The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has formally extended the public comment period for its cleanup plan of the Housatonic River. General Electric released PCBs into the waterway until the substance was banned in the 1970s.
The Berkshire Eagle reports the period has been extended nearly two months to October 1 following requests for more time to review the agency’s proposal which was released May 30. The EPA held the first of two informational sessions in Lenox June 18 where the agency presented its so-called Rest of River plan.
“So we’ll be looking forward to GE’s comments as well as comments from the public as we move forward,” said Jim Murphy, an EPA spokesman back when the plan was released.
The Eagle reports the EPA has also announced a public hearing on the proposal to be held September 23rd in Lenox. Cleanup work for the 13 year, $613 million plan isn’t expected to start for another five years.
