Creese & Cook Tannery (Former)

Overview

The Creese & Cook Tannery operated in Danvers, Massachusetts from 1903 to 1981, processing animal hides into leather goods across two properties divided by the Crane River. Tanning operations left arsenic and other hazardous substances in surface and subsurface soils at levels exceeding state and EPA health standards. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in May 2013.

Thirteen chemicals have been identified as contaminants of concern. Arsenic, hexavalent chromium, lead, chlorinated dioxins and furans, and several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including benzo(a)pyrene, are present in soil on both sides of the river. The east side of the river also contains additional PAHs such as benzo(b)fluoranthene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene. Near-shore sediment in the Crane River contains the same contaminants, and a separate river investigation began in late 2024. Groundwater migration is currently under control, meaning contaminated groundwater movement has been stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water.

Cleanup has been ongoing since the mid-1980s. EPA removed 450 tons of arsenic-contaminated soil from 33 Water Street in 2012. From 2020 to 2021, roughly 2,600 tons of contaminated soil were excavated at 45 Water Street, with shoreline restoration completed by late 2024. A second removal at 33 Water Street began in 2021 and remains ongoing. The site is organized into four operable units (OUs). The East of River unit (OU 01) and West of River unit (OU 02) both have Records of Decision dated July 22, 2019, and remedial action started in September 2024. The Crane River unit (OU 03) is under investigation with no decision document yet. The contractor HydroGeoLogic Inc. mobilized in April 2025, beginning work on access roads, rail bed removal, a temporary bridge, and perimeter fencing. Full construction is scheduled through the end of 2026.

Institutional controls are in place to restrict residential development and activities that could disturb cleanup components. These controls stay in effect as long as contamination or cleanup systems remain on site. Physical construction of the cleanup is not yet complete, and cleanup goals have not been achieved across the entire site.

Community members can stay involved through several channels. Site photographs documenting construction progress are available online and updated as work proceeds. For questions, residents can contact the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinators or Remedial Project Manager. State-level questions can be directed to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

(NOTE: This summary was created based on all information available on the EPA's official site profile page as of May 29, 2026. To view the most up-to-date information provided by the EPA, visit the EPA's official profile page for this site. For questions, contact the EPA Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager assigned to this site.)