All News Releases By Date

Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, Site Added to National Superfund List

Release Date: 1/15/1999
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

       The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) announced today that the North Railroad Avenue Plume, an area of contaminated ground water near Espa¤ola in Rio Arriba County, has been added to the Federal Superfund program's National Priority List (NPL).

      "By working together, EPA and the State of New Mexico will be able to clean this site more effectively in order to better protect the public health and the environment of this community. We hope that the clean up will help to revitalize the community," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

       "The North Railroad Avenue Plume listing is an excellent example of a state/federal partnership that will benefit the citizens of New Mexico," New Mexico Ground Water Chief Marcy Leavitt said.

       Chlorinated solvents, such as those used in dry cleaning, were found in two water supply wells in 1989. Those wells were immediately closed to prevent potential health risks.

       Tests were performed recently on area wells used for drinking water to ensure that the public health is protected.  No drinking water wells are affected by the plume.  Samples from monitoring wells indicate that the plume of toxic chemicals extends over 16 acres.

       The Federal Superfund program was created by Congress in 1980 to clean uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The North Railroad Avenue Plume was proposed to be added to the NPL July 28, 1998.  All of the comments received during the 60-day public comment period were in favor of the site being added to the NPL.

       Additional information about this site is available on EPA's web site athttps://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/nar1518.htm.