vyEPA www.epa.gov EPA-540-FS-09-125 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES BssSSnU at the BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site This fact sheet is part of a series that illustrates the services provided by U.S. EPA's Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program. Community Technical Assistance Needs At the BoRit Asbestos Superfund site in Ambler, Pennsylvania, waste from an asbestos manufacturing facility was disposed of between the 1930s and the 1970s. In order to ensure cleanup, U.S. EPA listed the site on its National Priorities List (NPL) of contaminated sites in April 2009. The community has been very engaged in the site's planned cleanup. EPA encouraged establishment of a Community Advisory Group (CAG), and worked closely with the community throughout the formation process. The CAG's purpose is to provide a public forum for community members to discuss their site-related priorities and concerns and better understand the Superfund cleanup process. The CAG's technical assistance priorities were to: better understand asbestos remediation activities and stream bank stabilization; begin considering how the site may be reused after cleanup; and develop a Web site to further community outreach activities. BoRit site cleanup activities. The TASC Response EPA Region 3 contacted TASC on March 27, 2008. Following a community needs assessment in early May 2008, TASC moved rapidly to address the community's technical assistance priorities. • Priority #1: TASC queried its technical expert database and sent notices to its contractor network to find the most appropriate Technical Assistance Specialists to assist the CAG. The specialists selected currently work regularly with CAG members, providing presentations and answering site cleanup questions. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technical Assistance Services for Communities ® Priority #2: TASC is working with the CAG to implement a reuse planning process for the site. The process will identify the site's reasonably anticipated future land uses, based on site and community information and other factors. • Priority #3: TASC is working with the CAG to launch a Web site where community members will be able to access site documents and meeting summaries as well as interact with other stakeholders through a site blog. ------- Process Outcomes: Community Benefits TASC's services for the BoRit Asbestos Superfund site are addressing the CAG's technical assistance priorities and supporting informed community engagement regarding the site's cleanup and reuse. For more information on the cleanup of the BoRit Asbestos Site, please contact: Stacie Peterson Remedial Project Manager, EPA Region 3 peterson.stacie@epa.gov (215) 814-3436 TASC Technical Assistance Specialists are helping to build community understanding of site cleanup and enhancing the community's capacity to participate in the cleanup process. TASC helped the CAG's Future Uses Workgroup evaluate desirable reuse scenarios, which may influence cleanup decisions. The CAG's Web site will provide new opportunities to invite community interest and participation in site meetings and other activities, enhancing the CAG's outreach activities. Reuse planning for BoRit site. What is the TASC Program? www.epa.gov/superfund/community/tasc For more information on EPA's TASC program, please contact: Amelia Libertz TASC Coordinator - EPA Region 3 liebertz.amelia@epa.gov (215) 814-5522 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technical Assistance Services for Communities Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) is a U.S. EPA program that provides educational and technical assistance to communities affected by hazardous waste sites regulated by the Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs. TASC provides independent technical advisors to explain hazardous waste issues and to interpret plans for cleaning up contamination. TASC offers assistance to help communities better understand local hazardous waste issues and engage in the cleanup process. Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper ------- |