All News Releases By Date

EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Nepera Chemical Company, Inc. Superfund Site

Release Date: 10/29/2007
Contact Information: Elizabeth Totman 212-637-3662, totman.elizabeth@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its plan to treat contaminated soil and ground water at the Nepera Chemical Company, Inc. Superfund Site in Hamptonburgh, Orange County, New York. Implementation of the plan will ensure cleanup of the contaminated soil, reduction of contaminants migrating into the ground water, restoration of ground water quality, and the minimization of any potential future health and environmental impacts. Under the plan, contaminated soils are to be excavated, placed in an area with a protective lining, and treated using bioremediation, a process that uses natural microorganisms to digest contaminants and break them down into non-hazardous components. The excavated area will also be treated with oxygenating compounds to stimulate the breakdown of contamination in the ground water.

“Now that the final cleanup remedy has been selected, the cleanup of this site can begin,” said Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg. “The community of Hamptonburgh will be informed of the progress and be given every opportunity to be involved in the cleanup process.”

The 29.3 acre site is owned by Nepera Chemical Company, Inc., a potentially responsible party (PRP). Six lagoons were constructed on the property and were used for the disposal of industrial wastewater generated at the Nepera Chemical Company facility in Harriman,New York, located approximately 25 miles from the site. The wastewater was trucked to the site and disposed of in the six lagoons, from 1953 to 1967.

In 1984, Nepera Chemical entered into an agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to conduct an investigation to determine the extent of contamination at the site. In 1986, EPA placed the property on the National Priorities List of the most contaminated sites in the country. In the late 80’s and 90’s, subsequent investigations were carried out on the site to further determine the type and extent of contamination sources. EPA was recently named the lead agency on the site, but will continue to confer with the NYSDEC.

For more information on the Superfund program go to https://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund. For further information on the Nepera Chemical Superfund site, visit https://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/nepera/.

07-124