Presque Isle

Overview

Presque Isle is a deleted Superfund site located on the Presque Isle State Park peninsula in Erie County, Pennsylvania. The site centered on an unplugged natural gas well drilled in 1910 and abandoned in 1920. In the early 1970s, a noxious black liquid began discharging near Beach No. 7 at the park. The well released hydrogen sulfide gas into the air and contaminated nearby soil and groundwater. The site was added to the EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983, partly because of concerns about other improperly plugged oil and gas wells in the surrounding area.

The contaminated media included soil and groundwater, which contained volatile organic compounds and inorganic compounds. People and animals near the well could have been exposed to contaminated soil and surface water. Exposure to swimmers and municipal water users was considered unlikely because contaminants would be diluted in the large volumes of water in Lake Erie.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection plugged the well with cement in 1982, sealing it to a depth of 900 feet. Testing of eleven residential wells that same year found no contamination. A remedial investigation and feasibility study began in March 1987. By September 1987, the EPA selected "No Further Action" as the remedy for the site's operable unit, reflecting that the well plugging had already eliminated the threat. Construction was formally completed on March 8, 1988. An inspection in 1987 found no odors, soil discoloration, or stressed vegetation, and no discharge has been observed since 1982. The site was deleted from the NPL on February 13, 1989. A five-year review conducted on March 3, 1993, confirmed the remedy remained protective. No further five-year reviews are planned.

Today, human exposure and groundwater migration are both considered under control. All cleanup goals for current and reasonably anticipated future land uses have been met. The site functions as a public recreational area for picnicking, swimming, and fishing. It also includes an ecological reservation providing habitat for deer, squirrels, and waterfowl. About four million people visit Presque Isle State Park each year.

Community members can review site documents online or at the U.S. EPA Region III office in Philadelphia by calling (215) 814-2396 to schedule an appointment. The Administrative Record includes 316 remedial documents and 23 removal documents.