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COORDINATING COUNCIL MULLS SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS, PREPARES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Release Date: 09/24/1997
Contact Information: Margery Adams, 617/565-3746 Sheila Eckman, 617/573-5784

BOSTON -- A day after reaching a tentative agreement on a key component of the proposed remedy for the Pine Street Superfund Site, the Pine Street Barge Canal Coordinating Council explored a series of supplemental projects that could be undertaken by the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) as part of a larger plan to improve environmental conditions in and around Burlington.

"We've turned a $50 million Rube Goldberg contraption into an effective, affordable mechanism for environmental protection. And importantly, we've created an opportunity for urban development in a county where green space is being gobbled up at a record pace," said John P. DeVillars, administrator of the EPA's New England office.

DeVillars encouraged the Council to explore other side projects that would benefit the local environment beyond the site itself as part of an overall settlement regarding past pollution in the Barge Canal. He suggested the consideration of natural resource improvements of the Englesby Brook Watershed and a technical assistance program for small businesses in the Burlington area to reduce their use of toxics.

"In return for a more affordable cleanup we should explore other environmental benefits as part of this settlement," DeVillars said.

Senator Patrick Leahy, who requested that the EPA withdraw its earlier cleanup plan and establish the Coordinating Council, said, "I am monitoring the Council's deliberations closely since this is a test of innovative approaches under Superfund. The EPA has been very supportive in helping us find a consensus solution, so I would urge the Council members to keep up their collaborative effort, especially as we near its completion."

"I also want to applaud and commend Senator Leahy. Without his intervention at the beginning we never would have gotten on track, and without his continued vigilance we would not likely have reached this destination," DeVillars said. "We're very grateful for his substantial contributions."

"This diverse group of businesses, environmentalists and government officials is working hard to reach consensus on the best clean-up plan. I am also pleased that the EPA has defined the boundaries of the site so that the less contaminated areas are considered 'brownfields," and can be redeveloped to benefit Burlington's economy as well as the environment," said Senator James Jeffords.

"I am pleased that the EPA and the community worked together to come up with a preliminary agreement that is cost effective and responsible. I hope that the Coordinating Council will continue to work toward a final plan which addresses contamination risk," said Rep. Bernie Sanders.

While pleased with the preliminary agreement, Lori Fisher of the Lake Champlain Committee emphasized that a final agreement requires consensus on several additional components of the proposed remedy. "We're optimistic that we'll reach agreement and we look forward to a final holistic remedy that addresses the on-site ecological risks and includes off-site work to prevent pollution and reduce toxic contamination."

The original plan presented by the EPA in 1992 called for construction of a $50 million remedy at the site. Since the plan met strong public opposition, the EPA agreed to look at a new, less costly and less intrusive alternative.

The EPA and the Coordinating Council will formally issue a proposed plan that will go out for public review and comment later this year. During that time the EPA will hold an informational public meeting and a public hearing. In making the final decision on a remedy, comments taken from the community will be considered.

The points of the plan agreed to by the Council and for which the EPA will seek public comment include:

• Institutional controls for the most contaminated parts of the site. The proposed controls would prohibit residential use, limit construction techniques for major excavations greater than five feet, establish procedures to protect workers working on utilities, and prevent land uses that could cause recontamination of the site.
• Placement of a sand/silt cap on the contaminated canal and wetland sediments. The cap would isolate contamination from environmental receptors. This would be done underwater and with minimal disturbance of contaminated sediments. Underwater capping has been used at other Superfund sites with success.
• Monitoring to ensure that contaminated groundwater does not reach Lake Champlain, and monitoring of sediment migration to Lake Champlain, and monitoring to ensure effectiveness of the cap.
• Five year reviews to insure that the remedy remains protective.
• The projected cost of the remedy is $6-10 million.

During the 1960's and 1970's an oil-like material was detected seeping from the Pine Street Canal wetland, the Turning Basin and Maltex Pond. In testing the sediments, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) detected high levels of organic compound associated with coal tar at several locations on site. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Volatile Organic Compounds were also detected in the groundwater and sediments. Concerned that the site posed a significant threat to Lake Champlain, a public drinking water source, the Vermont ANR referred the site to EPA.

The Pine Street Barge Canal Site was listed on the EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983.