Eastern Surplus Superfund Site, Passamaquoddy Tribe

Site Overview

Site Location

Meddybemps, Maine

Site Description

Cultural artifacts were uncovered when PCB contaminated soils were being removed during remedial processes of Eastern Surplus Superfund Site. This 3-acre site is located in aboriginal territory of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and impacts fish and wildlife resources that are utilized by both Pleasant Point and Indian Township, two Passamaquoddy Reservations. Eastern Surplus was used from 1946 to 1980 for the disposal and storage of surplus military equipment and salvage items. Discovery of leaking electrical transformers, gas cylinders, drums containing chemicals and areas of stained soil lead to subsequent sampling of soils by EPA. The EPA revealed that contaminants of concern at the site included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), metals and solvents. Upon the discovery of cultural artifacts in July 1999, the Pleasant Point Tribal officials asked to become involved in the Superfund process and remedial activity has ceased.

The tribe's main objective is to become involved in the remedial process to assure that materials are recovered in a manner that is in concordance with tribal custom and policy. Passamaquoddy also have interest in redressing environmental impact of contaminants to natural resources.

Organization Requesting Assistance

Pleasant Point Tribal Environmental Program Office

Beginning Date of Assistance

August 1999

Summary of TOSC Assistance

Support includes coordinating efforts among Northeast HSRC, EPA offices, and the tribe in request to desist remedial activity while the tribe is brought up to date on the Superfund process with assistance of TOSC. New Jersey Institute of Technology assisted the Passamaquoddy in identifying and obtaining an archeologist who could confer with EPA professionals about findings and relay information to the tribe. Haskell identified a Native American ecologist who will conduct a review and deliver comments on the existing Ecological Risk Assessment. Future work will revolve around giving community workshops on technical issues to keep the tribe involved in decision-making processes.

NOTE: The EPA TOSC and TOSNAC programs have ended. Communities seeking technical assistance should contact:

- Belinda Young in EPA Region 7’s office (for help in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, or Iowa) at 913-551-7463 and Young.Belinda@epa.gov;

- Briana Bill in EPA Region 5’s office (for help in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) at 312-353-6646 and Bill.Briana@epa.gov; or

- Karen Martin at EPA Headquarters at 703-603-9925, Martin.Karenl@epa.gov; or

- EPA personnel identified at the bottom of the TOSC Information Contacts below:

TOSC Information Contacts

Brenda Brandon
Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center
155 Indian Ave., Box 5001
Haskell Indian Nations University
Lawrence, KS 66046

Kate Dannan
New Jersey Institute of Technology

Publications

Passamaquoddy Cultural Risk Assessment Comments, Related to Eastern Surplus Superfund Site Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study and Ecological Risk Assessment (PDF)