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EPA to Host Public Meeting on Foote Mineral Superfund Site

Release Date: 10/25/2005
Contact Information: David Sternberg (215) 814-5548

David Sternberg (215) 814-5548

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host a public meeting to explain the proposed cleanup plan for the Foote Mineral Superfund Site in East Whiteland Township. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m Thursday, October 27 at the East Whiteland Township Offices at 209 Conestoga Road in Frazer, Pa.

The purpose of the meeting is for EPA to present its proposed cleanup plan, as well as the other alternatives that were evaluated. Citizens will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed plan.

EPA’s preferred cleanup alternative includes consolidation and capping of the quarries, with excavation and off-site disposal of radiologically impacted soils. The major components of this remedy include:

• Solidifying waste contained in the south quarry;
• Removing radiation contaminated soils from the site for disposal at an appropriate facility;
• Excavating and consolidating other contaminated site soils, sediments and demolition debris into the north quarry;
• Placing a deed notice on the former Foote Mineral Company property to prevent residential use of the capped quarry areas;
• Implementing a long-term groundwater monitoring program and management zone to ensure the safety of drinking water.

The Foote Mineral Superfund Site is comprised of waste materials and contaminated soils, groundwater and surface water, and sediment located on and around a 79-acre property on South Bacton Hill Road in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pa. The property was the
location of the former Foote Mineral Company’s Frazer facility, which was involved in the production of lithium chemicals and processing of a variety of ores.

In August 2003, EPA issued a proposed cleanup plan for the site. During the public comment period, a local resident informed EPA that the U.S. Department of Energy had included this site on its list of atomic weapons employers. In light of this information, EPA conducted a more intensive radiation survey of the site, which found small areas of low level radiation on the property, but found no elevated radiation levels near the property lines. Based on these findings, EPA has determined that there are no current site related radiation exposure risks to the public.

Citizens who wish to comment on the proposed plan may do so at the public meeting on October 27 or may submit written comments to:

The comment period ends on November 11, 2005.