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EPA SUPERFUND REMOVAL TO BEGIN AT THE EARL RANSOM PROPERTY SITE IN CAPSHAW (LIMESTONE COUNTY), ALABAMA

Release Date: 03/27/2002
Contact Information: Wesley Lambert, EPA Office of Media Relations, 404-562-8316

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will begin a Superfund hazardous substance removal at the Earl Ransom Property Site in Capshaw (Limestone County), Alabama. A removal is a short-term cleanup intended to stabilize or clean up a site that poses an imminent and substantial threat to human health or the environment. The removal is taking place under the authority and direction of the Agency's Emergency Response and Removal Branch (ERRB). A removal site evaluation was performed on March 15, 2002 by the ERRB. As a result of the evaluation, a removal action was proposed. Actions to be taken at the site may include: mobilization and site preparation establishing and maintaining site security containment of any drum contents that may have been released to the ground surface excavate and stage drums segregate drums by hazard categories excavate, stage, and sample contaminated soil removal and off-site transportation of hazardous substances located in drums or other large containers to an approved facility backfill and restore excavated areas Estimated cleanup costs are approximately $500,000. The projected completion date for the site removal action is September 2002. The Earl Ransom Property Site consists of buried drums that were reportedly dumped on the site approximately 25 years ago. Contaminants of concern include tetrachloroethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. All of the drums visible on the surface are completely corroded and/or contain holes in them. Some of the drum contents have solidified or have been released into the soil. During recent clearing and grubbing operations, heavy equipment punctured several of the drums causing the liquid contents to be released onto the ground surface. The site consists of 10 undeveloped wooded acres and is located in a rural area of Capshaw (Limestone County), Alabama. The nearest residence is located approximately 1/4 mile from the site. Persons interested in obtaining further information are encouraged to contact Brook Bass, EPA On-Scene Coordinator at (404) 562-8770 or Sherryl A. Carbonaro, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator at (404) 562-8611 or (800) 564-7577.