Return to Use Initiative 2006 Demonstration Project Union Chemical Co., Inc.: Hope, Maine THE SITE: From 1969 until 1984, the 12-acre Union Chemical Company Inc. site was home to a paint and coating stripper formulator that also handled and recovered petrochemical-based solvents. When the State of Maine closed the waste treatment operations in 1984, approximately 2,000 drums and 30 liquid storage tanks containing hazardous waste were stored on the site. The on-site soil and ground water contamination resulted from improper handling and operating practices such as leaking stored drums, spills, and use of a septic tank and a leach field for process wastewater disposal. Cleanup activities have included the decontamination and demolition of the site facilities with off- site disposal, soil vapor extraction, and ground water extraction. Subsequent to the construction of the remedy, the ground water restoration effort has been enhanced by four seasons of in-situ chemical oxidation and two seasons of in-situ chemical reductions. Barriers: Uncertainty regarding appropriate future uses of the property; liability concerns Solution: Ongoing open communication between U.S. EPA and the Town; future reuse planning process THE OPPORTUNITY: Cleanup of the source area soils was completed in 1998 and substantial progress has been made in addressing the ground water contamination. As a result, significant portions of the site could be ready for reuse. Although the property is currently held in receivership by the State of Maine, the Town of Hope as well as other parties have made inquiries about the property. The Town of Hope has expressed interest in acquiring the property and using it to meet one or more municipal purposes. THE BARRIER: The Town of Hope remains concerned about liability if they acquire the site. The Town needs assistance in understanding limitations associated with the property and how they will affect the potential future uses. THE SOLUTION: In 2006, EPA provided information about Superfund liability schemes and landowner protections, as well as likely restrictions that would be placed on the property in order to maintain the protectiveness of the remedy. The Town then established a committee to make recommendations regarding future land uses. Recommendations were made in 2007 that focused on returning the property to private ownership. In 2009, EPA and Maine Department of Environmental Protection met with Town of Hope selectmen to update them on the process of transferring the property out of receivership, the anticipated restrictions, and the status of the site. Before: Cleaned up former chemical processing facility After: Future municipal amenity for the Town of Hope and surrounding communities THE SITE NOW: EPA continues to work with the Town of Hope and remove barriers to reuse at the site. In addition to the liability concerns and restrictions, there is the issue of a potable water source for the property. Based on geophysical work performed in 2007 by the US Geological Survey for EPA, it was concluded that the existing bedrock wells on the property could not function as potable water sources. Consequently, the Town is exploring options to combine the Union Chemical property with an adjacent town-owned property or to provide an easement to the town property so that the site could have potable water. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: (617) 918-1296 or podgurski.john@,epa.gov John Podgurksi, Region 1 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at United States Environmental Protection Agency uperfund Redevelopment Initiative updated June 2009 ------- |