All News Releases By Date

EPA proposes cleanup plan for two creeks near Nease Superfund site; comment period begins

Release Date: 07/11/2008
Contact Information: Mick Hans, 312-353-5050, [email protected] Susan Pastor, 312-353-1325, [email protected]

CONTACT:Mick Hans, 312-353-5050, [email protected]
Susan Pastor, 312-353-1325, [email protected]


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 08-OPA118

EPA proposes cleanup plan for two creeks near Nease Superfund site; comment period begins

CHICAGO (July 11, 2008) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 recently completed a study and proposed a plan to clean up mirex-contaminated soil and sediment in two creeks near the Nease Chemical Superfund site in Columbiana County, Ohio. A public comment period begins July 14 and continues until Aug. 13. A public meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., July 31, at Salem Public Library, 821 E. State St.

After reviewing a feasibility study prepared by responsible party Rutgers Organics Corp., EPA evaluated three cleanup alternatives. The agency proposes a $3.8 million plan that includes:
* Removal of the most contaminated sediment in the Middle Fork of Little Beaver Creek
* Removal of Feeder Creek sediment
* Removal of the most contaminated floodplain surface soil
* Disposal of contaminated soil and sediment at the former Nease facility, where it will be covered with clean soil.

EPA considers this proposed plan protective of human health and the environment. It will provide long-term effectiveness and is cost-effective.

Comments will be accepted at the July 31 meeting or online via www.epa.gov/region5/sites/nease. Background information including a current fact sheet is posted at that URL and available for review at the Salem Public Library and the Lepper Library, 303 E. Lincoln Way, Lisbon. Residents who need special accommodations for the meeting may contact Community Involvement Coordinator Susan Pastor by July 24 at 800-621-8431, Ext. 31325, or [email protected].

EPA will choose a final cleanup plan after reviewing all comments received during the comment period. The agency may modify its proposed plan or select another of the options outlined at the public meeting or in the fact sheet posted at the Web site.

The Nease Chemical Co. operated from 1961 to 1973, producing household cleaning products, fire retardants and pesticides-some using an uncommon chemical called mirex. Unlined ponds were used to treat chemical waste, which seeped into the area's soil and ground water. The Superfund site consists of 44 acres along state Route 14, 2.5 miles northwest of Salem on the Columbiana-Mahoning county line. Rutgers Organics, based in Germany, acquired the property in 1977, but never operated there. The site was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List in 1983.

Separate from the work outlined in this proposed cleanup plan, EPA approved a cleanup plan in 2006 to address the portion of the site known as Operable Unit 2. Ground water and mirex-contaminated soil cleanup work for this portion of the site of the site is under way and is expected to continue through 2011.