News Releases from Region 01
Settlement For $8.75 Million Reached at Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund Site in North Providence, R.I.
BOSTON - EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice have reached a settlement with New England Container Company, Inc. (NECC) relating to the Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund Site, located in North Providence, R.I. Under the terms of a Consent Decree lodged on April 10 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, NECC will make a payment of $8.75 million to resolve its liability for the Site.
In 2012, the United States filed a cross-claim against NECC and others in a consolidated action concerning the Site. With trial approaching, NECC agreed to settle and avoid going to trial. EPA will be able to use the settlement proceeds to help fund future cleanup efforts at the Site.
The Site is located just south of Route 44, on the eastern bank of the Woonasquatucket River and was previously the location of a chemical manufacturer operated by a predecessor to Emhart Industries, Inc. and NECC's container reconditioning operation. NECC operated its business on the Site from approximately 1952 until 1971. Elevated levels of contaminants, including dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other hazardous substances, have been detected in various media at the Site, including soil, groundwater, sediment, surface water and biota. The Site was placed on the National Priorities List (aka Superfund list) in 2000. The cleanup decision by EPA on necessary remedial actions for the Site is contained in a September 2012 "Record of Decision" and calls for a comprehensive cleanup at the Site, including the excavation and disposal of dioxin-contaminated sediments.
The Consent Decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period which will begin on April 17, 2015, the date notice of the proposed settlement is published in the Federal Register and must be approved by the Court.
More information:
- EPA cleanup activities at Centredale Manor site (www.epa.gov/superfund/centredale)
- The Consent Decree will be available on DOJ's website after April 17, 2015 (www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html)
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