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Cook Slurry Explosive Site. Background. Property Owned By Utah “SITLA” since statehood Leased to Cook Associates Inc., “Cook” 1978-2008 Lease was terminated hostilely, subject to litigation (2003-2008) Cook manufactured ”ANFO” slurry. More Background. SITLA conducts a Phase I (Fall 2008)
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Background • Property Owned By Utah “SITLA” since statehood • Leased to Cook Associates Inc., “Cook” 1978-2008 • Lease was terminated hostilely, subject to litigation (2003-2008) • Cook manufactured ”ANFO” slurry
More Background • SITLA conducts a Phase I (Fall 2008) • SITLA requests Utah County Sheriff Department’s Bomb Squad to secure “portable explosives” (February 2009) • SITLA requests EPA assistance (April 2009) • Removal Site Inspection done April 13, 2009
ANFO Slurry • Relatively Stable, High Explosive • Ammonium Nitrate (60-90%) • Fuel Oil (5-10%) • Sensitizers/Oxidizers (2-4%) • Spacer, e.g. Styrofoam (1-5%) • Emulsifier, e.g. animal fat (5-15%) • Used largely in Mining Industry
April 2009 Site Visit • Explosives business non-operational, since at least 1998 • Large inventory of ANFO materials left on-site • Site relatively secured (moderate fence, locks) but deteriorating • Residential development encroaching, well within ½ mile presently
May 2009 • After April site visit, EPA put its locks on the fence gate and provided site security • In May, EPA initiated inventory of chemicals and began cleanup • EPA accessed an explosives expert through the START contract
Cleanup Complete • Cleanup complete by June 27, 2009 • EPA costs were approx. $400,000 • Cost recovery will follow • Potential “takings” claim