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Lebanon manager: PFAS detected at airport; city to schedule public hearings and remediation work
Summary
City staff told the Lebanon City Council that PFAS, from historically required airport firefighting foam use, was found during site work for a new tower; staff proposed public hearings Aug. 19 and Sept. 16 and cited a low RFP bid near $105,000 to begin investigation/remediation.
The Lebanon City Manager informed the City Council on July 15 that PFAS contamination was discovered at the Lebanon Airport during site preparation for a planned tower replacement.
The manager explained that historical, federally mandated use of PFAS‑containing firefighting foam at airports had led to contamination and that the Federal Aviation Administration and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services require a site investigation and remediation steps before the city can move forward with tower work. He said the city issued an RFP and received a lowest bid of about $105,000 for required site investigation and initial cleanup.
To comply with state and federal timelines, the manager requested that the council place a public‑hearing item on the Aug. 19 agenda to schedule a PFAS site‑investigation hearing; staff proposed holding that formal hearing on Sept. 16 to advance consultant contracting and coordination with NHDES. The manager also said the airport has reserves that can be used to pay for remediation and that he will bring draft funding and appropriation options back to council for consideration.
Why it matters: PFAS are persistent environmental contaminants that trigger state and federal oversight; the discovery imposes near‑term environmental obligations and potential remediation costs on the city. The city will also evaluate whether federal or state funding assistance is available after the site investigation.
Representative quote: "As a result of that historic federally mandated use, the FAA and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services now require the city to investigate and remediate PFAS contamination at the site." — City Manager
Next steps: The council approved placing the item on the Aug. 19 agenda; staff will present detailed site investigation proposals, RFP responses and funding options in subsequent meetings. The council will not obligate funds until it has the full budget and contract terms.
