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EPA Seeks Comment on Fletcher's Paint Superfund Site Settlement

Release Date: 10/22/2002
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1064 Cheryl Sprague, EPA Project Manager, 617-918-1244

BOSTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice lodged a proposed consent decree in U.S. District Court in New Hampshire outlining a settlement with AVX Corporation and Great American Financial Resources, Inc. The consent decree seeks to recover more than $2.1 million in cleanup costs incurred at the Fletcher's Paint Works and Storage Facility Superfund Site in Milford, New Hampshire.

AVX Corporation and Great American Financial Resources, Inc. generated hazardous substances that were brought to the Fletcher's Paint property and which may have eventually leaked into the environment during the time that the Fletcher's Paint Works manufactured and sold paints and painting supplies. In the proposed consent decree, the settling parties agree to pay to the United States $2,198,052.30 for past and future costs incurred as part of the cleanup of PCB contaminated soils at the Fletcher's Paint properties and contaminated groundwater which runs from the Mill Street area to the Souhegan River. The settling parties also agree to pay to the state of New Hampshire, $4,190.50 and agree not to sue the state. This proposed settlement does not address any potential liability for future cleanup activities associated with the cleanup of the Souhegan River and contaminated groundwater below nearby Keyes Field.

The Department of Justice is accepting comments on the consent decree until November 18, 2002. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice, P.O. Box 7611, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044, and should refer to the United States and State of New Hampshire v. AVX Corporation and Great American Financial Resources, Inc., D.J. Ref. 90-11-3-684/2. A request can be made for a public meeting in the affected area.

Site Cleanup Background

In December 2000, EPA demolished and disposed of the unoccupied, former Fletcher's Paint Works building on Elm Street. In July of 2002 EPA ordered General Electric Company to clean up soil and groundwater contamination at the site, located near the center of town in Milford, NH. The order came following several years of discussions with GE which failed to result in a voluntary agreement to cleanup the property. The order directed GE to excavate PCB contaminated soils at both the Mill and Elm Street Areas; treat the contaminated soils using thermal desorption; place the treated soil back into the excavated areas; and construct a soil and asphalt cover over the treated material. In addition, GE is required to conduct long-term monitoring of the contaminated groundwater until drinking water levels are attained in the future.

Fletcher's Paint Works on Elm Street manufactured and sold water-based latex paints and organic chemical-based solvent paints from 1949 to 1991. The Fletcher's Paint Site was placed on the EPA's National Priorities List (Superfund) in 1989.

To request a copy of the consent decree please contact Cheryl Sprague at 617 918-1244 or via the internet at sprague.cheryl@ epa.gov. In addition, the consent decree is available for review at the following locations:

Office of the US Attorney, District of New Hampshire
55 Pleasant Street, Room 312
Concord, NH 03301

EPA New England
One Congress Street
Boston, MA 02203

Consent Decree Library
1120 G Street, NW., 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 624-0892.