EPA Removes Part of Aircraft Components Inc. Site in Benton Harbor, Michigan, from Superfund List
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the removal of the radiation operable unit, or OU1, portion of the Aircraft Components Inc. Superfund site in Benton Harbor, Michigan, from the National Priorities List, or NPL. Cleanup is complete in this part of the site, but groundwater treatment and monitoring at the chemical operable unit will continue until no further cleanup is needed.
“Removing a portion of this site from the National Priorities List makes it available for redevelopment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore. “This site already supports a thriving business community and will continue to as we proceed with the remaining cleanup. EPA is proud to work with communities to help transform contaminated eyesores into flourishing commercial centers.”
EPA deletes sites or parts of sites from the NPL only when no further cleanup is required, and the area is ready for productive use. The 17-acre Aircraft Components Superfund site is located next to the Paw Paw River in Benton Harbor. Several manufacturing companies operated on site, including an airplane parts resale business. These aircraft parts had deteriorated, raising concerns of radioactive paint and dust in the environment.
In 2003, EPA cleaned up this portion of the Superfund site, which involved removing and disposing radiologically contaminated soil and demolishing buildings, utilities, and foundations. The chemical operable unit of the site, or OU2, will remain on the NPL until ongoing groundwater treatment and monitoring show that all regulatory standards are met.
The site is part of a community-wide redevelopment project that includes a craft brewery warehouse and hole 14 of the Harbor Shores Golf Course. The course is also connected to the local arts community and features sculptures at each hole created by area artists.
Sites on the NPL include the nation’s most serious uncontrolled or abandoned releases of hazardous substances. EPA deletes sites or parts of sites from the NPL when no further cleanup is required to protect human health or the environment.
EPA encourages site reuse and deleting a site from the NPL can help revitalize communities, raise property values, and promote economic growth by signaling to potential developers and financial institutions that cleanup is complete.
Visit EPA’s website for more information.