BANGOR – The city will hold a public meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, in the City Council Chambers to discuss the results of a series of investigations conducted at the Bangor International Airport.

After an inspection conducted in August 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered the city to conduct a series of subsurface investigations at the Bangor International Airport Fuel Farm. The investigations were to determine whether there was free product [fuel] present in the ground and, if so, to what extent. If necessary, the airport would be required to develop a plan for remediation of the soil and-or groundwater.

Those investigations have now been completed and the EPA concurs with the city consultant’s conclusions that no significant problems have been found and remediation is not required.

The city’s consultants, St. Germain & Associates, conducted the EPA-approved investigations focusing on the subsurface areas of the fuel farm and the related pipeline distribution system.

The investigations consisted of soil sampling and soil vapor tests to determine the amount of free product [fuel] existing in soil and-or groundwater. Numerous test wells also were installed and gauged over a period of several months to determine whether groundwater contamination had occurred and whether product was migrating off-site through groundwater.

St. Germain & Associates provided EPA with summary reports Jan. 28 and Oct. 26. The reports will be presented and discussed at the public meeting on Dec. 15. The report also is available for public review in the Public Repository for Consent Agreement and Final Order located in the city clerk’s office.

On Nov. 8, the EPA sent a letter of Approval with Conditions in regard to these investigations. In essence, this action by the EPA indicates its acceptance of the conclusions of the summary reports. EPA has indicated that no further investigations or remediation is required under the terms of the Consent Agreement and Final Order.

For further information, call Wendy Warren, environmental manager, 992-4255 or Tony Caruso, assistant airport director, 992-4605.