Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Tecumseh Redevelopment Incorporated (Formerly: Bethlehem Steel) in Williamsport, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
EPA sets national goals to measure progress toward meeting the nation’s major environmental goals. For Corrective Action, EPA evaluates two key environmental indicators for each facility: (1) current human exposures under control and (2) migration of contaminated groundwater under control. In April 1999, EPA determined that both the Human Exposure and Groundwater Environmental Indicators had been met.
Impoundments on the facility were used to dispose of spent pickle liquor sludge. The impoundments were closed as disposal impoundments under a RCRA closure plan approved by the State. The impoundments were certified closed on November 5, 1990, and a RCRA Post Closure Permit was issued in April 1994. Groundwater monitoring and facility inspection and maintenance continues, as required by the Post Closure Permit.
EPA issued a Corrective Action Statement of Basis (SB) on June 2017. The SB described the environmental conditions at the site and asked for public comments on EPA's tentative decision. In August 2017, EPA issued a Final Decision requiring continued compliance with the PA Post Closure Permit, and implementation of land and groundwater use restrictions through an environmental covenant.
Site Description
Interactive map of Tecumseh Redevelopment Incorporated (Formerly: Bethlehem Steel), Williamsport, PA
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The Bethlehem Steel Corp. (now Tecumseh Development) facility is located at the foot of Campbell Street in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pa. Bethlehem Steel Corp. previously manufactured wire rope and strand at the facility.
The facility is now managed by Tecumseh Redevelopment, a realty management arm of International Steel Group (ISG). ISG purchased Bethlehem Steel in a bankruptcy proceeding in 2003.
Contaminants at this Facility
The Water Quality Management files indicate numerous exceedances have occurred in the wastewater treatment plant’s discharge limits for zinc. In addition, exceedances have also occurred for lead and iron, although not as frequently as that for zinc. Groundwater contaminants in sludge also include Sulfates, Chlorides, Nitrate nitrogen (NO3), Iron, Manganese, Lead, and Chromium.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional Controls consist of the following:
- The Facility shall not be used for residential purposes.
- Groundwater at the Facility shall not be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to, use as a potable water source, other than to conduct the maintenance and monitoring activities required by Pennsylvania Department of Environment (PADEP) and/or EPA,
- No new wells shall be installed at the Facility unless it is demonstrated to PADEP that such wells are necessary to perform post closure activities and PADEP provides prior written approval to install such wells.
- The Facility shall not be used in any way that will adversely affect or interfere with the integrity and protectiveness of the cap over the disposal units, unless it is demonstrated to PADEP that such use will not pose a threat to human health or the enviromnent and PADEP provides prior written approval for such disturbance.
- All earth moving activities at the Facility, including excavation, drilling and construction activities, shall be conducted in a manner such that the activity will not pose a threat lo human health or the environment, or adversely affect or interfere with the requirements of the Post-Closure Pennit. No such activities shall take place at the Facility unless PADEP provides prior written approval.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility is under continued use.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3 with assistance from PADEP.