News Releases from Region 04
THURSDAY: EPA to Host Public Meeting for Proposed $30 Million Cleanup at the Koppers Superfund Site in Charleston, S.C.
Additional cleanup will pave way for multi-use development; public comments sought through October 17, 2017
09/26/2017
Contact Information:
ATLANTA (September 26, 2017) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a meeting this Thursday to present a proposed a plan to conduct additional cleanup at the Koppers Superfund Site in Charleston, S.C. Representatives from EPA and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will answer questions. EPA is also soliciting public comments on the plan for 30-days ending on October 17, 2017.
What:
Public Meeting for the Koppers Co, Inc. Superfund Site, Charleston, S.C.
When:
Thursday, September 28, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where:
International Longshoremen’s Association, 1142 Morrison Drive in Charleston
Who:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
***Press Availability – 5:15 to 5:45 p.m.
Representatives of EPA and DHEC will answer questions. Members of the media should RSVP to marraccini.davina@epa.gov.
EPA’s proposed cleanup plan presents an amendment to the original remedy, including an estimated $30 million in additional cleanup work on the Koppers site that will be implemented by a consortium of developers under EPA oversight. This additional cleanup work will facilitate the redevelopment of the Koppers site into a new mixed-use community that includes residential and other uses.
The proposed plan identifies changes to the original cleanup that was largely completed in 2003 to be protective under a future commercial/industrial land-use scenario. The Koppers site is a key component of a larger 200+ acre assemblage that the City of Charleston has zoned for a mixed-use brownfield redevelopment project, known as “Magnolia,” that includes commercial/retail use, office use, residential use, hotel use, and civic and park space.
The proposed plan, together with instructions for submitting public comments, is posted online at: https://semspub.epa.gov/work/04/11069917.pdf.
After considering all information received during the public comment period, EPA will consult with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and publish its final plan in a Record of Decision document.
The 102-acre Koppers site is located in the “neck” area of Charleston amid industrial, commercial and residential properties. From 1940 to 1978, Koppers operated a wood-treating facility on approximately 45-acres generally bounded by Milford Street on the north, Braswell Street on the south, the Ashley River on the west and the King Street Extension on the east. The remaining 57-acre portion of the site, located south of Braswell Street, was owned by Ashepoo Phosphate/Fertilizer Works. EPA incorporated these 57-acres into the Koppers Site boundary to investigate historical waste disposal practices and environmental impacts.
More information about the Koppers Superfund Site: www.epa.gov/superfund/koppers-charleston-plant
Connect with EPA Region 4 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion4
And on Twitter: @EPASoutheast
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