The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting and public hearing to discuss plans to clean up solvent contamination at the former Lock Haven Laundry property on Bellefonte Avenue in Clinton County.

The public meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by the public hearing at 7:30 p.m., on August 26 at Lock Haven City Hall, 20 East Church St., Lock Haven.

“Staff from DEP’s Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields program will explain the problem, review the proposed remedial solutions and answer questions,” DEP Northcentral Regional Director Marcus Kohl said.

Environmental investigations at the Lock Haven Laundry property have identified extensive soil and groundwater contamination. The most significant area of soil contamination is located northeast of the main building and is about 50 cubic yards in volume.

The contaminated area represents a risk for construction workers when the site is eventually redeveloped, and a source for vapor intrusion from the soil into the nearby commercial buildings. Sampling at the site shows that groundwater contamination of the chlorinated solvents exceeds statewide health standards.

DEP has developed three alternative plans to address the contamination and remediate the site. The department’s preferred alternative is estimated to cost about $250,000. All three plans will be presented at the public meeting.

During the public hearing, citizens will have an opportunity to present up to five minutes of oral testimony regarding the proposed remedial actions. Written testimony of any length also will be accepted. The testimony will be recorded by a court reporter and transcribed into a written document. DEP will provide a written response to all relevant testimony provided during the public hearing.

Those who wish to present oral testimony may register that evening prior to the hearing.

Persons with a disability who wish to attend the hearing and require auxiliary aid, service or other accommodations to participate in the proceedings should call Daniel Spadoni at 570-327-3659 or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the department may accommodate your needs.

Funding for the project will be provided by the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund. Established under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, the HSCF is primarily funded by fees, fines and penalties, including a portion of the unconventional gas well fee established in Act 13 of 2012.

For more information, call 570-327-3636.

7/28/2014