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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AIR FORCE SIGN CLEANUP AGREEMENT

Release Date: 05/12/1999
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617) 918-1042 Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Affairs (617) 918-1064

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it has signed an agreement with the US Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence for cleanup of contaminated surface soil at the former sewage treatment plant at the Massachusetts Military Reservation on Cape Cod.

The estimated $2.4 million agreement calls for excavating approximately 9,788 cubic yards of contaminated surface soil. Excavated soil that exceeds federal or state cleanup levels will be sent to a licensed off-site disposal facility. The remaining excavated soil will be treated on site through a process called "asphalt batching."

"Cleaning the soil around the demolished sewage treatment plant brings us another step closer to the environmental restoration of MMR," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England Administrator. "This plan for excavation is the first of four Superfund cleanup plans we expect to approve this year for soil cleanup at the military base."

EPA will work with the Air Force to make sure that all health and safety measures, particularly air quality monitoring, are properly done during the excavation and treatment to protect base residents, workers and neighbors from exposure to contaminants.

Soil samples will be tested before and after excavation to be sure the clean-up complies with required clean-up standards. EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will also monitor and inspect the site before and after the work is done to be sure the clean-up is complete.

In 1996, MMR conducted a clean-up of some of its contaminated soils. Soil that was treated at an asphalt batching plant on site was used as subgrade material for about 4.5 miles of roadways at MMR. That asphalt batching plant was dismantled. The Air Force will chose a new site and start-up date for an asphalt batching plant during the next phase of the project. The public will be kept informed during the design and construction phase through project updates and community meetings.

The Superfund Cleanup plan is described in a document called the Record of Decision, which was signed May 5 by EPA and the Air Force, with concurrence from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Copies of all documents related to this project can be found in the Falmouth, MA, main library.