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EPA Announces New Funds for Kearsarge Metallurgical Corporation Superfund Site

Release Date: 09/16/2002
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1064

Boston - The U.S. EPA today announced a $477, 772 grant to the state of New Hampshire for continued long term operations and maintenance at the Kearsarge Metallurgical Corporation Superfund site in Conway, NH.

From 1964 to 1982, precision stainless castings were manufactured on this nine-acre site. A 20-foot high pile of approximately 9,000 cubic yards of foundry waste containing ceramic sand, scrap metal, rusted drums, and various other refuse from foundry operations was left on site, as well as numerous waste-containing drums. Groundwater was contaminated with volatile organic compounds or solvents used in the manufacturing process.

Conway's two municipal wells are located approximately 3,000 from the site but do not show signs of contamination from the site.

"This state grant demonstrates the agency's continued commitment to fund 90 percent of the long term operation and maintenance of the groundwater treatment system, which to date totals $2.63 million," said Robert W. Varney, EPA New England regional administrator. Varney added that these funds may also be used to monitor groundwater, soil, sediments and surface water to be certain the cleanup strategy continues to be effective.

Before the state takes over operations of the plant in two years, EPA will replace worn equipment, assess the cleanup progress, and further characterize of a potential contamination source area behind the former Kearsarge Metallurgical Corp. building.

The ground water remedy has two components – a wetland area behind the former plant, and an open field across the street from the plant known as the Hobbs Street wells. The Hobbs Street area is close to attaining cleanup standards and the agency is considering whether this part of the extraction system can be shut down. Further studies are underway in the wetland area where environmental concerns remain. Removal of a small amount of highly contaminated soil in the that area may be necessary to speed up the cleanup.

EPA has spent about $3 million to construct the plant and remove the pile, and has provided about $2.6 million to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to operate and maintain the ground water treatment system to date. The state of New Hampshire has contributed 10% of the construction and operation costs.