THE KIDDER POINT INDUSTRIAL SITE 1927-1993
A variety of major developments have have come and gone on Kidder Point (formerly "Kidder's Point") yet the chemical waste dumps created remain there.
Based on a report by Sevee & Maher Engineers, May 19, 1993
2.0 SITE HISTORY AND LANDFILL DESCRIPTION
2.1 Site Setting
The Delta site consists of a 157-acre parcel, situated on the west shore of Stockton Harbor in Searsport, Maine. Man-made features at the site consist mainly of several plant and administration buildings; various storage tanks; two large diameter, spherical, empty ammonia storage vessels; and the landfill. Drawing C-101 contained in Appendix 4 is an existing conditions map of the site showing the general solid waste disposal area locations. '
Natural topography at the site ranges in elevation from sea level to approximately 80 feet (NGVD Datum), and slopes downward from west to east. Much of the site has been reshaped as a result of past and present activities which include construction of site buildings, water storage ponds, the landfill area, and a large marsh/pond area as a result of beaver damming.
2.2 _ Site History
1912. Cargo ships transport phosphates from western Florida port Boca Grande to Searsport for superphosphate fertiliser production.
1927. Summers Fertilizer Company incorporates. Site development begins as an agricultural fertilizer manufacturing plant.
1943, Northern Chemical, Inc., a division of Summers Fertilizer, assumes operation of the site and expands the manufacturing operation to include production of super-phosphates, sulfuric acid, and ammonium sulfate.
1953. An aluminum sulfate process is added.
1956. an ammonia plant, an ammonia nitrate plant and a nitric acid plant are constructed at the site.
1966. W.R. Grace & Company leases the manufacturing facility. The ammonia production is discontinued.
1970. W.R. Grace discontinues the production of superphosphates, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid.
1970. Delta Chemicals, Inc. succeeds W.R. Grace & Company..
1993. Delta manufactures and sells aluminum sulfate (liquid alum, A12[S04]3), ammonium sulfate ([NH4 ]2]S04), sodium aluminate (Na2A1204'2H20), and polyacrylamide based water soluble polymers.
Delta also receives in bulk and resells sulfuric acid (H2S04).
1994. General Alum purchases the assets of Delta Chemical Corporation of Searsport, Maine, a 152 acre facility
2015 James Poure, company owner since 1979 sells his equity stake to a an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Employee ownership.
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2.3 Landfill Setting
The Delta landfill is situated near the north boundary of Delta's site and is approximately 400 feet west of Stockton Harbor (Atlantic Ocean).
Railroad tracks owned by Bangor and Aroostook Railroad separate the landfill from Stockton Harbor. A marsh/beaver pond and water storage pond (north fire pond) border the landfill on its north and west sides.
The nearest portion of Delta's present manufacturing facility is located approximately 500 feet south of the landfill.
The landfill is comprised of six sludge disposal cells. Two former carbon sludge ponds, Cells 1 and 2 (see Drawing C-101), are currently situated at approximately Elevation 45 feet. Cells 3 through 6, which are mainly comprised of carbon and bauxite sludges, are currently at approximately Elevation 70 feet.
In addition, four small debris fill areas are located on-site. Three debris fill areas are located adjacent to the southwest portion of the landfill at approximately Elevation 70 feet. One debris fill area is located southeast of the landfill adjacent to the Bangor and Aroostook railroad tracks at approximately Elevation 25 feet.
In addition to the debris areas, there is also an area located southwest of landfill Cells 1 and 2 at approximately Elevation 45 feet which contains soil containing asbestos. Drawing C-101 also shows the approximate location of the debris areas.
2.4 Landfill History Based on information supplied by Delta, the present landfill site consisted of farmland prior to 1956. At that time, two man-made settling units, denoted as Cells 1 and 2 on Drawing C-101 were made to receive byproduct carbon from an on-site ammonia plant.. 2-2
Following pages missing) May 19, 1993 (Revised December 1993) Sevee & Maher Engineers, Inc.
