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EPA Announces Cleanup Complete At Federal Superfund Site in Malta, New York

Release Date: 10/13/1999
Contact Information: Richard Cahill (212) 637-3666 / cahill.richard@epa.gov

(#99162) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that the hazardous waste cleanup has been completed at the Malta Rocket Fuel Area Superfund site in Saratoga County, New York, and that ongoing treatment and monitoring are effectively protecting human health and the environment. The use of chemicals, such as solvents and degreasers, in rocket engine testing and weapons research resulted in the contamination of soil and groundwater that is the source of drinking water at the Malta Test Station.

According to EPA Regional Administrator Jeanne M. Fox, "EPA used a two-pronged approach to expedite the cleanup. While EPA's attorneys negotiated the legal agreement to conduct the work, our Superfund experts worked with the responsible parties on moving the cleanup forward. As a result, shovels were in the ground just a few short months after the agreement became effective."

The parties responsible for the contamination, including the General Electric Company, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the U.S. Department of Defense, and Wright-Malta Corporation, agreed to carry out the following actions under EPA supervision to ensure the long-term protection of public health and the environment:

* Continued pumping of the on-site water supply wells that serve the Malta Test Station and treatment of the water using the existing technology;

* Monitoring of surface water and groundwater to ensure that groundwater contaminants not captured by the pumping wells naturally weaken and break down, and do not migrate into uncontaminated ground- water;

* Land use controls over the Test Station and adjacent property through deed restrictions;

* Excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil from the Test Station.

EPA will evaluate site conditions at least once every five years to ensure that the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment.

The completion of construction activities at the site is documented in EPA's September 23, 1999 Preliminary Close-Out Report. This report concludes that the work was conducted in accordance with EPA-approved designs and specifications. EPA has also completed its first Five-Year Review Report, dated September 23, 1999, which concludes that the cleanup remedy is protective of human health and the environment. The Preliminary Close-Out Report and the Five-Year Review Report are available for public review at the information repositories established for the site at:

Malta Town Hall

2540 Route 9

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Attn: Town Clerk

Round Lake Library

Round Lake, NY 12151

Attn: Librarian

U.S. EPA Region 2

Superfund Records Center

290 Broadway, 18th Floor

New York, NY 10007-1866

For more information contact:

Richard Cahill, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3666 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: cahill.richard@epamail.epa.gov