Background
In June 2023, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 removal program received a letter from the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), dated May 10,
2023, requesting assistance to address polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs)
contaminated soils located at the Temple Stuart Site. The request indicated
that during a site investigation performed as part of a Targeted Brownfields
Assessment in February and March 2023, high concentrations of PCBs were detected
in surface soils. Due to the PCB concentrations in surficial soils, MassDEP had
requested that EPA’s brownfields contractor restrict access to these areas with
temporary fencing to limit exposure.
What has been done to clean up the site?
The EPA removal program reviewed the Phase I
Environmental Assessment Report dated March 2022, the Targeted Brownfields
Assessment sampling results, and historical reports related to past Site
activities. To further define the extent of PCB contamination, the removal
program requested the EPA brownfields program to conduct additional sampling
near the identified PCB-contaminated areas. The EPA brownfields’ contractor
conducted the additional sampling in September 2023. This additional sampling
confirmed elevated PCB levels in and around the restricted area and by an
adjacent concrete slab which had been used for staging of PCB-contaminated soil
during a prior EPA removal action initiated in 2002.
Based on the review of historical reports, including
the 2022 Phase I Environmental Assessment and the sampling results from EPA’s brownfield
assessments, the removal site evaluation was concluded with the signing of the Site
Investigation Closure Memorandum dated December 13, 2023, which indicates that
site conditions warrant a time-critical removal action to address the release
or threat of release of hazardous substances into the environment.
From July 2024 to January 2025, over 10,700 tons of PCB contaminated soil and debris was excavated and transported off site to EPA approved landfills. In April 2025, contractors backfilled soil and reseeded the area.
What is the current site status?
In May 2025, all personnel and equipment were demobilized from the site. The OSC has determined that all on-site work to address the threats identified in the Action Memo has been completed; and that no further mobilization to the site is anticipated.
The Administrative Record is available for review online at: https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/CurSites/cadminrecord.cfm?id=0102513&doc=Y&colid=67780
or by using this QR code:
Locations to access the online Administrative Record include:
U.S. EPA SEMS Records and Information Center, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA, 02109-3912, (617) 918-1440, by appointment.
