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EPA TAKES SWIFT ACTION ON POWNAL, VT TANNERY CLEANUP

Release Date: 03/23/1999
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Affairs Office, (617) 918-1064

Boston-- Just two months after designating it a federal Superfund site, the United States Environmental Protection Agency approved today an $8 million plan to cleanup a portion of the 28-acre Pownal Tannery Superfund site in North Pownal, Vermont. Funds for the cleanup come from the Superfund Trust Fund which is financed through an industry petrochemical tax.

The first phase of the cleanup, scheduled to begin this spring, includes decontamination and partial demolition of the tannery buildings, excavation of soils and contaminated sludges in the tannery building, disposal of materials in an on-site tannery landfill and final capping of the tannery landfill, located on Will Dean Road. The State of Vermont will be responsible for long-term operation and maintenance of the landfill cap once complete.

"We streamlined the Superfund process so that we are able to move far more quickly to address pollution at sites like Pownal," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England administrator. "We are readying for a spring construction season to begin work at the old tannery site and look ahead to the future reuse of this site."

With support from Governor Howard Dean, the Congressional Delegation and the town officials, EPA listed the tannery on the EPA's National Priorities list on January 11, 1999 thus making it eligible for cleanup under Superfund.

The delegation worked closely with the state, particularly the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to secure federal funding for the Pownal Tannery site. Congressman Sanders, Sen. Leahy and Sen. Jeffords urged Secretary Carol Browner in a September 1998 letter to fund a cleanup of contamination at the site, stressing the importance of removing toxic substances from the site.

"This is good news and a sign of progress for Pownal," said Sen. Patrick Leahy. "The community has worked hard to address the issues at the tannery, and this is the result of the constructive partnership they have forged with EPA and other state agencies. The Vermont congressional delegation will continue to support the community's efforts to finally begin the process."

"I am very pleased to see that the EPA has moved so quickly following their listing of this site," said Sen. James Jeffords. "This is a great example of how the Superfund can work. With the cleanup about to begin, we can look forward to the redevelopment of this property to benefit the entire Pownal community."

"This is a very positive development for Pownal, the region, and the state," said Congressman Bernard Sanders. "Local communities need all the help we can give them to address environmental problems and we will continue to work as a delegation to help communities respond to environmental concerns. I am pleased that EPA's Region 1 office was able to work together successfully with state and local governments to address the need for a cleanup of this site."

"The work planned for this summer will be a significant step forward in addressing the risks that this site has presented to the community and the local environment since the tannery ceased operation." said John Kassell, Secretary for the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, "It also sets the stage for an additional benefit -- possible redevelopment of the property"

"Pownal is glad to see the start of this project and hopes to see the continuation of the entire cleanup completed in a timely manner." said Nelson Brownell, Pownal Selectboard Chairman.

The tannery cleanup team consists of EPA's Remediation Construction Manager, the Army Corps of Engineers and their construction contractors. In preparation for the cleanup activities, the team will establish a staging area near the site to hold construction equipment. Trailers will be moved to the site to serve as temporary field offices.

Throughout the cleanup, EPA will be working with the Army Corp of Engineers, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, and in ongoing consultation with the Pownal Select Board.

In an effort to protect the health and safety of area residents and site workers EPA will: restrict access to the site by erecting a fence; monitor air quality; and wet contaminated soils to prevent dust from blowing. EPA and the construction team will make every effort to minimize the disturbance of the cleanup to the community.

The EPA will schedule a public information session in Pownal in mid-April to update the residents and address their concerns on the tannery work project. Rick Leighton, EPA Remediation Construction Manager, will also be available during the cleanup to meet or talk with residents about their concerns during the removal.

Before work begins, the EPA will also set up an informational bulletin board for residents on the tannery cleanup at DJ's Country Store in North Pownal. Residents can also obtain additional information about the tannery cleanup through the information repository at the Pownal Public Library or by calling Rick Leighton or Sarah White at EPA's toll free number: 1-888-372-7341.