[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Would Oversee Groundwater Cleanup at Unit of Superfund Site as Part of Consent Decree Filing

Thu Jul 30 13:34:14 MST 2009

PHOENIX (July 30, 2009) - The Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality would be given authority to oversee groundwater cleanup in
Operable Unit 2 of the Motorola 52nd Street superfund site as part of a
consent decree filed Thursday in U.S. District Court.

The proposed decree would shift oversight from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency to ADEQ for groundwater cleanup at Operable Unit 2,
which involves the companies Freescale Semiconductor Inc., Honeywell
International Inc., Aviall Inc., Kachina Technical Services and
Processes, and Joray Corp. Operable Unit 2 is located in Central Phoenix
on the northwest corner of 20th Street and Washington Street, just north
of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. 

"This is a win-win for the environment and all the parties working to
speed up the cleanup," said ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. "ADEQ is
better positioned to lead local oversight and response, EPA is able to
support efforts at a nationally significant superfund site, and the
companies have a more effective and efficient process to get the job
done."

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard also said that he was happy with
the proposed consent decree. 

"I am pleased that these companies will take responsibility to clean up
the groundwater polluted in the 52nd Street superfund site. The health
of our environment and our communities is a top priority of ADEQ and my
office," Goddard said. "This settlement will not only save Arizonans
millions in clean-up costs but, most importantly, it will help ensure
that generations of Arizonans have access to safe, clean groundwater
resources."

The Superfund site has been on the National Priorities List since 1989
and is divided into three operable units for ease of clean-up and
oversight.  In 1999, EPA entered into a judicial order with the
companies for the construction and operation of a groundwater treatment
system for Operable Unit 2. The consent decree lays out requirements for
the operation and maintenance of the treatment system.

Since the Motorola 52nd Street site is under federal auspices, ADEQ will
still consult regularly with EPA and EPA will provide guidance and
assistance as needed.  Since the Operable Unit 2 treatment system began
operation in 2001, more than 7.86 billion gallons of water have been
treated, and a total of nearly 10,800 pounds of volatile organic
compounds have been removed.

There will be a 30-day public comment period before the consent decree
can be finalized.  ADEQ will give notice to the public regarding the
comment period. Anyone wishing to comment can submit comments in writing
to the court with a copy submitted to the director of ADEQ and the
settling parties.  All correspondence should refer to Case # CV
07-01989-PHX-SRB.

-30-

"News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
ms15@azdeq.gov."

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