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EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Contaminated Groundwater at the Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site in Corinna, Maine

Release Date: 07/10/2002
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1064

Boston–The United States Environmental Protection Agency today announced a proposal to cleanup the Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site in Corinna, ME. After careful evaluation of the alternatives, EPA is proposing to extract then treat the groundwater before discharging it back to the ground or river. The basic components of the proposed alternative are:

• Prevent contaminated groundwater from migrating offsite or into the East Branch of the Sebasticook River, and restore the aquifer to drinking water quality by extracting contaminated groundwater from the aquifer.
  
• Treat the groundwater removed from the aquifer prior to discharging the water into the ground or East Branch of the Sebasticook River.
  
• Apply in-situ reagents to the contaminated groundwater to cause chemical destruction and enhanced flushing of contaminants.
  
• Implement long-term monitoring of the site.
  
• Restrict public access to contaminated groundwater.

"EPA is pleased to announce a plan that will take the next major step towards the revitalization of the town of Corinna," said Robert W. Varney, EPA's regional administrator. "The implementation of the groundwater cleanup along with the completion of the early cleanup will pave the way for reuse of the site within the next few years."

"DEP is enthusiastic about the next step in the clean-up of Corinna's center," said Martha Kirkpatrick, Maine DEP Commissioner. "The completion of the early clean-up by EPA, including mill demolition, contaminated soil removal, changes to Route 7 and the Sebasticook River will promote the town's future redevelopment."

"The level of communication and cooperation our community has experienced with EPA throughout this project has been outstanding." said Galen McKenney, Chairman for the Board of Selectmen for the town of Corinna. "The people in this small rural Town have accepted EPA with open arms." said Marvin Lister, Member of the Board of Selectmen for the town of Corinna "Small Town, Maine is fortunate to have an arm of the government to take care of problems such as ours and help us start new."

"The town is thrilled with the early clean up!" said Judy Doore, the Town Manager for Corinna. "The cooperation and commitment of EPA, State agencies and our community has given our town a new beginning! We are eager for the opportunity to implement our Reuse Plan and spur redevelopment!"

The cleanup being proposed is designated as Operable Unit I and will be the second cleanup action initiated at the site. A non-time-critical removal action began in 1999 in response to soil and sediment contamination at the site. A third cleanup action, designated Operable Unit II will be proposed to address sediment and floodplain contamination within the East Branch of the Sebasticook River.

EPA To Hold Public Meeting and Public Hearing

The public is invited learn more and provide comment on the EPA's cleanup proposal. On Wednesday, July 17th, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.. at the Corinna School Cafeteria in Corinna, Maine. This meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the cleanup proposal.

On Wednesday, August 7th, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Corinna School Cafeteria in Corinna, Maine EPA will hold a public hearing during which time the public is invited to provide comments on the cleanup plan. Residents may also provide written comment to Ed Hathaway, at the EPA during the 30 day public comment period from July 18th, 2002 to August 17th, 2002. EPA is seeking public comments on the proposed cleanup plan as well as all of the other alternatives presented in the Feasibility Study for Operable Unit. Questions, concerns and comments about the EPA's cleanup proposal or should you have specific needs or questions about the public meeting facility or transportation to the meetings, please contact: