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EPA Issues Cleanup Decision for Floodplain Area Downstream from Centredale Manor

Release Date: 01/25/2001
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the agency's plan for the next phase of cleanup at the Centredale The selected cleanup plan, first proposed to the public last fall as part of an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA), involves the excavation of about 2,500 cubic yards of dioxin-contaminated sediments and bank soils to meet EPA's cleanup criteria. The material will be excavated and transported off-site for treatment.

EPA plans to request that potentially responsible parties at the site voluntarily perform or fund the cleanup activities.

"This approval is a major milestone in the cleanup of the Woonasquatucket River," said Ira Leighton, acting regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. "For the first time, we'll be removing contaminated material from the site."

"This cleanup plan is an important step towards the community's goal of once again making the Woonasquatucket River fishable and swimmable," Senator Lincoln Chafee said. "I commend both the EPA for its work in cleaning up the site, as well as the people living along the Woonasquatucket who have taken such an active and vital interest in this project. I look forward to working with everyone involved to ensure this project moves forward."

"The Department is pleased that the cleanup at the Centredale Manor Site is continuing to move forward. This removal action will significantly reduce risks to the residents and contribute to our long-term goal of making the Woonasquatucket River fully accessible for fishing and swimming," said Jan Reitsma, director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

"I commend the EPA for its diligent response to cleaning up this site," Congressman Kennedy said. "Less than one year after placing this restoration project on the National Priorities List of hazardous waste sites, the EPA already has an ambitious plan of action in place."

"This is good news for the environment and the health and safety of communities downstream from Centredale Manor and the Allendale Dam. I look forward to the implementation of the final clean up plan as soon as possible," said Senator Jack Reed.

Key elements of the cleanup plan include:

• Excavate contaminated soils and floodplain sediments at specific residential and recreational properties around Allendale and Lymansville Ponds that contain dioxin in excess of 1 part per billion.
  
• Replace the contaminated soil with clean fill and loam to bring the properties back to grade.
  
• Transport excavated soils and sediments off-site to a properly permitted facility for treatment and disposal.
  
• Restore the decaying Allendale Dam and return the Allendale Pond water level to its original elevation.

Information on EPA's selected remedy is available at the following locations:

Salvatore Mancini Union Free Library
1810 Mineral Spring Ave.
North Providence, RI

Marian J. Mohr Library
1 Memorial Ave.
Johnston, RI

EPA New England
Records Center
1 Congress St.
Boston, MA 02203