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Design study begins at Stauffer Chemical Site in Tarpon Springs, Florida

Release Date: 8/25/2005
Contact Information:

For Immediate Release

Contact: Laura Niles Phone: (404) 562-8353

(Atlanta – August 25, 2005) The design study for the cleanup of the Stauffer Chemical Superfund site in Tarpon Springs, Florida will begin this week.  The data generated during the study will aid in the development of the upcoming remedial design.  The study will include the collection of soil samples at the site and the temporary excavation of small test pits along the edges of some of the old wastewater ponds.  The work will be performed by Stauffer Management Company with oversight of the field study provided by EPA and the EPA contractor, Black & Veatch.

The remedial design process, which has a tentative completion date of mid-2006, will produce the plans and specifications for the cleanup of the site. EPA will send out periodic fact sheets and meet with the community during the design process.

EPA signed a Record of Decision in July 1998 for the former elemental phosphorus production plant calling for limited excavation, consolidation, and capping of contaminated material on the site, and in-place solidification of contaminated materials in the former wastewater pond areas. 

In response to earlier public comments, additional geophysical studies were performed at the site from 2000 through 2004 to evaluate the suitability of the remedy for cleanup.  The geophysical studies concluded that the remedy can be safely implemented at the site.  Stauffer Management Company signed a Consent Decree to perform the design and cleanup at the site.  The Consent Decree was lodged with the District Court in June 2005.