EPA proposes cleanup plan for Elyria Superfund Site; public meeting July 26, revised

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has proposed a plan to clean up contaminated soil and ground water at the Chemical Recovery Systems Superfund site in Elyria, Ohio. A public comment period runs July 16 to Aug. 14. A public meeting in which comments will be accepted is set for 6 p.m., Thursday, July 26, Elyria City Hall Council Chambers, 131 Court St.

EPA evaluated seven different alternatives to clean up or manage pollution at the site. EPA’s recommended plan includes construction of a 2-foot-thick soil cover over the site to eliminate direct contact by people or wildlife. Also, an area in the northwest portion of the site would be excavated to remove the most highly contaminated soil. Estimated cost: $1.7 million.

The site covers 2.5 acres on a peninsula in the East Branch of the Black River in an industrial area near Elyria’s central business district. Two companies that recycled used solvents operated on the property from about 1960 to 1981. EPA’s involvement at the site began in the early 1980’s. A series of pollution studies confirmed soil, ground water and Black River surface water and sediment are contaminated.

Based on comments received, EPA may modify its cleanup plan. Beginning Monday, comments can be mailed, faxed or submitted via an electronic form at http://www.epa.gov/region5/publiccomment/. Additional background and documents are posted at http://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/crs.

Questions may be directed to Community Involvement Coordinator Susan Pastor at 800-621-8431, ext. 31325, (business hours) or pastor.susan@epa.gov.