News Releases

Illinois EPA Director Meets with Barrie Park Project Representatives

Springfield, Ill. -- Citing concerns about delays in the Barrie Park cleanup project in Oak Park, Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano met with representatives of Commonwealth Edison, Nicor, the Village of Oak Park and the Park District of Oak Park on Wednesday in an attempt to get the project moving again.

The meeting, held at Illinois EPA headquarters in Springfield, was intended to resolve differences among the parties on the cleanup of a former manufactured gas plant site. "It is clear that the parties are not in agreement," said Director Cipriano. "I intended this meeting to serve as a means to get the parties together, so the cleanup can move forward."

Director Cipriano made it clear that Illinois EPA would not review or make a decision between competing plans. "We intend only to review and approve plans that have been agreed to by the remedial applicants and the site owners," she stated.

In the meeting, Director Cipriano directed the parties to work together and come up with a unified compromise plan and stated the Illinois EPA's requirements for a plan that would be acceptable to the Agency. She gave them firm deadlines, asking for a revised Remedial Action Plan within 60 days and a status report, documenting progress, within 30 days.

Another important element was Director Cipriano's demand that a "meaningful public participation plan" be developed. "It is clear that some of the citizens in the area feel that their voices are not being heard," said Director Cipriano. "It is important to me that they are given the opportunity for input."

She also indicated that, if the parties are unwilling or unable to agree to a unified plan, the Agency would explore its options, including asking for the assistance of the Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan's office.

"I hope these additional steps will not be necessary and the parties will work together in a spirit of cooperation to get this cleanup continued in a safe and timely manner," Director Cipriano added.

Removal of soil from the park began in September 2001 under a cleanup plan approved by Illinois EPA and agreed to by ComEd and the Village and Park District. The work was halted in March 2002 after benzene levels in the air were higher than the project standard allowed.