RIDGWAY — More than 10 years after the discovery of toxic waste at the former Ridgway Borough landfill site by state environmental agents, plans to clean up the hazardous pollution are moving forward.
A public meeting in Ridgway on Tuesday outlined a strategy to excavate and remove soil and refuse contaminated with 15 chemicals, among them lead, mercury, arsenic benzene and vinyl chloride. The landfill, located off Montmorenci Road in Ridgway Township, was in operation between 1960 and 1975. A state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) field study uncovered the chemicals in 2004.
In that time, DEP representatives say the contamination has remained largely contained to the roughly 15-acre site. Aquatic life in the adjacent Mason Creek reportedly remains unaffected.
“The contaminants don’t appear to be leaving the site,” said Chuck Tordella, DEP solid waste supervisor.
The excavation and removal is expected to cost $88,000. DEP hopes to secure Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act funding, derived from a state levied corporate stock and franchise tax, to help cover the clean-up cost.
A public comment period continues through June 13. Work is expected to commence by the summer.
Chris Saber, environmental protection specialist with DEP, said the goals of the excavation is to protect the public and environment from direct contact and exposure, including inhalation risks, and is preferable to the remaining options of simply doing nothing or cutting off access to the site.
But members of the public in attendance at the meeting wanted to know if there is anything to fear, with lingering concerns about possible health risks due to future or past exposure at the site.
Elizabeth Predko resides on Jakes Hollow Road, within walking distance of the landfill site. She said she has long frequented the area on walks with her dog and questioned whether hunters, fellow dog walkers, and children at play in the vicinity are safe.
DEP representatives said steps would be taken to ensure the chemicals are not spread via the air during clean-up and there should be little to no exposure risk to residents.
In the meantime, DEP representatives suggested a limited human presence in the area until clean-up is completed and considered posting signs in the area to that effect. DEP Northwest Region spokesperson Gary Clark advised residents to stay on the road and avoid direct contact with the environment.
Residents like Larry Horning of Montmorenci Road said he expects the clean-up to uncover additional contamination.
Tordella acknowledged this may be the first in a series of clean-ups at the site and said the project cost and scope will be adjusted as needed.
“From our standpoint this clean-up may be interim, may not be the final clean-up,” Tordella said. “But we’re dealing with issues we felt needed to be dealt with immediately.”
Asked why it took 10 years to begin addressing the issues, Clark said the focus has been on more urgently needed cleanup projects elsewhere in the state.
The DEP said a probe will also be undertaken to determine if the borough is financially responsible for pollution of the formerly borough-owned landfill.
Borough manager Kim Zimmerman asked the DEP to keep borough officials and residents in the loop, asserting the borough’s right to remain involved in the decison-making process if, in fact, found liable for the damage.
