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Red River Aluminum Site Cleanup Begins

Release Date: 11/8/2000
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a cleanup action to stop the offsite migration of copper from the abandoned Red River Aluminum site near Stamps, Ark.

     EPA's first actions will prevent water runoff from the site. EPA is concerned that, although copper is not present in amounts that would affect human health, there is a threat to the environment from water runoff.

     Red River Aluminum recycled scrap aluminum from 1988 to 1998. Dross recycling processes generated a waste pile of approximately 175,000 cubic yards of aluminum dross and salt cake. The primary pollutants are sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and copper.

     None of the pollutants are present in the groundwater at a level that causes a human health concern.

     EPA is working with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to develop a plan for addressing the waste pile in the long term. Although many options are being discussed, no decisions have been made on the final method of addressing the waste pile.

     The Arkansas Department of Health is also providing information to help with site assessment.

     EPA's on-site command post will be available to the public to ensure the community has the most up-to-date information on the response action.

     EPA is addressing this site through the Superfund program. Statutory requirements limit EPA's response budget at this site to $2 million.