Media Release

11:10 am

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) has received a $108,295 grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region 4 to perform environmental testing in Springstead Creek and selected drainage ditches in the vicinity of the Cabot-Koppers Superfund site in Gainesville.  In addition, the grant will allow ACEPD to continue on-going field oversight and technical review support for USEPA.  

Since 2002, through the efforts of ACEPD Pollution Prevention Manager Dr. John Mousa and Professional Geologist Robin Hallbourg, Alachua County has provided field technical support and local technical review for investigation and remediation activities at the Cabot-Koppers Superfund Site under a USEPA Cooperative Assistance Agreement.   Sediment sampling activities will include a field survey or reconnaissance of Springstead Creek from N. Main Street to the confluence with Hogtown Creek to look for potential impacts from any past discharges associated with the Cabot-Koppers Superfund site.  Survey and sediment sampling activities in Springstead Creek are scheduled to occur in the December 2008 through February 2009 time frame depending on favorable weather conditions.    Two separate storm water sampling events are also planned in the vicinity of Springstead Creek and the Cabot-Koppers site during the winter and summer months of 2009.   The timing of the storm water sampling events will depend on the occurrence of sufficiently strong rainfall events.    Sediment and storm water samples will be tested for organic and metal compounds of concern associated with the Cabot-Koppers Superfund site.  

"We are pleased that USEPA has responded to ACEPD's request to provide funding for Alachua County to conduct the sediment and storm water sampling near this Gainesville Superfund site", stated Chris Bird, Director of the ACEPD, "This new round of sampling should provide additional data to hopefully address some of the long standing concerns raised by citizens in the neighborhoods near Springstead Creek and the Cabot-Koppers site about offsite impacts.    I want to commend Dr. John Mousa and Robin Hallbourg for their success in developing an effective working relationship with USEPA that recognizes the need to address local environmental concerns such as the condition of Springstead Creek."

For more information, contact Dr. John Mousa or Robin Hallbourg at 352-264-6800.

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