The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Montgomery County, New York, have entered into a voluntary agreement to address asbestos contamination at the former Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp. plant in the village of Canajoharie.
EPA began its assessment of the site in 2015. The assessment found extensive asbestos contamination, including in numerous outdoor debris piles left behind after prior demolition efforts. EPA took several actions to stabilize the site, including using a spray to keep the asbestos intact and avoid exposure to the community. The agreement between EPA and Montgomery County was reached after Beech-Nut and contractor B&B Recycling LLC, Penn Yan, New York, refused to comply with an EPA Superfund order that required asbestos removal work that the county has now agreed to undertake.
Under the agreement, Montgomery County will remove more than 2,500 tons of material consisting of the debris piles, a roll-off container and certain partial exterior walls, as well as certify that no residual asbestos remains in these areas after removal. The county will use grant funding to address the asbestos contamination that EPA determined needed to be properly removed and disposed.
“I commend County Executive Matthew Ossenfort and the Montgomery County legislators for their leadership and commitment to protecting the community and public health. This agreement is a great example of what can be accomplished when federal, state and local governments work together,” Pete Lopez, EPA regional administrator, says. “Even though the county is not legally responsible for cleaning up this site, we are so pleased that we found a willing partner to be part of the solution. This unique approach reinforces EPA’s nationwide efforts to reform and streamline the Superfund process to make it work better for communities.”
EPA and Montgomery County will coordinate with New York state during the cleanup. EPA is evaluating its enforcement options related to Beech-Nut and B&B Recycling.
EPA began its assessment of the site in 2015. The assessment found extensive asbestos contamination, including in numerous outdoor debris piles left behind after prior demolition efforts. EPA took several actions to stabilize the site, including using a spray to keep the asbestos intact and avoid exposure to the community. The agreement between EPA and Montgomery County was reached after Beech-Nut and contractor B&B Recycling LLC, Penn Yan, New York, refused to comply with an EPA Superfund order that required asbestos removal work that the county has now agreed to undertake.
Under the agreement, Montgomery County will remove more than 2,500 tons of material consisting of the debris piles, a roll-off container and certain partial exterior walls, as well as certify that no residual asbestos remains in these areas after removal. The county will use grant funding to address the asbestos contamination that EPA determined needed to be properly removed and disposed.
“I commend County Executive Matthew Ossenfort and the Montgomery County legislators for their leadership and commitment to protecting the community and public health. This agreement is a great example of what can be accomplished when federal, state and local governments work together,” Pete Lopez, EPA regional administrator, says. “Even though the county is not legally responsible for cleaning up this site, we are so pleased that we found a willing partner to be part of the solution. This unique approach reinforces EPA’s nationwide efforts to reform and streamline the Superfund process to make it work better for communities.”
EPA and Montgomery County will coordinate with New York state during the cleanup. EPA is evaluating its enforcement options related to Beech-Nut and B&B Recycling.
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