Mohawk Tannery

Site Description

The Mohawk Tannery Site in Nashua, NH site consists of two contiguous parcels that are each approximately 15 acres: a developed "northern parcel," which was historically used for tannery manufacturing and waste disposal operations; and a "southern parcel" that is undeveloped. The site is bordered by the Nashua River to the west, the Fimbel Door Company to the north, and residential neighborhoods to the east and southeast. The former tannery facility produced tanned hides for leather from 1924 until it closed in 1984. During its operation, the tannery produced a number of waste streams, which initially were discharged into the adjacent Nashua River and later were disposed of onsite in unlined lagoons. Several of the onsite waste lagoons are located within the 100-year flood plain of the Nashua River. The site has been re-zoned for residential use by the City of Nashua and there is significant interest to see the site put back into productive use. There are approximately 5,000 residents located within four-square-miles of the site.

Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date

• The Mohawk Tannery site was proposed on the National Priorities List (NPL) in May of 2000.
• In January of 2001, EPA completed a short-term response to characterize and dispose of drums and small containers containing hazardous substances, asbestos containing material, caustic wastes, and the contents of a clarifier tank. In addition, a number of gates were repaired and warning signs were posted to further secure the site.
• In July of 2002, EPA completed a cost/benefit analysis to further characterize the nature and extent of contamination in the unlined lagoons and several other disposal areas, and to evaluate potential removal options for these materials. The analysis identified a preferred cleanup approach, excavation of approximately 60,000 cubic yards of waste for disposal off-site at a cost of approximately $15 million. This analysis underwent public comment in August 2002, and was favorably received by the community, city, and state.
• In July of 2002, the City of Nashua requested that finalization of the site on the NPL be delayed while the city pursued alternative means to fund the cleanup.
• In June of 2003, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) initiated field investigation activities at the site as part of the long-term cleanup investigation being funded through a Cooperative Agreement with EPA. The investigation of the buildings, groundwater, and soil will cost approximately $1 million and take approximately 18 months to complete.
• A steering committee was formed by the City of Nashua in the Spring of 2003 to make a recommendation to the city on whether the site should be finalized on the NPL. In July of 2003, the steering committee recommended that finalization of the site on the NPL be delayed for an additional 6 months to allow discussions with a private developer to take place.
• EPA continues to monitor the site to ensure there is no immediate threat to human health or the environment pending the start of long-term cleanup work.

Current Funding Status

• As of March 2003, EPA has spent $1.5 million in response costs at the site, primarily associated with the cleanup activities described above.
• EPA has determined that this site does not pose an immediate threat to human health, and will continue to monitor this site for any changes that may trigger additional action. EPA will consider funding new work at this site in Fiscal Year 2004.

For more information on this site, please read the Fact Sheet on the Region 1 Superfund Web site.