EPA TO REMOVE DRUMS, SECURE CANTON INDUSTRIAL CORP. SITE; REDEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT TO FOLLOW

["cpeo@cpeo.org" <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

Technical Contact: Mike Gifford 
(312) 886-7257 

Media Contact: Mick Hans 
(312) 353-5050 

Illinois EPA Contact: Carol Fuller
(217) 524-8807 

For Immediate Release: August 19, 1999 

No. 99-OPA238 

EPA TO REMOVE DRUMS, SECURE CANTON INDUSTRIAL CORP. SITE; REDEVELOPMENT
ASSESSMENT TO FOLLOW 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 this week began a
short-term $700,000 cleanup at the Canton Industrial Corp. site, Canton,
IL. Residents and businesses near the central business district can expect
to see heavy equipment, construction vehicles, and orkers in required
protective clothing through late September. 

The 33-acre property, 260 East Elm St., has been the site of several
manufacturing and foundry operations since 1847. From 1919 to 1983,
International Harvester produced farm equipment at the site. After the
current owner failed to pay back taxes, last June, Fulton County and the
City of Canton started proceedings to take title to the site–an action they
expect soon to become final. 

During 1995 - 1996, Illinois EPA removed more than 600,000 scrap tires at a
cost of $300,000. After an August 1997 fire, Illinois EPA requested that
EPA conduct an environmental site assessment at the property. 

The current work includes upgrading the perimeter fence to secure the
property from trespassers, followed by removal and proper disposal of more
than 200 drums and smaller containers of laboratory chemicals, paint, paint
wastes, and other potential hazardous or flammable materials. 

Afer this material is removed, contractors hired by the city will begin an
environmental assessment of site conditions, plus preparation of short- and
long-term redevelopment plans. To facilitate this, EPA in 1998 awarded
Canton a $200,000 Brownfield Assessment Demonstration Pilot Grant. Later,
Canton also received a $120,000 grant from Illinois EPA for related site
assessment work. Future work may include removal of underground storage
tanks and asbestos-containing material from buildings on the property, and
a study regarding the extent of soil contamination. 

"We’re pleased that the EPA is moving ahead with this effort to remove the
hazardous materials and secure the site," said Mayor Donald Edwards. "Now
that we’re working together with EPA and Illinois EPA, the city is
optimistic we’ll see the Canton Industrial site back in productive use in
the not too distant future." 

Brownfields are abandoned or underused properties, often in urban areas,
where fear of environmental liability has slowed redevelopment efforts.
Since 1995, EPA has awarded more than 300 Brownfield grants, totaling $69
million, to assist cities and development agencies around the United States.