The bay foundation and harbor group contend that although some cleanup has occurred, much of what was promised in the 1997 agreement has not been done. Bethlehem Steel went bankrupt in 2003, and since then the mill has changed hands repeatedly. Severstal North America Inc. acquired the facility last year.
Though Severstal is legally obligated to abide by the cleanup agreement, the groups contend that groundwater tainted with toxic metals, petroleum byproducts and solvents is seeping into Bear Creek and the Patapsco. Landfills containing hazardous wastes have been illegally expanded, they complain, and nothing has been done to stop rainfall from washing off the tainted site into the river. They also contend that the facility has been pumping high levels of chromium, zinc and other pollutants into the water, repeatedly violating its wastewater discharge permit.
Representatives for state and federal environmental agencies say that they have been overseeing cleanup of the Sparrows Point complex and that the new owner is continuing to do what's required. Dawn Stoltzfus, spokeswoman for MDE, said the state is seeking to update the cleanup agreement to set more specific deadlines for action and to improve communication with the surrounding residents, but the recent ownership turnover has complicated negotiations.
