EPA proposes cleanup plan for Nepera Chemical site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), is proposing a plan to treat contaminated soil and ground water at the Nepera Chemical Company, Inc. Superfund Site in Hamptonburgh, Orange County, New York. Under the plan, EPA will remediate the contaminated soil, reduce and minimize the migration of contaminants in the ground water, restore the ground water quality, and minimize any potential future health and environmental impacts.

“After completing an extensive analysis of the Nepera Chemical Superfund Site, EPA is now ready to begin the cleanup process with what we have decided is the best approach,” said regional administrator Alan J. Steinberg. “We are eager to put the cleanup in motion for the benefit of the local community.”

EPA will hold a public information session to explain the proposed plan on August 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hamptonburgh Town Hall located at 18 Bull Road in Campbell Hall, N.Y.

The 29.3-acre site is owned by Nepera Chemical Company, Inc., the potentially responsible party (PRP). Six lagoons were constructed on the property and were used for the disposal of industrial wastewater generated at the Nepera Chemical Company facility in Harriman, N.Y., located approximately 25 miles from the site. The wastewater was trucked to the site and disposed of in the six lagoons, from 1953 to 1967. Three of the lagoons were backfilled with clean soil in 1968 and the remaining three were backfilled with clean soil in 1974.

In 1984, Nepera Chemical entered into an agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to conduct an investigation to determine the extent of contamination at the site. In 1986, EPA placed the property on the National Priorities List of the most contaminated sites in the country. In the late 80’s and 90’s, subsequent investigations were carried out on the site to further determine the type and extent of contamination sources. EPA was recently named the lead agency on the site, but will continue to confer with the NYSDEC.

The 30-day public comment period on the proposed plan began July 31. EPA will select a final remedy for the site after reviewing and considering all information submitted during the public comment period. Interested individuals can send comments to:

Mark Dannenberg, Remedial Project Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
290 Broadway, 20th floor
New York, New York 10007-1866
Dannenberg.mark@epa.gov

For more information on the Superfund program, go to http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund. For further information on the Nepera Chemical Superfund site, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/0201188c.pdf