Environmental
Contaminants
Biological Technical
Assistance Group (BTAG)
Environmental Contaminant biologists
participate in the multi-agency Biological Technical
Assistance Group (BTAG) via an Interagency Agreement
with the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1.
The BTAG is comprised of environmental scientists and
wildlife biologists from state and federal agencies
throughout New England (NE). It provides EPA with technical
expertise on the characterization and remediation of contaminant impacts to fish and wildlife and restoration
of natural resources. EC biologists principally consult
with EPA on National
Priority List (NPL a.k.a. - Superfund) sites. BTAG
biologists work cooperatively with EPA Remedial Project
Managers through all phases of NPL site activities,
including Preliminary Site Investigations, Remedial
Investigations, Ecological Risk Assessments and Feasibility
Studies.
 
Elizabeth Mine NPL, Strafford, VT. An abandoned mine
in the copper belt of VT is being remediated to minimize
acid mine drainage impacts in the Ompompanoosuc River
watershed. Currently, aquatic, riparian, and terrestrial
habitats are moderately to severely degraded. Two other
nearby copper mines, Ely and Pike Hill, are also slated
for remedial investigations in the near future.
Ottati and Goss NPL, Kingston, NH. 10 acres of a PCB-contaminated
forested wetland in southeast NH were remediated and restored
through multi-agency cooperation. Innovative removal and
restoration techniques were employed to re-establish hydrology,
microtopography and a diverse vegetative community which
set the stage for long-term success.
GE/Housatonic Site , Pittsfield, MA. Numerous studies
looking at the exposure and effects of PCBs in fish and
wildlife have been conducted in highly contaminated portions
of the Housatonic River and its floodplains in support
of an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA). ERA findings will
help determine remedial cleanup goals for the protection
of natural resources.
NPL sites, in many cases, have bankrupt or non-existent
Responsible Parties (RPs) that are incapable of covering
the cost of remediation or restoration. In these instances,
EPA shoulders the costs and BTAG biologists provide
technical assistance to attain the most ecologically
protective remedial and restoration option possible
with the available funds. In cases with viable RPs,
EPA and BTAG biologists provide similar remedial/restoration
services but a separate Natural
Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration will
often also be conducted by the Natural Resource Trustees
in order to recover past, present, and future damages
from contaminant and remedial impacts.
Additional information on BTAG/FWS EC Sites can be
found at Region 1 EPA Waste Site Cleanup and Reuse site-specific
websites. When you click on these links you will be directed to EPA NE Website:
Centredale
Manor, North Providence, RI
Dover
Landfill, Dover NH
Elizabeth
Mine, Strafford, VT
Ely
Mine, Vershire, VT
Fletcher
Paint, Milford, NH
Ft.
Devens, Ayer/Shirley, MA
GE/Housatonic,
Pittsfield, MA
Industriplex,
Woburn, MA
Iron
Horse Park, North Billerica, MA
Nyanza,
Sudbury, MA
Ottati
& Goss, Kingston, NH
Parker
Landfill, Lyndonville, VT
Peterson
Puritan, Cumberland, RI
Pike
Hill Mine, Corinth, VT
Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME
Pownal
Tannery, North Pownal VT
Shpack
Landfill, Attleboro/Norton, MA
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