The Warren Sentinel

April 1, 2010

Congressman discusses Avtex cleanup efforts

Town, county officials look forward to progress with site

By Angelle Barbazon

U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10^th District) met on Monday with local officials to discuss picking up the pace on cleanup efforts at the Avtex Fibers Superfund site with plans to wrap the project up by 2015.

Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and former site owner, FMC Corp., provided an update to town and county officials and members of the Front Royal -Warren County Economic Development Authority on March 29 at a conference.

“We’re looking to see if we can continue the process to open up the land that can be used for economic development and things to make the county more prosperous and create jobs,” Wolf said, “The EPA seems really open.  FMC is very willing to participate, so I thought it was a pretty good meeting.”

Wolf said a five-year timeline seems like a feasible plan to clean up the property, which covers more than 400 acres near Kendrick Lane.  The site once served as a rayon manufacturing plant and closed in 1989 because of pollution found in the groundwater.

“We’re trying to set up the parameters whereby the EPA releases the land to the EDA, the county and the town, so they can do whatever they think is appropriate,”he said.  “I just want the EDA, the town and the county to have the ability to develop that area and turn it into more jobs.”

County Administrator Doug Stanley said Wolf’s commitment has helped nudge the project in the right direction.

“Through his leadership, we have been able to secure the necessary federal funding to get the site remediated to the point where it can be redeveloped and added back to the fabric of the community,” Stanley said. “I think everyone is really looking forward to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and see actual businesses located at the site, investment made and jobs created.”

EDA Vice Chairman Greg Drescher said the parties involved are ready to see cleanup efforts progress further.

“I think we’re all after the same thing. We want to get it cleaned up and completed, and I think it’s in everybody’s best interest to do that,” he said.