In recent weeks, neighbors of the Port of Portland’s marine Terminal 4 have raised concerns about a potential confined disposal facility (CDF) at T-4. The Portland Harbor Superfund site cleanup is an ongoing process, and no decisions have been made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding a CDF at T-4. A confined disposal facility at T-4 is one of several options the EPA is currently evaluating for a feasibility study of future cleanup options.
On August 22, the EPA will host a community information session focusing specifically on confined disposal facilities:
Date: Thursday, August 22, 2013
Time: 5 p.m. (Open House), 5:30 p.m. (Information Session)
Location: BES Water Lab, 6543 N Burlington Ave
Contact: Alanna Conley, 503-326-6831
The Port has been working with the EPA since the Portland Harbor became a designated Superfund site in 2000. In 2003, the Port signed an Early Action agreement with the EPA to begin cleanup work at T-4 in advance of the Harborwide cleanup plan process. EPA selected a cleanup plan at T-4 in 2006 which included a confined disposal facility. Since this decision, the schedule for the cleanup at T-4 has been adjusted by EPA several times to better align the T-4 cleanup work with the Harborwide cleanup plan.
Decisions about final cleanup plan at T-4, including whether or not a CDF will be constructed, will be made by EPA as part of the overall Harborwide cleanup plan. Phase II of the Removal Action at T-4 will be implemented after EPA issues the cleanup plan for Portland Harbor, known as the Record of Decision, which EPA projects will be in 2015.
Related Links: