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EPA and NAVY ISSUE CLEANUP DECISION FOR AREA A WEAPONS CENTER AT THE NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE-NEW LONDON IN GROTON, CT

Release Date: 06/29/2000
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Affairs Office (617-918-1064)

BOSTON -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Navy today issued a six month, $81,200 dollar cleanup plan for the Area A Weapons Center at the Naval Submarine Base-New London in Groton, Connecticut. The cleanup plan calls for the selective excavation and either off-site disposal or asphalt batching of contaminated soils and sediments. Samples will be taken throughout the cleanup to ensure that cleanup goals are met.

"This cleanup plan is the successful result of a close partnership with the Navy, the state and EPA," said Ira Leighton, EPA New England acting-deputy administrator. "This is the seventh cleanup decision reached for the sub base, and we are pleased with the continued progress being made at the site."

"Naval Submarine Base New London remains steadfast in our efforts and progress toward the clean up of all base sites falling under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). We're working closely with Federal and state regulators. Indeed, this plan is the culmination of a great deal of work and cooperation between the Navy, the U.S. EPA, and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Overall, it really speaks to the Navy's continuing commitment to the health and safety of the communities in which we all live and work as well as the protection of the environment which we all share," said Captain H.A. "Ray" Lincoln, Jr., Commanding Officer, Naval Submarine Base New London.

The key elements of the cleanup are:

• Removal of approximately 200 cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediment;
• Disposal of excavated contaminated waste at an approved off-site waste facility, or;
• Asphalt batching of the excavated materials (this technology mixes the excavated material with asphalt and heats it to form a stable solid which immobilizes the chemical contaminants.);
• Monitoring to ensure that cleanup goals are met.