ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 2, 2004) – Home heating oil that contaminated 170 properties along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in the wake of Tropical Storm Isabel has been cleaned up under a unique state-federal partnership, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. announced today.

The $2.25 million project removed 600 tons of oil-contaminated soil in eight counties. The oil, spilled when the storm surge from Isabel toppled heating oil tanks, had the potential to contaminate groundwater and pose health risks to residents who rely on well water for drinking.

“The partnership between Maryland and federal emergency officials is a model for cooperation between the states and Washington ,” Governor Ehrlich said. “ By working together and combining our resources, we are helping these Maryland families rebuild their homes, properties, and lives.”

Removal of the contaminated soil and replacement with clean soil was done at no cost to homeowners. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) paid 75 percent of the cost; Maryland ’s share of the cost was $562,500.

The cleanup was coordinated by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and carried out by the Department of General Services (DGS). The Department of Planning had overall responsibility for Maryland ’s response to Isabel.

“The cooperation of FEMA, State and local governments, the consultants and contractors and our citizens was absolutely essential in addressing this threat to public health and our environment,” said Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Audrey E. Scott, who has coordinated the State's response to Hurricane Isabel. “Because of that cooperation, this clean up was a tremendous achievement. We also applaud MDE and DGS for working hand-in-hand to make this project such a huge success."

Isabel's high winds and storm surge dislodged hundreds of home heating oil tanks, spilling thousands of gallons of oil and leaving thousands of additional gallons inside the dislodged tanks. MDE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pumped more than 50,000 gallons of fuel oil from tanks.

Before the clean up could begin, MDE obtained legal permission to enter homeowners' properties to assess the extent of contamination. DGS then utilized the expertise of five geotechnical consulting firms to survey the sites and collect and test soil samples from the properties to determine the extent of contamination and the amount of soil needed to be removed.

Next, DGS coordinated with 12 contractors to remove the soil and replace it with clean fill dirt, then restoration of the sites with topsoil, grass seed and straw mulch. DGS also coordinated to have the contaminated soil hauled to appropriate sites for safe and proper disposal.

“Critical to the success of this project was our strong proactive response,” said DGS Secretary Boyd K. Rutherford. “By coordinating the efforts of geotechnical experts and contractors, we effectively accessed and managed the remediation effort, removing tons of contaminated soil that could have resulted in a health threat to many residents along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay .”

Contaminated soil operations took place in the counties listed in the chart below.

CONTACT:

Dave Humphrey, Director of External Affairs
DGS Office of External Affairs
410-767-4652
E-MAIL: Dave.Humphrey@dgs.state.md.us

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