Atlas Tack Phase 3 (Wetlands)

Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Site Description

The Atlas Tack facility is located on an approximately 24 acre site located in
Fairhaven, MA. The facility was built in 1901 and manufactured a variety of
metal products until 1985 including tacks, steel nails, rivets, eyelets and bolts.
From the early 1940s until the 1970s or 1980s, wastewater containing cyanide
and heavy metals was discharged into an on-site lagoon, eventually
contaminating the soil, marsh sediments and groundwater. Three separate
areas of the Site are also contaminated with volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), heavy metals, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date

•	In 1992, EPA limited access to the site by requiring the Potentially
Responsible Party (PRP) to install a fence around the facility.

•	In 1998, EPA completed investigations into the nature and extent of site
contamination.

•	In 1999, EPA's Emergency Response and Removal program removed
asbestos from three dilapidated buildings on the site, preventing the
possibility of local community residents inhaling asbestos fibers.
Additionally, the Town of Fairhaven banned shell fishing on or near the
site to prohibit the possible ingestion of bacterially contaminated fish.

•	A three-phased cleanup plan for the Atlas Tack site was approved on
March 10, 2000. EPA completed the first phase of the cleanup which
included demolition of the rear three-story section of the main
manufacturing building, the power plant building and a 180 foot smoke
stack on the site and excavation (2pp, 530K) and off-site disposal of
contaminated soil and sludge found beneath and around the buildings.

•	The second phase began in 2006 and includes removing 39,000 cubic
yards of contaminated soil and debris from the "fill areas" of the site and
disposing of these materials at licensed, off-site facilities. Once Phase II
is completed, EPA will use a method called phvtoremediation (2pp,
87K) to prevent residual contamination from leaving the Site.

•	The final phase will include remediation and restoration of salt marsh
soils and creek bed sediments. EPA will then continue to monitor the
phytoremediation efforts, marsh restoration and groundwater quality.

•	This site has a high level of community involvement. EPA continues to
hold regular public meetings to keep the community informed about the
progress of cleanup work at the Site. The commercial area and a
portion of the "fill areas" of the Site may be redeveloped for
commercial/industrial use after the cleanup has occurred.

•	EPA continues to monitor the site to ensure there is no immediate threat
to human health during the cleanup work.

Current Funding Status

•	In Fiscal Year 2006, EPA provided approximately $13.3 million for work

Key

Accomplishments

•	Designed the cleanup
plan that involves
building demolition,
contaminated soil and
sediment excavation
(2 pp, 530K),
phvtoremediation (2pp,
87K), and wetland
restoration.

•	Completed a
settlement in 2004 with
the Hathaway-Braley
Wharf Company, a
PRP at the Site,
making partial funding
available for the first
phase of cleanup.

•	Completed a
settlement in 2005 with
the owner/operator
and Atlas Tack
Corporation, the Town
of Fairhaven and the
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, making
additional funding
available for the
remaining cleanup.

•	Completed Phase I and
initiated Phase II of the
cleanup in fiscal year
2006 which included
building demolition and
excavation and off-site
disposal of
contaminated soil and
sludge in the 10-acre
commercial area of the
Site.

•	EPA initiated funding
of the Phase III
cleanup plan in late
fiscal year 2006.

For more information on

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at the entire site.

•	Phase I (completed) funding: Total funding through fiscal year 2005 was
approximately $2.3 million.

•	Phase II funding: In September 2005, EPA allocated $3.0 million to
partially fund the second phase of cleanup. An additional $6.0 million
was allocated for the second phase of cleanup in fiscal year 2006.

•	Phase III funding: $2.0 million was allocated in fiscal year 2006 to
initiate the third phase of the cleanup.

the projects at this site,
including weekly
construction updates,
please read the Atlas Tack
Corporation Fact Sheet on
the Region 1 Superfund
Web site

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