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Part of Plainview Superfund Site Is Ready for Reuse

Release Date: 10/20/2004
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

      Federal, state and local government representatives met today at a tree-planting ceremony inside the completed shell of a metal finishing facility under construction at the Mountain Pine Pressure Treating Superfund site in Plainview, Ark., to declare that a portion of the site is ready for reuse. The new facility was made possible in part through a grant given to the city under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund Revitalization pilot program, as well as grants from federal and state economic redevelopment agencies.  The ceremony celebrated the successful work and cooperation of many federal, state and local governments.  

      "Today's announcement highlights the administration's goal to promote the reuse of valuable industrial properties," EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said.  "We're helping turn these eyesores into opportunities, bringing new life, new jobs and new revenues to communities and cities."

      Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Director Marcus C. Devine said, "This project exemplifies our Department's mission to restore the natural environment for the well-being of all Arkansans. This steel plant is built on nearly nine acres which was part of a Superfund site. This acreage brings the total land area returned to beneficial use in Arkansas to more than 4,500 acres since January 2001."        

      The 95-acre Mountain Pine site was included on the Superfund National Priorities List in July 1999.  It was home to three wood treating facilities, some of which began operations in 1965 and one of which was still operating in 1989.  Arsenic and pentachlorophenol are the primary contaminants of concern. The portion of the site where the metal finishing facility is being built has met cleanup standards for industrial uses.  On-site treatment and storage of wastes is continuing on other portions of the property.

      "Enhanced coordination and cooperation between the Economic Development Administration and EPA is facilitating brownfields cleanup and redevelopment activity in distressed communities throughout the nation.  The Mountain Pine site serves as a model for cooperation among EDA, EPA, state, and local governments, and the private sector," U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development David A. Sampson said.  "EDA is pleased to invest in Arkansas to help attract the private sector investments that create jobs for local citizens."

      More information about EPA's land revitalization programs is available at https://www.epa.gov/oswer/landrevitalization/index.htm.  More information about the Mountain Pine site is available at https://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6sf/pdffiles/0603651.pdf.