All News Releases By Date

Cleanup Progress at the Coakley Landfill Superfund Site in N.H. Reviewed

Release Date: 06/15/2006
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. - June 15, 2006) – Federal and state environmental officials are conducting a scheduled review of the effectiveness of the cleanup remedy in place at the Coakley Landfill Superfund Site, located in Greenland and North Hampton, N.H.

The study, called a five year review, is being performed jointly by EPA and the N.H. Department of Environmental Services (NH DES). These regular evaluations of previous cleanup work at Superfund sites helps ensure that the public and the environment continue to be protected from any environmental contamination. This is the second five year review for the site.

The Coakley Landfill Superfund Site encompasses approximately 92 acres of land, with the actual landfill covering approximately 27 acres. The landfill operated between 1972 and 1982 during which time it accepted an estimated 120 tons of municipal and industrial waste from the Portsmouth area each day.

In 1990, EPA issued a cleanup plan (called a "Record of Decision") which required that the landfill be capped and land use restrictions be put in place to create a groundwater management zone beneath and around the site. Construction of a cap began in the fall of 1996 and was completed in 1999. The groundwater at the site is monitored annually and EPA is continuing to work with the NH DES and the responsible parties to establish a Groundwater Management Zone around the site.

EPA's team is reviewing the reports prepared by the responsible party group which has been conducting the cleanup. The review team is additionally:

- collecting information from local officials;
- reviewing monitoring reports to evaluate how cleanup levels are being met; and
- conducting a site visit to inspect the remedy components.

The review team will evaluate all available information to make a determination regarding whether the previous work at the site continues to protect public health and the environment. The review team will also identify If additional actions are required to ensure continued protection of public health and the environment. The five year review process should be complete this fall, followed by a final report which will be made available to the public.

EPA technical reports and documents are available for public review in the site information repository located at the North Hampton Public Library, 235 Atlantic Ave. in North Hampton, N.H.

More information on the Coakley Landfill Superfund Site (epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/coakley)

# # #