The Project
In the late 1990s, the Town of Warren and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection approved a plan by the Steamship Navigation Company to create an outdoor shooting range built from textile waste from a carpet manufacturing company in Maine. At the time of approval, the project seemed like it would be a benefit to all: create a space for long-range target practice and create a meaningful use for material otherwise destined for a land fill.
Unfortunately, unbeknownst to the Town or DEP, the execution created a much larger problem. More than 300,000 cubic yards of material contaminated with PFAS (also known as forever chemicals) made its way to the site.
However, the story doesn't end there. Thanks to a sizable grant from the EPA Brownfields Grant Program, the Town now has an opportunity to not only address this environmental hazard, but also write a new chapter for the land, for the Town, and for its residents.
Steamship Navigation site, circa 1996.
How We Got Here
In 1998, the Steamship Navigation Company was approved by the Town and the Maine DEP to bring in textile waste from a Maine based carpet manufacturer. The carpet did contain PFAS (forever chemicals) but was to be placed in such a way to not create any environmental hazards. The goal was to use waste otherwise destined for a landfill to create an outdoor shooting range for long range riflery target practice.
The Town eventually became aware that not only was more material brought to the site than initially approved (almost 300,000 cubic yards), it was also not placed correctly which allowed much of the site to be contaminated.
The Town in partnership with Maine DEP did win a lawsuit against the owners, however the fees awarded for cleanup were significantly less than needed.
Following a December 2021 Town vote, the Steamship Navigation Advisory Committee was formed to help address the longstanding issues at the property. These volunteer residents — Ed LaFlamme, Alvin Chase, Kris Smit, Maynard Tolman, Rick Butler, and Doug Pope — researched the Town's options and ultimately recommended that the Town acquire the property through tax foreclosure and pursue EPA Brownfields funding to finally address this dark chapter in Warren's history.
In August 2025, the Town was awarded a $4 million EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant to clean up and revitalize the 71.4-acre property. We are grateful for the committee's diligent work in helping move this project forward.
The Town subsequently sought proposals from qualified environmental professionals and selected Sevee & Maher Engineers, Inc., a Maine-based environmental engineering firm, to assist with the project.
Site, circa 2004
What's Next
Over the next several years, the Town will work with its environmental consultants, Maine DEP, and the EPA to move the Steamship Navigation property through cleanup and toward future reuse. Upcoming work will include:
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Keep the community informed through this website, public meetings, and opportunities for public comment.
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Develop remedial alternatives, and evaluation of those alternatives based on public input, site redevelopment goals, cost, and other criteria.
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Finalize the cleanup plan for the site and select a qualified environmental earthwork contractor through a public bidding process.
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Prepare the site for cleanup and implement cleanup actions.
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Complete soil sampling after cleanup to confirm that cleanup requirements have been met.
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Complete environmental closure with Maine DEP and EPA.
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Prepare the property for future reuse and redevelopment.
The current EPA work plan runs through September 2029, although the schedule for physical cleanup is still to be determined.
For a more detailed look at the project schedule and requirements, view the full Cleanup Work Plan.
