Pennsylvania DEP to Hold Public Meeting, Hearing Jan. 25 to Discuss Cleaning Up Berkley Products Plant Site

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting and hearing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, to outline its plan to clean up a former paint fabricating facility in Akron, Lancaster County. 

The meeting and hearing will be held at the Akron Elementary School at 125 South 11th St.

"DEP would like to provide an opportunity for interested residents and companies to ask questions and voice any concerns at this meeting and hearing," South-central Regional Director Rachel Diamond said. "The Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) authorizes DEP to take action and create a plan to address issues at this site and return it to a sound environmental state."

In 1955, Berkley started producing customized and manufactured coatings at the Akron facility. During most of its operation, solvents were used as drying agents in the coatings and for cleaning the manufacturing equipment. In 1980, Berkley applied to become a hazardous waste treatment and storage facility. By then, Berkley was blending waste for cement kiln fuel and consolidating waste for shipment to various disposal facilities. Berkley ceased operation as a hazardous waste storage and treatment facility in December 1990.

From January 2003 to June 2004, DEP conducted groundwater, surface water, soil vapor and indoor air investigations at the site. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also conducted groundwater, soil gas, sub-slab vapor and indoor air investigations in February and March 2005. The investigations determined that groundwater contamination was passing beneath adjacent residences and discharging to surface water. DEP detected 29 volatile organic compounds in the groundwater at high levels. Among the contaminants were solvents commonly used in paint manufacturing and metal degreasing, which DEP determined were all released from the site.

In 2006, DEP installed vapor mitigation systems on 11 residences threatened by vapor intrusion from the migrating groundwater contamination plume, and they have satisfactorily mitigated the vapor intrusion threat. The agency also conducted further investigation to fully characterize soil and groundwater contamination to determine if additional response action was necessary to protect human health and the environment. DEP has proposed a response to address the releases at the Berkley Products site by removing the contaminated soil and treating the contaminated groundwater.

As required under HSCA, the administrative record will be open for review and comment until March 16, 2012. The Administrative Record can be examined weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DEP's South-central Regional Office at 909 Elmerton Ave. in Harrisburg, by making an appointment with David Hrobuchak at 717-705-4843. The Administrative Record may also be reviewed at the Akron Borough Municipal Office at 117 S. 7th St., by calling 717-859-1600. 

During the public hearing, citizens will have an opportunity to present up to five minutes of oral testimony regarding the proposal. Written comment will also be accepted and can be mailed to Hrobuchak of DEP's South-central Regional Office. DEP will provide a written response to all significant testimony or written comment provided during the public hearing and public comment period.

Those who wish to present oral testimony can register by calling Hrobuchak or registering that evening prior to the hearing. Individuals in need of an accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should call Hrobuchak or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD).

For more information, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click on Regional Resources, or call 717-705-4700.

Media contact: Lisa Kasianowitz, 717-787-1323

Source: Department of Environmental Protection South-central Regional Office

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection