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EPA APPROVES CENTREDALE MANOR/WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER FOR SUPERFUND LISTING

Release Date: 02/02/2000
Contact Information: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office (617-918-1008)

Boston - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named the Centredale Manor Restoration Project in North Providence, R.I. to the National Priorities List (NPL) of hazardous waste sites, making it eligible for additional federal Superfund cleanup funds. The project is the site of a former barrel reclamation facility and chemical manufacturing facility.

"I am pleased that the Superfund listing moved so swiftly and a big reason why is the strong support this project has received from local residents and the state, including Governor Almond," said Mindy S. Lubber, acting regional administrator at EPA's New England Office. "EPA has made a substantial investment to get this cleanup project moving forward and, with this Superfund listing, we're assured we'll have the money necessary to complete the job."

"Today's announcement of Centredale Manor as a Superfund site should provide a sigh of relief for the people of North Providence," added Governor Lincoln Almond. "I am pleased this designation was made so quickly. It will provide federal support and oversight of the cleanup and restoration effort and it will bring about the renewal of an important community resource."

EPA has already spent $1.4 million to conduct widespread sampling in and along the Woonasquatucket River, to fence and limit access to contaminated areas, and to cap the portion of the riverbank south of the Centredale Manor parking lot. The vegetated cap controls migration of dioxin contamination into the river. Last fall, cleanup crews completed all but seeding of another cap between Centredale Manor and Brook Village to secure the area. In early spring, grass will be planted as the top layer of the cap.

"We are one notch further along in our efforts to address contamination in the Woonasquatucket River and to return this river to the people of North Providence," said North Providence Mayor A. Ralph Mollis. "I am pleased that we have made this giant step forward with strong community support."

"Protecting the health of residents is my top priority and listing this site on the National Priorities List makes additional Superfund dollars available to address the health and environmental risks presented by the contamination," added State Senator John Celona.

The Centredale Manor Restoration Project is located on Smith Street in North Providence and includes the Woonasquatucket River and the floodplain between Route 44 downstream to and including Allendale Dam. Today's NPL designation follows a 60-day public comment period. A number of letters in support of the listing were received when the project was initially proposed. The Centredale Manor listing brings to 13 the number of sites in Rhode Island included on EPA's National Priorities List.

"With access to additional Superfund dollars, the EPA can continue the process of cleaning up Centredale Manor," said U.S. Senator Jack Reed. "I am grateful that our federal, state and local officials have been able to work together to see this matter resolved to our mutual satisfaction. While we still have a way to go, I am confident that with Superfund designation the Centredale Manor property and the Woonasquatucket River will finally be restored."

"Now that this site has been named to EPA's National Priorities List, cleanup of the Centredale Manor will be a top federal priority," said U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee. "As chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Control and Risk Assessment, I will work to ensure that federal funds continue to flow to cleanup efforts along the Woonasquatucket River."

"I was proud to support this designation which will enable the federal government to provide the resources to continue to remove the contamination and restore the river," said Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy. "I'm certain this step will help bring a sense of relief to the residents of the Centredale Manor senior citizens complex and hundreds of nearby families."