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Texas City Site Added to National Superfund List

Release Date: 9/18/1998
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) announced today that the former Tex-Tin smelter in Texas City, Texas, has been added to the federal Superfund program's National Priority List (NPL).

     Established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, Superfund is our country's program for cleaning uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.

     "EPA's goal is to get this site cleaned up as fast and as fairly as possible in order to protect public health and the environment first. Thanks to Texas for participating as a dedicated partner, working hard to get the property listed, and committing to pay a portion of the cleanup costs. When the work is finished, EPA will focus on getting reimbursed by those who created the problem," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.  

     TNRCC Commissioner Ralph Marquez said, "It is important that we initiate cleanup of the contamination at this site as soon as possible. The State of Texas and EPA will work together to ensure that the cleanup is effective so as to protect the important water resources underlying the Tex-Tin site."

     The Superfund listing will include the 160-acre abandoned industrial site and about 55 acres of residential and commercial property downwind from the site.

     EPA is developing a cleanup plan for this site so that the health and safety of area residents and the surrounding environment is protected. A proposed plan announced this week will address cleanup of the facility, or Tex-Tin industrial property. In the near future, EPA also will present its plan to clean the off-site La Marque residential area, followed by the off-site Swan Lake Salt Marsh areas. As part of Superfund's public participation requirements, EPA will provide an opportunity for public input and comments on these actions and will conduct community meetings in Texas City.

     Additional information about this site is available on the regional web site at www.epa.gov/region6/6sf/6sf-tx.htm.