Hercules Toxaphene Manufacturing Plant Cleanup Doubtful
 Public Hearing November 8th

November 1, 2007

                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 For more information contact:
Daniel E. Parshley
Phone:  Office: 912-466-0934
Cell: 912-506-8869
E-mail: gec@darientel.net

    The Glynn Environmental Coalition is questioning whether the proposed cleanup of toxic soil at the Hercules Plant will actually be a cleanup.   "The proposed plan appears to assure that the Toxaphene Plant area will be covered up rather than cleaned up," said Daniel Parshley, Project Manager for the Glynn Environmental Coalition.  "There are loopholes in the proposed cleanup that most assuredly will result in the alternate plan, covering up the area, to be implemented.  The alternate plan calls for covering up the area if utilities are encountered, but fails to identify the utilities in the area."    

   The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA-EPD) will be holding a Public Hearing concerning the proposed plan to clean up the Hercules Toxaphene Manufacturing Plant on Thursday, November 8, 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Stellar Conference Center, 144 Ventura Drive, Brunswick.

   Hercules manufactured toxaphene from 1948 until 1980 when the pesticide was banned.  In 1987, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division ordered Hercules to investigate the extent of contamination around the Toxaphene Plant and develop a cleanup plan.  Twenty years later, the investigation of the Hercules Plant remains incomplete, but the Georgia Environmental Protection Division feels enough information has been collected to remove at least some of the most contaminated soils.

   Toxaphene has been found in excess of 8% in soils on the Hercules Plant, which is many thousands of times higher than what is allowed.   The extensive toxaphene contamination on the Hercules Plant is suspected to be the source of continued releases to Terry Creek, which have continued 27 years after manufacturing ended.

   The Toxaphene Plant, referred to as Solid Waste Management Unit #5, is one of 39 toxic waste sites on the Hercules Plant identified by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.  

-  30 -