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Louisiana Superfund Event Marks Halfway Point to EPA's Year 2000 Goal

Release Date: 9/25/1997
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

Officials from federal, state and local governments gathered today with the citizens of Slidell, Louisiana, to celebrate completing cleanup of a Superfund hazardous waste site and reaching a national milestone.

"In 1996, President Clinton pledged to clean 900 Superfund sites by the year 2000. The President has requested the funds from Congress necessary to fulfill that pledge. Our celebration today of the completion of the 450th site is proof that Superfund reforms are working and that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is on track to meet that pledge," said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response Tim Fields.

Established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, Superfund is our country's program for cleaning uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The former site of Southern Shipbuilding was placed on the National Priorities List in early 1995.

"For many citizens, EPA's Superfund program is their only protection from the health hazards of toxic waste. The reforms to Superfund launched under this Administration are resulting in faster, fairer and more efficient cleanups. Southern Shipbuilding is an excellent example of these reforms in action," EPA Region 6 Acting Administrator Jerry Clifford said.

Ships were built on the St. Tammany Parish property as early as 1919. Southern Shipbuilding bought the property in 1957 and operated a barge cleaning, building, docking and repair facility until 1993.

The 54-acre site had numerous areas contaminated with heavy metals, such as lead and copper, and PCB. These toxins accumulate in human and animal tissues and cause a variety of health problems at low levels. Some areas also were contaminated with volatile paints.

Highly toxic chemicals had spilled from a graving dock and pits of contaminated water into Bayou Bonfouca threatening recreational users. Asbestos also was found on the property.

Water from the contaminated pits and docks was removed and cleaned. Contaminated soil and sludge which would have filled more than 360 railroad boxcars was excavated and burned. The remaining ash and other polluted dirt was consolidated and covered with a two-foot clay cap. Asbestos and other hazardous materials were removed and disposed in certified hazardous landfills.

Slidell Mayor Salvatore Caruso said, "This cleanup by the EPA has removed a huge source of carcinogens from our community. We are grateful for EPA's help."

The cleanup cost about $26 million and more than a third was spent locally for supplies and services. Also, area residents were hired and trained for three-quarters of the cleanup jobs.

Of the 18 Superfund sites in Louisiana, three have been restored and returned to the tax rolls. Cleanup work is in progress at nine sites and cleanup plans are being formulated and evaluated for the remaining sites.

"You are to be congratulated! The people of Slidell have shown that early and meaningful community involvement can actually increase the overall pace and success of toxic waste site cleanups," Mr. Clifford said