MOTTOLO SUPERFUND SITE TO RECEIVE EPA FUNDING FOR WATER MONITORING PROGRAM

(Washington, DC)-U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services $250,000 for continued monitoring and testing of groundwater at the Mottolo Superfund Site in Raymond. The funding will be available to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services on November 17, and additional EPA funding will be available in early 2010 for continued monitoring and testing.

"Safeguarding the water our families drink is essential, and this funding is a step in the right direction for cleaning up the Raymond groundwater supply," said Shaheen. "I am pleased that the timeline for testing has been accelerated. More needs to be done, and I am hopeful that the Town of Raymond, the Department of Environmental Services and the EPA can work together to implement a long term solution."

"The Raymond Board of Selectmen appreciates Senator Shaheen's efforts to attain the $500,000 for the purpose of moving forward with monitoring and testing of groundwater at the Mottolo Superfund Site," said the Raymond Board of Selectmen in a statement.

Shaheen has worked with Raymond officials, community members, and EPA leaders to ensure funding to support groundwater monitoring and testing was available to the community. On October 16, Shaheen sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson urging for the EPA to take swift action and develop a long term solution for the affected residents. Earlier this month, Shaheen also talked to Jackson asking her to expedite the release of funding for groundwater testing. 

"On behalf of so many families who have been waiting too long for help, I want to personally thank Administrator Jackson for her attention to this matter," said Shaheen.   

The full text of Shaheen's letter to Jackson follows:

October 16, 2009

Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

Environmental Protection Agency

And Rios Building

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Jackson,

I am writing to request that the Environmental Protection Agency provide immediate assistance to the town of Raymond, NH by funding the extension of town water lines to homes in the vicinity of the Mottolo Pig Farm Superfund site.

In 1979, the EPA identified the Motollo Farm as a Super Fund site and began the cleanup and remediation process. After all remedial components were removed in 2001, regular testing was scheduled to ensure public safety. However, recent monitoring of the site has showed increased levels of contaminants, causing the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to test the wells of nearby homeowners. Test results show unsafe levels of contaminants in the water supply. As a response, the state is now providing bottled water and filtration systems to the impacted residents. This action has addressed immediate problems, but is only a temporary solution.

I ask that the EPA use the Superfund Emergency Removals Program to implement a long term solution in partnership with the Town of Raymond and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

I know that EPA will work quickly to address this public health risk and I will have staff from my office follow up with the agency immediately.

Sincerely,

Senator Jeanne Shaheen