Plymouth Harbor/Cannon Engineering Corp.

Overview

The Plymouth Harbor/Cannon Engineering Corp. site is a 2.5-acre former industrial facility in Cordage Park, Plymouth, Massachusetts. It stored hazardous materials in aboveground tanks near Plymouth Harbor. EPA added it to the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983 and removed it in November 1993 after cleanup finished.

The contaminants of concern are lead, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). All three were found in soil in the tanks area of the site. Between 1983 and 1987, EPA carried out emergency removal actions and full cleanup work. Workers dismantled three storage tanks, incinerated roughly 183,899 gallons of waste, shipped more than 60,000 gallons of sludge and toluene off site, removed 33 drums of waste, and brought in clean fill. Soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment sampling confirmed the extent of contamination. The site was fenced, and all construction work was complete by late 1987.

Cleanup was organized into two main operable units (OUs). OU 01, called TANKS, used excavation, groundwater monitoring, and off-site disposal, with a Record of Decision dated September 30, 1985. OU 02, called FINAL REMEDY, addressed remaining work completed through May 1992. The site reached sitewide ready for anticipated reuse status in June 2007.

Today, EPA has confirmed that no unacceptable exposure pathways exist and human exposure is under control. Institutional controls restrict the site to commercial and industrial use only, blocking residential redevelopment. These controls stay in place as long as contamination or cleanup components remain on site. EPA completed its most recent Five-Year Review in June 2023, confirming the remedy continues to protect human health and the environment. The next review is estimated between June and August 2028.

Community members with questions can contact the site's Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager. Site documents are available at the Plymouth Public Library at 132 South Street in Plymouth and at the EPA Region 1 Records and Information Center at 5 Post Office Square in Boston.