We are writing in response to the article that appeared in the Bangor Daily News on August 28 entitled “Plymouth water woes spreading: New investigation lauched,” by Sharon Mack. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection are concerned about inaccuracies found in this article regarding the West Site Superfund Site in Plymouth. While EPA and DEP invite comments on their actions, they expect their view to be presented accurately. Unfortunately, this article fell short and misrepresented a number of issues. Your readers, the EPA, and DEP certainly deserve better. This letter is intended to address some of thos inaccuracies.

Firstly, quotes provided by Ms. Mack of “One developer was well aware of the contamination before he sold lots, and it is unclear to us whether all sellers are being forthright with buyers,” and “Jennings identified that developer as Elton “Posey” Nason of Plymouth” are simply untrue. EPA did not make these statements. EPA did specifically state that it had no knowledge regarding the information exchanged between a buyer and seller during a property transfer. It was suggested to Ms. Mack that she speak with the homeowners if she wanted this information. There was no mention of Mr. Nason’s name nor any other name in our conversations with Ms. Mack, EPA apologizes to Mr. Nason for this misinformation. EPA believes that Ms. Mack should also consider offering an apology.

Secondly, Ms. Mack stated that, “To date, the newly discovered contamination affects mostly undeveloped land,” and that, “monitor wells have picked up trace levels of the poisons outside the previously identified 17-acre affected area.” In actuality, there is no contamination that would be considered “newly discovered”. Further, the extent of contamination has not yet been defined. EPA and DEP have sampled either monitoring or residential ground water wells in May and November 1996, and in April, June, and July of 1997 in an effort to ensure that residents are consuming drinking water within established guidelines. Contamination was found in one residence above acceptable standard and this home was connected to the water line. Further sampling will be conducted to ensure the continued consumption of safe drinking water.

It was also incorrectly reported that, “Public hearings are scheduled for September.” EPA and DEP have not scheduled a public meeting. EPA and DEP will notify and work with the Town of Plymouth in holding a town meeting in the near future. As Ms. Mack was informed, it is anticipated that a meeting will be held sometime this coming fall.

It should be noted that EPA and DEP have observed newly-drilled drinking water wells in the area of potential contamination. Increased use of the ground water poses the risk of drawing contamination both to these new wells and to wells beyond the current area of contamination. This potential risk to public health prompted EPA and DEP to submit a public notice to the Bangor Daily News and The Rolling Thunder Express. This notice was intended to inform prospective land purchasers, sellers, and real estate brokers of contaminated groundwater in the area and to advise them not to drill new drinking water wells or pump water from existing wells. The names and identities of buyers, sellers, or brokers were not listed in the public notice. At this point in EPA’s and DEP’s study of the site, the agencies are primarily concerned with the human health risks posed by consuming contaminated groundwater.

EPA and DEP are working to understand the hydrology of the area. We will inform Plymouth residents and other affected parties about what is learned concerning the West Site and will encourage all interested parties to participate in the plans to address groundwater contamination in the area. It is EPA’s and DEP’s formost duty to protect public health and to make sure that Plymouth residents are drinking water within established safe drinking water standards.

Finally, EPA and DEP are committed to providing the Plymouth community with accurate and trustworthy information. We want to ensure that residents affected by contamination from the West Site are educated about what is known, how the community can get involved in the decision making process, and the plan of action. The EPA and DEP would like to be confident that prominent newspapers in the area are a reliable tool to get information out to the public. It makes our job much harder when we are misstated and misrepresented by the press. In the future, we hope that the Bangor Daily News will print stories about the West Site or any other EPA or DEP related activity with accuracy, fairness, and in full consideration of the lives affected by such journalism.

Ronald Jennings of the Environmental Protection Agency and Claudia Salt of the Department of Environmental Protection are project coordinators.