New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site ESD
Public Meeting
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a virtual public meeting on October 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. EPA will present the draft eighth Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) proposing to modify the upper and lower harbor remedy (Operable Unit 1) for the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site in the following ways: 1) Applying the Site-specific residential PCB cleanup level of 1 part per million (ppm) to address soil contamination at the western portion of the Sawyer Street Support Facility known as “Area B and Area C”; 2) Implementing soil excavation within Area C where total PCB concentrations exceed 1 ppm down to a depth of three feet and restoring with clean backfill; 3) Implementing land use controls within Area B and Area C where PCB contaminated soils left in place do not allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure (“UU/UE”) (i.e., residential standards). The Sawyer Street Support Facility is located at 103 Sawyer Street in New Bedford.
The Agency is soliciting public comments on the Draft ESD during the 30-day public comment period starting on October 30, 2026, and ending on November 28, 2026. Comments on the Draft ESD and Administrative Record can be submitted via https://www. regulations. gov (Docket ID No. EPA-R01-SFUND-2026-6304). All comments are reviewed and responded to in writing by EPA prior to selecting a final alternative for the ESD, if necessary. Meeting materials will be posted prior to the public meeting on https://www.epa.gov/new-bedford-harbor.
FNN 10/22/26
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