All News Releases By Date

Jasper, Texas, Site Proposed for National Superfund Listing

Release Date: 4/30/1999
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) announced that the former site of Hart Creosoting Co in Jasper, Texas, has been proposed for the federal Superfund program's National Priority List (NPL).

     "It is important to clean this property because thirty-nine private wells and two public water supply wells are within four miles. These drinking water sources are safe, but could eventually become contaminated if the area is not cleaned. Listing this property on the NPL will expedite the cleanup and protect the primary source of drinking water for county residents," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

     Hart Creosoting operated a wood treatment plant from 1958 to 1993. Much of the soil on the nearly 9-acre site is contaminated with hazardous chemicals associated with wood treating. There is concern that rainwater runoff from contaminated areas may have polluted nearby water sources.

     The City of Jasper has repeatedly tested its water well system and has determined that the public water supply is not contaminated. Cleaning the property will prevent off-site contamination and ensure that the local drinking water supply remains safe

     The EPA Superfund Program works closely with state agencies to clean and restore uncontrolled contaminated properties. The federal Superfund program cleans sites when the work required is beyond the resources of state and local agencies. Currently there are 1,202 sites on the NPL and 72 proposed as additions to the list.

     EPA will seek public comments for 60 days on adding this site to the NPL. Those comments will be addressed when the Agency makes the final decision about adding the site to the NPL. During this period, the Agency will continue to develop cleanup plans so that actual work may begin as quickly after NPL listing as possible.

     Send comments to Superfund Docket, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 520  IG, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460.

     Additional information about this site is available on the regional web site at www.epa.gov/region6/6sf/6sf-tx.htm.