TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is cleaning up Terre Haute’s former Columbian Enameling and Stamping Company.
The Columbian Enameling and Stamping Company operated in Terre Haute from 1902 until 1968.
In 2021, ownership of the property began demolishing site buildings without required permits.
Now, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has requested EPA assistance.
The site was referred to us by IDEM in December. We went out, did the site assessment, and then started the cleanup a couple of weeks ago. We are doing setup work on site right now.
Len Zintak – On-scene Coordinator – EPA
The site contains asbestos and hazardous waste, as well as has some remaining structures still standing.
We are starting a time critical removal action under the Superfund Program. It will involve cleaning up all the debris on the site. There is asbestos containing material, we have about 300 drums on site. Those remaining structures will be demolished next year.
Len Zintak – On-scene Coordinator – EPA
At Wednesday’s meeting, resident voiced their concerns for the health of people in the site area.
Mayor Sakbun says there will be a number of safety precautions in place.
Right now, the EPA’s goal, and the city’s goal, is to ensure that this is a healthy and safe cleanup. We are doing a couple of proactive steps. There will be robust air sampling in and around the site. Of course, as Len had previously mentioned, not temporary fence, but then permanent fence. Which is, of course, that physical barrier between site activity and the residents that do live there. There will be some water systems for, when needed, to tamper down the dust.
Brandon Sakbun – (D) Mayor
The EPA says that work will continue into next summer.
Mayor Sakbun says the city has no plans for the site just yet, as all the focus is on the clean-up process.
