & Storage
for more information on this project, see www epa.govlne/superfund/sates/fletcher
NPL Status Listed in 1 989
Cleanup Status
Keyes Field Assessment Not Begun
Other Areas Construction Underway
Superfund $$ Spent $8 1 million
Savage Municipal Water Supply
for more infomiation on this project, see ‘ wiw.epa.gov/ne/superfund/sites/scwage
NPL Status Listed in 1984
Cleanup Status
OK Tool Area Construction Underway
Extended Plume Remedy Selected, Design Underway
Superfund$$Spent $191 million
Nashua
Mohawk Tannery
for more information on this project, see www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/sites/
mohawk
I
NPL Status Proposed in 2000
Cleanup Status Study Underway, Removal Activities Planned
Superlund$$Spenf $1 5 million
Sylvester/Gilson Road
for more information on this project, see www epa gov/ne/superfuridlsitesl
sylvester
NPL Status Listed in 1 983
Cleanup Status All Construction Completed in 1 992
Superfund $$ Spent $19 5 million
10/SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England t IFIA United States
w Environmental Protection
Status of New England National Priorities List Sites l Agency New England
Peterborough
South Municipal Water Supply Well
for more information on this project, see www,epo.gov/ne/sijperfund/s:tes/
soulhmuni
NPLStatus Listed in 1984 fl
Cleanup Status All Construction Completed in 1 995
uper1und $$Spent $1 2 million
Plaistow
Beede Waste Oil
for more information on this project, see wwwepogovlne/superfund/sates/beede
NPL Status Listed in 1996
Cleanup Status Remedy Selected, Design Underway, Removal Activities Ongoing
Superfund $$Spent $184 million
Portsmouth, Newington, and Greenland
Pease Air Force Base
for more information on this project, see www.epo,gov/ne/superfund/s,tes/pease
fl PL Status Listed in 1990
Cleanup Status All Construction Completed in 2000
Superfund $$ Spent $3 4 million
Raymond
Motfolo Pig Farm
for more information on this project, see w eoa gov/ne/superfund/sites/mottolo
C
NPL Status Listed in 1 987
Cleanup Status All Construction Completed in 1 993
Superfund $$ Spent $3 million
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 / 11
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Status of New England National Priorities List Sites
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Somersworth
Somersworth Sanitary Landfill
for more information on this project, see www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/siteslsomersworth
( JPL Status Listed in 1 983
Jeanup Stotui Construdion Underway
r ? $$Sperif $1 5 million
Troy Mills Landfill
for more information on this project, see. www.epa.gov/nelsuperfund/sitesllrov
rT PL Status Listed in 2003 - m l
Cleanup Status Remedial Assessment not begun, Removal Activities Ongoing
Superfund$$Spent $816,000
12/ SUPERFUIID ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England I EPA te t
Environmental Protection
Status of New England National Priorities List Sites I Agency New England
SUPERFUND ANNUM REPORT 2003 / 13
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Map
14/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England EPAUt States
Map I Environmental Protection
Agency New England
SLJPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 ,f J5
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Sites of Special Interest
NEW HAMPSHIRE
BEEDE WASTE OIL
Plaistow, New Hampshire
Apnl 2004
Lead Federal and State
Listed on the NPL: 12/23/1 996
Site Description :
The Beede Waste Oil Superfund site is located at 7 Kelley Rood in Plaistow, New Hampshire The site
occupies approximately 40 6 acres and is comprised of Iwo parcels Parcel 1 (21 6 acres) is owned by
Hampshire Realty Trust and has been the location of petroleum and waste oil storage/handling!
recycling since the 1 920s Parcel 2 (1 9 acres) is owned by Sun Realty Trust and has been used largely
for commercial sand and gravel operations
Parcels 1 and 2 are both zoned as medium density residential property The abutting properties in the
vicinity of the site are primarily residential The topography of Parcel 1 is relatively flat, except the
northern boundary which slopes gently down to Parcel 2 The topography of Parcel 2 has been altered
by former sand and gravel mining operations The 10,000 square foot former operations building
remains on Parcel 1 Most of the site is unpaved, except for a porking area ad 1 acent to the building
A molority of the site is open and unvegetated, except for some wooded areas around the perimeter
Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date .
• EPA’s $48 million cleanup plan, announced in January 2004, requires the following
• Excavate approximately 75,000 cubic yards of PCB and lead-contaminated shallow soil
(between 0 and 1 0 feet) and treat or dispose of off-site,
• Treat approximately 70,000 cubic yards of VOC-contaminated deep soil (greater than 1 0
feet) with soil vapor extraction,
• Establish “Activity and Use Restrictions” to prevent the excavation of contaminated soils
remaining in place deeper than 10 feet,
• Excavate approximately 1 ,000 cubic yards of oil-saturated sediment in Kelley Brook and
dispose of off-site,
• Restore excavated areas,
• Monitor surface water and sediment to evaluate the effectiveness of the remedy on
remaining Kelley Brook sediments,
• Pump and treat VOC-contaminated groundwater,
• Monitor groundwater to evaluate the effectiveness of the pump and treat system, and
• Establish a “Groundwater Management Zone” the area of drinking water supply wells to
prevent the use of groundwater until drinking water standards are met
EPA anticipates that final cleanup activities will be performed and/or funded by the Potentially
Responsible Parties (PRPs) and will begin around 2006
• In 1997, EPA and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) removed
approximately 1 1 million gallons of waste oil, sludge, and water from over 100 above ground
storage tanks and 800 drums formerly located on the property In addition, EPA installed a 1 20 foot
long trench to intercept oil seeping into Kelley Brook
• In 2000, EPA installed a vacuum extraction system to remove mobile floating oil from the ground-
water table
16/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England II A United States
Environmental Protection
Sites of Special Interest # Agency New England
In 2001 -2002, EPA and NHDES completed an investigation of the nature and extent of
contamination in all media at the site, an evaluation of potential human health and environ-
mental nsks, and an evaluation of technologies and alternatives to fully address contamination
and risks at the site
• In 2002, EPA awarded a $99,350 Superlund Redevelopment Initiative grant to the town of
Plaistow The town developed a reuse plan which calls for the site to be developed for residential
and recreational reuse
• NHDES continues to sample groundwater from residential and on-site monitoring wells
• EPA continues to monitor the site to ensure there is no immediate threat to human health or the
environment pending the start of long-term cleanup work
For more information on this site, please read the Fact Sheet on the Region I/New England
Superfund Web site www epa gov/ne/superfund/sites/beede
Current Funding Status :
• EPA and NHDES have spent about $19 million in investigation and interim cleanup work at
the site EPA has raised $6 2 million from three de minimis settlements with a total of 923 parties
and is currently planning a fourth de minimis settlement with about 800 parties in 2004
Key Accomplishments :
• EPA has raised about $6 3 million through three de minimis settlements to date
• From 1996 to 1 997, EPA and NHDES removed approximately 1 1 million gallons of waste oil,
sludge, and wafer from the site
• Since 2000, EPA has removed over 80,000 gallons of oil from the groundwater table
• EPA announced $48 million cleanup plan in January 2004
SUPERFUND ANNUM REPORT 2003 ‘17
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Sites of Special Interest
NEW HAMPSHIRE
MOHAWK TANNERY
Nashua, New Hampshire
Apnl 2004
Lead Federal and State
NPL Status: Proposed 5/11/2000
Site Description :
The Mohawk Tannery site in Nashua, NH consists of two contiguous parcels that are each
approximately 1 5 acres a developed “northern parcel,” which was historically used for tannery
manufacturing and waste disposal operations, and a “southern parcel” that is undeveloped The
site is bordered by the Nashua River to the west, the Fimbel Door Company to the north, and
residential neighborhoods to the east and southeast The former tannery facility produced tanned
hides for leather from 1 924 until it closed in 1 984 During its operation, the tannery produced a
number of waste streams, which initially were discharged into the adiacent Nashua River and
later were disposed of onsite in unlined lagoons Several of the onsite waste lagoons are located
within the 1 00-year flood plain of the Nashua River The site has been re-zoned for residential
use by the City of Nashua and there is significant interest to see the site put bock into productive
use There are approximately 5,000 residents located within four-square-miles of the site
Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Dote
• In January of 2001, EPA completed a short-term response to characterize and dispose of
drums and small containers containing hazardous substances, asbestos containing material,
caustic wastes, and the contents of a clarifier tank In addition, a number of gates were repaired
and warning signs were posted to further secure the site
• In July of 2002, EPA completed a cost/benefit analysis to further characterize the nature and
extent of contamination in the unlined lagoons and several other disposal areas, and to evaluate
potential removal options for these materials The analysis identified a preferred cleanup
approach, excavation of approximately 60,000 cubic yards of waste for disposal off-site at a cost
of approximately $1 5 million This analysis underwent public comment in August 2002, and was
favorably received by the community, city, and state
• In July of 2002, the City of Nashua requested that finalization of the site on the NPL be delayed
while the city pursued alternative means to fund the cleanup
• In June of 2003, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) initiated
field investigation activities at the site as part of the long-term cleanup investigation being funded
through a Cooperative Agreement with EPA The investigation of the buildings, groundwater,
and soil will cost approximately $1 million and take approximately 1 8 months to complete
• A steering committee was formed by the City of Nashua in the Spring of 2003 to make a
recommendation to the city on whether the site should be finalized on the NPL In July of 2003,
the steering committee recommended that finalization of the site on the NPL be delayed to allow
discussions with several private developers to continue to take place The steering committee
hopes that these discussions will lead to an expedited privately funded cleanup
• EPA continues to monitor the site to ensure there is no immediate threat to human heolth or the
environment pending the start of long-term cleanup work
18/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England If A United States
Environmental Protection
Sites of Special Interest # AgencyNewEngland
For more information on this site, please read the Fact Sheet on the Region 1/New England
Superfu nd Web site: www.epo.gov/ne/superfund/sites/mohawk
Current Funding Status :
• As of March 2003, EPA has spent $1 5 million in response costs at the site, primarily
associated with the cleanup activities described above.
• EPA has determined that this site does not pose an immediate threat to human health, and will
continue to monitor this site for any changes that may tngger additional action. EPA will
consider funding new work at this site in Fiscal Year 2004
Key Accomplishments :
• EPA disposed of drums and small containers containing hazardous substances, asbestos
containing material, caustic wastes, and the contents of a clarifier tank
• EPA completed an analysis to charadenze the nature and extent of contamination in the
unlined lagoons and several other disposal areas, and to evaluate potential removal options for
these matenals
• EPA completed field sampling and investigative activities to characterize the nature and extent
of contamination in the groundwater, soil beneath the tannery buildings, and areas of the site
outside of the disposal areas.
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 / 19
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Sites of Special Interest
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATING
Merrimack, New Hampshire
April2004
Lead Federal
Listed on the NPL: 10/14/1 992
Site Description :
The New Hampshire Plating Company (NHPC) Superfund site, located in Merrimack, New Hamp-
shire, was an electroplating facility from 1962 to 1 985 A 13 acre site, it is surrounded by light
industry, commercial businesses, and a few private residential dwellings During operation, the
facility discharged electroplating wastes to a series of four lagoons, contaminating the soil and
groundwater with a variety of metals, cyanide, and a variety of chlorinated organic solvents
including trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) Drinking water wells are located
within four miles of the site and are a source of drinking water for an estimated 39,000 people
The immediate area is served by a public water supply
Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date :
EPA’s cleanup plan, published in September 1998, will do the following
• Treat approximately 60,000 yards 3 of metals contaminated soil via chemical fixation
(a process through which the soil composition is chemically altered to bind toxic metals
to the soil so they will no longer leach to groundwater) The treated soil will be
consolidated under a two foot soil cover on-site The Town plans to develop recreational
fields following the clean-up
• Remove chlorinated organic solvents and metals in the groundwater using natural
attenuation EPA will continue to test and monitorthe groundwater and surfoce water
throughout the cleanup process,
• Establish systems to prevent the consumption of groundwater and the removal of
treated soils, and
• Alter the terrain of the site to help the community reuse the site for recreational
purposes
• In 1987, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) stabilized the
lagoon system, removed contaminated debns, and gave the NHPC building a superficial cleaning
• From 1990 to 1991, EPA stabilized approximately 18,600 tons of contaminated sludge and
disposed of an additional 5,000 tons of soil off-site A fence was also installed around the site to
completely eliminate unauthorized access
1n 1994, EPA
• Placed laboratory waste into secure containers and shipped off-site for disposal,
• Removed asbestos-containing materials,
• Demolished the building, floor slab, and foundation,
• Removed an underground storage tank, and
• Identified the contaminants in the soil and covered the ground where the building
once stood
• The lagoon system sits in a wetland area, and in 2002, EPA completed the necessary compen-
satory wetland acquisitions The Grassy Pond wetland area was purchased in 1 998 and the
Green’s Pond wetland area was purchased in 2002 at a combined cost of $1 4 million
20/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England United States
Environmental Protection
Sites of Special Interest # Agency New England
In 2001, EPA awarded a $99,050 Superfund Redevelopment Initiative grant to the town of
Merrimack The town developed a reuse plan which calls for the site to be developed into a
recreational area consisting of two or three soccer or boll fields with associated parking areas
• EPA, through the (NHDES), continues to sample groundwater from about 30 monitoring wells
on and around the site, as well as surface water from Horseshoe Pond and the Merrimack River
Three supply wells in the adlacent town of Litchfield are also monitored annually and remain safe
for use The entire impacted area is served by a public water supply system
• EPA continues to monitor the site to ensure there is no immediate threat to human health or the
environment pending the start of long-term cleanup work
For more information on this site, please read the Fact Sheet on the Region I/New England
Superiund Web site www epa gov/ne/superfund/sites/nhplating
Current Funding Status :
• EPA has spent $12 million in response costs to date, primarily on removal and site character-
ization activities EPA continues to spend about $50,000 per year to monitor the site for further
contamination
• EPA has determined that this site does not pose an immediate threat to human health, and will
continue to monitor this site for any changes that may trigger additional action EPA will
consider funding new work at this site in Fiscal Year 2004
Key Accomplishments :
• From 1990 to 1 991, EPA stabilized approximately 1 8,600 tons of contaminated sludge and
disposed of an additional 5,000 tons of soil off-site
• EPA awarded a $99,050 Superfund Redevelopment Initiative grant to the town to develop and
implement a reuse plan which calls for recreotional use of the site property
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORI 2003 / 21
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Sites of Special Interest
NEW HAMPSHIRE
TROY MILLS LANDFILL
Troy, New Hampshire
Aprd 2004
Lead. Federal
Listed on the NPL: September 2003
Site Description :
The site, located in Troy, New Hampshire is a 1 0-acre inactive landfill In a two-acre portion of
the landfill 6,000 to 10,000 55-gallon drums are buned Historical information shows that from
1 967 until 1978, Troy Mills, Inc, used the area as a landfill forthe disposal of solid and liquid
wastes generated at their facility in town Analytical results of the drum contents revealed liquids
and sludges consisting of flammable substances, inorganic, volatile and semi-volatile organic
compounds Analytical results of surface and subsurface soil samples, as well as surface water
samples collected down gradient from the drum buna? areas, confirm that the drum contents are
leaking and have contaminated groundwater and surface water posing a public health threat
An estimated 3,886 people reside within four radial miles of the site Sensitive environments
located within this area include 2,173 acres of wetlands, a CWA-protected water body, and
habitats for eight state-listed endangered or threatened species
Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date :
EPA Region I funded and completed the construction of a 300-foot interceptor trench system
to significantly reduce the migration of hazardous substances from the site and is currently in the
process of making modifications to the system During the installation process the following
activities were performed
• Re-graded the access road and built additional access roads for the installation of
eight additional monitonng wells
• Installed booms at several locations to temporarily contain leachate outbreaks from
the landfill
• Installed eight piezometers to delineate groundwater contours at the site
• Constructed a berm along the access road upgradient of the trenches to divert storm
water runoff, and repaired the bridge leading into the site
For more information on this site, visit www epa gov/ne/superfund/sutes/troy
Current Funding Status :
• EPA received $8 million in supplemental site-specific funding through EPA’s National Pnontization
Panel process to remove the buried drums Work is expected to begin in the summer of 2004 with
the goal of completing most activities pnor to the end of the construction season.
• EPA has spent $500,000 for the removal action through April 2004
• EPA awarded a $75,000 for a Targeted Brownfields Assessment of the Troy Mills facility
22/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England __ United States
w tIu#!i Env 10nmental Protection
Watch List Agency New England
NEW HAMPSHIRE WATCH LIST
Sites included on the “Watch List” are those that both the state and EPA Site Assessment
programs agree merit increased state-federal coordination and oversight. These sites are but a
small subset of the several thousand “active” sites included in the EPA Region 1 and New
England state inventories of known and suspected hazardous waste disposal sites. Criteria for
including sites on the Watch List are loosely defined. In general, the Watch List includes sites that
warrant special monitoring because they are strong NPL candidates, ore the sub jed of consid-
erable public interest, are particularly large and/or complex, are requiring significant Agency or
state resource expenditures, or are state-lead sites that may be referred to EPA. Watch List sites
may be, but are not necessarily, listed in the federal CERCLIS inventory. Sites may be added or
dropped astheirstatus changes.
The purpose of the Watch List is to facilitate rapid information exchange between the states and
EPA regarding the current status of these high profile sites, and to ensure both Agencies are kept
abreast of key site issues. Both Agencies have agreed to share site information and to revise the
status of sites as needed. Ata minimum, however, the entire list will be reviewed and revised, as
appropriate, annually.
CHLOR-ALKAI FACILITY (FORMER), BERLIN
NHN0001 03313
The Chlor-Alkali property is an approximately 5-acre parcel located on the eastern bank of the
Androscoggin River. The Chlor-AlkaIi facility has operated at the site from 1 898 until the 1 950s
when the facility ceased operation and was dismantled. At some point during the operation of the
facility mercury cells were used to produce chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide for the adjacent
paper mill.
Elemental mercury (i.e, liquid mercury) can be observed in the cracks and fissures in the
bedrock along the Androscoggin River banks. To date approximately 1 30 pounds of mercury have
been recovered from the riverbanks and sediments. Overburden on the property is
contaminated with mercury and lead in the 1 000s of ppm range. The groundwater is contami-
nated with mercury, lead and chlorinated VOCs.
The NHDES requested EPA assistance in December 2003. In subsequent discussions the NHDES
confirmed that the properly should be evaluated for potential addition to the NPL. An EPA contrac-
tor has been tasked to prepare a PA/SI report of the property and an EPA Headquarters contrador
will be preparing the HRS package. The reports may be available as soon as the fall of 2004.
UPPER CONNECTICUT RIVER STUDY
(Special study area)
The Superfund Site Assessment program is coordinating with VT and NH in a “site screening”
effort. Under the Superfund site screening effort approximately 100 potential hazardous waste
sources will be evaluated for CERCLIS listing or further state remedial adions. EPA will coordi-
nate with both states to seled the study area, the sites to be evaluated and to seled the decision
for additional adions (if needed). In addition, the Superfund program will evaluate:
a. the effectiveness of an area wide site discovery effort
b. the potential for RCRA generators to be evaluated as CERCLIS/NPL sites
c. the benefits of coordinating efforts with other EPA programs
SUPERFUND ANN UA REPORT 2003 / 23
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Watch List
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Approximately 100 sediment samples from the upper 150 miles of the river were co!lected in late
August The sampling locations were coordinated with a concurrent fish tissue sampling study
An EPA contractor has started to load the data unto the STORET system Work continues on
developing limited community profiles of potential problem areas within each of the 38 riverside
communities. The final reports are expected to be available in the spring of 2004
24/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England I p unite states
Watch List i Environmental Protection
Agency New Eng?and
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 / 25
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Emergency Planning & Response Program
EMERGENCY PLANNING AND
RESPONSE PROGRAM
EPA New England’s Emergency Hanning and Kesponse
Program prepares for, and responds to oil and chemical spills
to the environment, and supports and supplements local, state,
and private parties’ efforts to address emergencies.
EPA also oversees short-term cleanups across New England. Short-term
cleanups, called “removal actions,” reduce immediate threats to public health and the environ-
ment at sites that are typically less complex to cleanup than sites on the National Priorities List.
Short-term cleanups may take anywhere from a few days to a few years to complete, depending
on the type and extent of contamination.
An emergency occurs when hazardous or toxic chemicals are released into the environment
causing potential health or environmental risks. EPA may need to respond within hours of the
event.
Time-Critical Adions are those cleanups where, based on an evaluation of the site, EPA deter-
mines that on-site cleanup activities must be initiated within six months of determining that a
short-term cleanup is appropriate. For time-critical actions, EPA conducts an investigation of
the contamination and produces an “action memorandum” authorizing and outlining the cleanup
process before beginning work.
Examples of the types of situations where EPA may be asked to respond immediately include
those involving a fire, explosion or imminent, catastrophic contamination of a drinking water
reservoir. In cases where an abandoned property has been identified with drums of toxic
chemicals left behind, EPA may still assist in the cleanup but the timetable need not be as imme-
diate. The following charts show the funds spent at each of the sites EPA has worked on in 2003.
- I
For further information on EPA
New England’s oil and chemi-
cai emergency response pro-
grams, visit our web site at
______ www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/er /
A erindex.htm .
NEW HAMPSHIRE
2() SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England I i’ p unite tates
Environmental Protection
Emergency Planning & Response Program I Agency New England
SITES WITH SHORT-TERM CLEANUP ACTIVITIES COMPLETED IN 2003
Site Name City Date CERCLA
Completed Funds Expended
Connecticut
American Thread Company
Willtmantic
05/01/03
$
1,625,868.13
Inter Royal Corporation
Plainfield
07/22/03
$
239,058 25
Beanys Cleaners
Naugatuck
08/07/03
$
150,978 28
Chase Brass and Copper
Waterbury
08/10/03
$
3,772,999.14
Maine
Tuttle Estate
Lyman
09/16/03
$
87,51964
Buckfield Trailers
Buckfield
07/18/03
$
224,113.02
Green Street Property
Houlton
10/24/03
$
216,558.08
One Market Square
Houlton
05/20/03
$
242,446.46
Winchendon
Foxboro
Mansfield
Taunton
Concord
Merrimac
10/09/03
08/08/03
10/17/03
05/27/03
04/30/03
08/24/03
$ 60,608 63
$1,024,900 84
$1,026,640 02
$1,353,466 33
$1,193,800.00
$ 528,782 27
New Hampshire
A C. Lawrence Leather
Winchester 12/12/03
Rhode Island
T D Mack East
Vermont
Buckley Drive Waterline
$ 543,715.79
Massachusetts
Sanborn Wood Factory
Evelyn Porter Estate
Hatheway & Patterson
Route 44
Nuclear Metals
Coastal Metal Finishing
$ 240,784.88
Providence 06/30/03
Bennington
Howe Cleaners Barre
TLR Mill Complex Bellows Falls
04/30/03 $ 629,813 80
09/11/03 $ 225,397 22
12/09/03 $ 183,239 61
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 ,/ 27
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Emergency Planning & Response Program
NEW HAMPSHIRE
SITES WITH ONGOING CLEANUP ACTIVITIES
Site Name City Date CERCLA
Started Funds Expended
Connecticut
Bristol Franklin Street PCBs
Brunswick Mill
Carvill Combing
E PAC
Chrome Engineering
Bristol
03/10/03
$
77,591 .52
Plainfield
04/09/03
$
151,144.35
Plainfield
04/09/03
$
104,556.32
Waterbury
11/18/03
$
31,032 21
Bridgeport
10/06/03
$
406,894.13
Massachusetts
Sawyer Passway
Temple-Stuart
Fisherville Mill
Sutton Lane Plating
Oak Street
Witchcraft Heights
Wells G&H
Zimble Drum
$ 21,077.80
$1,704,926.53
$2,985,446.45
$ 2,297 62
$ 614,945 27
$1,977,199 05
$ 59,038 00
$ 272,053.42
New Hampshire
Spauldung Fibre
B & S Lecsing
Eastern Parcel
Grugnale Waste Disposal
Tray Mills Landfill
Milton
Plaunfield
Hen n i ker
Milford
Troy
10/08/03
1 0/31/01
1 0/31/01
11/11/03
10/03/02
$ 340,608.20
$ 425,835 99
$ 230,340 11
$ 431,642.79
$ 327,000.00
Rhode Island
Centredole Manor
Restoration Project
North
Providence
1 0/22/03
$
65,000 00
20 Green Hill Rood
Johnston
02/25103
$1
,624,859 15
Fitchburg
Baldwinville
Grafton
Worcester
Tounton
Salem
Woburn
Norwood
11/25/02
08/28/02
05/10/02
10/3 1/03
06/12/02
09/26/02
03/28/03
10/ 1 6/02
Vermont
Elizabeth Mine Stroflord
03/19/03 $1,266,366 00
28/ SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003
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U.S. EPA New England United States
tr!i Envr0nme’taI Protection
Brownfuelds Overview ‘ i Agency New Engtand
J EPA NEW ENGLAND BROWNFIELDS:
RESTORING COMMUNITIES
Environmental contamination can rob a community of its
Land & Community vit liz tion economic potential and its social structure even when
D n (Y A IFS. ‘F’ E’ contamination is not severe enough for a Superfund
L)JS V \ I N I L ) designation Any amount of contamination—or even the
perception of possible contamination—can prevent the use
of valuable property Across New England, hundreds of properties are abandoned or underused
because of the fear of environmental contamination, a contamination that may not even exist
And at the same time these sites are left unused, development is consuming valuable open
space elsewhere Although such idle properties, called brownfietds, are usually urban
warehouses or abandoned factories, they can also be found in rural areas When mines are
abandoned or fields host illegal dumping, the value of the property can plummet
EPA New England’s Brownfields Program provides solutions by helping communities restore the value
to these abandoned sites The program focuses on providing grants and services to help communities
assess contamination, plan for new uses, and dean sites to ready them for redevelopment
“The term ‘brownfield site’ means real property, the expansion, redevelopment,
or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence
of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant”
(from the federal BrownheldsAct of 2002)
Summary of Brownfields Program
Originally begun as an EPA initiative in January 1995, the US EPA National Brownfields
Program has since evolved into a collaborative effort involving many federal, state and local
partners In January 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act
(“the Brownfields law”) was signed This law expanded potential federal assistance for Brownfields
revitalization, including grants for assessment, cleanup, and ob training The law also includes
provisions to establish and enhance state and tribal response programs, which will continue to
play a critical role in the successful cleanup and revitalization of brownfields Below is a
summary of the US EPA Region 1 funding for each of the key Brownfields initiatives
Summary of Brownfields Funding in New England by State (1 994-2003)
Program CT ME MA NH RI VT
Assessment Grants $5,265,000 $1,609,017 $11,733,131 $1,540,000 $1,103,000 $2,600,000
EPATBA $1,582,343 $362,181 $2,542,782 $242,533 $305,000 $250,000
Cleanup Grants $60,000 $0 $852,000 $0 $200,000 $0
Revolving Loan Fund $5,750,000 $2,650,000 $10,468,000 $2,450,000 $4,700,000 $1,000,000
JobTraining $1,000,000 $0 $1,550,000 $0 $200,000 $0
Showcase Communities $300,000 $0 $600,000 $0 $300,000 $0
Voluntary Cleanup Program $2,175,667 $750,892 $2,729,974 $1,908,369 $1,338,820 $307,030
State Site Assessments $714,960 $519,545 $781,000 $1,255,293 $598,115 $458,000
TOTAL $16,847,970 $5,891,635 $31,256,887 $7,369,195 $8,744,935 $4,615,030
SUPERFUND ANNUAL REPORT 2003 / 29
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Brownfields Overview
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Brownfields Assessment
Program
The Brownfields Assessment Program
consists of grants of up to $400,000 ni-
tiallyto local, tnbal and state governmental
entities to conduct site assessment and
related activities at brownfields sites Funds
can be utilized to assess properties contami-
nated with petroleum Supplemental funds
are available in later years
Targeted Brownfields
Assessments
Under this initiative, EPA uses its contrac-
tors to conduct brownfields assessments at
sites identified by the local entity as being a
high-priority for reuse Brownfields assess-
ments typically involve a review of existing
site records, site sampling and preparation
of a preliminary clean-up cost estimate
The information gathered allows local
government officials and developers to make
informed decisions regarding the redevel-
opment potential of a site
Recipient Funding
Claremont $200,000
Concord $90,000
NH Department of
Environmental Services $350,000
Nashua $300,000
NH Office of State Planning $400,000
Southwest Regional
Planning Commission $200,000
TOTAL $1,540,000
Site City Value
Ambargis Mill
Newport
$75,000
Craig Supply
Durham
$70,409
Former Tannery Site
Milton
$50,655
Henry’s Tire Property
Sutton
$6,818
Lamont Labs
Londonderry
$30,954
J P Stevens Mill
Franklin
$8,697
TOTAL -
$242,533
Cleanup Grant Program
Under this initiative, EPA funds are awarded to eligible local, state, tribal and non-profit entities
to conduct cleanup activities on eligible brownfields properties Grants are for up to $200,000
per property Entities must own the property at the time of award to be eligible for funding
Revolving Loan Fund Pilots
Under this initiative, pilots are awarded to
eligible local, tribal and state entities to
establish and capitalize revolving loan funds
to assist private and public entities in clean-
ing up contaminated sites Grants are for up to $1,000,000 and eligible communities may team
together to establish larger revolving loan funds pools
Recipient Funding
State of New Hampshire $2,450,000
TOTAL $2,450,000
30,’ SUPERFIJND ANNUAL REPORt 2003
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U.S. EPA New England II A United States
Environmental Protection
Brownfuelds Overview #‘ Agency New England
Brownfields Job Training Pilots
The Brownfields Job Training Program funding is used to train workers in the field of hazardous
waste assessment and remediation To be eligible for these pilots, the applicants must be
affiliated with an existing Brownfields-funded grant recipient
Showcase Communities
As part of the multi-federal agency Brownfields Notional Partnership, sixteen communities were
selected to receive Showcase Community designation following a national competition
The federat partners work with selected communities to revitalize brownfields properties
EPA provided each with a $200,000 Browrifields Demonstration Pilot and assigned an EPA
employee to work full time in the designated community for two years
Financial Assistance to State Brownfields Programs
EPA also offers funding to directly support state brownfields activities including funds to estab-
lish and enhance state brownfields programs (also known as voluntary cleanup programs), to
conduct site specific assessment and cleanup, to develop revolving loan fund programs and to
develop insurance tools Below is a summary of the type and amount of funding received in
New Hampshire
Program Funding
Voluntary Clean-up Program
Brownfields Site Assessment
and Cleanup:
$1,908,369
$1,255,293
Summary of EPA Brownfield Funding in New Hampshire
(1994-2003)
Program Funding
Assessment Pilots
Targeted Brownfields Assessment
Cleanup Grant Program
Revolving Loan Fund Pilots
Job Training Program
Showcase Communities
Voluntary Cleanup Program
State Brownfields Site Assessments
GRAND TOTAL
$1 ,540,000
$242,533
$0
$2,450,000
$0
$0
$1,908,369
$1,255,293
$7,396,195
SUPERFUNDANNUALREPORT2003 / 3]
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