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THIN LAYER CAPPING

Thin Layer Cap Pilot Project Construction – Completion Expected By Labor Day Weekend 
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​​Capping will be visible from the Orrington Picnic Park during the 2-hour windows before and after high tide--subject to weather, tides, and unexpected conditions. 

The pilot goals are to demonstrate that a thin layer cap is stable over time, effectively reduces exposure to mercury in intertidal flat sediments, and creates a clean zone for organisms to thrive in. 

Cap performance and ecosystem impacts will be monitored for 3 to 5 years after construction.The results will be used to evaluate the feasibility of court-approved, full-scale capping between Orrington and North Bucksport. See the TLC pilot fact sheet linked here.

The Remediation Trust began placing clean sand on intertidal flats near the Orrington Picnic Park in mid-August for the Thin Layer Cap (TLC) Pilot project, launching mercury cleanup in Penobscot River Estuary sediment.

Thanks to everyone who joined us August 26 at the Orrington Picnic Park for the community drop-in. We appreciate you taking time to observe the capping and learn about the TLC Pilot. Your interest and engagement are important to our work.

The TLC Pilot will be spreading 4 to 6 inches of sand on 6 acres of intertidal sediments, with completion expected by Labor Day weekend.

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STAY INFORMED 

  • Visit this webpage to keep up-to-date about TLC Pilot work.

  • Sign up for our email updates—complete the form in the footer below. 

  • Call our 24-hour hotline to hear recorded updates: (207) 352-3122

 

CONTACT 

Lauri Gorton, Remediation Trust Program Manager, (414) 732-4514, LG@g-etg.com

​The work is being managed by Greenfield Penobscot Estuary Remediation Trust LLC—the court-approved Trustee of the Penobscot Estuary Mercury Remediation Trust (Remediation Trust).

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CAPPING NEAR ORRINGTON PICNIC PARK 

Visit the riverfront Orrington Picnic Park located off State Route 15 (River Road) about a mile south of Center Drive in Orrington to learn about the capping. 

  • View capping

  • Visit our kiosk for more capping information

FACT SHEETS

Thin Layer Cap Pilot Project Construction, August 2026 - NEW

Thin Layer Cap Pilot Project, updated January 2025

 

THIN LAYER CAP PILOT PERMITS

Department of the Army Permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), June 2026

Natural Resource Protection Act (NRPA) permit approved by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), January 2026

WORK PLANS

Bathymetric Survey Investigation Report, Orrington Reach Capping Remedy, December 2024

Thin Layer Cap Pilot Project Work Plan, Orrington Reach Capping Remedy, May 2024

Thin Layer Cap Pilot Project Pre-Design Investigation Work Plan, Orrington Reach Capping Remedy, May 2024

River Flow Velocity Monitoring Investigation Report, Orrington Reach Capping Remedy, March 2024

Sediment Pre-Design Investigation Report, Orrington Reach Capping Remedy, March 2024

Sediment Pre-Design Investigation Report, Appendix C (Laboratory Reports), March 2024

Sediment Pre-Design Investigation Work Plan, Orrington Reach Capping Remedy, August 2023

Thin Layer Cap Design Work Plan, Orrington Reach Capping Remedy, July 2023

Coastal Wetland Assessment Plan, Orrington Reach Capping Remedy, July 2023

Bathymetric Survey Work Plan, May 2023

Field Sampling and Analysis Plan, May 2023

Quality Assurance Project Plan, May 2023
Health and Safety Plan, March 2023
River Flow Velocity Monitoring Work Plan, Orrington Reach Capping Remedy, March 2023​​

PRESENTATION

Thin Layer Cap Pilot Project NRPA Permit Application Public Informational Meeting Presentation, Orrington, February 5, 2025

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