Ohio EPA Okays Foundry Cleanup

The Ohio EPA has issued a covenant not to sue Oakes Foundry, a Trumbull County, Ohio facility. The covenant completes Oakes Foundry’s participation in Ohio EPA's voluntary action program, where property owners take the initiative to clean up on-site contamination.

The covenant serves as a stamp of approval for work completed and releases the company from liability for past releases of hazardous substances.

Oakes Foundry has produced copper, brass and bronze castings at the property since 1935. Under the guidance of Ohio EPA, the company hired a certified environmental professional to assess the western disposal area for the presence of metals and other chemicals of concern. The investigation resulted in the removal of 0.3 cubic yards of lead-contaminated soil.

An environmental covenant prohibits the extraction of ground water and limits future use of the property to commercial or industrial use.

In the 10 years since Ohio EPA issued the first covenant under VAP, more than 3,250 acres of blighted land has been revitalized at more than 165 sites across the state.