Federal officials say a Woodbury County toxic waste site is ready for redevelopment. Environmental Protection Agency Project Manager Bob Stewart says the “Port Neal Industrial District” south of Sioux City passed a final inspection. Stewart says the 100-acre site was put on the E-P-A’s “Superfund” cleanup list after a tannery shut down there in 1989.Buildings, lagoons and trenches were contaminated with the chromium used in the tanning process. The clean-up consisted of taking out contaminated water and soil, and installing floating covers on the lagoons. Stewart says the area is now safe for use and they’re encouraging businesses to develop in the area.Stewart says the E-P-A will watch over the site for another 12 months and then control falls to the state.The tanning plant operated at the site from 1970 to 1989.
