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EPA Soil Remediation at Eastern Surplus Superfund Site (October 1999)
Meddybemps, Maine
Cultural artifacts were uncovered when soils contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 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 natural resources 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 led to subsequent sampling of soils by EPA. The EPA revealed that contaminants of concern at the site, including PCBs, metals and solvents, were impacting soils, sediments, surface and groundwater. 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.
The Tribe's main objective was to become involved in the remedial process to assure that artifacts were recovered in a manner that is in concordance with tribal custom and policy. Passamaquoddy are also interested in redressing environmental impact of contaminants to natural resources. The Record of Decision for Cleanup of the Eastern Surplus Superfund Site (PDF) was published in September 2000.
Pleasant Point Tribal Environmental Program Office
August 1999
Support included coordinating efforts among Northeast HSRC, EPA offices, and the Tribe in a request to desist remedial activity while theTribal community was brought up to date on the Superfund process with assistance of TOSNAC. The New Jersey Institute of Technology TOSC Program assisted the Passamaquoddy in identifying and obtaining an archeologist who could confer with EPA professionals about findings and relay information to the Tribe. Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center identified a Native American ecologist , Les Benedict, who conducted a review and delivered comments about the existing Ecological Risk Assessment. The TOSNAC Coordinator reviewed the Eastern Surplus Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) and provided cultural risk assessment comments to the Passamaquoddy Tribe. New Jersey Institute of Technology TOSC services included a review of the RI/FS and delivery of technical comments to the Tribe.
Passamaquoddy Environmental Professional (right) Meets With HSRC Representative (October 1999)
NOTE: The EPA TOSC and TOSNAC programs have ended. Communities seeking technical assistance should contact:
- Karen Martin at EPA Headquarters at 703-603-9925, Martin.Karenl@epa.gov; or
- EPA personnel identified at the bottom of the TOSNAC Information Contacts below:
Brenda Brandon
TOSNAC Program Manager
E-mail: brendabrandon@msn.com
Voice: 785.749.8498 OR 785.532.6519
Mailing addresses
Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center
155 Indian Ave., Box 5001
Haskell Indian Nations University
Lawrence, KS 66046
OR
Center for Hazardous Substance Research
104 Ward Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-2502
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The Center for Hazardous Substance Research Last modified November 6, 2007 |
