ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
US Environmental Protection Agency
Focus of Pine Street Canal Superfund site: CERCLIS #VTD980523062

EPA Remedial Project Manager:
Karen Lumino
1 Congress St., Suite 1100 (HBT)
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 918-1348
lumino.karen@epa.gov

VT Department of Environmental Conservation
Property Not Listed, except by reference to EPA Superfund site

VTDEC Contact:
Michael Smith
Site Manager, VTDEC Waste Management Div.
103 South Main St., West Bldg.
Waterbury, VT 05671-0404
802-241-3888
michaels@dec.anr.state.vt.us

Property #19 is the former location of a Manufactured Gas Plant which is part of the Pine Street Canal Superfund site (CERCLIS #VTD980523062). The Burlington Gas Plant was constructed circa 1895. This gas manufacturing plant operated at the site from the late 1890s through 1966 and was dismantled in 1967 [1]. The Burlington Gas Plant utilized a process of coal gasification to generate gas for distribution to the surrounding community. Wastes generated from the Burlington Gas Plant included “coal tar, fuel oil, cyanide, contaminated wood chips, iron oxide, cinders and metals”[1]. Wastes from the former Burlington Gas Plant at Property #19, and likely other wastes generated from area coal, lumber, bulk petroleum, and manufacturing industries were release to or disposed on Property #19, wetlands to the west and northwest of Property #19, and perhaps in a nearby turning basin and barge slips associated with the former Pine Street barge canal [1, 2].

Initial dredging of the Pine Street canal and turning basin was begun in 1868 [1]. Two barge slips were reportedly constructed between 1868 and 1879. The northern slip extended approximately 450 feet to the north from the turning basin [1]. The southern slip was located south of the turning basin and extended easterly from the canal part way to Pine Street just south of Howard Street (i.e., between Property #19 and Property #14) [1, 3]. The northern and southern barge slips were subsequently filled following the decline in the barge industry, and filling appears to have been completed by 1977 [1]. Historic fill materials may have included: “sawdust and discharged lumber from the milling operations; municipal and commercial solid waste; manufacturing waste; construction waste; debris from on-site building fires; and ash from local power plants and incinerators” [2, p.146], possibly including wastes associated with the former Burlington Gas Plant.

Past disposal practices associated with the Burlington Gas Plant have resulted in contamination to area groundwater, surface water, and soils by coal tar, polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals including cyanide, and petroleum constituents including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) [1]. “The first observation of visible contamination on surface water was documented in 1926, when a daily log book for the MGP noted that light tar from the plant’s tar well was running into the lake. A series of oily releases to the canal occurred in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s” [1, p. 2]. During the late 1970s, investigatory soil borings conducted for preliminary studies along the line of the proposed Southern Connector highway, detected substantial subsurface contamination associated with the former barge canal site and wetlands west of Property #19. “In 1981, the State of Vermont nominated the Pine Street Canal Site as a candidate for the newly-created Superfund program. The Site was proposed for the CERCLA National Priorities List (NPL) on October 23, 1981, and listed on September 8, 1983.” [1, p. 2-3].

Investigations conducted from the late 1970s through present have characterized the degree and extent of contaminants. In general, highest concentrations of contaminants, and those posing greatest risk of impact to human health and the environment, are located near the former coal gasification plant (Property #19) and the wetlands to the west of the former plant [1]. Contamination also extends along the barge canal, turning basin, and location of former barge slips. Coal tar and related contaminants were also detected associated with sediments in the Maltex Pond (west of Property #14) and a targeted emergency removal action was conducted at this portion of the site in 1985. Approximately 500 cubic yards of PAH-impacted sediments were excavated from the Maltex Pond by EPA contractors[2]. A clay cap was subsequently installed at the pond, and landscaped with topsoil and grass seed [4]. Signs and temporary fence restrict access to this portion of the Superfund site.

An initial cleanup plan for the site was proposed by EPA in 1992. Following public comment, the plan was withdrawn and further studies were conducted including an ecological risk assessment and contaminant migration studies. In June 1998, a revised cleanup plan was proposed. A Record of Decision, incorporating this plan endorsed by the public, was signed on September 29, 1998 [1]. Remedial plans, currently underway at the site, include: capping of contaminated sediments in the barge canal and turning basin as well as the associated wetlands; institutional controls on land use at the site; and long-term monitoring [4].

Superfund site remediation and monitoring are ongoing and are being carried out by the responsible parties under oversight of EPA Region 1 and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. More detailed information on the Pine Street Canal Site, including historic resources and the Record of Decision, can be reviewed at the following EPA website:
http://www.epa.gov./region1/superfund/findsite/fndindex.htm