EPA amends Woonasquatucket River site cleanup

By Michael Souza
PBN Staff Writer

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an amendment to the proposed cleanup plan for the removal of dioxin at the Centredale Manor superfund site in North Providence.

The proposed amendment uses EPA’s recently finalized non-cancer science assessment for dioxins, which was last reviewed in the 1980s.

Dioxins are toxic chemicals that naturally exist in the environment and can be released through forest fires and backyard burning of trash, as well as other means.

EPA will be accepting public comments on this proposed cleanup plan amendment, which only is concerned with the revised cleanup level, from July 19 – Aug. 17, 2012.

A series of public meetings followed by formal hearings have been schedule for the agency to take public comment.

These meetings and hearings are scheduled for:

• Monday, July 30 at 7 p.m. at Pocasset Bay Retirement Living, 12 Old Pocasset Lane, Johnston

• Tuesday, July 31 at 3 p.m. at Centredale Manor, 2074 Smith St., North Providence

• Tuesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. at North Providence Town Hall, 2000 Smith St., North Providence

The Centredale Manor restoration has been listed on EPA's National Priorities List since 2000.

The EPA has been coordinating with the Rhode Island Departments of Environmental Management and Health on a comprehensive cleanup for the site, which includes portions of Johnston and North Providence, since the 1990’s.

The proposed amendment can be reviewed at the Johnston and North Providence libraries, and at www.epa.gov.