SETTLEMENT PROPOSED OVER CLEANUP COSTS FOR PALMER BARGE LINE SUPERFUND SITE IN TEXAS

By TONI ELLINGTON

The EPA and the State of Texas are asking a Texas federal court to approve a $3 million settlement over cleanup costs for a Texas Superfund site.  These parties agreed with potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) Exxon Mobile Corporation, DuPont Company, and others to settle their liabilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) for the Palmer Barge Line Superfund site in Port Arthur, Texas.

The Palmer Barge Line Superfund site is a 17 acre site located on the Pleasure Islet near the mouth of the Neches River.  Pleasure Islet is a man-made area of land which was built from dredged soils during the construction of the Sabine-Neches Canal, which is part of the Intercoastal Waterway.  The site was used as a municipal landfill, and then was purchased by Palmer Barge Line, Inc. for the purpose of servicing and maintaining barges and marine vessels.  Cleaning operations at the site included steaming vessels and degassing operations using nitrogen and other chemicals.

The EPA alleged that the PRPs used the facility or its equipment, thereby contributing to contamination at the site.  The EPA has identified hazardous organic compounds, pesticides, and metals at the facility.  The removal action has included waste removal and treatment of contaminated groundwater.

For updates on this settlement, stay tuned to this blog, or contact Toni Ellington at (504) 599-8500.