SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response
(5201 G)
July 2000
Superfund Redevelopment
DSIrs /o	Peter Cooper Landfill
# //C/tO	Gowanda, NY
EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Initiative (SRI) is a nationally coordinated effort to facilitate the return of Superfund
sites to productive use by selecting response actions consistent with anticipated use. The SRI Pilots are intended to
help local governments enhance their involvement in the Superfund decision-making process by assisting EPA in
predicting future land uses for Superfund sites. Under the Pilot Program, EPA will provide up to $100,000 in financial
assistance and/or services to local governments for specified activities. Applicants are offered several types of program
assistance, including funding through a cooperative agreement, access to facilitation services, and/or the availability of
personnel under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA).
BACKGROUND
EPA selected the Village of Gowanda, New York, for a
Superfund Redevelopment Pilot. Gowanda is home to
the 26-acre Peter Cooper Landfill Superfund site, which
borders the Cattaraugus Creek at the entrance to Zoar
Valley, a state wildlife preserve. The Peter Cooper
Corporations (PCC) plant manufactured animal glue in
Gowanda from 1904 until 1972, and industrial adhesives
from 1972 until the plant closed in 1985. Between 1925
and October 1970, PCC used the northwest corner of
the property to pile sludge from the manufacturing
process. The waste contains elevated levels of
chromium, arsenic, zinc, and some organic compounds.
In September 1997, EPA added the site to its list of
hazardous waste sites needing cleanup.
OBJECTIVES
The Village of Gowanda plans to use Pilot funds to
develop a reuse plan that fits both short-term and long-
term community needs, including improving recreational
facilities. They also want to increase the opportunity
for public involvement and consensus-building through
community focus groups, newsletters, and coordination
with state and federal agencies.
PILOT SNAPSHOT
Peter
Cooper
Landfill
Albany

Applicant Name: Gowanda, NY
Site Name: Peter Cooper Landfill
Date of Selection: July 2000
Anticipated Award: Cooperative Agreement
($100,000)
Profile: The village will reach community
consensus and develop a plan to reuse the
site for recreational activities.
Contacts:
Dan Forger	Superfund Hotline:
U.S. EPA Region 2	(800) 424-9346 or
(212) 637-4402	(703) 412-9810 (DC Metro Area)
forger.dan@epa.gov	reuse.info@epa.gov
Visit the EPA Superfund Redevelopment Web site
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/recycle/pilot.htm

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