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EPA meeting on Texas Township Superfund cleanup Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.

Release Date: 10/15/2008
Contact Information: Mick Hans, 312-353-5050, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 08-OPA163


CHICAGO (Oct. 15, 2008) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 hosts a meeting about its Superfund cleanup in Texas Township, Mich. (near Kalamazoo), Tuesday, Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m., at Texas Township Hall, 7110 West Q Ave. Officials from state and local partner agencies are expected to attend.

EPA's cleanup of hazardous materials at a private property at 10135 West O Ave. began in September. About 500 drums of flammable and potentially explosive laboratory and industrial chemicals were found at a fire-damaged pole barn and two other locations on the property. Many of the drums contained dozens of smaller containers.

The cleanup has been managed by EPA's Grosse Ille, Mich.-based Superfund emergency response team in consultation with Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The cleanup is expected to wrap up after Thanksgiving. The work involves methodical categorization and safe repacking of the hazardous materials for proper disposal. Included in the drums are a variety of acids, solvents, heavy metals, radioactive materials and biological wastes, all of which have different disposal requirements.

Contaminated soil found near damaged or decayed drums is also being excavated and sent to approved disposal facilities. EPA is confident there is no risk to area ground water supplies or of airborne chemicals from the drums impacting area residents.

At this time EPA's Superfund program is paying for the cleanup, estimated to reach at least $500,000. Efforts by EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice to recover costs from responsible parties are ongoing and will continue after the cleanup work is complete.

Residents with questions about the project or who need special accommodations at the meeting may contact Community Involvement Coordinator Don de Blasio, 312-886-4360 or [email protected].

A fact sheet mailed to area residents about the October 21 meeting and photos from the cleanup are posted at https://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/texas/.