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EPA To Hold Sixth Annual Cornell Pond Fishing Derby September 20

Release Date: 09/09/2003
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Involvement Office, 617-918-1064

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold its sixth annual Cornell Pond Fishing Derby in North Dartmouth MA on September 20, 2003. Local fishermen are invited to sign up for this event. Fish caught in Cornell Pond will be used as part of EPA's monitoring program.

EPA will use fish from the derby to check PCB levels in the pond, which was contaminated by the Re-Solve Superfund site. The pond is safe for boating and catch and release fishing but an advisory restricting the consumption of fish has been established for the pond.

"This annual fishing derby continues to be a great way for residents to get involved in EPA's important fish monitoring program," said Robert Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. "It should also remind local fishermen about the advisory to not eat fish from Cornell Pond and the Copicut River."1

The derby will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2003, from 7:00 am - 12 pm at Cornell Pond in North Dartmouth. In case of inclement weather, the derby will be held on Sunday, September 21st. All ages are welcome; participants over the age of 15 must have a current Massachusetts Fishing License. For registration, directions and any additional information contact: Michael O'Reilly, Environmental Coordinator for the town of Dartmouth at (508) 910-1822, or Arthur Thibodeau, community fishing derby coordinator at (508) 678-5054. Roy F. Weston, Inc. will oversee the fishing derby and distribute awards for the largest fish caught.

The Re-Solve, Inc. Superfund Site is on North Hixville Road, North Dartmouth, MA and was listed as a Superfund Site in 1983 when extensive PCB and volatile organic compounds were discovered in the soil and groundwater. A state-of-the-art groundwater treatment system that treats contaminated groundwater and prevents contamination from migrating from the site was completed in 1998. The facility will operate until groundwater is cleaned to appropriate levels. In 1986, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health established a fishing advisory in Cornell Pond and Copicut River due to elevated levels of PCBs in fish. Only catch and release fishing is permitted in the pond and river.

For more information on the ReSolve Inc., Superfund Site contact Joseph LeMay at (617) 918-1323.