EPA Proposes $25.7 Million Cleanup Plan for Industri-plex Superfund Site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a $25.7 million comprehensive plan for completing the final phase of cleanup of the Industri-plex Superfund Site Operable Unit 2, including Wells G&H Superfund Site Operable Unit 3 in Woburn, Mass.

The EPA and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will host a public meeting on June 30 at 7:00 p.m. to present and answer questions about the proposed cleanup plan. A public hearing will be held on July 27 at 7:00 p.m. to accept comments on the proposal. Both events will be held at the Shamrock Elementary School, 60 Green St. in Woburn.

EPA will hold a 30-day public comment period from July 1 to August 1 to let the public participate in the selection of the final cleanup plan. EPA will consider and respond in writing to all comments received on the cleanup proposal during this public comment period. EPA expects to issue a final cleanup decision this September.

The proposed cleanup plan addresses soil, sediment, groundwater and surface water contamination at the site. Soil at the site is contaminated with various chemicals, most notably arsenic. Groundwater at the site is contaminated primarily with volatile organic compounds.

The proposed cleanup plan includes the following components:

-Dredging and off-site disposal of contaminated sediments in the southern portion of the Halls Brook Holding Area Pond (about 6,200 cubic yards) and the near shore sediments at the Wells G&H Wetland and Cranberry Bog Conservation Area (2,340 cubic yards). All disturbed areas will be restored.

-The northern portion of the Halls Brook Holding Area Pond will be incorporated into the cleanup plan and serve as a sediment retention area to minimize the downstream migration of metals. The northern portion will be separated from the southern portion by various cofferdams. Natural processes and aeration will be used to reduce contaminants. Sediments accumulation will be dredged periodically and sent off-site for disposal. The loss of wetlands will be compensated for elsewhere in the watershed.

-Capping and stabilizing sediments, and preventing groundwater discharge, along about 1,000 linear ft. of the New Boston Street drainway. The loss of wetlands will be compensated for elsewhere in the watershed.

-Capping and stabilizing soils adjacent to the NSTAR and MBTA rights-of-way.

-Establishment of institutional controls to ensure no one comes into contact with soils, groundwater, or deeper wetland sediments above cleanup standards.

-Monitoring of groundwater, surface water and sediments.

Source: EPA