State environmental officials seek answers on cleanup at Fall River City Pier

FALL RIVER — The south portion of the City Pier is likely closer to opening to the public than the remaining portion of the 4.5-acre waterfront property after years of contamination clean-up and local officials working toward developing the land.

That was one of the issues discussed between representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection during a meeting Tuesday at the City Pier with members of the Fall River Redevelopment Authority.

The meeting was meant to figure out the status of a 2011 remediation plan to remove polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, found on the site in 2002. The two agencies have not closed the project, precursor to the development of the pier.

The EPA and DEP contacted the city last week after they were alerted to the RDA’s plan to place a temporary entertainment and event venue on the north – and more contaminated – portion of the pier.

On May 22, the RDA unanimously approved a licensing agreement with the recently incorporated Waterfront Promotions. The company proposed a plan to open a bar and build a stage on the north end of the pier.

Last week the RDA board tabled all issues concerning temporary use of the pier in anticipation of Tuesday's meeting.

Concerns also arose over a charge by City Administrator Cathy Ann Viveiros that the RDA’s former consultant, the former Fall River Office of Economic Development, failed to provide the EPA and DEP with reports on the remediation since 2016 or 2017.

“Honestly, I think it sounds positive and now that we’re all in the loop we can get them the information that they want," RDA Chairwoman Kara O'Connell said after the tour on the pier. "If we can prove that on the south side there is no other work, it’s going to come down now on what uses they’ll allow."

Mayor Jasiel Correia II said meeting with the environmental agencies was a necessary step for RDA to get approval to move ahead with the temporary development.

“We wanted to do it this summer," Correia said. "We still may if they are willing to work with us."

The EPA has 45 days to approve any changes to the use agreement. With the work needed to be completed by the RDA, which includes fencing and asphalting the surface, it brings the possible opening to August.

“Likely we’ll be seeing it next year,” Correia said.

The 2011 agreement limits uses of the City Pier to marine activities such as public docking, boat access and public access for passive recreational purposes. The parties agreed to the development of a marina at the site.

The RDA and the administration had plans to turf over the land where the venue is planned to be located, but a non-permeable surface such as asphalt may be required by the environmental agencies.

“We have a certain end use that was proposed. So, at this point, if you are proposing something in between, that would have to come back to both agencies with your justification for that specific purpose, whether it’s an interim use or final use,” said Kimberly Tisa, EPA’s PCB co-coordinator.

The end use of the City Pier is dictated by the level of cleanup, said Kathryn Carvalho, a DEP environmental analyst.

Viveiros asked if the agencies might be inclined to allow the RDA to install grass on a portion of the property used by the public rather than asphalt.

Tisa said contamination levels, in part, will dictate what happens and doesn't happen at the property.

RDA member Michelle Dionne said she was pleased with the meeting.

“My expectation is to gain full knowledge of what exactly is expected, what has been done correctly and what we need to do," Dionne said. "My ultimate goal is I want this pier opened to the community. That’s what I’ve always wanted."

Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com.