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Site Type: Long Term/National Priorities List (NPL)  |
EASTLAND WOOLEN MILL |
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| Corinna, Maine |
Penobscot County
| Street Address: | MAIN STREET |
| Zip Code: | 04928 |
Congressional
District(s): |
02 |
| EPA ID #: | MED980915474 |
| Site ID #: | 0101043 |
| Site Aliases: |
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| Site Responsibility: | Federal |
| NPL LISTING HISTORY |
| Proposed Date | 04/23/1999 |
| Final Date | 07/22/1999 |
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Site Description
The Site includes the former Eastland Woolen Mill and the local areas contaminated by the release of hazardous substances from the Eastland Woolen Mill. Eastland Woolen Mill was a textile mill that began operation in approximately 1909. The former Eastland Woolen Mill structure includes several connected building with a floor space of approximately 250,000 square feet. The Eastland Woolen Mill ceased operation in 1996 and the majority of the mill property is now owned by the Town of Corinna. Hazardous substances were likely used throughout the entire operating history of the mill. Chlorobenzenes were reportedly used in large quantities from the 1960's through closure. Chlorobenzenes are a major component of the dye-aid used in the dye kettles to add color to the wool. The original disposal practice was to discharge the waste either directly into the East Branch of the Sebasticook River or into a tail race that led to the river. In addition, wastes were also dumped directly onto the concrete floors and allowed to infiltrate the floor or flow over the floor toward the river. As a result of the disposal practices several water supply wells have been impacted and the East Branch of the Sebasticook River has been significantly contaminated.
Threats and Contaminants
Sampling by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) and EPA identified chlorobenzenes (mono, di, tri, and tetra) in the soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment. Non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL) were detected in the soil beneath the building and the river. Groundwater contamination had spread to local water supply wells, including a multi-unit retirement community. The site cleanup activities have eliminated all present threats to human health and the environment but the groundwater contamination continues to represent a threat to future users of groundwater.
Cleanup Approach
The site is being addressed in four cleanup phases: an initial removal of hazardous materials by the MEDEP; a non-time critical removal action (NTCRA); and the remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS)/long-term remedial action (RA) for groundwater, designated at Operable Unit I, and the RI/FS and RA for sediments and floodplain contamination designated as OU II .
Response Action Status
| Initial Action | In 1995, a water supply line was installed to serve the downtown area of Corinna. In 1997, the Maine DEP performed an emergency response action to remove 54,673 pounds of various hazardous substances from process pipes, containers, and vessels located within the Eastland Woolen Mill. |
| Early Response Actions | EPA signed an Action Memorandum in July 1999 initiating a non-time critical removal action (NTCRA) at the Site. The NTCRA, which began in November 1999, involved the removal of contaminated soils beneath the building and river. From November 1999 - December 2003, EPA removed the former Eastland Woolen Mill and 75,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil. EPA completed the treatment of the contaminated soil in October 2003. Additional work to address deep overburden soil contamination was implemented from 2004 to 2005. The NTCRA program was completed in 2006 and the remaining site cleanup activities are being performed as part of the Remedial Action. |
| Entire Site | EPA initiated the RI/FS in April 1999 and completed the field activities in 2001. A Record of Decision (ROD) for Operable Unit I (groundwater) was signed in September 2002 and a ROD for Operable Unit II (sediments and floodplain) was signed in 2004. In September 2006, EPA signed an amendment to the 2001 Record of Decision to elminate the long-term groundwater treatment system from the Remedial Action. This decision was based on the ability of the in-situ injection treatment program and institutional controls to protect public health from future ingestion of contaminated groundwater. The entire site achieved construction completion status in 2006. |
Environmental Progress
The removal of the hazardous materials, installation of the water line, and removal of the mill have reduced the potential for risk to human health and the environment. Approximately 30,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil was removed from the ground in 2000. In 2001, an additional 50,000 cubic yards of material was removed. The contaminated soil have been screened and stockpiled in anticipation of treatment. This material no longer acts as a source of groundwater, surface water, and sediment contamination. The treatment of the soil began in June 2002. The NTCRA involved the treatment of 100,000 tons of soil, removing about 10,000 pounds of contamination from the soil. The treatment of the excavated soil was completed in October 2003. Treatment of deep overburden soil using in-situ reagents is on-going. The Remedial Design for the groundwater restoration cleanup was completed in 2006. The construction of the Remedial Action was also completed in 2006 and the site achieve construction completion status.. EPA is currently implementing the in-situ oxidation program to reduce the level of contamination in the overburden and bedrock groundwater. As of February 2009, the in-situ application program continues.
Current Site Status
The Eastland Woolen Mill was listed in 1999. During the past year, EPA completed an engineering evaluation and allocated sufficient funding to demolish the old abandoned mill complex in anticipation for further groundwater studies and remediation. In Fall 1999, a Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) began, alternate drinking water was extended to the adjacent retirement community residential complex, and the initial Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) began. The former Eastland Woolen Mill demolition was completed in May 2000. EPA began the excavation of contaminated soil in 2000. The highway detour and new bridge was completed in 2001 in order to allow for the excavation of the remaining soil contamination. EPA is currently restoring the areas of the Site impacted by the cleanup activities and operating a treatment system to remove the contamination from the soil. After a period of public comment, EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) outlining the groundwater cleanup plan in September 2002. EPA signed a Record of Decision for OU II in September 2004. The OU II ROD documented that no further cleanup action was necessary for the downstream sediment and floodplain areas. The September 2006 amendment to the 2001 Record of Decision documented that a long-term groundwater extraction and treatment system will not be necessary at the site. EPA continues to perform in-situ oxidation to reduce the contamination in groundwater.
Site Photos
Links to Other Site Information
Newsletters & Press Releases:
Federal Register Notices:
Administrative Records:
Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) Administrative Record Index, July 22, 1999  | | |
| Index Only: Administrative Record, OU01 Record of Decision (ROD), September 19, 2002 (695KB) | | |
| Index Only: Administrative Record, OU02 Record of Decision (ROD), September 30, 2004 (113 KB) | | |
| Index Only: Administrative Record, OU01 Record of Decision (ROD) Amendment, May 25, 2006 (175 KB) | | |
| Index Only: Administrative Record, OU1 Record of Decision (ROD) Amendment, October 13, 2006 (960 KB) | | |
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Reports and Studies:
Decision Documents:
Other Links:
Site Repositories
Corinna Public Library (Stewart Free Library) 1 Stewart Lane, Corinna, ME (207) 278-2454
EPA New England Records Center, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 918-1440
Contacts
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