The HoltraChem Manufacturing Company, located in Orrington, Maine, operated on the banks of the Penobscot River from 1967 until September, 2000. Maine DEP is working with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the current and former owners of the plant to clean up pollution at the site. Follow the links below to find out more about the site and DEP's involvement in remediation and cleanup.
Corrective Action
Phases of Site Cleanup - Cleanup goals and standards for river sediments, onsite sediments, groundwater, surface water and soils. The site is currently at the corrective measures decision phase.
Corrective Measures Study - The Corrective Measures Study was submitted on September 22, 2003. A public hearing was held on January 13, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. in the Orrington Center School to obtain public input. A Corrective Measures Study is a document that reviews and weighs the pros and cons of the various clean up options. The document is available in the Orrington Library repository and at the DEP in Augusta. The public comment period on the Corrective Measures Study closed January 16, 2004, at 5:00 p.m. (pdf format)
Agency commented on Corrective Measures Study - The Corrective Measures Study was review by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (pdf format)
Enforcement History and Documents: State and federal actions to date, consent decrees, consent agreements and compliance orders. Archived EPA Newsletters.
Phase 3 Dismantling Work Practices - This phase of the project includes the cleaning of 63 tanks; the draining of 10 large rectifiers and transformers leaving 13 still in use onsite; the removal of various debris and scrap stored in various locations on the site; the rinsing of the cell building, liquefaction building, and the drying shed, all of which are mercury contaminated; cleaning 10 building sumps containing residual mercury contamination; and cleaning elemental mercury from a concrete slab near the cell building. (pdf format)
Phase 2 of the Process Systems Dismantling Plan - The Department approved Phase 2 of the Process Systems Dismantling Plan on June 3, 2004. This phase of the project involves the removal of process piping, valves, pumps, miscellaneous equipment, and appurtenances known or suspected of being contaminated with mercury. In addition several existing process tanks will be cleaned to remove residual liquids, sludge, and sediment. This work is expected to be completed in Fall 2005/Winter 2006. See schedule for further details - (pdf format)
Cell Process Dismantling - The DEP approved the dismantling of the internal portions of the cell building in the Spring of 2003. This process is expected to take 16 months to complete. These pictures were taken by the Department staff during site visits. (pps format)
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