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Caldwell Lace Leather Co., Inc.
National Information
Additional Resources
- Site Cleanup Terms - can be found in EPA's glossary
- EPA Guides to Cleanup Technologies
- Superfund Community Involvement (PDF) (17 pp, 130K, About PDF)
Site Summary Profile
EPA ID: KYD045738291Location: Auburn, Logan County, KY
Lat/Long: 36.872500, -086.746380
Congressional District: 01
NPL Status: Proposed: 06/24/88; Final: 08/30/90
Affected Media: Ground water, Soil
Cleanup Status: Construction complete - physical cleanup activities have been completed
Human Exposure Under Control: Yes
Groundwater Migration Under Control: NA – not a ground water site
Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use: No
Site Reuse/Redevelopment: In reuse – agricultural land uses are located on a portion of the site
Site Manager: Beth Walden (walden.beth@epa.gov)
Current Site Status
The Caldwell Lace Leather Co., Inc. site includes the area where Caldwell Lace Leather Company (Caldwell) disposed of wastes generated by its tannery facility in Auburn, Kentucky, from 1972 to 1985. EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990 because of contaminated ground water and soil resulting from waste handling practices. EPA, the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KDEP) and the site’s potentially responsible parties (PRPs) have investigated site conditions and taken steps to clean up the site in order to protect people and the environment from contamination. Following site investigations, EPA determined that site contamination does not pose a threat to people and the environment. By monitoring ground water and surface water, maintaining the landfill cover, and working to place institutional controls on the site property, EPA, KDEP and the site’s PRPs continue to protect people and the environment from site contamination.
Site Location and Background
The 57-acre site is located at 111 East Caldwell Street, off State Highway 1039 (Cemetery Road) in Logan County, approximately 2.5 miles northwest of Auburn, Kentucky. The site includes a 16-acre landfill and a 41-acre pastureland. State Highway 1039 (Cemetery Road) borders the site to the north. Pastures, agricultural land and forested areas border the site to south, east and west.
From 1972 to 1985, the site received sludge and solid wastes generated by the Caldwell tannery facility in Auburn, Kentucky. Caldwell operated the tannery from the late 1800s tol 1985. Caldwell owned the site property and used it for disposal of wastes generated during the tanning process. In 1983, Lace Leather, Inc. purchased the site. In 1990, EPA listed the site on the NPL. Currently, grass covers the landfill area of the site. The landfill area is not in use. A farmer purchased the pastureland. The farmer uses the area for cattle grazing and agricultural activities.
Threats and Contaminants
Site investigations found contamination in ground water and soil that could potentially harm people in the area. Contamination resulted from waste handling practices at the site. Following completion of the remedial investigation, EPA determined that the site no longer posed a threat to people and the environment. EPA considered children’s health issues as part of the site’s risk assessment.
Investigation and Cleanup Responsibility / Oversight
EPA led site investigation activities in cooperation with KDEP.
Site Cleanup Plan
In 1994, EPA issued a cleanup plan (a Record of Decision, or ROD) for the site. The plan included EPA’s decision that no action was necessary to protect people and the environment. EPA also recommended that KDEP or the current landfill owner continue ground water and surface water monitoring, place land use restrictions on the landfill property, and maintain the landfill cover.
Cleanup Progress
In 1984, KDEP ordered the site’s owner to maintain vegetation on the landfill area of the site in accordance with the closure plan, which also included applying fertilizer to the area, regrading and revegetating the area, and monitoring ground water and surface water.
In 1985, the site’s owner covered the site with soil and placed a fence around the site to restrict access.
In 1989, the site’s owner completed the closure plan for the landfill area of the site.
In 1992, the United States Geological Survey conducted dye trace studies at the site. The studies included dividing the site into a grid and taking composite soil samples.
In 2007, KDEP began placing institutional controls on the site property.
Enforcement Activities
In 1984, KDEP and the site’s owner entered into legal agreements to conduct closure activities for the landfill area of the site.
In 1988, EPA negotiated legal agreements with the site’s PRPs to investigate the site. EPA used federal funds for site investigation activities.
The ROD online provides information on specific legal agreements for the site.Community Involvement
EPA worked with the community and its state partner to develop a long-term cleanup plan for the site, reflecting the Agency’s commitment to safe, healthy communities and environmental protection. Community engagement and public outreach are core components of EPA program activities.
EPA conducted a range of community involvement activities to solicit community input and to make sure the public remains informed about site activities throughout the cleanup process. Outreach efforts included public notices and information meetings.
Future Work
Following placement of institutional controls on the site property, EPA plans to delete the site from the NPL.
Additional Information
EPA keeps additional site documents and information in a site information repository at the location below. EPA also posts site documents, when available, on EPA’s CERCLIS Site Profile page. For documents not available on the website, please contact the Region 4 Freedom of Information Office.
Site Repository
Logan County Public Library
201 West Sixth St.
Russelville, KY 42276