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PA SUPERFUND SITE GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS

Release Date: 12/13/94
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PA SUPERFUND SITE GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS

FOR RELEASE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1994

BIO-ECOLOGY SUPERFUND SITE GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS,

COST RECOVERY SETTLEMENT FILED

On Nov. 30, the Department of Justice filed a Motion to Enter a Consent Decree providing for total recovery of $9.48 million in Superfund response costs from state and federal agencies and private defendants. The action was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on behalf of EPA. EPA's costs were incurred while conducting cleanup activities at the Bio-Ecology site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (also known as Superfund). The 11-acre site was used as a Class One industrial solid waste management facility from 1972 to 1978. Several permit violations and releases occurred before the operator filed for bankruptcy in 1978. Site contaminants included heavy metals, cyanide and volatile organic compounds. After placing the site on the National Priorities List in 1983, EPA decontaminated and hauled away tanks and surface structures, and removed 80,000 gallons of hazardous liquids and sludge. EPA then conducted the long-term remedy to stabilize and contain 85,000 cubic yards of hazardous waste and contaminated soil in an on-site disposal cell. These actions were completed in 1988 along with a ground water monitoring system which the state of Texas maintains. On Aug. 11, 1994 DOJ lodged this consent decree for recovery of past and future costs and operation and maintenance costs. In addition, the settlement resolves the liability of 73 defendants, including 59 de minimis (small volume) generators of hazardous waste. This latest action settles claims against all but four of the defendants in the action and requires payment of approximately $8.34 million to the United States and $1.14 million to the state of Texas. The four non-settlors include United Technologies Corp. and CTU of Delaware Inc., the successor and parent corporations of Mostek Corp., a major contributor of waste to the site.

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