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Clean-Up Decision Finalized for Tewksbury, Mass. Superfund Site

Release Date: 10/18/2007
Contact Information: Sarah White, (617) 918-1026

(Boston, Mass. - Oct. 18, 2007) - EPA has developed a final clean-up plan for the Sutton Brook Disposal Area in Tewksbury, Mass. The clean up plan, estimated to cost nearly $30 million, is contained in a document called a "Record of Decision" for the site.

Components of the cleanup called for in the decision include:
- Capping landfill lobes
- Excavating soil and sediment w/ contamination in excess of remediation goals & consolidation within the landfill
- Constructing vertical barrier to prevent contaminated groundwater from impacting Sutton Brook
- Treating contaminated groundwater at the Southern Lobe
- Restoring impacted wetlands
- Operation and Maintenance

The total estimated cost to implement this remedy is $29.98 million.

During the Proposed Plan hearing held in July, citizens raised concerns regarding truck traffic and access to the Sutton Brook Disposal Area Site while implementing the remedy. EPA expects that these issues will be addressed during the design of the remedy. During the design process, EPA will work with the town, the responsible parties and the state, to determine the best option for access to the Site during construction.

EPA listed the Sutton Brook Disposal Area on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2001 after investigations by local, state and federal organizations revealed the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and inorganic elements in on-site and off-site groundwater, surface water, sediment, and soil, and VOCs and SVOCs in air samples.

From 2004 to 2007, EPA conducted a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) that characterized the nature and extent of contamination at the site. EPA then developed various clean-up alternatives which were presented in a Proposed Clean-up Plan to the public in June.

The Record of Decision for the Sutton Brooks Disposal Area Superfund site and other technical reports related to the Sutton Brook Disposal Area are available for public review at the Tewksbury Public Library 300 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876 (phone: 978-640-4490) or by appointment at the EPA Records Center, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114 (phone: 617-918-1440).

More information: EPA work at Sutton Brook Disposal Area (epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/suttonbrook)

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