The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Boston city officials have marked significant milestones in the cleanup efforts at the Lower Neponset River, specifically focusing on the Lewis Chemical Site and Riverside Square PCB Site in Hyde Park. The event was attended by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Massachusetts' Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' Undersecretary Stephanie Cooper, MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple, and other local partners.
"Investments from the Biden-Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have allowed us to accelerate clean ups that communities have long wanted," said EPA New England Administrator David W. Cash. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local entities in addressing environmental issues.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu emphasized the significance of these efforts for communities like Hyde Park and Mattapan. "This progress represents our shared commitment to environmental justice, public health, and restoring our natural resources for future generations," she stated.
Senator Warren also praised the initiative: "Everybody deserves schools and neighborhoods free of dangerous pollutants." Senator Edward J. Markey noted that areas like Hyde Park have been "long-standing environmental sacrifice zones" but are now receiving necessary attention due to recent investments.
MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple commended the joint efforts between state and federal agencies: "Returning this resource to a use that is beneficial and safe for the community is why we do the work that we do."
Community involvement has been crucial throughout this process. Vivien Morris from the Lower Neponset River Community Advisory Group expressed gratitude for ongoing support: "I'm thankful for the great progress today."
The Lewis Chemical Site cleanup involved removing approximately 5,703 tons of contaminated soil containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals. This site had a history of hazardous waste processing until operations ceased following an explosion in 1983.
Efforts will now shift towards cleaning up Riverside Square PCB Site along another section of Neponset River's northern bank where industries using PCBs were once prevalent. An investigation began earlier this year with plans approved for further soil excavation costing $4.9 million.
These initiatives form part of broader efforts under EPA's long-term strategy targeting contamination across various sections within Lower Neponset River Superfund Site boundaries—a region spanning 3.7 miles from Mother Brook confluence downriver past Walter Baker Chocolate Dam into Dorchester/Milton areas bordering residential-commercial-industrial-public lands including Greenway paths used by locals daily.
Further details about these projects can be accessed via EPA’s dedicated webpage: https://www.epa.gov/neponsetriver
