EPA: Move Some Residents Near Kent Arsenic Mine

KENT, NY — Officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are proposing a cleanup plan for the Arsenic Mine Superfund Site in Kent. The plan includes moving some affected residents away from their homes prevent exposure to arsenic-contaminated soil.

Federal officials want to buy certain contaminated properties. Once the properties are vacated, the homes would be demolished.

“EPA is committed to this community in Kent. We previously took actions at the Arsenic Mine Site that have addressed the immediate risks by reducing residents’ exposure to arsenic contamination in the short-term,” said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. “Today, we are proposing the best course of action to protect residents from arsenic-contaminated soil over the long-term."

The Arsenic Mine Site includes a former mine that was operated intermittently from the mid-1800s through 1918 to extract arsenic for manufacturing products, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Decades later, houses were built on properties around and downslope from the former mine.

Arsenic-contaminated soils are found on the residential properties.

Residents with private drinking water supply wells contaminated by arsenic at the site are currently using treatment systems or bottled water.

The EPA said officials have met one-on-one with residents and government partners and repaired a drinking water system where the potable water well had been compromised. The agency continues to monitor their drinking water supplies to ensure that treatment systems continue to be effective.

Also, to reduce the potential for short-term exposure to elevated levels of arsenic in the soil, EPA installed barriers to contaminated soil in high-use areas.

EPA also tried to reduce tracking of arsenic-contaminated soil indoors by removing or replacing dirt at the affected properties in gardens and areas used by pets and livestock. These specific measures have varied based on the use of each property.

Now the plan to address the conditions includes offering to buy certain affected properties and permanently relocating those residents.

Relocation would include federal financial and logistical support. Residents would be assisted in the relocation process, including identifying and moving into replacement residences.

The vacated homes would then be demolished. This alternative includes institutional controls, such as environmental easements that would limit the future use of the properties. As long as the residents of affected properties remain in their homes, monitoring and maintenance of existing protective measures would continue to ensure the effectiveness of these measures.

The estimated cost of EPA’s proposed remedy is $5.83 million.

As part of the public comment period, EPA will hold a virtual public meeting on the proposed plan at 7 p.m. April 22.

To participate in the meeting, visit the website for more information.

Please register in advance of the meeting on the website or by emailing Pat Seppi, Community Involvement Coordinator, at seppi.pat@epa.gov or calling her at (646) 369-0068. Anyone interested in receiving materials for the public meeting in hard copy should either email or call Ms. Seppi with such a request by April 17.

Written comments on EPA's proposed plan may be mailed or emailed to: Mark Granger, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866 or granger.mark@epa.gov. Comments postmarked up until May 8, 2020, will be accepted.

View the EPA's plan for the site here.