WAPPINGER – The US Environmental Protection Agency has proposed
placing the Wappinger Creek on its Superfund National Priorities List
of the country’s most hazardous waste sites. The portion of the
creek being proposed includes parts of the Village of Wappingers Falls
and the towns of Wappinger and Poughkeepsie.
The federal agency said sediment in a two mile long tidal portion of the
creek, which is downstream from an industrial park, is contaminated with
mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other pollutants.
“Wappinger Creek is used for fishing and recreation by residents
of Dutchess County,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck.
“By placing this site on the Superfund list, the EPA can take action
to restore this creek and protect people’s health and the environment.”
For over 180 years, an industrial park along the creek was used for textile
dyeing, manufactured gas plant operations, metal plating, ammunition production,
chemical manufacturing and other businesses.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation recommended including
this site on the federal Superfund list and the federal agency determined
placing on the list would be the best court of action to clean up the
contamination. The Superfund designation makes the creek eligible for
funds to conduct long-term cleanups.
At the same time, the EPA will search for the parties responsible for
the contamination and hold them accountable for cleanup costs.
