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New Mexico site proposed to federal cleanup priorities list

Release Date: 03/07/2007
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

Former Eagle Picher battery facility being considered for Superfund program

(Dallas, Texas – March 7, 2007) The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed adding the site of a former battery manufacturing facility in Socorro, New Mexico, to the federal Superfund National Priorities List (NPL).

EPA and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) announced today that the Eagle Picher Carefree Battery facility is being considered for the federal cleanup priorities program.

“Adding this site to the NPL makes federal resources available to help protect the drinking water sources for thousands of New Mexicans,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene.

"Cooperation between EPA and NMED on this program will ensure contaminated sites are cleaned up as soon as possible," NMED Secretary Ron Curry said.

The Eagle Picher site is being proposed to the NPL because of the presence of trichloroethene and other chlorinated solvents in concentrations above safe drinking water maximum contamination levels. These solvents have been detected in several municipal and private drinking water wells, as well as monitoring wells.

The EPA Superfund program works closely with State agencies to clean and restore uncontrolled contaminated properties. To date, there have been 1,562 sites listed to the NPL. Of these sites, 317 sites have been deleted resulting in 1,245 sites currently on the NPL.

EPA will seek public comments on adding the site to the NPL for 60 days. Comments will be considered as the Agency completes the final decision process. During the public comment period, EPA will continue to develop cleanup plans so that actual work may begin as quickly after NPL listing as possible.

The public comment period will end on May 7, 2007. More information on the Superfund National Priorities List is available at https://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/index.htm.

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, visit www.epa.gov/region6.